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VK7AX > NEWS 05.04.10 02:04l 457 Lines 23782 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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VK7 REGIONAL NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 4 APRIL 2010
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Welcome to the first Eastern Standard Time VK7 Regional News broadcast for 2010.
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Congratulations
Congratulations to Hayden VK7HAY for being awarded the Best Electronics Project (North) and Jarrod VK7RJ for Best Soldering Project (North) as apprentices with the Tasmanian Skills Institute.
It's great to see our young amateurs getting a good grounding in the electronics trade.
Keep up the great work!
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VK7 EVENTS CALENDAR
A summary of the events across VK7 over the coming months:
REAST April 7 REAST members tour the ABC Radio and TV Studios starts 7:30pm.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#abcstudios
REAST April 10 WICEN Capability Display and BBQ Queen's Domain Compound from 10am.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#WICENDisplay
NWATVG April 10 General Meeting at QTH of Ross VK7WP starting 2pm
http://www2.vk7ax.id.au/atvgroup/
REAST April 14, 21 & 28 ATV Experimenter's Nights Queen's Domain Clubrooms from 7:30pm
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#ATVnights
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NORTH WEST News
Cradle Coast Amateur Radio Club (CCARC)
CCARC News
http://www.my-x15.net/ccarc
The Cradle Coast Amateur Radio Club has been invited to join WICEN (South) to provide communications coverage for an equine endurance Riders for a 24 hour event coming up at St Helens, starting midnight Friday the 21st of May, so if you want to be involved contact David VK7DC.
What to become an Amateur?
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
Regards from
(David, VK7DC, Secretary, CCARC)
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North West Tasmania Amateur Television Group
http://www2.vk7ax.id.au/atvgroup/
Club General Meeting
Members of the North West Tasmania Amateur Television Group are advised the next general meeting of the Club is scheduled for Saturday April 10th. YES
THAT'S NEXT SATURDAY!!!
At the QTH of Ross VK7WP, 78 Pine Road, Penguin, commences around 2.00PM.
As the normal meeting date would have fallen on Easter Saturday it was necessary to move the meeting to the 10th.
If time permits, at the conclusion of the meeting, Tony VK7AX, will bring those present up to speed on facilities and operation of the VOIP machines including IRLP, EchoIRLP and VoiceMail.
As always an invitation is extended for all to attend.
Weekly Nets conducted by SCARS.
As heard on the WIA National News - the South Coast Amateur Radio Service (known as "SCARS" or SOUTHCARS) based in the US, conducts several weekly nets World Wide at various times throughout the week.
The main goal of the group is to foster further interest in the combined use of VOIP systems such as Echolink and IRLP along with Amateur Radio and to conduct a friendly environment between amateurs of all nationalities world wide and at the same time to have fun.
The addition of a relatively new net in recent times is the AUSTRALIAN CONNECTION.
First impression is that it is open to Australian amateurs ONLY... NOT SO...Amateurs World Wide are welcome and invited to join the Net, Australian Amateurs are encouraged to join in.
To fall in line with changes to Summer Time in Australia, the AUSTRALIAN CONNECTION Net will change on SUNDAY 4th. April 2010, when all Eastern States will drop back 1 Hour.
As of Sunday 4th. April, the Net has been rescheduled for
1100 - 1200 Hrs.EAST (0100-0200 Zulu).
To connect to the *scars* server. (use Echolink 96140 or IRLP 9614)
It is suggested amateurs may care to try the net by connecting to the SCARS Server at 1100 hrs. (0100 Hrs. Zulu) following local broadcasts.
Further information about SOUTHCARS and ALL Net schedules can be found at the link on the email and internet editions of this broadcast
www.voip.southcars.com
Amateur Radio Licence Assessments and Training
Persons in the N/West Area of VK7 interested in Training and Assessments for all classes of Amateur Radio are advised that the Club can provide all these requirements and in addition provision of Facilitators via the Radio and Electronics School if candidates so desire.
For more information regarding these facilities, please contact the Club's Learning Organizer Tony VK7AX, or the Club. Contact details can be found on the Club Web Site or the WIA site under VK7 Clubs.
73's until next time
(Tony VK7AX, News Officer NWT-ATV Group)
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Southern News
WICEN Tasmania (South) - WICEN Capability Display
As heard on the National WIA news - WICEN Tasmania (South) Inc will be holding a "show and tell" day around the REAST clubrooms on next Saturday 10th April.
We expect to be set up from about 10.00 a.m. and be there until about 3.00 p.m.
A barbeque lunch will be available for a small donation.
The main purpose of the display is to provide an idea of what we do and what we're capable of. Lots of equipment will be on display and WICEN members will be there to answer your questions.
The local repeaters are very quiet these days, so there must be many thousands of dollars worth of radio equipment sat around doing next to nothing. Why? Difficult to say, but maybe chatting about nothing in particular doesn't turn you on. Why not get switched on and use your radio for some community service? WICEN provides radio communications to various community groups and events on a regular basis. Much of it well suited to having the family along. Maybe you've thought about it but weren't sure what's involved?
Why not come along, have a look, ask some questions and chew on a tasty snag. It'll be better than chewing rag.
For catering, it'd be nice to have an idea of how many we might expect. So, if you think you'll get chance to call up to the Domain for a look see, try to let us know so we're sure to have enough snags on the barby. A note to secretary(AT)tas.wicen.org.au would be great.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#WICENDisplay
(Roger, VK7ARN)
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Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania
April Presentation
Tour of ABC TV & Radio Studios
Financial REAST members are invited to a special tour of the ABC TV & Radio studios this Wednesday night.
Our host will be Jim Parish who is Technical Manager at the ABC and he will be taking us through the newly refurbished TV and radio studios.
The move to digital technology has seen many changes in the studios and processes for bringing TV and radio to Tasmanians.
This should be a fascinating tour and we are privileged to have Jim showing us through prior to his retirement from the ABC in the near future. Thanks Jim.
PLEASE NOTE - Spaces are limited and so we need to limit the tour to Financial REAST members only.
Tour starts at 7:30pm Wednesday 7th April please be at theGoto Top of Page doors at 7:30pm SHARP
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#abcstudios
(Justin, VK7TW, REAST Presentations Officer)
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ATV Experimenters Night
Last Wednesday night was a great night of videos and much activity in the ATV studio.
The videos were as special and as Tasmanian as they get with a four year video photo montage of the Meet the Voice events from 2007 to 2010. This video also contained an original harp soundtrack courtesy of Folk Harpist Helen Morrison.
The video is now available on YouTube at the link that can be found on the email and internet editions of this broadcast.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3szrJI3Yipw
The second video presentation that was shown was the talk given by Richard VK7RO on his 7MHz antenna experiments at the historic Queen's Domain clubrooms.
Patrick VK2FPJB threw himself into the operation of the ATV studio and I suspect will become a great technical operations asset to the ATV group.
Peter Lee, Patrick and Justin then set about rearranged the transmitter rack ready for the new DVB-T transmitter and organising the rack to enable the switching of our RF inputs into the ATV studio.
We will have the capability to switch into the video and audio mix a range of external RF and Internet streaming inputs. If you have the capability of transmitting 1250MHz ATV to the domain then we will soon have the capability to mix your incoming signal into the ATV studio and retransmit and mix your signal. There is also capability to mix in the feed from the satellite dish once NASA TV comes back to a satellite in the Southern Hemisphere
.HIHI.
A big thank you to Ben VK7BEN who donated a well optioned computer for the studio that will be configured as our titling PC for the autocue and our streaming PC for those international ATV connections we are organising. We are aiming to have streaming over the internet to enable connections to other ATV clubs around the world.
We go into recess for a fortnight as this Wednesday night is the normal REAST presentation night. So, see you in two weeks time.
Hope to see you along.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#ATVnights
(73, Justin, VK7TW)
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ACMA News
Senator Conroy to speak at RadComm
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, will deliver a keynote address at RadComms2010 Spectrum, powering a mobile world, the Australian Communications and Media Authority's fourth annual conference on its management of the radiofrequency spectrum.
RadComms2010 will be held in Melbourne on Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 May 2010.
`RadComms2010 again offers industry and government an opportunity to come together to share views and discuss spectrum management issues,' said ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman.
`As in previous RadComms conferences, there will be significant time devoted to Q&A panel sessions to promote extended discussion on current and new initiatives. This is an important element of the ACMA's consultative process, providing the opportunity to directly influence the development of regulatory policies on emerging and evolving radio spectrum management issues.'
For more information take a look at the links in the email and internet editions of this broadcast.
http://acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_312084
In further ACMA news last week saw the release of the Five-year Spectrum Outlook for 2010-2014
The Outlook contains the ACMA's assessment of spectrum demand for different frequency bands and radiocommunications services.
`The Outlook consolidates the ACMA's thoughts on fundamental issues that may affect spectrum availability and management in Australia over the next five years. It also includes the ACMA's preliminary approaches and corresponding indicative work plan on how to deal effectively with these issues,' said ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman.
This year, the Outlook focuses on demand for spectrum by fixed and mobile wireless access services (WAS) applications.
Of possible interest for Radio Amateurs the Outlook details a number of other significant updates, including an analysis of the proposed changes to arrangements for spectrum in the 400 MHz band and the the ACMA's proposed spectrum approach to the introduction of `Smart Grids' in Australia.
For more information take a look at the links in the email and internet editions of this broadcast.
http://acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_312087
(ACMA Media Release)
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Contest News
Winter VHF-UHF Field Day
John Martin VK3KM WIA Contests Manager lets us know that the rules for the Winter Field Day which is held on the 19 and 20 June 2010 are now available and can be found on the link in the email and internet editions of this broadcast.
http://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/vhfuhf/
There has been one major rule change: the introduction of a separate section for rover stations. This new section will allow portable and rover stations to compete against other stations that have similar scoring potential. The rover section will apply to all stations that operate from more than two grids, or change location more than twice. This allows stations in the regular Portable sections to change location once, and return to the original grid square, without being required to enter the Rover section.
Special 2010 Field Day Certificates
Special certificates will be awarded in December 2010 to the entrants who have participated in all three 2010 Field Days.
Microwave Challenge - January 2011
The Summer Field Day for 2011 will cover all bands as usual, but it will also include a "Microwave Challenge", with special certificates to be awarded to the participants on microwave bands.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VK-Microwave/
(John VK3KM via the VK-Microwave Mailing List)
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Emergency Communications News
ARRL and Red Cross Sign Memorandum of Understanding
On Thursday, March 25, ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the American Red Cross (ARC) at ARC National Headquarters in Washington, DC. The MoU, which replaces an earlier Statement of Understanding that expired in 2007, provides a "broad framework for cooperation" between the ARRL and the ARC "in preparing for and responding to disaster relief situations at all levels in rendering assistance and service to victims of disaster, as well as other services for which cooperation may be mutually beneficial."
The ARRL Board of Directors approved the signing of the MoU at its January 2010 meeting following the completion of negotiations. The Red Cross requires the completion of a criminal background check to participate in Red Cross activities and provides a process by which a volunteer may have a criminal background check performed at no cost to the volunteer.
In the case of ARRL volunteers, the Red Cross has agreed to accept an alternative process in relation to criminal and credit background checks.
Per the MoU, "both ARRL volunteers and ARC workers will work cooperatively at the scene of a disaster and in the disaster recovery, within the scope of their respective roles and duties as recommended."
During a Red Cross Disaster Relief Operation (DRO) and depending on their training and qualifications, ARRL volunteers may perform in one or more of several roles, including Amateur Radio Liaison, Communication Equipment Operator, Communication Equipment Installation/Repair and Disaster Assessment. ARRL volunteers who are assigned roles by the Red Cross during a DRO will be provided with Red Cross credentials as required by the role, consistent with Red Cross policy.
"The ARC and other served agencies give Amateur Radio operators the worthwhile missions in our communities that allow us to thank America for the privilege of being hams." said ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN.
www.arrl.org
(Sourced from the ARRL Mailing List)
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HIstory News
Signalling Lamps
A signal lamp (also called an Aldis lamp, named for its inventor Arthur C. W. Aldis) is a visual signalling device for optical communication (typically using Morse code) essentially a focused lamp which can produce a pulse of light. This pulse is achieved by opening and closing shutters mounted in front of the lamp, either via a manually-operated pressure switch or, in later versions, automatically. The lamps were usually equipped with some form of optical sight, and were most commonly used on naval vessels and in airport control towers (using colour signals for stop or clearance).
Navy Use
Aldis lamps were pioneered by the British Royal Navy in the late 19th century, and continue to be used through the present day on naval vessels. They provide handy, secure communications during periods of radio silence as well as other times and were particularly useful for convoys operating during the Battle of the Atlantic. There were several types. Some signal lamps were mounted on the mastheads of ships, some small hand-held versions were also used ('The Aldis lamp') and other more powerful ones were mounted on pedestals. These larger ones used a carbon arc lamp as their light source with a diameter of 20 inches (50 cm). These could be used to signal to the horizon, even in conditions of bright sunlight. Although it was originally thought that it was only possible to communicate by line-of-sight, in practice it was possible to illuminate cloud bases both during the night and day which allowed for communication beyond the horizon. A maximum transmission rate possible by using flashing lights is no more than 14 wpm.
They have a secondary function as simple spotlights.
The idea of flashing dots and dashes from a lantern was first put in to practice by Captain, later Vice Admiral, Philip Colomb in 1867. His original code, which the Navy used for seven years, was not identical with Morse, but Morse code was eventually adopted with the addition of several special signals. Flashing lights were the second generation of signalling in the Royal Navy, after the flag signals most famously used to spread Nelson's rallying-cry before the Battle of Trafalgar.
The Commonwealth Navies and NATO forces use signal lamps when radio communications need to be silent or electronic "spoofing" is likely. Also, given the prevalence of night vision equipment in today's armed forces, signalling at night is usually done with lights that operate in the infrared (IR) spectrum making them less likely to be detected. All modern forces have followed suit due to technological advances in digital communications.
Air traffic control usage
In air traffic control towers, signal lamps are still used today, as a backup device in case of a complete failure of an aircraft's radio. Light signals can be red, green or white, and steady or flashing. Messages are limited to a handful of basic instructions (eg. "land", "stop" etc); they are not intended to be used for transmitting messages in Morse code. Aircraft can acknowledge signals by rocking their wings or flashing their landing lights.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal_lamp
http://www.krypto.ifastnet.com/superaldis/
http://www.airwaysmuseum.com/Aldis%20lamp%20&%20Very%20pistol.htm
(Sourced from Wikipedia)
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Web & Email Edition Extra Bits!!
Ever Wondered what the inside of a working 4 stroke motor looks like? (Thanks to Richard 7RO for this link)
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/03/view_from_inside_a_4-stroke_engine.html
Little Girl cheats the claw game in an innovative way (Thanks to 7RO)
http://gizmodo.com/5025144/video-girl-cheats-claw-game-in-creative-way
Following Morse Code Related links sourced from the SuperAldis website:
Morse mad, huge collection of keys and other stuff.
N9BOR Morse Code Links.
Website dedicated to the preservation and furtherance of the art of Heliography.
Homemade Heliographs
Another link about Heliography.
Telegraph instruments of Europe.
W1TP Telegraph & scientific instruments museum.
Naval Orientation about flashing light.
A relationship started by an unusual method of communication.
LA5EKA's page on Morse code.
How the Californian could have saved Titanic with a stronger aldis lamp.
Daylight Savings Dates in VK7
http://www.dpac.tas.gov.au/divisions/policy/daylightsavings
Like to build your own Radio Telescope?
http://radiojove.gsfc.nasa.gov/
Long/Lat Coordinate Converter
http://boulter.com/gps/
The following links are sourced to CG Communicator:
Is your PDA/Phone Spying on you?
http://tvtechnology.com/article/95418
This is reportedly the first 35mm motion picture film ever made: A trolly ride through San Francisco just days before the 1906 earthquake. Un-scripted and thoroughly delightful: http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=NINOxRxze9k
Landing at night on a wildly pitching aircraft carrier is incredibly tough. Two videos. TWO, don't forget. And hang on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=4gGMI8d3vLs
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=S0yj70QbBzg
Your next vacation (Antarctica) is ready and waiting. Crank up the sound and start the slide show: http://tinyurl.com/ykpf6wg
Your personal jetpack: http://tinyurl.com/JetPacque
Antenna ice at the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland. Photo courtesy of Paul Sautter, W6SJL, who adds, "This severe of a storm happens about once every 25-30 years:" http://earthsignals.com/add_CGC/Images/DSCF1084.jpg
Cool link for Milky Way images (HD viewing is best): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z3cVQcfb-w&NR=1
Outstanding military photographs:
http://www.tom-phillips.info/images/cool.pics.military.htm
http://www.tom-phillips.info/images/cool.pics.military.2.htm
http://www.tom-phillips.info/images/cool.pics.military.3.htm
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
80m: VK7EM
40m: VK7RO
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
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- NEWS POSTING TO PACKET -
Courtesy Tony VK7AX VK7AX(AT)VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC
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