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THE BEST NEWS YOU'LL GET ALL WEEK
Oh... and to contact us with your news because
If It Matters To You It Matters To Us!
email nationalnews@wia.org.au
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WIANews 24/7 with the following bulletin in Audio
when you visit the MEMBERS AREA on www.wia.org.au
This weeks WIANews available in Audio after 0400hrs UTC Saturday.
http://www.wiaq.com/ftp/wianews_64.mp3 FM Radio quality
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http://www.wiaq.com and click the QNEWS link to see weekly news stats
free emailed script http://lists.wia.org.au/mailman/listinfo/vk1wia-news
This is WIANEWS for week commencing April 6 2008
NATIONAL NEWS
Digital Radio Announces New Initiatives
In a world first, logo animations and graphics are being broadcast as part of
the current digital radio trials in Sydney. Rob VK5MM will "tune us in" on
the new look for domestic radio later in this bulletin
New CubeSat to feature D-STAR
A new Amateur Radio CubeSat OUFTI-1, is proposing to using the Amateur Radio
D-STAR digital-communication protocol.
OUFTI-1, built by students at the University of Liege in Belgium is proposing
to using the Amateur Radio D-STAR digital-communication protocol.
The objective of the nanosatellite project is to provide hands-on experience
to students in the design, construction, and control of complete satellite
systems that will ultimately serve as the basis for a variety of space
experiments.
The first satellite in the series is called OUFTI-1: it is a CubeSat, which is
a cube with a size of 10x10x10 cm and a weight of at most one kilogram.
The key, innovative feature of OUFTI-1 is the use of the
D-STAR amateur-radio digital-communication protocol.
This means of radio-communication will be used for control and telemetry, and
will of course be made available to ham-radio operators worldwide. In the
future, it will also be used to control space experiments.
OUFTI-1 website
www.leodium.ulg.ac.be/cmsms/
ALARA MEET 2008 This is our Aussie YL's showcase, and with more here is
Susan VK7LUV from A.L.A.R.A.
This year we are holding our 9th ALARA Meet from 13th to 14th September in
Ulverstone, Tasmania. This year also celebrates 33 years of A.L.A.R.A.
ALARA Meet is a wonderful way to meet other YL's of our organization and their
OM's are welcome too. Approximately 80 people attend our meets and YL's have
come from England, Sweden, America, Germany and a group from New Zealand.
I am the coordinator of the ALARA Meet this year and can be contacted on the
email address
vk7luv_susan@yahoo.com.au
For those who arrive on the Friday night there is an optional dinner in
Ulverstone. Saturday morning sees the Meet kick off at the Bass & Flinders
Motor Inn conference room, including lunch, then off to the Axeman's Hall of
Fame in Latrobe, and finishing the day with dinner back in Ulverstone.
Sunday morning is a visit to the Trowunna Wildlife Park with lunch at
Sheffield and viewing the murals in the afternoon. The meet officially closes
with afternoon tea at the Bass & Flinders Motor Inn, however there is dinner
on Sunday night in Ulverstone once again. There is an optional tour on Monday
for those staying on that will take us across to Platypus House at Beauty
Point, Moores Hill Estate to taste some great Tasmanian wine, then on to
Cataract Gorge at Launceston for lunch with an afternoon tour of Boags Brewery
in Launceston particularly for the OM's!
There are a wide range of options to get to Tasmania and for accommodation,
and these are outlined on the ALARA Meet website. I will be more than happy
to fill in the details for you so please contact me.
This is a National Amateur Radio event and as we have had for past events,
there are a number of visitors from not only Australian states, but overseas
A.L.A.R.A. visitors.
I look forward to seeing you here in Ulverstone, Tasmania this September.
http://au.geocities.com/vk7luv_susan/index.html
http://www.alara.org.au
W1AW to Celebrate World Amateur Radio Day as NU1AW
Each year on the anniversary of its founding, April 18, the International
Amateur Radio Union (IARU) marks World Amateur Radio Day. On this, the 78th
anniversary of its inaugural meeting in Paris, the IARU dedicates World Amateur
Radio Day to the radio amateurs, educators and administrators who use Amateur
Radio to support technology education in the classroom.
While the actual date of World Amateur Radio Day is not until the 18th, ARRL
staffers activated W1AW in the CQ WPX SSB Contest a couple of weeks ago
using the IARU club call sign NU1AW.
This year's theme for World Amateur Radio Day is "Amateur Radio: A Foundation
of Technical Knowledge."
No word at time of the WIA news going to press if we are participating in the
world event.
Time to book for FNNQARG!
The 25th Anniversary Far North and North Queensland Amateur Radio
Get-together (FNNQARG!) takes place from Friday 6th to Monday 9th June at
Cardwell Village Beachcomber Motel and Van Resort, and Grey Nomads from
across VK are asked to try and arrange their travel plans accordingly.
Although there are still plenty of campsites, caravan sites, motel rooms,
some villas and some cottages left management advise that these would be
booked out pretty quickly during the next month or so.
If you haven't already booked your accommodation then you need to get
cracking!
Some activities have already been planned with the famous NQ vs. FNQ Cricket
Match, the TREC Trivia Challenge and some technical demonstrations.
One VK ham gathering which is in full swing today has attracted many overseas
visitors, well it is in VK7 and VK3 Hams have crossed the Bass Straight to
be at the Sewing Circle Net sponsored "Meet the Voice" BBQ at Ross today,
the 6th of April.
At 1PM for those who are interested in parting with some of their pre-
loved amateur gear there will be a car boot sale.
2 LETTER BALLOT
Since 19 October 2005 any two-letter callsign becoming available has been
quarantined by the ACMA and not issued or re-issued. And this has included
the two-letter callsigns of amateurs who failed to renew their licence on time
after that date. Again this week Michael Owen VK3KI joins us to tell us
what's in store.
The April issue of the WIA's magazine "Amateur Radio" includes a very
important statement about two-letter callsigns. That statement is also on
the WIA website and on the ACMA website.
The statement addresses three matters.
Firstly, the WIA has been asked to conduct a ballot for available two-letter
callsigns and the principles to be observed by the WIA set by ACMA and the
process proposed is set out in the statement and comment is invited from all
amateurs.
Please send you comment by email, letter or fax as requested in the statement
to the WIA by 30 April 2008.
And remember, comment supporting the process suggested is just as important
as an alternative suggestion.
Before that ballot process will commence, the ACMA has agreed to the WIA's
request to review those cases where by reason of a failure to renew a licence
in time an amateur has lost his or her two-letter callsign.
Merely forgetting to renew a licence or not receiving a renewal notice will
not be sufficient reason to succeed on a review, but do look at the examples
given in the statement, and I suggest, my "Comment" published in the April
Amateur Radio Magazine.
To have a case reconsidered, the amateur concerned must lodge an application,
preferably with supporting documentation, with the ACMA at the address
specified in the statement by not later than 4 pm Wednesday 30 April 2008.
Even if you have already been in contact with ACMA about your two-letter
callsign, you will have to lodge a new application.
If you are one of the amateurs concerned and believe that you have not been
treated fairly, you must act very quickly indeed, and do read the statement,
on either the ACMA website, the WIA website or in the WIA's magazine, Amateur
Radio.
Also, as a part of this process, as set out in the statement, the WIA
requests that the WIA office is advised or reminded of the death of any
amateur who has died since 1 March 2006.
To make sure that we do our very best to get this message to every amateur,
this announcement will be repeated three times in the VK1WIA News broadcasts
in April.
And if you know someone who may be affected by this announcement, please make
sure that you let him or her know about the short time to act and where the
statement can be read.
60 EARTH HOUR
Last weekend the 60 minutes where we were to turn off power including
repeater power was taken very seriously indeed by one commercial radio
operator. 94.5 2NM Country in Muswellbrook, in the Hunter wine region of NSW.
RadioInfo reporting this say 94.2 "may have created history by being the
first radio station to not just turn its lights off, but to have closed down
its whole operation for an hour last Saturday week in support of Earth Hour."
INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to RSGB, Southgate AR Club, the ARRL,
Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART and the WW sources of the WIA.
EXPO 2008 is going to be held in Spain from the 14th of June to the 14th of
September and as in most previous National and International Exhibitions,
an official Amateur Radio Station will be set up and operated.
That station would be delighted to make QSO with stations from VK.
When Australian dignitaries are near the official Ham Radio Station might
be a good time for a "contact home".
Julio Torres EA2AFF is the Coordinator of Activities for EXPO 2008
This could be a great club project for some Aussie Clubs, so to find out
more and receive info from EXPO email
ea2aff@hotmail.com
HAMSAT USED IN HOSPITAL DRILL
Ham radio in space became rescue radio in space.
This, when Shands hospital in Florida conducted a simulated emergency
communications drill with both Students and faculty at the University of
Florida participating with the Gator AR Club.
The University School club station, W4DFU, used their satellite ground
station to distribute an e-mail test message though the GO-32 amateur radio
satellite. This provided proof of concept in a disaster scenario to
augment Amateur Radio voice communication if all telephone and
internet services were down.
Keeping patient privacy laws in mind the ham radio operators could not
transmit sensitive personal or health related data. However, in
support of the larger disaster scenario the ham radio satellite e-mail
concept could be useful for getting list of supplies, reporting
hazardous situations, and status reports.
(ARNewsLine)
CQ TO ACCEPT KOSOVO FOR ITS AWARDS PROGRAMS
CQ says that Kosovo is a country and effective immediately it is being
added to the list of countries and territories recognized for CQ DX
awards. Amateur Radio Newsline's Don Carlson, KQ6FM, has more:
Kosovo's status has been the subject of some controversy in the
amateur radio community as well as the world community. Ham radio
wise, the ARRL recently declared that the special operations from
there on February 17 will count as Serbia, not Kosovo, in terms of
DXCC credit. The League says it is waiting for Kosovo to become a
member state of the United Nations or be issued a callsign block by
the International Telecommunications Union before taking any action to
recognize it as a separate DXCC entity.
While CQ the magazine's editor says that because it is their policy to
grant credit for contacts with 'new' entities as of the date that
their status changes, it has decided not to wait for U.N. action.
Instead it will follow the lead of the United States and other
countries that have recognized Kosovo's independence. Therefore it
will grant credit for contacts made with stations in Kosovo as of its
independence day. That date was February 17, 2008. Its also good
news for those radio amateurs who have made contact with stations in
Kosovo and are anxious to have it recognized as a new nation by all.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Don Carlson, KQ6FM, in Reno.
In a related development, on March 26th it was announced that the
Worked All Europe award committee of the Deutsche Amateur Radio Club
had voted to add Kosovo to the W-A-E country list. The CQ World Wide
DX Contests and the CQ DX Marathon both use a combination of the DXCC
and WAE lists as the basis for their country lists. Therefore, Kosovo
will now be considered a separate entity for both the CQ DX Marathon
held this past February 17th and for the upcoming CQ World Wide DX
Contests, beginning with the RTTY DX Contest this coming September
27th and 28th.
NEW UK 10 GHZ SYSTEM COMES ON THE AIR
What is believed to be the first 10 GHz F-M voice repeater in the United
Kingdom has come on line. With news of G3TC it is across to Amateur Radio
News Line.
GB3TC t is co-sited with GB3CS at Berryhill Farm in Lanarkshire. The new
system operate on a channel pair of 10371.1 MHz in and 10471.1 MHz out
and requires a 103.5 Hz sub audible or 1750 Hz burst access tone.
Beacons in FM with call and locator every 60s when not repeating. The
output of the repeater is in the Amateur Satellite segment as its planners
believe it could provide a useful signal source for setting-up weak signal
equipment.
The project is being independently operated and funded by local radio
amateurs with support from the Central Scotland FM Group and its technical
team. Together with the GB3CSB beacon project for the 23, 13 and 9cm bands
the new repeater is designed to stimulate activity on these higher
frequency bands.
More information is on-line at http://www.csfmg.com/GB3TC.htm
HAM RADIO IN THE SPOTLIGHT: THAT NEW MOUNTAIN DEW COMMERCIAL
Ham radio is portrayed in a strange but fun way in a new commercial for the
soft drink Diet Mountain Dew. Actually the spot is a kind of battle of the
sexes with the claim being that lightning hits men more often then it does
women. In it, you see a bunch of Y-L's involved variety of activities that
experts say should not be attempted in a thunder storm. This includes
fencing and operating a ham radio station Field Day style as lightning
flashes and thunder roars.
We won't spoil the outcome of this adventure for you by describing what
happens next. We do however wonder if the producers went to eBay to get
their props because they sure have some magnificent vintage tube type gear
for their Y-L ham to use. You can see the commercial on-line of YouTube at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MieEfkwICB8
=======================================================================
RSGB NEWS G4NJH
70cm petition is disinformation
An e-petition to the Prime Minister's office, originated just
before the Easter break and entitled "70cmsband", has generated
what might be described as a "lemming like" response from the
amateur radio community.
Unfortunately the basis for the petition has no foundation in
truth. The RSGB currently enjoys a good working relationship in
negotiations with both Ofcom and the Ministry of Defence, where
70cms and other shared bands are concerned. This type of
disinformation could undermine the relationship.
A concern to both the amateur radio services and the MoD is the
growing proliferation of Short Range Devices (SRDs) that are
operating in the 70cm band and raising the noise floor. A recent
trial that used 433MHz channels as inputs for D-Star equipment
tests proved to be unsuccessful due to the high noise floor.
According to an EU Directive the official SRD sub-band within
70cms is 433.05-434.79MHz using a maximum of 10mW ERP. This
includes handheld Low Power Devices (LPDs) permitted to use FM
voice on channels that include a number of repeater inputs.
We would advise members and non-members to check the facts with
the RSGB, before adding your name to such petitions.
This could avoid any embarrassment.
Amateur radio on BBC Wales
BBC Radio Wales is to visit Barry Amateur Radio Society to record
a 30 minute radio show on the workings of an "Amateur Radio club
in Wales".
The BBC will be recording a club natter night and on-the-air
activity. The thirty minute programme will go out on BBC Radio
Wales in English on a Saturday at the end of April or early May,
and repeated the following day.
Radio Wales is on 371m/882kHz MW, as well as VHF and satellite.
OPERATIONAL NEWS -
ON AIR CONTEST AND EVENT COLUMN - D A T E L I N E
2008
April 5- 6 ZL WARO Thelma Souper Memorial Contest
0800Z-1000Z Sat/Sun Evenings
12-13 WW Yuri Gagarin DX Contest
May 17-18 ZL SANGSTER SHIELD QRP CW CONTESTS
July 5- 6 ZL NZART MEMORIAL CONTEST
12 WW Jack Files
August 16-17 VK Remembrance Day Contest
16-17 WW International Lighthouse Weekend
November 15-16 (Weekend) Spring VHF/UHF Field Day
Thelma Souper Memorial Contest April 5 and 6 from 0800z - 1000z on Saturday
and Sunday evenings. All Contacts to be held on 80 meters phone or CW may be
used.
YLs contact YLs and OMs.
OMs contact YLs and OMs.
One contact with each station permitted in each half hour period. Call
"CQ WARO CONTEST" exchange report, serial number (commencing 001) and name.
To qualify as a multiplier WARO MEMBER stations must have contacts with at
least 10 different stations. A Bonus Station using the WARO callsign ZL6YL
will be in operation for random periods and will count as a multiplier one on
each night of the contest if worked.
Club stations may be operated by multiples of YLs providing that they are WARO
members and have licenses applicable to the band being operated. These
stations count as one multiplier.
All radio regulations must be observed.
To Qualify: Enter date at beginning of each evening. Each log must contain:
Time of Contact, callsign of station worked, cipher sent, cipher
received and the name of the operator contacted and points claimed
for contact.
Score 5 points for each WARO contact including ZL6YL .
Score 3 points for OM contacts, Score 2 points for club stations.
Multiply by the number of WARO members including bonus station if worked.
Logs to have each contact claimed as a multiplier underlined. Include a
separate summary sheet showing:
Your callsign, name and address. The number of contacts. The number of WARO
members worked. Your score. Declaration that all radio regulations, have been
observed. Logs that do not comply with all the requirements will be
disqualified.
LOGS: To reach the Contest Manager no later than May 1st 2008
Send to: - Bev Osborne ZL1OS,
34 Cobham Drive, Kawerau 3075, New Zealand
No logs will be returned and No Correspondence will be entered into.
AWARDS:
The highest scoring WARO member will be awarded the Thelma Souper Memorial Cup
to be held for one year.
The highest scoring OM operator will be awarded a trophy to be held for one
year.
Certificates will be awarded to:
The first three WARO members, the first three OM operators, the highest
scoring VK/YL operator.
(alara newsletter)
The Yuri Gagarin International DX Contest 2008
The contest is dedicated to the memory of Yuri Gagarin, who realized the first
human flight to space, on April 12, 1961.
RULES
1. Date: In 2008 the Contest will commence on 12 April at 21.00 UTC and will
end at 21.00 UTC on 13 April.
2. Bands: 1.8, 3.5, 7.0, 14, 21, 28 MHz, and radio amateur satellites.
3. Modes: CW only.
4. Contest Call: "CQ GC" (CQ Gagarin Cup).
5. Categories:
A Single operator - Single band.
B Single operator - Multi bands.
C Multi operators - Multi bands, single transmitter.
D SWL - Multi bands.
During the contest:
All multi-band categories may also utilize radio amateur
satellites. These QSOs are counted as an additional band.
Multi operators category must remain on the same band for
at least 10 minutes after the first QSO has been made. All
mixed mode categories can make only one QSO with the same
station on that band and on different orbits of amateur satellites.
6. Exchange: RST and ITU Zone number.
7. Scoring:
QSO with own "P-150-C" country - 1 point.
QSO with another "P-150-C" country, in the same continent - 2 points.
QSO with another continent - 3 points.
For SWL: Complete logging of one station, only the
Callsign of the second station - 1 point.
Complete logging of both sides of a QSO - 3 points.
The same Callsign may be counted only once on each band.
8. Multipliers: each different ITU Zone on each band
gives 1 point for multiplier. SWLs have no multipliers.
9. Final score:
The final score is calculated as the sum of QSO points on all bands,
multiplied by the sum of multipliers on all bands.
10. Awards:
The Special trophy will be awarded to the winner in the B, C
and D category's. Different kind of medals will be awarded
to the world's top three stations in the A, B, C and D
categories. Certificates will be awarded to top three, and
every country's winner in each category. Certificates will
be awarded to all the Contest participants who log not less
than 200 QSOs or 200 SWLs.
11. Logs:
Electronic logs are to be sent via e-mail as the enclosure
to the letter or on Floppy disc. File format - text of the
operator's contest program, but Cabrillo format will be much
appreciated. In the field "subject" of your e-mail letter
it's necessary to mention your Callsign, contest name and
category (for example - ra3aaa GC - 2008 B). In the text of
the letter it's necessary to show your final score
calculation, rig and antennas data, as well your comments
and wishes. E-mail address: gc@qst.ru
In case of the paper log use separate sheets for each band.
On a summary sheet it's necessary to show: category of entry,
Callsign used, operator's name, address, complete scoring
information, as well as the dully signed declaration that
all Contest rules and regulations for amateur radio
in the country of operation have been observed.
In case of multi-operators entry it's necessary to include
personal Callsigns and names of operators.
Any comments and contest stories are encouraged.
Send logs to:
GC Contest Committee,
P.O.Box 2020, Moscow, 101000, Russia,
The final date of logs sending - May 10, 2008.
The results of "Gagarin Cup" 2005, 2006, 2007
are to the http://gc.qst.ru/en/section/33 .
--
73!
GC committee
mailto:gc@qst.ru
Vishnumurthy SG
SHAMSON ELECTRONICS
Shakthinagar, Mangalore
575016. DK.
Phone:+91- 94485 03607
other email ids are:
vu2mtt@hotmail.com, vishnumoorthys@yahoo.com, voltra@india.com
JACK FILES CONTEST 2008
This contest honours the late Jack Files, a long-serving VK4 WIA councillor.
It is coordinated by the Queensland Advisory Committee and is sponsored by the
WIA.
This contest is a national remembrance of an amateur who gave long service not
only to benefit Queensland amateurs but to all amateurs within Australia.
The object is to work as many different stations in different Queensland
Council areas for the purpose of multipliers but in addition to this all
participant will be able to count the first of each VK state or territory
worked in each one hour block of the contest to be counted as a multiplier.
If you operate mobile or portable and you cross over to another shire you may
work any station that you have already worked in that 1 hour block again and
count the multipliers.
It is very important that VK4 stations give their shire codes with the report
and number given . An example is an amateur in Rockhampton Regional Council area
would give out 59001RR. Shire Codes have changed from previous years and are
available from vk4dmc@wia.org.au or vk4ajs@wia.org.au
Object is for amateurs to work as many other amateur stations, and particularly
as many different VK4 Council areas and as many different states and territories
as possible within each one hour block of the contest.
Date: Saturday, 12th of July, 2008
Time: 0800UTC - 1400UTC in six one-hour blocks for the purpose of duplicate
contacts.
Band: 80 metres only. Use 3.5MHZ - 3.7MHz to put all licence grades on an
equal footing.
Modes: Either CW,SSB or All Modes
Categories: Single Operator;
Club Station (each category can be a mobile or portable station)
Exchange: Non-VK4 stations will send RS(T) plus serial number starting at
001 and incrementing by one for each contact. VK4 stations will send
RS(T), serial number and two-letter shire or town code for purposes
of multipliers.
Score: One point per contact
Multipliers: Each VK4 Council area counts as a multiplier only once over the
entire duration of the contest. ( Unless station mobile or
portable) All participants may also count the first contact in
each state or territory as a multiplier and these may be counted
within each hour block during the contest.
Final Score is total QSO points X total number of multipliers.
Repeat Contacts: In order to make best use of the band, stations may be
contacted once in each hour on each mode. Repeat contacts
with stations may be counted within the same one hour block
only if the station is mobile and crosses from different
shires,towns,states or territories to another. All repeat
contacts must not be consecutive.
Logs must show full details of all QSOs and must be accompanied by a Summary
Sheet showing operator's name; address; callsign; category and mode entered;
claimed score and a declaration that the rules and spirit of the contest were
observed.
Send logs by mail to Jack Files Contest Manager, 26 Kerr St. Park Avenue Nth.
Rockhampton QLD 4701. Logs may be sent by e-mail in text format to:
vk4ajs@wia.org.au
Closing date for all entries is 31st of August, 2008
Certificates will be awarded to the top scorers in each mode in each VK State,
ZL, P29 and any DX country (i.e. country outside VK, ZL or P29). As well there
will be a certificate awarded to the overall highest scorer who will be declared
overall contest winner. The only stipulation is that the overall winning
operator must be a VK amateur.
AWARDS
Have you been working towards your WAQ Award?
Well it's time you threw out your tally sheet and started afresh!!!
John VK4AJS has told QNEWS contacts made prior to 15th March 2008 will NOT
be considered as valid contacts, regardless of whether the particular shire
was amalgamated or not.
You see due to the recent Queensland Shire Amalgamations there are now just
73 Shires / City Councils. This meant that the WAQ Award had to be updated
to reflect these changes.
Contacts made after the 15th March 2008 will count towards this award.
Contacts made prior to 15th March 2008 will not be considered as valid
contacts, regardless of whether the particular shire was amalgamated or not.
A copy of the rules with all the new shires listed is available from
vk4ajs@wia.org.au
vk4dmc@wia.org.au
SPECIAL EVENTS, BEACON AND NET ADVICE
hf nets ON the net, www.timroberts-vk4yeh.id.au/
International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend 16-17 August 2008
There are only four and a half months to go for this highly popular
annual amateur radio event. Last year 380 lights were on the air from 48
countries with 40 lighthouses being activated in VK. A wonderful effort
from Australia, second only to the USA with 45 lighthouses. The event
really seems to have captured the imagination of amateurs in this
country so keep up the good work and join in this fun event again this year.
All you need to know about the event is contained on the official web
site at http://illw.net which has been the official web site since 2001.
It is not necessary to register using the on line form but it does help
other entrants to know who else is participating and their qsl info etc.
The event is organised and managed by the Ayr Amateur Radio Group in
Scotland since the passing of the founder of the weekend, Mike
Dalrymple, GM4SUC, in December 2005. Kevin VK2CE has been the webmaster
and Oceania co-ordinator for the past 7 years.
We are gradually running out of available lighthouses on the East Coast
so the sooner you go and grab one the better chance you have of being in
the event. A reminder that it is not a contest but a chance to talk to
other like operators around the country and around the world without the
hassle of signal reports and contest numbers.
The web site also has feedback from last year and previous years. Some
make for interesting reading.
Kevin vk2ce
ILLW Web master & Co-ordinator
http://illw.net
Special Event Stations
Special call GB1SUN is active until the end of the year, promoting the use
of solar energy in amateur radio.
The station will be powered by solar panels and will operate on the HF
and VHF bands. The location is Ossett, West Yorkshire, the QTH of
Mary and Robert Brown, M3XMW and M0JRB.
Australian Amateur Radio Truck Drivers Club News
GerDay. I'm Indy, VK2XB, with some news from the "road transport sector" of
our hobby.
Truckies being truckies and the industry wide inability to get more than 2 in
the same place at the same time, has meant that we really haven't been able
to organize ourselves into any "on air" nets or activities. Well, that has
now changed and the "Truckies Net" is now in session.
The frequency is on or about 3.600 MHz plus or minus the usual QRM, at about
8:30PM NSW time, Tuesdays and Saturdays at this stage. Additionally, we are
having "unofficial" nets every night of the week to keep our mobile members
company as they ply their trade upon the highways and byways of this great
country of ours.
Now we realize that there are some established scheds around the same area or
frequency already and we will do all we can not impose, however as we have
quite a number of mobiles (with very high Q or low bandwidth antennas) it is
difficult for us to move too far from that area or frequency with ease. All
licensed Amateurs are invited to join The Truckies Net. You do not need to be
a truckie to join us on air. We are not exclusive!
To date we have had nets every night this week (since we tripped over the WIA
NSW News broadcast on Sunday) with good numbers checking in. Logs for this
week can be found on our web site (www.ozhamtruckies.net), as well as
information about the club in general, our activities and our aims. You can
also find a membership list on the site.
Whilst I am at it, I would like to invite any other people who are currently
involved in the transport industry, were once in the industry or have retired
and are Amateurs. You are eligible, so don't be shy. Visit the web site or
ring me on (0428)295545 (repeat) any time, day or night, week days. If I am
asleep, don't worry, I won't hear the phone!
So come join us on air and/or visit our web site.
This has been Indy, VK2XB
MEDIA WATCH
Digital Radio Announces New Initiatives
Australian listeners could well be experiencing 'world first' features when
digital radio arrives at the start of next year under initiatives announced
Wednesday at the Australian Broadcasting Summit.
Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Radio Australia, Joan Warner, has
announced new trials for specific features of digital radio including real
time traffic solutions for listeners wanting to find the best way to their
destination.
"Digital radio will be a multi-media experience and these trials promise to
deliver a significant upgrade to the way we use and interact with our radio,"
Ms Warner said.
"The format Australia has adopted, (DAB+), allows us to do so much more with
the technology and we're keen to provide the types of things that listeners,
advertisers and broadcasters have only dreamt about in the past."
ANIMATED LOGOS
In a world first, logo animations and graphics are being broadcast as part of
the current digital radio trials in Sydney. By using animated logos and
graphics an exciting new dimension is able to be added to the radio offering
for both listeners and advertisers.
Free-to-air digital radio services will begin in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane,
Adelaide, Perth and Hobart from January 2009.
More information on digital radio can be found at
www.digitalradioaustralia.com.au
Amateur Radio on Al Jazeera TV
Amateur Radio will be presented on Al Jazeera TV today Sunday April 6, @ 9:00am.
The same show will be repeated on Monday the 7th at 6:30am.
Program: Hadeeth Al Sabah
Presenter: Ms. Jilnar Moussa
Producer/Director: Mrs. Ihsan Al-Habbal (Daughter of OD5HP - Amin Al-Habbal)
A special thanks goes out to the Al-Jazeera team for their interest and coverage
of Amateur Radio and especially to Mrs. Habbal who has always been a great
promoter.
Please circulate.
73 - OD5TE, Hani,
Radio Amateurs of Lebanon (RAL) President
(We thank SouthGate AR Club and in turn Nader ST2NH for this item.)
NOW ROBERT BROOMHEAD - VK3KRB.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP --- MILITARY
ARMAD 2008 is approaching.
ARMAD is Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day.
It is an event that allows the people across The USA to give messages
of support and appreciation to Troops, Veteran's, Military Retired, and
First Responders over Amateur Radio.
ARMAD is always held on the Saturday of the USA's Memorial Day weekend.
In 2008 it falls on May 24TH.
So why don't we as VK'ers jump in and show support by contacting the
numerous special stations operating May 24.
The main goal of ARMAD is to generate publicity for Ham Radio while providing
a great public service to military members and their families.
ARMAD was founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and has a full program, bands,
children's activities, displays, Soldiers, and First Responders on location
to give the people that attend something to do while also learning about
Amateur Radio.
A list of the main operating modes and frequencies are listed at
armad.net however you may hear and be able to contact stations anywhere in
the ham bands.
Again ARMAD web page can be found at armad.net
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO AMATEUR OLD-TIMERS
http://www.raotc.org.au
OLD TIMERS
Members and friends of the Radio Amateurs Old Timers Club Australia are
reminded that the next news and information broadcast will take place on the
first Monday of the Month.
using the RAOTC callsign of VK3OTN.
10.00 am Victorian time on 7.060 and 3.650 MHz plus 1.843 MHz AM, and
145.700.
On 14.150 MHz at 01.00 UTC beaming north and 02:00 UTC west from Melbourne
For those not yet retired, 8.30 PM Victorian time tune 80 mtrs 3.650 MHz
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RESCUE RADIO
WICEN, Northern Rivers Region of VK2 held their AGM last weekend, they
reported on having a mixed year of events, callouts and quiet periods.
Paddle for Life exercise's, lending and setting up their portable repeater
for the SES Horse enduro.
A Training Course was held in July and another Horse Enduro in September.
They also attended the opening of the new Lismore SES Local Headquarters.
These events involved 31 operators and over 265 duty hours.
This does not include planning, preparation or recovery times.
Plus 52 nets averaging about seven attendees and about 190 hours.
On a more serious note Summerland had three callouts assisting the SES.
A severe storm in the Lismore region October 9.
Friday, 26 Oct. a severe storm in the Richmond River district.
Then another storm Friday night, 2 Nov. saw this very severe storm move
through the Lismore area.
Damage was suffered by buildings and infrastructure around Lismore.
Many had been damaged by the earlier storms.
John Alcorn, VK2JWA Coordinator WICEN (Northern Rivers Region) wrapped up by
calling on members to take part in as many events as they possibly can.
"Even if this means duplicating the efforts of those already there.
WE NEED THE OPERATING PRACTICE. We don't get enough.
No amount of theory, reading or on air waffle is a substitute for
serious traffic handling." said VK2JWA.
THE LOWDOWN COLUMN INCLUDING PRECISION BEACON TRANSMISSIONS
Join the DownUnder LF Group's Mailing List:
http://www.egroups.com/list/lofexp/
lowexp@egroups
BEACONS www.qsl.net/zl1bpu/micro/Precision
Peter Parker has some 160M videos up on YouTube, including some video
of 160 meter portable ops...
pause...audio on www.wiaq.com/ftp/wianews.mp3
Peter told us that the antenna used in this particular video was recently
featured in Lo-Key.
Hank VK2BHL also directs us to the web to Wikipedia, for some interesting
looks at "Whistlers".
No, not the ones on city construction sites! but VLF Radio Waves.
These Whistler's are a very low frequency electromagnetic (radio) wave
generated by lightning.
Frequencies of whistlers are 1 to 30 kHz, with maximum usually
at 3 to 5 kHz. Although they are electromagnetic waves, they occur at audio
frequencies, and can be converted to audio using a suitable receiver.
They are produced by lightning strikes (mostly intracloud and return-path)
where the impulse travels away from the earth and returns to the earth
travelling along magnetic field lines. They undergo dispersion of several
thousand kHz due to the slower velocity of the lower frequencies through
the plasma environments of the ionosphere and magnetosphere. Thus they are
perceived as a descending tone which can last for a few seconds. The study
of whistlers allows categorization into Pure Note Whistlers, Diffuse, 2-hop,
and Echo Train types.
In addition, they have been received from Jupiter showing the presence of
lightning there.
That's our special Interest group news, and this is VK1WIA.
SOCIAL SCENE
APRIL 5 / 6 VK4
The Dalby & District and Sunshine Coast Radio Clubs are holding their annual
get together at Kirkleigh Somerset Dam This weekend 5th & 6th of April.
April 6 VK2
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club's Mini Field Day.
Also car boot sales, guessing competitions, an auction and of course the
Westlakes BBQ.
APRIL 6 VK7
The Sewing Circle Net will again sponsor a BBQ for ALL amateurs at Ross on
Sunday April 6th, at the Ross Caravan Park on a similar format to that of
last year with Registration from 10am followed by a group discussion from 11
to about 12.30pm followed by a BYO BBQ.
Sept 13
Alarameet 2008 will be held in Ulverstone Tasmania on Saturday
13th and Sunday 14th September. Susan VK7LUV for details.
Nov 9 VK5
Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society will hold their Bigger Better Buy and
sell day Sunday November 9 at Goodwood community centre, Rosa St. right near
the Tram stop.
2009
February 22
WYONG FIELD DAY
International Telecommunication Union's Telecom World 2009.
14th IARU R3 Conference Christchurch 12 - 16 October, 2009.
=========================================================================
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Thanks to to our dedicated band of broadcast volunteers who utilize
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The purpose of "WIANews" is to rapidly provide news of interest to
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We strongly encourage membership in the Wireless Institute of Australia
and participation in the activities of local clubs.
Opinions expressed in "WIANews" are those of the writers who submit
material and do not necessarily reflect those of the rebroadcasters,
nor the National WIA, but are broadcast in the spirit in which they were
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