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VK7AX > NEWS 25.07.10 05:31l 429 Lines 21792 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: VK7 Regional News Broadcast for 25 July 2010
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From: VK7AX@VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC
To : NEWS@WW
VK7 REGIONAL NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 25 July 2010
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VK7 EVENTS CALENDAR
A summary of the events across VK7 over the coming months:
REAST July 28 ATV Experimenter's Night - starts around 7:30pm in the Queen's Domain Clubrooms.
http://reast.asn.au/atv/index.php
WICEN Nth /NW July 31 - Tasmanian Equine Endurance Riders - Beaconsfield Bash 80 & 40km event - 6.30AM final briefing and start for the comms team and early checkpoints.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wicennorth/
REAST August 4 Homebrew/Construction - Show & Tell Night starts 8pm in the Queen's Domain Clubrooms.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#showandtell
NWATVG August 7 - General Meeting at QTH of VK7AX starting at 2.00PM. NOTE: Not the 8th as reported last week.
http://www2.vk7ax.id.au/atvgroup/
NTARC August 11 Dinner meeting at the Royal Oak on Brisbane Street, Launceston for a 7pm start.
www.ntarc.net
REAST August 11, 18 & 25 - ATV Experimenter's Night - starts around 7:30pm in the Queen's Domain Clubrooms.
http://reast.asn.au/atv/index.php
WIA August 14 & 15 2010 Remembrance Day Contest Note: No WIA or VK7 Regional News Broadcasts.
http://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/rdcontest/
ILLW August 21 & 22 International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend.
http://www.illw.net/
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CONTEST News
Remembrance Day Contest 2010
This popular contest is fast approaching and we need to band together as VK7s and try to yank that trophy off those VK6s
..HIHI.
This contest commemorates the Amateurs who died during World War II and is designed to encourage friendly participation and help improve the operating skills of participants. It is held on the weekend closest to the 15th August, the date on which hostilities ceased in the southwest Pacific area.
It is preceded by a short opening address by a Guest Speaker transmitted on various WIA frequencies during the 30 minutes prior to the contest. During this ceremony, a roll call of amateurs who paid the supreme sacrifice during WWII is read.
A perpetual trophy is awarded annually to the Australian state or territory with the best performance. The name of the winning State or Territory is inscribed on the trophy, and that State or Territory then holds the trophy for 12 months. The winning State or Territory is also given a certificate, as are leading entrants.
The aim of the contest is for amateurs in each VK call area to endeavour to contact amateurs in other VK call areas, ZL and P29 on all bands except WARC bands.
On 1.8, 28, and 50 MHz and above, entrants may also contact other amateurs in their own call area.
The contest this year runs from Saturday 14th August 2010 from 0800UTC to 0759UTC on Sunday 15th August 2010.
The determination of the winning state or territory will be achieved by taking the total number of logs for each State or Territory, divided by the total number of licences issued in that State or Territory (excluding beacons and repeaters) as published in the WIA Callbook for that year, and multiplying by the total score for that State or Territory. Points can only be considered where a station has submitted a valid log.
So, even if you only work the minimum 10 contacts then please submit your log as it contributes to the overall state standing.
For more information take at the link on the email or internet editions of this broadcast.
http://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/rdcontest/
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Northern News
Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club
www.ntarc.net
Next Saturday the 31st of July, Beaconsfield will be the scene of the next horse endurance ride, and David VK7DC needs to hear urgently from any volunteers who are intending to help out with radio communications for the event. Looking a bit further out, between 9th and 12th September, there will be another endurance ride at Pyengana. Contact David or Tony VK7YBG ASAP if you're available to assist with either event.
Ken VK7DY has asked if any NTARC members would like to contribute anything to the up coming Science & Technology winter hamfest at the Sorell Mens Shed on the 25th of July. If you've something that might be of interest to your fellow hams, even if it isn't radio related, contact Ken directly at `the shed'.
At the last NTARC meeting, besides marvelling at Phil VK7JJ's new iPad, and being whisked away for a European holiday courtesy of Joe VK7JG, members decided that the August meeting should be a social dinner meet at the Royal Oak on Brisbane Street, Launceston. The menu is a la carte, so there will be something to suit everyone's palette. We'll aim for a 7pm start on Wednesday the 11th of August, but don't worry if you can't be there right on 7pm, we can accommodate late comers. Jason VK7ZJA, ever the fish connoisseur, thoroughly recommends the grilled salmon.
Thanks from
(Jason VK7ZJA, NTARC Secretary)
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NORTH WEST News
Cradle Coast Amateur Radio Club (CCARC)
CCARC News
http://www.my-x15.net/ccarc
This is a final reminder for amateurs providing tracking and safety communications support for the Tasmanian Equine Endurance Riders Association, Beaconsfield Bash, happening next Saturday, July 31st.
The event start time is 7am, and we will be having a Friday evening briefing for those arriving Friday afternoon, For those arriving Saturday morning there is a 7am final briefing, which is half an hour later than previously advised. For the event there will be 8 checkpoints used over 2 legs, although 2 checkpoints are used on both legs. Contact for operators coming to the event is David VK7DC who will be in the area from around 1:30pm.
International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend
Also happening next month is the International Lighthouse weekend on August 21st & 22nd. In the North-West we have Keith VK7KW activating Mersey Bluff Lighthouse, and Eric VK7FEJE and Wayne VK7FWAY activating Table Cape lighthouse.
Just after that, early in September we have the use of the VK100WIA callsign for three days and will be operating from the Devonport Maritime Museum. More details about this will be provided closer to the time
Amateur Radio Assessments
Prospective amateurs and amateurs wishing to upgrade can contact the learning facilitator Keith Winkler VK7KW who can help you along the path to a new licence. Contact details are available on the Cradle Coast Amateur Radio Club website, which is easily found by a Google search for CCARC Tasmania
Regards from
(David, VK7DC, Secretary, CCARC)
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North West Tasmania Amateur Television Group
http://www2.vk7ax.id.au/atvgroup/
Next Club General Meeting
The next General Meeting of the North West Tasmania Amateur TV Group is scheduled for Saturday the 7th. August. 2010. (NOT the 8th. as reported last week)
Anticipated venue at this time is the QTH of VK7AX and starting time will be around 2.00PM. As usual all persons are welcome and invited to attend.
Congratulations
The Club congratulates Greg Radford who undertook his Foundation Licence Assessment during the week and passed with flying colours. Greg has requested the call sign VK7FJFJ and we expect to hear him on the local airwaves as soon as his licence is issued by the ACMA.
We ask that all amateurs to welcome Greg to our wonderful hobby of Amateur Radio when they hear him call. Great work Greg.
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.
Potential candidates and interested persons in the North West and Central Coast Areas should note that it is NOT necessary to have to travel relatively long distances (such as Launceston) to attend assessments or training, as all these facilities can and are handled at a central location within the North West.
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 NWTATVG)
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Southern News
Sorell Men's Shed Winter Ham Fest
The Sorell Men's Shed is TODAY holding a winter Ham Fest Science and Technology day.
There will be:
- Science and Technology displays,
- Wind turbines and charging systems,
- Home Brew competition,
- Antenna Construction workshops,
- VK7SMS Station will be on air,
- Show and Tell Table,
- Pre loved items for sale- Swap or Trade,
- Trade Table.
- Fresh Sausage making demonstration with Cabana Sausages, and Bratwurst. Why not try your hand at linking sausages. There will be a smoking sausages at home demonstration with tasting after the demonstration.
Gold coin donation with all proceeds going to Sorell Men's Shed.
Enquiries for the great day give Ken a call on R2 or R5
http://www.sorellmensshed.org/
(Ken, VK7DY)
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WICEN South at the GGs
Last weekend saw WICEN South, together with northerner Peter VK7KPC, at the Clifton Vale property west of Dysart, to provide safety checkpoints for the Southern Tasmanian Endurance Riders and other riders from further a field. VK7s Peter TPE, Stu NXX, Garry JGD, Peter KPC and Roger ARN were on site on Friday afternoon to check comms between Base and the checkpoints. VK7s Chris FCDW and Michael FMRS together with harmonics Jessica and Nicole travelled up early on Saturday morning. Much of the course was over new ground with two checkpoints at new locations, one of which was definitely accessible only by four wheel drive. Paths were better than expected so a planned cross band repeater wasn't deployed. The course enabled checkpoint crews to relocate from earlier to later checkpoints adding some variety. Stu filled his normal role as Base operator but the data logging role was swapped from Roger to Chris, who even managed to get usually PC shy Peter TPE at the keyboard for a short time.
The weather was perfect with a forecast overnight frost failing to show and a gloriously sunny day for the ride, and for camping at Base overnight and at checkpoints in the bush during the day. Riders were pleased with the new ride and the organisers again happy with the services provided by WICEN. Three of the party returned home at the end of the day, whilst the others stayed on for Saturday night, some enjoying a local roo steak barbeque and all a camp fire with the ride organisers.
Some early morning rain, though welcomed by the locals, made packing up the camp a damp affair but not sufficiently so to mar an extremely enjoyable weekend. Morning coffee at Brighton Bakery topped off the weekend.
As is usually the case, every opportunity was taken to promote Amateur Radio, with the WICEN and the ARRL's "When All Else Fails Amateur Radio" banners displayed prominently. This AR promotional approach is working with, reportedly, the benefits of our services being extolled by Tassie riders travelling in WA and the sandgropers asking how they too can benefit from Amateur Radio services. Much has been said and done to keep the hobby alive and to preserve our access to spectrum. An effective way of doing this is to actively demonstrate a wider community service capacity. Besides that, there's lots of room for client focussed technical experimentation and application, family involvement and it's fun! The roo steaks weren't bad either! But most of all, it's the satisfaction gained from the genuine appreciation received for a worthwhile service.
An example of the appreciation is an email received from the Secretary of the Southern Tasmanian Endurance Riders
"You guys do such a fantastic job and you are at it all day, without much of a break.
We honestly couldn't run rides these days without your help, you are all such an asset to our sport.
Thanks so much for all that you all do, we really do appreciate your efforts."
Photos of the activity can be found via the link on the email and internet editions of this broadcast.
http://tas.wicen.org.au/Photo_pages/clifton_vale_0107.html
and at
http://tas.wicen.org.au/Photo_pages/clifton_vale_riders_0107.html
(Roger, VK7ARN, WICEN South Secretary)
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Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania
http://reast.asn.au/
Trial Broadcasts
Gavin VK7HGO, lets us know that the Monday night broadcasts from Tony VK7AX will be run on repeaters 2 & 5 as a trial and feedback is welcome.
(Gavin, VK7HGO, President)
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August Presentation Night - Show and Tell
The format of the night is a show and tell of homebrewed or home constructed/ assembled equipment.
Each person who comes along with something they have made, will get about 10-15 minutes to describe to the group the item and take questions.
You can bring along anything so long as you made it or assembled it and it relates loosely to amateur radio.
We have had some great responses already from people who will be bringing along homebrew gear.
If you need further information contact Justin VK7TW.
See you on the Show and Tell night which starts at 8pm on August 4th.
I hope to see some of those Optical Transceivers fitted in boxes with lenses
.HIHI.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#showandtell
(73, Justin, VK7TW)
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RD Contest Club Station
VK7OTC will be operating as a club station over the 24 hours of the RD.Goto Top of Page
We are looking to run a multi-operator station on multi-frequencies and the activation of VK100WIA was a great test of this capability.
If you are interested in being involved then let Justin VK7TW know by emailing him at: Vice.President(AT)reast.asn.au
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#RDContest
(73, Justin, VK7TW)
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Licence Examinations
If you are interested in sitting an amateur radio assessment and this can be for any of the assessments then contact Reg VK7KK on 0417 391 607, or email on regemm(AT)ozemail.com.au.
(73, Reg VK7KK, REAST Education Officer and Assessor)
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ATV Experimenters Night
Another great roll-up last Wednesday night with some great show and tell and videos.
We started the night with Graham VK7ZGK showing the very first CD Player that Sony produced the CDP-101. This circa 1980s CD player sold for $1200 and was very well made and remarkably still works. Graham gave a tour through the workings and showed how well made the unit was. Graham then showed the most recent consumer model CD player from Sony and it has been reduced to two printed circuit boards and a CD mechanism in a plastic case with no adjustments that sells for $70 and the new unit will play just about anything!
We then moved onto the 137MHz Quadrafiliar Helix antenna that Paul VK7PAH made from the design in the ARRL Satellite Handbook and Paul described the construction and what he intends to do with the antenna.
Justin VK7TW then went on to show the recently purchased HPSDR boards that he is building his High Performance Software Defined Radio with. This will develop over the coming weeks and be a continuing segment at the ATV nights.
Our main video presentation was the presentation given by Dick Smith on the Sunday afternoon of the WIA Centenary AGM weekend when he described some of the exciting times during his round the world trip in a helicopter in 1980s.
A great big thanks you also to Ben VK7BEN who has donated an ELMO close-up display unit for the ATV studio, this will replace our close-up camera and provide much higher definition and control for our close up work within the studio. Stay tuned for this next week.
Next week will see some very show and tell along with the Phil Harmon VK6APH 2009 TAPR Digital Conference presentation on the HPSDR project.
So, for those interested we get underway on Wednesday nights around 7:30pm and we broadcast on 444.25MHz analog ATV which is just below SBS on the UHF TV band.
Hope to see you along.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#ATVnights
(73, Justin, VK7TW)
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SunSpot Cycle News
Solar Cycle 24 peak - latest prediction
Roger VK7ZRH recently posted to the VK-VHF mailing list the most recent prediction gives the peak of Solar Cycle 24 as 58 +/- 25 !
Brazilian solar researcher, R.P. Kane, sets out his argument in his latest paper, titled "Size of the coming solar cycle 24 based on Ohl's Precursor Method, final estimate".
"Ohl's Precursor Method" argues that the geomagnetic activity during the declining phase of a sunspot cycle is shown to be well correlated with the maximum sunspot number of the next cycle.
Kane outlines the results of his own predictions in earlier papers and compare the predictions of a host of other solar scientists, which range from <50 through 130-150, right up to 185.
Unfortunately, Kane doesn't say when Solar Cycle 24 will reach its peak.
Posted for the edification of those having an interest in such things.
www.ann-geophys.net/28/1463/2010/angeo-28-1463-2010.html
(73, Roger Harrison VK2ZRH via the VK-VHF Mailing List)
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Web & Email Edition Extra Bits! !
uV to dBm conversion: http://www.moseleysb.com/mb/mv2dbm.html
FLEX 5000 User Manual: http://support.flex-radio.com/Downloads.aspx?id=246
USB 3.0 Specifications: http://www.usb.org/developers/docs/
Tonnes of Technical Software some Free! http://tonnesoftware.com/
Grid Squares and Google Earth: http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showthreaded&Number=523976&site_id=1#import
ISS SSTV information can be found on-line at: http://ariss-sstv.blogspot.com/ The images uploaded by users can be found on-line at: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/SSTV/.
New distance record of 7843 km (4898 Miles) via AO-7 was established
on July 15 between Luciano, PY5LF and Joe, K3SZH. http://www.planetemily.com/ao7/ao7log.php
The following links are courtesy of the FISTS down under newsletter:
A selection of ham radio video lings can be found at - http://www.hamuniverse.com/hamradiovideos.html
Maritime Radio Historical Society: http://radiomarine.org/
CWQSO ~ Send and receive on your PC - http://sites.google.com/site/gw6itj/morse-code/pc-cw-keyer
As important as Solar Flux in the study of propagation are the Geophysical Indices. NU7T-Steve #4076 has suggested these sites as of interest in shedding some light on the behaviour of this funny old world of ours. Thanks Steve.
Earth's Seasons - http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astronomical-applications/data-services/earth-seasons/?searchterm=earth%20seasons
International Geomagnetic Reference Field - http://wdc.kugi.kyoto-u.ac.jp/igrf/index.html
Earth Orientation - http://maia.usno.navy.mil/eo/
Geomagnetism - http://gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/geomag/index_e.php
Magnetic Declination - http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/declination.shtml
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: VK7IR
80m: VK7TW
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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