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VK7AX > BCAST 20.12.25 08:04l 483 Lines 25092 Bytes #298 (0) @ WW
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VK7 Amateur Radio News 21Dec25
Text edition:
VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS
SUNDAY 21st DECEMBER 2025
Seasons greetings and welcome to the Christmas edition of the VK7 Amateur Radio News for the 21st December 2025, your gateway to whatâ€Ös happening across the airwaves in Tasmania and beyond.
Coming to you from the Tasmanian Amateur Radio News Desk is Peter, VK7PD with the latest updates, stories, and insights from our amateur radio community.
Weâ€Öre broadcasting far and wide thanks to our dedicated team:
DMR Talk Group 5 & D-Star Reflector 91C via the Digital Group
HF relays:
1.862 MHz – Graham VK7GS
3.670 MHz – Garry, VK7JGD
7.140 MHz – Dale, VK7DG
14.130 MHz – Ross, VK7ALH
28.525 MHz – Tony, VK7VKT
And locally in Hobart on UHF CB Ch.24 and HF CB Ch.24 (11m) with Mark VK7FMAC.
Missed it live? Catch the replay Tuesday 8pm on repeaters VK7RAA (North), VK7RHT, and on UHFCB24/HFCB24 (South).
Stay tuned, and enjoy the news!
--------------------------------
Silent Key
KEVIN NORRIS - VK7HKN (SK)
It was with great sadness that we were informed that Kevin Norris VK7HKN had passed away on the evening of the 18th December 2025 at Aldersgate Nursing Home, Launceston.
Kevin has been a long standing member of NTARC and is widely known and respected through-out the Tasmanian amateur fraternity. Before the Committee submits a Silent Key segment for the broadcast next week, feel free to e-mail the NTARC secretary with any comments, stories or information that you would like included.
Vale Kevin VK7HKN now Silent Key.
From the NTARC Committee.
--------------------------------
WWFF, SOTA, POTA and IOTA
Weekly Wrap Up
As the year draws to a close, it is worth reflecting on another strong and varied year of portable operating across VK7 through VKFF, SOTA and POTA. Despite busy schedules, weather challenges and the occasional equipment issue, activators and hunters alike continued to get on air and keep these programs thriving.
Across all three programs, Iâ€Öve noticed a common theme for the year, and that has been community. Shared spots, activation reports and friendly on-air exchanges, which continue to strengthen participation and encourage others to give portable operating a go.
For next weekâ€Ös broadcast, I will pull together the statistics from across the year, and you might be pleasantly surprised by just how much has been achieved.
There was just the one activation in VK7 this past week, with Peter, VK7ZPE, Rodney, VK7HAM, Al, VK7AN, and Ross, VK7ALH, heading to Lady Nelson Regional Reserve near Tuners Marsh in northern VK7. The reserve was established in December 1998 and covers an area of approximately 160 hectares.
Merry Christmas to you all and best wishes to you and your families for a safe and happy festive season.
73, Matt, VK7MAT
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QSL News
Inwards QSL Bureau Information
The current updated list of QSL Cards held by the VK7 Inwards Bureau as at 19 December is in the email version of the Broadcast.
Do you see your callsign in the list of QSL cards held by the inwards bureau? Do you want these Cards? Please advise Herman either way by email so he can tidy up and remove cards that may be for Silent Keys and have been held for some time. Send me your QTH address so I can either mail them out (If enough Cards to make it cost effective) or deliver on an opportunity basis. Email to westyh(at)ozemail.com.au
Wishing you all the best and great DX over the festive season.
73 Herman VK7HW
Manager WIA VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
--------------------------------
Sorted Cards held at 19 Dec 2025 ( Any errors in the listing are mine, I sometimes miss culling a call sign)
AA, AAC, AAD, AAE, AAH, AAP, AAR, AB, ACG, ACN, ADE, AED, AG(2014, 2016), AGC, AHT, AIJ, AIR, AJC, AJP, AKK, ALZ, AM, ANC, AO, AP, APZ, AQ, AS, ATH, AXZ, AY
BA, BB, BBB, BD, BEN, BO, BPV, BT, BU, BYE
CA, CBK, CBR, CC, CH/T, CJ, CK, CL, CMV, CTV, CV, CWB, CX
DAN, DBX, DHT, DI, DM, DN, DO, DQ, DR, DT, DV, DW, DX, DY, DZ
EE, EG, EI, EKA, EM, ER
FAA, FADZ, FALX (alx), FAZZ, FCIA, FG, FGGT, FKLW, FLAR, FMI, FPRN, FRJ, FRJG, FTAS, FTR
G, GA, GC, GEL, GGZ, GL, GM, GOP, GR, GS, GU, GZ
HCH, HDE, HDM, HDX, HL, HOB, HPD, HRS, HSA, HSE, HSJ, HSO
HZ
IAN, ID, IK, IR, IS
JA, JAB, JAZ, JB, JCR, JGD, JOK, JON, JP, JS, JW, JX
KAC, KAM, KBA, KD, KE, KDO, KJ, KK, KKR, KL, KO, KRJ
LA, LDH, LL, LLL, LM, LT, LVH
M, MA, MAD, MAG, MBD, MEL, MET, MI, MJ, MS, MV
NA, NB, NC, ND, NEC, NFI, NG, NIK, NJB, NRF, NRT, NRX, NSE, NSS, NTE, NVH
OB, OO, OW
PAF, PBD, PD, PDJ, PKJ, PO, POL, PRN, PSH, PSJ, PSZ, PW
RA, RB, RG, RW
SD, SG(vi7SG), SIX, SN, STO, SV, SW, SZ
TA, TCE, TED, TK, TM, TO, TUX, TX
UJ, UT
VA, VAC, VAO, VAZ, VDC, VEK, VH, VIP, VM, VR, VTM
WA, WC, WL, WO, WUU, W (VJ7W), WX, WZ
XTC, XV
Y, YN
ZA, ZJJ, ZK, ZM, ZR, ZT
REAST QSL Card Box 17 Dec 2025 - AZ, BEN, DG, HH, HVK, ID, MAT, STO, WN, ZBX
--------------------------------
Statewide SSTV Nights
A busy net night that saw the following participants, VK7s –
TW, ZAB, AX, EV and ZCF all sharing nearly fifty photos.
The main themes were:
Seasonâ€Ös greetings
Some interesting looking Santa Clauses
Christmas decorated homes and antenna mast
A log-periodic Christmas tree
Views the Canadians see of Mount Rushmore and the view a baby gets of their cot mobile
The nightmare view from the under-side of Needle Felting ring creation
Whisky addictions and drinking till Christmas
Other highlights were:
Idiots that donâ€Öt understand statistics
A WSPR contact map of Pico Balloon ZS1ERZ on another pass over Australia
A WSPR contact from DP0POL on the Research Vessel Polarstern on its annual expedition to Antarctica
How the human brain canâ€Öt understand digital modulation
My Digital ID
“The fact that thereâ€Ös a highway to hell and only a stairway to heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers”
73 and a seasonâ€Ös greetings from a limited edition Ham radio action man figurine
Again Tony VK7AX interconnected VK7RJG to his SSTV International Gateway and VK7s exchanged photos with PA3EKI and PC1K in the Netherlands. Please remember to leave a 30 second break between transmissions to allow the European countries a chance to send photos. Tony will connect the gateway again next week between 5:30 pm and 11:30 pm.
Note - Ken VK7KRJâ€Ös and Steve VK7OOâ€Ös fully automatic 24/7 monitoring sites allow anyone who has sent SSTV pictures the ability to check them on their pages almost immediately, any time, both South and North Tasmania.
If you missed the net there are archives of these SSTV nights on Kenâ€Ös and Steveâ€Ös websites or on NTARCâ€Ös website under blogs.
https://vk7oo.tasme.com/vhfsstv/
https://sstv.vk7krj.com/scrolling%20web%20gallery.html
https://www.ntarc.net/blogs
https://www.qsl.net/vk7ax/sstvgate/index.html
73 from Andreâ€Ö VK7ZAB
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NEWS FROM THE NORTH WEST
NW Wednesday repeater group net, festive break.
The weekly Wednesday night net, will take a break during the festive season, with no net on Wednesday 24th and Wednesday the 31st of December so we can spend time with our family and friends
Due to the great propagation, it was a nice surprise to have VK3WRD Ben from Philip Island Victoria , and Graham VK2DIG in New South Wales join in.
The net will return on Wednesday 7th January,
Merry Christmas
73, Eric, VK7EV
Net Controller
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NEWS FROM THE NORTH
SOTA/WWFF PARKS GROUP
The Summits On The Air/World Wide Flora and Fauna parks group meets twice weekly – Mondays and Fridays 10.30AM till 12.00 at the Glebe Gardens Cafe, Henry Street, Launceston.
For more information contact Al on 0417 354 410.
73, Al, VK7AN
--------------------------------
Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club Incorporated
www.ntarc.net
For the final club room technical night of the year Ross VK7ALH, decided to bring in a transceiver from a not so worldly known manufacturer, a Grainger Associates SSB Teletranceiver - Model 174-3, without its antenna matching unit. This rack mount unit has that purely functional communications feel about its beige coloured front panel and layout. It is a hybrid solid state unit with valve finals producing 100 Watt PEP. Four crystal controlled HF channels with AM, CW and SSB operating modes. An interesting variation with the internal mechanical links between sections. The knob on the front panel turns a cam that pushes and pulls a link rod which in turn can move wiper contacts or coil positions, an interesting solution. As mentioned the front panel is very utilitarian and only has one metre and that only displays incoming DC operating voltage, with the green good band going down to a pretty phenomenal 8 Volts DC operating voltage. Ross believes the auxiliary matching unit has the signal strength meter.
Ian VK7IG had a magnificent and small signal generator with a usable coverage from 23 MHz to 6 GHz. The heart of the unit is the MAX2870 high-performance, wide-frequency Phase Locked Loop integrated circuit. Being cost effective and Chinese it used the modern construction method of stacked printed circuit boards with no case. It had excellent screen resolution, viewing angle and clarity combined with a very intuitive menu system.
Stuart VK7FEAT, had recently been working his way through his assortment of stainless steel mobile antennas. All the ones that you stack away and say you will get back to later, to sweep, identify and label. He recovered quite a few suitable for the 2 metre and 70 cm amateur bands in good condition and Stuart had even labelled them, sounds pretty organised to me.
Colin VK7ZCF, had once again been busy 3D printing, he had:
The newly designed modified enclosures for his Lindenblad antenna.
The fully assembled and latest version of his Lindenblad antenna.
3D printed gaskets using a TPU or thermoplastic polyurethane filament, the finished product has the feel of soft vinyl. These will provide water proofing on his Lindenblad enclosures.
A replacement panel for his car cup holder that will provide a platform and mounting bracket for a small footprint multiband radio to be installed into.
Later in the evening Colin, true to word, was seen conducting a CAD session with Stuart VK7ES regarding some modifications to an earlier design by Stuart.
Lionel VK7ZLB had one of his earlier constructions which was the same kit design that Colin VK7ZCF brought in earlier this year. An RF receiving converter for the 432 MHz Amateur Television (ATV) transmission band, with an output that was ideal for use with a normal, at the time, analogue TV with 4-by-3 aspect ratio receiver. The design by Ian McKenzie, VK2ZIM, in a 1971 monthly news-letter published by the VHF and TV Group, WIA NSW division. This design and kit was very popular as there was no cheap ATV equipment on the market at the time, if you needed something then you built it. It wouldnâ€Öt have been an easy build as this version was constructed using a galvanised chassis, but had weathered remarkably well.
Lionel demonstrated a typical 1296 MHz test set up using his ICOM 9700 rig combined with a CI-V band decoder from the Brisbane Amateur Radio Club. The ICOM output had 15 metres of co-axial cable attached which provides the required attenuation to feed into his SG Laboratories 25 Watt Power Amplifier module and preamplifier, from Bulgaria. The Power Amp and preamplifier were mounted in a very nice mil spec CNC routed waterproof enclosure, complete with some rather nice waterproof multi pin control cable connectors. This then fed into a TeleWave Power Meter and finally a dummy load.
Lionel also had a very small clip lock bag about the size of a box of matches, with a note and arrow inside it allegedly pointing to a Surface Mount Device or SMD Capacitor. There was a miniscule metallic “glint” from one corner of the bag and yes it supposedly was an SMD. Evidently it was a 0201 SMD capacitor. To put thing in perspective it measured 0.6 by 0.3 mm, thatâ€Ös about the size of one fine ground table sugar grain! Definitely a microscope needed for placement at our level of construction! Just think of the level of accuracy in the “pick and place” machines being used on assembly lines.
Idris VK7ZIR had a miniature torque wrench, about 100 mm long. It is specifically designed for applying the correct tension on SMA connectors! This little tool even came with a calibration certificate. Now I am sure we all apply the “correct torqueâ€Ö when attaching SMA plugs purely to guarantee manufacturer design specifications! Hi-Hi
The technical night was jam packed with technical goodies but members still managed to find time to eat heartily and drink the non-alcoholic beverage of their choice. I am sure some of the items were probably not meant to be opened or admitted to until Christmas morning, but thatâ€Ös another story.
As mentioned last week an E-mail will be sent out in the next few days to all members regarding membership renewal options. By all means feel free to renew your membership. But importantly if you havenâ€Öt received the e-mail and you have checked your Junk folder, then drop an e-mail to the secretary with your preferred e-mail address and I will update any address discrepancies.
As always pictures will be available on the NTARC Web site under “Blogs” for this broadcast. NTARC Blogs
https://www.ntarc.net/blogs
This week has seen the complete winding down of club activities in time for the Christmas Break. Also as this weekly news is the last till that man in red arrives in just four more sleeps, or if itâ€Ös Tuesday night re-broadcast, then it is two more sleeps, this is our final opportunity, to wish everyone a Merry and Safe Christmas. For those of us travelling over this period please take care. Enjoy your Christmas feast with family and friends, see you all next year.
73 from Stefan, VK7ZSB, Secretary NTARC Inc.
--------------------------------
NEWS FROM THE SOUTH
VK7RHF 10m Repeater Back On Air
Reminder that the VK7RHF 10M repeater transmitter is back on the air again and fully functional.
There is a slight issue to be fixed with ethernet noise superimposed over the audio to be fixed soon.
Please keep an ear out for any DX/stations over the next few weeks with Sporadic E firing up again.
Frequencies are 29.680 MHz TX, 29.580 MHz RX with a 91.5 Hz CTCSS tone required.
73, Hayden, VK7HH
--------------------------------
Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania
https://www.reast.asn.au/
https://www.facebook.com/reasttas/
https://www.youtube.com/reasthobart/
REAST Over Festive Season
REAST over the festive season will be taking a short break and so there will not be a WAGs or WEGs gathering on Wednesday 24th December and Wednesday 31st December 2025 and things will resume on Wednesday 7th January 2026.
The REAST Committee wished everyone seasons greetings and have a safe and festive break.
73, REAST Committee.
--------------------------------
Wednesday Experimenterâ€Ös Group
https://www.youtube.com/live/e2lDVWIglIg?si=bDd2rrcWvyLIk6LC
Last Wednesday night saw an interesting mix of topics and equipment that we looked into in the studio. Starting with some rare 900MHz Personal Radio Service or Personal Communicator equipment straight from Japan. The Pioneer JX-E2 and Orange Tops 900MHz antennas.
In the early 1990 before mobile phones became common place some regulators licenced a part of the 900MHz band for a personal radio or communications service and the most popular country being Japan. Much like UHFCB but more expensive and shorter range. This pulled together characteristics of both mobile phones and mobile radio. We then took a look at a NEC - Sky Bird - Personal Radio Telephone - NEC TR-3501 and Justin VK7TW show a short video of him testing these units talking to each other. A huge thank you to Paul Wilson, a work colleague of Justinâ€Ös, who allowed these to be shown and demonstrated.
We then got Warren VK7WN into the studio and he showed his Samson ETM-3b Paddle / keyer from Germany. Warren took us through its history back to 1970s when he got interested in amateur radio in Germany. The unit was purchased and then sold and Warren tracked it down and bought the unit back again.
We took a look at the schematic and opened the unit up, we then took a look at some of the VK0WN QSL Cards from when Warren was down at Casey station.
Justin then took a look at an EIMAC 5CV1500B Pentode now with its special socket. We featured this valve a few weeks ago without the socket. Justin then showed a VERY special valve from 1918 - a Marconi Type R Triode which is the oldest valve in Justinâ€Ös collection.
We finished with an Australian Space Weather Report, future training date and events.
As mentioned above the WEGs night goes into recess for a fortnight.
Seasons Greetings and see you on Wednesday January 7th, 2026.
https://www.youtube.com/live/e2lDVWIglIg?si=bDd2rrcWvyLIk6LC
73, Justin, VK7TW
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January 2026 - Huge Carboot Sale and BBQ
https://www.reast.asn.au/event/huge-carboot-sale-sausage-sizzle/
REAST will be holding a huge amateur radio carboot sale in the Queens Domain compound from 11am on Sunday 18th January 2025.
Want to sell something – it will cost you $10 to setup your carboot then you can sell as much as you want – all profit goes to you.
There will be a Sausage Sizzle on the day with Snags and Bread at $3 and Burgers and Bread at $5 – Soft drinks available $2 per can.
No need to book – just turn up.
https://www.reast.asn.au/event/huge-carboot-sale-sausage-sizzle/
73, REAST Committee
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February 2026 - Interpreting Propagation Tools and Space Weather Reports
https://www.reast.asn.au/event/february-presentation-interpreting-propagation-tools-and-space-weather-reports/
Is space weather and propagation a bit of a mystery to you?
Our February 2026 presentation night brings us Roger Harrison VK2ZRH who promises to enlighten us about Fe, f, foE, MUF – all that ionospheric stuff.
With decades of experience, including his time at the Ionospheric Prediction Service (IPS), now Space Weather Services, Roger brings significant expertise in this space (pun intended).
This presentation will unpack the mysteries behind ionograms, TEC maps, Es, GRAFEX, PCAs, solar indices and more, plus online tools and data sources you can use.
Whether youâ€Öre chasing DX, planning portable operations, experimenting with digital modes or trying to understand why your favourite band just vanished, this session may give you the skills to read the sky like a geek bro.
This session will be in person and streamed from 7:30pm in Queens Domain clubrooms.
https://www.reast.asn.au/event/february-presentation-interpreting-propagation-tools-and-space-weather-reports/
73, REAST Committee
--------------------------------
February 2026 - Annual General Meeting
https://www.reast.asn.au/event/2026-annual-general-meeting-and-bbq/
The Annual General Meeting of the Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania Inc. will be held at 11am on 15th February 2026 in the Queens Domain clubrooms. The AGM will be followed by a free BBQ for members.
Nominations close on 7th February 2026 and the nomination form is available from the REAST website.
Nomination form.
The ordinary business of the annual general meeting is to be as follows:
to confirm the minutes of the last preceding annual general meeting and of any general meeting held since that meeting;
to receive from the committee, auditor and servants of the Association reports on the transactions of the Association during the last preceding financial year;
to elect the officers of the Association and the ordinary committee members;
to vote on an amendment to the REAST Rules;
to appoint the auditor;
https://www.reast.asn.au/event/2026-annual-general-meeting-and-bbq/
REAST Committee.
--------------------------------
REAST Training and Assessment Update
https://www.reast.asn.au/information/amateur-licence-assessments/
Are you looking to join the world of amateur radio or upgrade your license? REAST has you covered with regular Training and Assessment Days for all license levels!
Key Dates:
Foundation Training and Assessment Days: Held every two months with the next one on 22nd February 2026.
Standard, Advanced, and Regulations Assessments: Held on alternate months, next is on 28th March 2026.
Check out the full schedule on the REAST Events Page.
https://www.reast.asn.au/news-events/upcoming-events/
Do you need to secure your spot or ask a question - email: reast.assessor(at)gmail.com and your inquiry will go directly to the Learning Organiser, who be in contact.
We have learning resources available including our Foundation Licence Training Videos that are a must-watch for beginners. Find them on the REAST YouTube Training and Assessment Playlist.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsnsP_zjw831mdC6sY4XqavRUY-53ZWUn
Practice Makes Perfect so, prepare with the WIA Foundation Trial Exams and the link can be found on the email edition of the broadcast.
https://www.wia.org.au/licenses/foundation/onlineexams/foundation.php
Whether you're starting your journey or leveling up, REAST is here to guide you every step of the way.
73, Reg, VK7KK
--------------------------------
Regular VK7 gatherings and events over the coming months:
VK7 Regular gatherings:
Sewing Circle Net – Daily on 3.640MHz commences at 6:30pm AEST.
Statewide SSTV Net - held every Thursday night via the North/South Link on VK7RAF/VK7RJG from 7:30pm. In the North and North West - VK7RJG on 438.55 -7MHz and in the South - VK7RAF (146.650 -600kHz) CTCSS tone 141.3Hz to link RAF North-South. Plus VK7AX International SSTV Gateway connected to VK7RJG for the duration of the net.
State-wide – MICROWAVE QSO Party – following the Sunday broadcast call-back on 1296.15 MHz FM. One group in the greater Hobart area and another in the greater Launceston area.
Then North-south digital contacts on 1296.2MHz using Q65-60B.
Stations in the Launceston area transmitting on the odd minute. Southern stations on the even minute.
REAST - 6m AM Net on 53.1MHz Everyday from 4:30pm
SOTA/WWFF Group – Meeting Mondays and Fridays 10.30-12.00 midday at Glebe Gardens Cafe, Henry St, Launceston.
NW VK7 - Thursday commencing at 8:30pm local - N.W. Tassie 2m DX Net 144.190 USB
VK7 Events:
OK last week was the politically correct version - this week is not!
WORLDWIDE – 25 December - A fat bloke in a red suit breaks into your house once a year, slides down the chimney like gravity owes him money, eats your food without asking, frightens the pets, and leaves random electronics behind. He does not conduct a risk assessment. He does not seek consent. He assumes participation.
If youâ€Öve been tolerable this year, he dumps a radio under the tree so you can talk to other similarly inclined nerds at unreasonable hours, argue about antennas, and pretend youâ€Öre contributing to civilisation. If you havenâ€Öt, you get socks and a vague sense of disappointment.
He then vanishes into the night, powered entirely by reindeer, bad judgement, and a complete disregard for modern compliance frameworks.
REAST - 18 January 2026 - Huge Carboot Sale and BBQ from 11am after broadcast in the Queens Domain Compound.
REAST - 4 February 2026 - Interpreting Propagation Tools and Space Weather Reports with VK2ZRH from 7:30pm in QD clubrooms and streamed.
REAST - 15 February 2026 - Annual General Meeting and BBQ from 11 AM AGM and 12 noon BBQ - Queens Domain Clubrooms.
--------------------------------
A reminder to those people rostered for next weekâ€Ös broadcast:
Newsreader: VK7TW
Repeaters: REAST, NTARC and in the NW thanks to NWTARC, WCRG, NWCRRA, VK7AX, VK7JH and VK7DC
160m: VK7GS
80m: VK7ALH
40m: VK7JGD
20m: Any takers
10m: VK7DG
UHFCB24 & HFCB24: VK7FMAC
DMR: Talk Group 5 and D-Star Reflector 91C - Digital Group
--------------------------------
A big thank you to everyone who contributed to and supported this weekâ€Ös broadcast of the VK7 Amateur Radio News.
Thatâ€Ös it for this week! If you missed the live transmission, remember you can always catch the rebroadcast Tuesday at 8:00pm on VK7RAA in the North, VK7RHT, and UHFCB24/HFCB24 in the South.
Got news, stories, or updates to share? Weâ€Öd love to hear from you! Send them to vk7arnews(at)gmail.com by Friday 9pm. You can also join the conversation on our VK7 Amateur Radio News Groups.io page.
groups.io/g/vk7arnews
Stay tuned now for callbacks on this frequency, with each relay station using their own callsign.
On behalf of the VK7 News Team, this is Peter, VK7PD, wishing you seasons greetings, 73, good DX, and a great week ahead!
--------------------------------------------------------------
(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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