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VK7AX > NEWS 14.02.10 04:05l 449 Lines 20943 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: VK7 Regional News Broadcast for 14 February 2010
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From: VK7AX@VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC
To : NEWS@WW
VK7 REGIONAL NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2010
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VK7 EVENT News
Meet the Voice BBQ Update
A quick reminder to mark March 21st in your diary as the date for the Sewing Circle Net – "Meet the Voice" BBQ at the Ross Caravan Park which gets underway from 10am. $5.00 admission per amateur or amateur family is all we are asking and this will go toward a repeater fund.
Ray VK7VKV lets us know that this event will again feature an opportunity for those of us with too much pre-loved equipment to pass it on to others.
This years Bargain Bonanza will commence at 12.00 on Sunday in the Ross Caravan Park. As you are all aware proceeds of the event assist in paying a repeater site and license fees, so it has been decided to ask sellers this year to pay a $5.00 fee to go towards the cause.
An area will also be set aside for sellers so that potential buyers can find all items for sale in the one area of the park. There is no need to register until you arrive.
Last year so many people walked away with real bargains, and there is no reason why this year's event won't be bigger and better. Remember, its not just rubbish on sale, the previous events have seen the sale of transceivers, test equipment and really useful items.
So, sellers start getting that valuable pre-loved gear together and buyers start saving, if you miss the 2010 Bargain Bonanza you'll kick yourself. See you there.
Ray, contact email address is vk7vkv(AT)hotmail.com for further information.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#MeettheVoice
(73, Ray, VK7VKV)
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QSL delivery at Ross
Norm VK7AC and Brian VK7RR have collated many 1000s of QSL card for amateurs across the state and these will be brought to Ross at the Meet the Voice BBQ for distribution to the amateur in question or to a nearby amateur for delivery.
(73, VK7AC & VK7RR)
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VK7 EVENTS CALENDAR
A summary of the events across VK7 over the coming months:
REAST – February 17, 24– ATV experimenter's nights – Queen's Domain Clubrooms – around 7:30pm.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#ATVnights
REAST – February 21 – Annual General Meeting starts 11am at Queens Domain Clubrooms with BYO BBQ after.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#AGM
REAST – March 3 – Receiving Antennas Presentation by Richard VK7RO – Queen's Domain Clubrooms from 8pm.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#RxAntennas
SEWING CIRCLE NET – March 21 - Meet The Voice BBQ at Ross.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#MeettheVoice
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Northern News
Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club
Perhaps it wasn't the most spell-binding meeting, however the Annual General Meeting certainly is one of the most important get togethers for our club. Members have the chance to have real influence on the way the club shapes itself over the next year. Having said that, there hasn't been many changes with our executive positions:
Bill VK7MX has been formally elected as our President, Peter VK7PL is our new Vice President, Ann VK7FYBG is still the club money whiz, yours truly VK7ZJA remains the secretary, and Peter VK7PD fills our Committee member position.
Since incorporation, two new necessary positions have been created, that being Public Officer and Internal Auditor. Bill VK7MX and Neil VK7NT have done such a sterling job of this for the last six months, and the club was more than happy to have them on board for these positions again this year.
Tony VK7YBG is the master of repeaters, and Joe VK7JG takes a well earned break, but will still be there to lend a hand as assistant repeater co-ordinator.
If you need to see someone about examinations or education within NTARC, Peter VK7PD is your go-to man. Tony VK7YBG is also our WICEN co-ordinator, ably assisted by Norm VK7KTN.
Peter VK7KPC has had a long association with the scouting movement, and so it was only natural that he be elected as our JOTA co-ordinator. And finally Norm VK7AC is our passionate QSL co-ordinator.
With the formalities out of the way, the normal monthly meeting offered the opportunity to have some thought provoking conversation about what to do with our now silent and dismembered Snow Hill repeater, VK7REC. Since the collapse of the tower, several options have been put forward, and the general consensus is that we will investigate replacement of the repeater with a 70 centimetre one, and a link to VK7RBH. Watch this space for more information!
Thanks from
(Jason VK7ZJA, NTARC Secretary)
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NORTH WEST News
Cradle Coast Amateur Radio Club (CCARC)
CCARC News
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 the meeting but would like to find out more about the hobby 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
Cheers from
(David, VK7DC, Secretary, CCARC)
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North West Tasmania Amateur Television Group
http://www2.vk7ax.id.au/atvgroup/
Random Node Call on IRLP Nodes.
A facility known as "Random Node Call" has been reactivated on the Club's IRLP Nodes. By dialling a special DTMF code (in this case 4 x hashes ####) free and idle nodes anywhere in the world can be called by a random selection process.
This required an update in the nodes scripting as the central server had changed it's status page script to a compressed file in lieu of a standard text file to conserve download overheads on the server.
The facility is now again working as normal. All amateurs are welcome to use the Nodes. Why not give it a try. The DTMF code again, is 4 hashes.
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For Sale & Wanted Pages added to Club Web Site
New pages have been added to the Club Web Pages, allowing members to list FOR SALE & WANTED items.
Items have already been listed including for sale items mentioned in the appropriate section in this broadcast. The address for the Club Pages can be found on the text and internet version of this broadcast.
http://www2.vk7ax.id.au/atvgroup/
73's until next time
(Tony VK7AX, News Officer NWT-ATV Group)
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Southern News
WICEN Tasmania (South)
Activation for the Wayatinah Fire
WICEN Tasmania (South), assisted by other Amateurs, provided support to the Tasmania Fire Service for the Wayatinah fire in the Derwent Valley, between 1st and 12th February. The fire involved approximately 6,500 hectares. Fire fighting effort was divided into several sectors and had multiple helicopter support. An incident management team (IMT) was established at the Tasmania Fire Service training centre in Cambridge. WICEN supplied radio operators for the team.
Three shifts, usually covering the period 0600 to 2200 each day were worked in the radio room, with some operators doing `doublers' or `triplers'. The job involved contacts with IMT staff, helicopters, and with Tasmania Fire, Forestry and Parks personnel on the fire ground. It included message passing, collating weather reports and logging personnel movements.
Each radio operating team of two included at least one who had completed training arranged by WICEN with the Tasmania Fire Service. This led to the awarding of the certificate of attainment PUAOPE002A Operate Communications Systems and Equipment. The training recognised prior learning, satisfied by holding an Amateur Operators Certificate of Proficiency, and thus was able to focus on Fire Service systems, procedures and protocols. The need for the training was highlighted during a previous WICEN activation during the Wielangta Forest fires, and is consistent with the WIA emergency radio operator training initiative.
Those involved were Scott VK7HSE, Peter VK7TPE, Michael VK7FMRS, Chris VK7FCSM, Rod VK7TRF, Ian VK7IR, Roger VK7ARN, Stu VK7NXX, Cedric VK7CL, Garry VK7JGD, Steve VK7FAME, Reg VK7KK, Dale VK7DG, Chris VK7FCDW, Clayton VK7ZCR, Brian K7HSB, Warren VK7FEET, and Mark VK7FDMF. Rostering and administrative support was provided by Stu VK7NXX and Roger VK7ARN.
Thanks to those who rallied to support the fire fighters, many of whom were volunteers. The fire could very easily have developed into another "67" bushfire and was prevented from doing so by their efforts. Thanks also to the Amateurs who offered to help but couldn't due to health reasons. Special thanks to Scott VK7HSE and Peter VK7TPE who, despite both still recovering from serious health problems, and travelling further than most, worked the most hours . Scott worked almost twice the number of hours than the next highest who was Peter. Michael VK7FMRS came a close third and definitely travelled the greatest distance. The total hours worked at Cambridge was more than 250. Other Amateurs may wish to consider preparing themselves to help out in the future. Maybe part of your bushfire plan?
Pictures can be found at the link on the email and internet editions of this broadcast.
http://tas.wicen.org.au/Photo_pages/tfs_wayatinah.html
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WICEN bridges the gap
Sunday, February 7, 2010 saw the inaugural Hobart `Run the Bridge' run, with 1400 runners and walkers completing the 10 km course from Bellerive on Hobart's `Eastern Shore' to Salamanca Place, home of the famous Saturday street market.
The event's communications framework was provided by WICEN Tasmania (South). WICEN has commercial VHF and UHF licensed frequencies, which were used for the event. The event crew carried hired handhelds with headsets on the UHF network, extended by a repeater on Rosny Hill near the eastern approaches to the Tasman Bridge. WICEN also provided a back up VHF network with WICEN operators stationed at the Start, Finish and two Aid Points along the way.
Whilst undertaking their support for the event, WICEN took every opportunity to publicise Amateur radio in the very public place.
The event organiser expressed his gratitude for a job very well done.
WICEN wishes to make it known that the group did not have competitors in the Run. There are images on the WICEN web site which might indicate otherwise. WICEN's esteemed Chairperson , Chris VK7FCDW, royal waving from the course is one. He was only promoting his own status. The second, of him running on the course, is simply him getting out of the way of the real competitors.
A presentation can be found at the link on the email and internet editions of this broadcast.
http://tas.wicen.org.au/Photo_pages/2010_run_bridge.html
(73, Roger, VK7ARN)
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Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania
Annual General Meeting
The REAST AGM will start at 11am next Sunday the 21st of February 2010 following the broadcast at the Queen's Domain Clubrooms.
There will be a BYO BBQ after the AGM.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#AGM
(REAST Committee)
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Education and Training
If you would like to participate in a future training and/or assessment and it could be for any assessment (foundation, standard, advanced or practical) then let Reg VK7KK know on mobile: 0417 391 607 or email: regemm(AT)ozemail.com.au
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#FoundationLicenceCourse
(Reg, VK7KK, REAST Education Officer and Assessor)
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March Presentation
Some years ago, Richard, VK7RO, experimented with a few receiving antennas for 7MHz. These trials were mostly conducted at the Domain clubrooms and provided some entertaining exercise for the Wednesday afternoon group as they hauled wire through the bush.
On Wednesday the 3rd March at 8pm, at the Domain clubrooms, Richard will talk about the theory and practice of his attempts to improve reception on 7MHz.
See you there.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#RxAntennas
(73, Ric, VK7RO)
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ATV Experimenters Night
We had a great roll-up and got many involved in the ATV presentation.
The first presentation was a sneak preview of the recently completed 7TW & 7MO productions on the 10GHz record breaking attempt from Mt Barrow to Mt Fatigue in VK3 back in June 2009. Many comments were received and these have been incorporated into the final cut of the video.
We also showed two presentations from the AMSAT 2009 Forums on Suitsat and a very comprehensive update on the ARISS program. The last presentation was a tour of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Next week we have a great presentation on Portable Antennas from Phil VK7JJ.
So, if you are interested in receiving analogue ATV on a Wednesday night from around 7:30pm and you have a UHF TV antenna pointed toward the Queen's Domain then try tuning your analogue TV down the UHF TV band to SBS and then tune a little lower and you will probably find our ATV signal on 444.25MHz.
We also have a signal going out on digital Satellite TV standard - DVB-S on 1283MHz and you will need a digital satellite receiver and suitable antenna to receive this signal.
We get underway around 7:30pm in the ATV studios. So, if you would like to be involved in ATV come up to the domain and see and experience was amateur television is all about.
Hope to see you along.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#ATVnights
(73, Justin, VK7TW)
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RF Technology News
Splat
I can hear you thinking "SPLAT" what the hell is this about?
Well, Phil VK7JJ sent through some links to a very interesting new website that have been put together by Dr. Bill Walker W5GFE and Charles Ellis, Adjunct Associate Professor both from the Department of Computer Science, Oklahoma State University.
These two have created a very impressive that they have named Splat! and it utilizes terrain data (from Space Shuttle missions) to create plots for determining coverage areas provided by various antenna configurations, or to analyze the radio path between two locations. Splat! is of particular interest to the Amateur Radio Community. A web page provides a web interface to the splat! program.
Splat can provide coverage plots that uses various colours to show expected signal strength on a map that contains your QTH. You can also do path profiling between two stations. You can also do multiple transmitter plots although this does take much processing times.
Take a look at the links on the email and internet editions of this broadcast and have a play.
http://splat.ecok.edu/index.html
http://splat.ecok.edu/enrollprime.pl
Phil VK7JJ has created a great informational page with links and descriptions about Splat and is a must see for anyone interested in this fascinating application.
http://www.perite.com/vk7jj/Splat.htm
(73, Phil, VK7JJ)
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Technology News
Echolink on iPhone
Phil, VK7JJ let us know there is now a free EchoLink application for the iPhone.
Phil has been testing it and making a few contacts, even had a chat to Rick VK7HBR on his node and Rick said the audio was perfect.
It works either via WiFi or NextG and Phil reports the speed was excellent and no dropouts even routing NextG via WiFi.
It is available from iTunes link to it.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=350688562&mt=8
(Cheers from Phil, VK7JJ)
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DX REcords NEWS
VHF - UHF Records Tumble
John Martin VK3KM lets us know that the VHF-UHF records list has been updated with four new records set by the recent VK9NA DXpedition, plus a new 432 MHz record for VK2 set on 28 January by VK2KRR and VK6WG.
On 50 MHz between VK9NA and VK6JJ over a distance of 4933.2 km.
On 144 MHz between VK9NA and VK7MO over a distance of 2404.7 km.
On 432 MHz between VK2KRR and VK6WG over a distance of 2650.8 km.
On 1296 MHz between VK9NA and VK2DVZ over a distance of 1513.2 km; and,
On 2.4 GHz between VK9NA and VK4OX over a distance of exactly 1500.0 km.
For more information go to the WIA records update page.
http://www.wia.org.au/members/records/data/
(John VK3KM, WIA Contests Manager via the VK-VHF mailing list)
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Web & Email Edition Extra Bits!!
Long Lat Conversion
http://www.directionsmag.com/latlong.php
Big Sunspot Appeared 1045
http://spaceweather.com/
Sun Bursts
http://www.heliotown.com/Sun_20100207_Ashcraft.html
Super Seeker:
http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/content.asp?doc=/content/33301.htm
Major NASA Projects to be cancelled
http://www.spacetoday.net/Summary/4850
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/A_Perfect_Storm_Confonts_US_Space_Policy_999.html
Yet another attempt at making BPL sexy!
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jan/17/communication-power-lines/
BPL has a new name – EPL
http://www.commsalliance.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/20771/Draft_NBN_End_User_Premises_Handbook_Dec2009.pdf
The following links are courtesy of CG Communicator:
Welcome to The Museum of Radio & Technology in Huntington, West Virginia. This is quite a place:
http://tinyurl.com/DandyMuseum
http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~postr/MRT/index.htm
Here are beautiful panoramic views taken in southern Utah using 360 degree photographic technology. Click and use your mouse to move the picture around. Three scenes are offered for your viewing pleasure:
http://www.utah3d.net/SulpherCreek_swf.html
http://www.utah3d.net/DoubleArch1_swf.html
http://www.utah3d.net/PaysonC_swf.html
Here is a five star video on what ham radio does when the chips are down, this time in the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqaKzIkyBug
Automaton - Four ways to climb a wall, robot edition video:
http://tinyurl.com/WallClimbers
The flying lawn mower:
http://earthsignals.com/add_CGC/Flyinglawnmower.wmv
Desktop manufacturing: Be sure to check out the video associated with this story (3D Printers):
http://tinyurl.com/DesktopMfrg
Respect the Engineer (sign posted at a Clear Channel facility in San Diego):
http://tinyurl.com/EngineersSign
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: VK7FB
160m: VK7DM
80m: VK7EM
40m: VK7JGD
20m: VK7AR
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
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- NEWS POSTING TO PACKET -
Courtesy Tony VK7AX VK7AX(AT)VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC
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