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VK7AX > NEWS 08.06.08 03:08l 556 Lines 18285 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: VK7 Regional News Broadcast for 8 June 2008
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From: VK7AX@VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC
To : NEWS@WW
VK7 REGIONAL NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 8TH JUNE 2008
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VK7 EVENTS CALENDAR
And a quick reminder of the events and broadcasts across VK7:
WICEN SOUTH June 14-15 Field Weekend at The Lea Scout Camp.
http://tas.wicen.org.au/
NTARC June 18 Allenvale TAFE College Block B 7:30pm PLEASE NOTE
ONE WEEK LATER THAN USUAL
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ntarc/
REAST July 2 Telecommunications Installation in Kiribati Domain
Clubrooms 8pm
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#telecominpacific
NTARC July 9 BBQ Mt Barrow Interpretation Centre.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ntarc/
Sewing Circle Net Every day from 5pm on 3.59MHz
http://reast.asn.au/awards.php#sewingnet
CHARCT Quiz Net Every Thursday night from 8:30pm on 3.585MHz.
http://www.qsl.net/charct/
NWTARIG broadcasts in the South, North and NW during the week. Check
the website for details.
http://www2.vk7ax.id.au/spectrum/
REAST Winter Project Saturday Afternoons 2-4pm at Queen Domain
Clubrooms. Interested in amateur radio and getting your licence then
come along and see what it's all about and you may even be able to do
some of the activities toward getting your licence along with a great
information session presented by a range of REAST members.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#winterproject
REAST Every Wednesday evening from 7:30pm is the ATV Experimenter's
Night so, why not come up and see what we get up to. Check the
website for details.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#ATVnights
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NORTH WEST NEWS
http://www2.vk7ax.id.au/nwtarig/
Nightly Broadcasts from the N/West
Another reminder for listeners in the South. The broadcasts can again
be heard in the south of the state courtesy of Danny VK7HDM via his
EchoLink Node & UHF repeater VK7RAK on the 70CM. frequency of 438.700
MHz.
Audio Streaming ON DEMAND is now available 24/7 from a SHOUTcast
Server of VK7AX.
Check the website for further information on how to listen or
download the Broadcast of your choice.
http://www2.vk7ax.id.au/spectrum/
73's until next time.
(Tony VK7AX, President, NWTARIG)
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NORTHERN NEWS
Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club News
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ntarc/
As members would know, NTARC normally holds its monthly meetings on
the second Wednesday of each month, January excepted. Since NTARC
President Al, VK7AN is on a well deserved holiday at the moment,
we've decided to postpone this month's meeting by one week. If you
turn up to the meeting venue this coming Wednesday evening, you'll be
wondering where everyone is! So please mark your calendars, this
month's meeting is on the 18th of June, at Alanvale TAFE.
Speaking of Al, we hear he's making friends with the natives up in
Sydney. Keep up the good Tasmanian to Mainlander relations there
Allen!
Winter must have a relaxing effect on amateurs wallets in Northern
Tasmania. Recently Karl VK7HDX splashed out on a shiny new Kenwood
TS-2000X base rig, and now we hear that Max VK7FMDG has purchased not
just one, but two new rigs, including a Yaesu FT847, complete with
the desirable Collins mechanical filters. Well done Max, we're sure
you'll enjoy the cold winter nights with your new toy once it arrives.
Its wonderful to read in this month's issue of AR magazine that Robin
VK7RH has been awarded the "Higginbotham Award" for his many years of
dedication to contributing the Short Wave Listening column of AR.
Robin's dedication to the hobby spans many decades, and has started
several short wave listeners down the path of amateur radio, myself
included. Please accept our heart-felt thanks for your efforts Robin.
Thanks from
(Jason VK7ZJA, NTARC Secretary)
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SOUTHERN NEWS
WICEN Field Weekend
http://tas.wicen.org.au/
WICEN Tasmania (South) will be at The Lea Scout Camp off the Southern
Outlet between Hobart and Kingston on Saturday and Sunday 14th and
15th June.
The program is still being developed but plans so far are for the
weekend to kick off at 10:00 am on Saturday with:
- move in and set up HF, 2m and 70cm stations
- a WICEN members meeting at 1100 hours
followed by a spit roast lunch at 1300 - available at low cost.
Please let Chris VK7FCDW know if you will be coming for lunch so that
he knows how many of his prize herd he needs to prepare.
Activities will then include:
- Power connector and cable tests and comparisons
- HF dipole building - materials will be available for purchase
- NVIS trials using the WICEN 5MHz frequencies on CODAN radios
Saturday evening plans include
- Dinner - make your own or join a take-away group
- Illustrated talk by John VK7ZZ - Zinbad - on his recent Antarctic
voyage
- DVD showing of the FT5XO 2005 Kerguelen DXpedition
- Social tastings - BYO
Bunkhouse accommodation is available and recommended especially for
those taking the tastings seriously.
On Sunday:
- An introduction to Radio Mobile - radio system performance
prediction software
- APRS - what it takes to get started
- Show and tell on members' recent projects bring them along -
small or large
BYO BBQ lunch
Visitors are welcome. A contribution to the venue hire charge is all
that's asked.
Just turn into The Lea from the Southern Outlet and follow the road
up the hill.
Turn left at the turning circle at the top to the Storm Hut.
Roll up when it suits, but don't forget to book in advance for the
scrumptious Saturday lunch
(Roger VK7ARN)
----------------------------------------------------------
Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania
Our June meeting started with a couple of presentations to our Athol
Johnson contest winners.
The first presentation of the Athol Johnson Trophy was to Steve
VK7XOR who topped the scoring with 641 points.
The next presentation of the John Grace Trophy was made to Tony
VK7FACC by Rick Grace. Rick is the son of John Grace and Rick
described his Father's love of the hobby and amusing child-hood
experiences of amateur radio, camping and traipsing up mountains and
hills "to get better signals". Thanks Rick.
Congratulation to both Steve and Tony and pictures of the
presentation are available on the REAST web site.
http://reast.asn.au/awards.php#ajcontest
Our resident Physicist Mike Groth VK7MJ then gave a very
comprehensive presentation on aerials.
Titled Radio Antenna Systems and the art of compromise Mike
started with a grass roots look at radio propagation reminding
everyone it's the current that radiates not the voltage and outlined
the best modes for HF, VHF and above.
Mike then moved on to the basics of dipoles and many of the
variations and what these variations provide the radio amateur.
Then logically the next section was about connecting the antenna to
the transmitter via an ATU and transmission line. The basics of
standing wave ratios and transmission line were covered along with
the requirements of the BalUn.
Ground reflections and radiating patterns where then demonstrated
with the variations in dipoles, verticals, Marconi or short
verticals, elevated ground planes, Zepps, loops and short verticals.
Mike then outlined practical HF aerials including phased arrays and
beams with a detailed description of the effect and reasons for
parasitic elements. We then moved to long dipoles, rhombics and V-
beams.
Mike then summarised the presentation with the following words of
wisdom:
- There Is No Magic Aerial.
- Any dipole aerial below 14 MHz is going to produce high angle
radiation over most soils.
- Vertical aerials produce low angle radiation but need a good
earth system.
- Unbalanced aerials receive more noise and local QRM than a
balanced aerial.
- Short vertical aerials have a very low radiation resistance
and low radiation efficiencies
- KISS principle - Keep It Short & Simple
Mike finished with transmitting a signal using a pair of free steak
knives.
Thanks a million Mike.
Pictures and a downloadable copy of the presentation are available on
the REAST website.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#antennae
Following Mike's presentation the raffle was drawn of a 2008 RSGB
Radio Handbook which was donated by Martin VK7GN. Thanks Martin.
The lucky person was Ben VK7BEN.
(73, Justin, VK7TW)
-------------------------------
RD Contest
The RD Contest is not all that far away, and this year it is planned
to activate the VK7OTC Station again, this time from the domain
itself. VK7BEN is keen to hear from anyone who is interested in
assisting with this, even if you can only man the station for a
couple of hours. The Club will run both HF and VHF Sections of the
contest, with BBQs and other Activities during the weekend. If you
are interested, please contact Ben Via R2, or leave your name on the
whiteboard at the club.
Cheers,
(Ben VK7BEN for REAST Committee)
----------------------------------------------------------
The Pacific Solution - Telecommunications - Pacific Islander Style
REAST's July presentation will be by Phil Tompson VK7SS and Malcolm
Crosse from Novaris and Powercom and they have agreed to give a talk
on the installation of telecommunications, radio and TV on the
islands of Kiribati.
There are many interesting stories of the challenges encountered when
providing these modern services to a small Pacific country.
This should be another fascinating talk on July 2, 2008 at 8pm in the
Queen's Domain clubrooms.
See you there.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#telecominpacific
(REAST Committee)
----------------------------------------------------------
REAST Education & Training
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#TrainingCourses
June 16th is the first of a couple of assessment sessions in June so,
if you are interested in a Foundation or Standard Licence assessment
or any others then contact Ian VK7QF on 0417 125 708.
We've also established an alternative methods of training for the
Foundation Amateur Radio Licence. Rather than hold a whole Saturday
training exercise we aim to incorporate it into our existing Saturday
afternoon Winter Project Group program.
Candidates will be given a check sheet to guide them into completing
experiences that will assist in understanding areas in which they
will be later examined. It may be that other participants are willing
to help them with some of the activities.
In addition they will be encouraged to attend information sessions
held as part of this afternoon program.
And remember, Foundation Licence Manuals and CD's are available for
purchase at McCann's Model World in Elizabeth St. Hobart at $20.
(Only the first edition is available at this stage)
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#FoundationLicenceCourse
(Ian VK7QF, REAST Assessor)
----------------------------------------------------------
Winter Project
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#winterproject
As heard above our Winter project sessions continue next Saturday
afternoon and over the next few weeks there will be other guests
tutors and a focus on a range of topics required for your amateur
radio licence.
So if you would like to come along you will need to be there by 2pm
Saturday in the Domain Clubrooms for the informal information section.
(Regards from Ken VK7DY yep it's back to DY!!)
----------------------------------------------------------
ATV Experimenters Night
And a reminder that the ATV nights start again this week on Wednesday
night around 7:30pm and ATV goes out on 444.25MHz just below SBS on
the UHF TV Band.
If you have an antenna pointed somewhere toward the Domain why not
try tuning down the low end of the UHF TV band on a Wednesday night
and give us a call on what you are seeing and hearing.
This coming week we have a special presentation courtesy of the NZART
from Dave Brown ZL3FJ on Time and Frequency. Thanks to Ric VK7RO for
the DVD of this presentation from the NZART Convention in 2006.
See you there.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#ATVnights
(Justin, VK7TW)
----------------------------------------------------------
SPACE NEWS
SatPC32 Version 12.8 Released
Erich Eichmann DK1TB has released SatPC32, version 12.8, a satellite
tracking program which now contains improvements for Windows Vista
compatibility, CAT control of multiple radios, and CAT control of
Icom half-duplex radios.
Erich Eichmann DK1TB has donated SatPC32 to AMSAT, so all proceeds
support amateur satellite programs. Please support amateur
satellites by registering your copy of SatPC32.
A demo version may be downloaded from the author's web site and there
is a link on email and internet edition of this broadcast.
http://www.dk1tb.de/indexeng.htm
Some users of the new SatPC32 v12.8 have experienced a few minor
problems with this release and Erich is investigating these reports.
Registered SatPC32 users may use their existing registration code to
activate the downloaded new version. New users are encouraged to
purchase a registration code from AMSAT-NA, AMSAT-DL, or AMSAT-UK.
(Source from the AMSAT News Service)
----------------------------------------------------------
TECHNOLOGY NEWS
Digital Tattoo Interface
The following entry was by Jim Mielke in the United States for the
Greener Gadgets Design Competition 2008.
Imagine - her cell phone is ringing, but the display is turned off.
She lightly pushes a small dot on the skin on her left forearm to
suddenly reveal a two by four inch tattoo with the image of the cell
phone's digital display, directly in the skin of her arm. She answers
the call by pushing a tattooed button on her arm. While she's
talking, the tattoo comes to life as a digital video of the caller.
When she finishes, the tattoo disappears.
This Bluetooth device is permanently implanted beneath the skin. It
is flat, flexible, silicon and silicone. Tightly rolled when it's
inserted through a small incision, and then unfurled beneath the
skin, it lies benignly between skin and muscle.
Through the same incision, two small tubes are attached from the
implanted device to an artery and a vein. A coin sized blood fuel
cell in the implant converts the blood's glucose and oxygen from the
artery to the electricity required to power the device. Used blood
returns through to the vein. The digital device's power source is the
same as for all of the biological components in the body.
The surface of the implant that faces the underside of the skin is
covered with a matrix of field producing pixels that activate a
matching matrix of pixels tattooed onto the surface of the skin above
the implant. The field penetrates the skin to drive the tattooed
display, while the skin continues to provide its function of sealing
the body from the world. The surface of the implant is also a touch
screen control, pressed through the skin. Rather than ink, tiny
clusters of microscopic spheres are injected, like tattoo ink, into
the skin. Each sphere is filled with a field sensitive material that
changes from clear to black when a field in the matrix is turned on.
This device communicates wirelessly with the world as well as with
other devices implanted in the same body. It is always present,
always on, but out of sight and non-obtrusive. It also continually
monitors for many blood disorders, alerting the person of a health
problem: A human version of the check engine light. Product styling
is the latest and coolest downloaded display interface showing on any
tattoo on the block. This product is waterproof and it is powered by
pizza!
http://www.core77.com/competitions/GreenerGadgets/projects/4673/
(Sourced from
you guessed it
the Web!)
----------------------------------------------------------
WEB & EMAIL EDITION EXTRA BITS!!
Fully passively cooled computer case
http://metku.net/index.html?path=mods/passive/index_eng
Relaxation Station
http://technabob.com/blog/2008/03/09/relaxation-station-will-find-a-
way-to-make-you-chill-out/
Larger Ipod Screen from Old Projector
http://www.i-trixx.com/uk/index.php?do=ezine&ed=080528_13402
http://www.retrothing.com/2008/02/upgrade-your-ip.html
Automated multi-instrumental orchestral machine
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/02/absolut_machines_amazing_1.ht
ml
Frank Lloyd Wright - FallingWater House CG Movie
http://www.etereaestudios.com/docs_html/fallingwater_htm/fallingwater_
index.htm
Autoruns for Windoze V.9
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx
The Five "gotchas" with Vista
http://technet.microsoft.com/nl-nl/windows/bb905054(en-us).aspx
Ham Radio Mods
http://www.mods.dk/
Do you have some interesting amateur related sites you have some
across in the last week send them in to justingc(AT)ozemail.com.au
VK7 Virtual BPL Tours Update
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?
----------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------
Finally today, a reminder to those people rostered for next week's
broadcasts:
Newsreader: VK7TW
160m: VK7DM
80m: 80M Group
40m: VK7RO
20m: VK7PP
10m: VK7ZGK
UHF CB: VK7ZCR
HF CB: VK7TED
Thanks to all people and organisations who assisted with this
broadcast.
----------------------------------------------------------
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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