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VK7AX > NEWS 20.10.10 10:23l 452 Lines 21558 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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VK7 REGIONAL NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 17 October 2010
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VK100WIA
Award Certificates Abound
Jim VK3PC lets us know that 19 VK7 amateur now have their Centenary Award Certificates:
The latest VK7 recipients are: John VK7XX, John VK7ZJJ, Cedric VK7CL, Norm VK7AC, Geoff VK7HAL and our first club station Centenary Award to WICEN Tasmania (South) VK7WCN.
Congratulations to all who have received their certificates.
(73, Jim, VK3PC)
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VK7 EVENTS CALENDAR
A summary of the events across VK7 over the coming months:
WICEN South – 17 October – Safety Checkpoints for Southern Tasmanian Endurance Riders at Clifton Vale
http://tas.wicen.org.au
NTARC – 17 October – JOTA in North at JOTA HQ in Launceston with Peter VK7KPC.
www.ntarc.net
NWTATVG – 17 October – JOTA in NW at Burnie Scouts - Burnie, Paton Park -Ulverstone, and Camp Boomerang - Port Sorell
http://www2.vk7ax.id.au/atvgroup/
WICEN South - 17 October – JOTA – Wellington District at Hamilton
http://tas.wicen.org.au
REAST – October 20 and 27 - ATV Experimenter's Night - starts around 7:30pm in the Queen's Domain Clubrooms.
http://reast.asn.au/atv/index.php
National WIA – October 23 – National Field Day – See WIA Website for further details.
http://www.wia.org.au/newsevents/centenary/nfd/
WICEN (South) – October 23 – Muster – 09:30 am at VK7TPE's QTH – BBQ lunch to follow
http://tas.wicen.org.au
REAST – November 3 – ACMA Presentation – Queen's Domain Clubrooms 8pm
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#ACMAPresentation
WICEN State-wide – 26 & 27 November – Tasmanian Equine Endurance Riders - State Championships – Sassafras
http://tas.wicen.org.au
CHARCT – December 4 – Central Highlands Biennial Hamfest at Miena Community Hall in the Central Highlands.
http://www.qsl.net/charct/
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Central Highlands Hamfest
4 December 2010 at Miena
The following is from Dave VK7OB...
Preparations are well under way and we have a good line up of traders from interstate who have booked their places for Miena, the breaking news is we will have two new high frequency radios one of which has not even been available in the US yet that is the new Kenwood TS 590 transceiver this is the first new transceiver from Kenwood in many years and from reviews available sounds like a great rig and very competitively priced and includes six meters.
The other rig which is due into Australia in the next week is the new Ten Tec Eagle so to quote a phrase the Eagle will have landed at Miena this rig is smaller than similar rigs by Ten Tec and is medium sized around the same as a Yaesu FT450 and includes six meters it also will represent great value.
The Ham Fest is set down for the 4th of December commencing at 10.00 Am and will conclude at approximately 2.00 PM entry fee is $5.00 dollars per person or family and goes towards the cost of running the event and will include free tea and coffee, soft drinks will also be available for sale food will be on sale from approximately 11.00am and will include the famous Miena Saveloys and sauce together with hamburgers and sausages in bread all made from the finest local ingredients.
For those of you that have not attended Miena before the hall is sited close to the Miena lodge in Haddons Bay and is adjacent to the ambulance and fire service building, it is a great modern venue well equipped and despite what global warming throws at us is very comfortable. The local repeater will be monitored for anyone losing their way and seeking directions its frequency is 438.500 with no tone required.
If people are looking to stay the weekend a mixture of accommodation is available at both the lodge and the Great Lake hotel and forward booking would be advisable.
I have not heard yet of anyone looking to sell preloved equipment and room has been set aside for that purpose, please contact Dave VK7OB on 62730642 0429123080 should you wish to set up a stand.
Any of the three regions wishing to have a stand promoting there region and amateur radio are more than welcome and should also contact me so that space can be allocated.
As this event is only run every second year it is a great chance to catch up to old friends and meet new faces only previously met on air not to mention the chance to see first hand some of the great gear which will be on display, and be able to talk first hand with the traders about their products and purchase same without that dreaded impost we all have to put up with in VK7 freight. No doubt there will also be some bargains on the day.
I am looking for a few helpers for the day and would appreciate a call from any one who can see their way clear to assist master class chefs are welcome as some assistance in the BBQ area would be great.
If anyone has any thing that they think could add value to the day please do not hesitate to contact me we are open to suggestions.
And a reminder about the bus from Hobart to Miena and back. This is a great way to sit back and see the scenery, let someone else drive and be able to chat with people on the way up and back from this great event.
We are again considering this option and would like to hear from anyone interested ASAP to see if we have the numbers to make it viable.
If you are interested and you would like to book a seat on the bus then please contact Tony VK7FTCL on 6249 1949.
(73, Dave, VK7OB)
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Northern News
Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club
www.ntarc.net
Jamboree On The Air is this weekend 16th and 17th of October. If you have some spare time today we would love to see you at Scout Island. Put out a call on R8 and ask for Peter VK7KPC or Tony VK7YBG they would most definitely appreciate a hand!
Ann VK7FYBG is taking orders for the call books again this year, so if you'd like to put your name down for one, let Ann know.
With 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
WIA National Field day - The CCARC will be running a field day station at Ulverstone on Saturday 23rd of October. So if you have a bit of spare time to kill then come on down to OTTO"s GROTTO in Shropshire Park.
You can find us by travelling to the car park at the far northern end of Victoria street and look for the shelter 100m to the north west.
Starting time will be 10am. Why not bring along your radio gear and the family, your BBQ lunch, make use of the facilities and have a good day out with pleasant company.
Get back to the basics of amateur radio, come along meet the people and use a real radio. All amateurs are invited and welcome, as is the general public. The Cradle Coast Amateur Radio Club, putting enjoyment back into amateur radio.
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/
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
WICEN Tasmania (Sth)
Hot Amateur Radio Promo Opportunity
Not doing anything to promote Amateur Radio through the W.I.A. National Field Day?
Why not join WICEN in promoting our hobby, as we do at every serviced community event.
WICEN (South) and the Cradle Coast Amateur Radio Club's WICEN group will again be providing communications for the State Championships of the Tasmanian Equine Endurance Riders;
Starting at 2400 on Friday 26th November at Sassafras; the tail enders expected to be back at Base by 2100 on Saturday.
Besides supporting the terrific family sport of endurance riding, it's an excellent opportunity to promote Amateur Radio;
by displaying banners and providing information to the many ride supporters who always visit the Base station and ask questions on what we're about.
The words of appreciation for what Amateur Radio does for community events are reward enough, but, as well, there's the satisfaction gained from a job well done and the opportunity to use equipment and skills to a useful end.
Break out that campervan, caravan, camper trailer or tent, with your mobile rig and head for the North-West in November.
You won't need much by way of supplies. The event Base is a mini township in a paddock, with fine catering and a great social hub.
Contact
David VK7DC, Secretary of the CCARC at ccarc.inc(AT)gmail.com, or
Roger VK7ARN, Secretary of WICEN (South) at secretary(AT)tas.wicen.org.au
to register your interest.
With the event running over almost 24 hours, the more the merrier, and easier.
(Roger, VK7ARN, Secretary WICEN Tas (Sth))
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Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania Inc.
http://reast.asn.au/
WIA Centenary - Hobart FM Community Radio 96.1FM
Tomorrow, Monday 18 October, Justin VK7TW will be the guest of Historian Reg Watson on his local history program on Community Radio station 96.1FM in the Hobart area.
This program will start around 11am and feature some interesting early Wireless Institute of Australia history and he might even be able to slip in some Tasmanian amateur radio history!
The program emanated from the ABC local radio program with Chris Wisbey on a weekend which Reg is a regular contributor to and Justin presented some info about amateur radio and the WIA Centenary.
http://www.hobartfm.org.au/
(73, Justin, VK7TW)
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November Presentation
Showcasing the ACMA
David Long and David Hay will be coming along to give a presentation on what the Australian Communications and Media Authority does.
We as amateurs have linkages, through our licensing with the ACMA however, they do so much more than just licensing.
Have you ever wondered what happens out at the Quoin Ridge facility. Well they will let us know.
This should be a fascinating insight into the organisation and why it exists.
It happens on Wednesday November 3rd at 8pm in the Queens Domain clubrooms.
See you there.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#ACMAPresentation
(73, Justin, VK7TW)
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Licence Examinations
A class for aspiring Standard Licence candidates has been scheduled to start on Friday evening 29th October. It will run for 4 weeks and cost expected to be $50.
If you are interested contact Reg Emmett VK7KK on 0417 391 607
or regemm at ozemail.com.au.
(73, Reg VK7KK, REAST Education Officer and Assessor)
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ATV Experimenters Night
Last Wednesday night our second night of DVB-T digital broadcasting from the Queen's Domain clubrooms.
The frequency is 446.5MHz and is a standard DVB-Terrestrial broadcast which means that many standard and high definition set-top boxes and Digital TVs will be able to tune into the broadcast.
What do you need to tune into the signal?
A directional antenna pointed toward the domain with a reasonable amount of gain. A set-top box or TV that can tune 446.5MHz and the specifications are not always 100% accurate...HIHI.
Both the cheapy Standard Definition DVT-T STB from Jaycar XC-4914 ($30.00) and the DSE GH5912 ($40.00) can both tune the frequency and pickup the signal although the specification for both boxes says that they cannot tune that frequency range. The Jaycar box seems to perform better. These are just two on the market.
Take a look at the link on the email and internet editions of this broadcast for a list of those STBs that can tune the frequency.
http://vk3rtv.com/atvrx.html
We started with some show and tell in relation to what was in this month's edition of Amateur Radio magazine and then went to our video presentation which was the video of "A Round Trip to Macca" given the REAST by Warren VK7FEET a couple of weeks ago.
We will be putting some effort into improving our antenna system over the next few weeks to improve the chances of receiving DVB-T from the Domain.
As they say – "stay tuned for more"....HIHI
This Wednesday night we will get underway with a range of show and tell and our video presentation will be the video of the Grote Reber Museum and 3D Virtual Reality Cinema tour which occurred yesterday.
We get underway around 7:30pm.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#ATVnights
Hope to see you along.
(73, Justin, VK7TW)
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Microwave News
Recent 47 GHz and 24 GHz contacts in VK3
On Monday 11 October - David VK3QM and Charlie VK3NX completed some 47 GHz contacts on their newly constructed transverters. Various distances were tried and they were able to progressively work up to 47.5km (a new VK3 record).
At 0512z on 11th October on 47,088.3MHz they exchanged reports of 51 both ways over the 47.5km path from a location in the Barabool Hills to near Mt. Mercer. Weather conditions at the time were 23-24 degrees C and ~ 65% humidity.
The transverters are 2 identical units consisting of a Kuhne mixer module, G8ACE OCXO at 122.250 MHz and DB6NT LO multiplier chains. The LO chain was built from kit form and the mixer modules came pre assembled with 170uW of power (QRO!!!) and 6.6 dB NF. The antennas used were 25dB horns (120mm long) that David fabricated very quickly!
Soon they hope to add 27dB more Tx power (approximately 20mW ) and a 1ft dish to both setups so they can try over greater distances.
Charlie reports it was also pleasing to have had several very strong QSOs on 24 GHz with David taking his 24 GHz box on it's maiden field voyage. David's 24 GHz system runs ~ 100mW into 1 ft dish and Charlie's runs ~ 500mW into a 1 ft dish.
(73, Charlie, VK3NX via the VK-Microwave List)
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Astronomical News
Introductory Astronomy Course - Canopus Hill Observatory
Friday November 5 and 12
The Astronomical Society of Tasmania holds its Introductory Astronomy Course twice per year. The course is held at Canopus Hill Observatory near Hobart, over two evenings and the Society invites anyone interested in observing the southern night skies to attend.
The course will be suitable for people who are interested in finding out about the many varied astronomical objects and patterns of stars to be seen on a clear night from Tasmania. It will teach you how to observe with both the naked eye and binoculars and provide the basic information to allow participants to recognize and observe star constellations, aurorae, planets, meteor showers and other transient phenomena such as eclipses and comets. Information on both the use and purchase of telescopes is included.
No prior knowledge will be required for course participants – just an interest in the night sky and a desire to join others for 2 interesting and (hopefully) fun evenings in an informal learning experience.
When: Friday, November 5th and November 12th. 7:30 to 10:30 PM.
The cost of the course will be $40.00 per participant. This will cover course materials, handouts and light refreshments on both evenings, and for an additional $50 we will be offering 12 months membership of the Society.
If interested then take a look at the web address on the internet and email editions of this broadcast for all the details.
http://ast.freehostia.com/
(Sourced from the AST Website)
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Web & Email Edition Extra Bits! !
Applications for Military Radio & Satellite
http://www.isode.com/solutions/applications-military-radio-satellite.html
There are changes to Lost Super and this company will find it for you (Thanks to Chris VK7FCDW):
http://www.findmysuper.com.au/
The ATO will also find it for you via:
http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/content.asp?doc=/content/33301.htm&alias=superseeker
Bad Jobs Affect Mental Health
http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2010/10/14/3038073.htm
ACMA – Reconnecting the Customer
http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD..PC/pc=PC_312222
The following links are courtesy of the AMSAT News Service:
A humorous overview of the review process for the upcoming MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) mission to Mars has been posted by NASA. NASA gave the mission a green light to continue development which will investigate the mystery of how Mars lost much of its atmosphere: http://www.universetoday.com/75011/so-you-want-to-build-a-satellite/ Additional information about the MAVEN mission can be found at the MarsDaily.com web site: http://tinyurl.com/27zvovx
A good overview of HO-68 Operating has been posted by Henk, PA3GUO http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6oDgUTHCwg
A short video introduces the Firefly mission, a CubeSat built by undergraduate students with the partnership of Goddard Space Flight Center and the National Science Foundation. http://tinyurl.com/22tm3z5 (SoutGateARC site)
For those interested in building your own satellite antennas check out this article by Derek Hilleard, G4CQM considering three different state-of-the-art 7 element yagi designs for 144MHz. http://g4cqm.www.idnet.com/2M%20YAGI/ (via SouthGate)
ARISS Chairman Gaston Bertels, ON4WF invites you to view the photos and listen to a a mp3 recording of the successful ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) school contact with Norwegian Museum of Science, Technology and Medicine: http://www.ariss-eu.org/2010_09_25.htm
Videos of the 2010 annual meeting of AMSAT-Italy held at Esrin south of Rome are available on the ESA website.
http://download.esa.int/flv/amsat-i_2010_part1.flv (ISS)
http://download.esa.int/flv/amsat-i_2010_part7.flv
http://download.esa.int/flv/amsat-i_2010_part4.flv (ISS Digital ATV)
http://www.esa-spaceweather.net/sda/ionosfera/amateur_radio.html
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?
Other VK7 Links
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jelfNgzPPYQ – SHPS ISS Contact
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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 – Back after a break!
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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