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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 NEWSROOM on www.wia.org.au
This weeks WIANews available in Audio after 0100hrs UTC Saturday.
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This is WIANEWS for week commencing January 27 2008
NATIONAL NEWS
Janice Carle, Assistant Manager of Allocations Administration Section National
Licensing and Allocations Branch Australian Communications & Media Authority
has written WIA President Michael Owen VK3KI:-
"Dear Mr Owen,
I am pleased to advise that the use of the 'AX' prefix in lieu of the 'VK'
prefix in their callsign has been approved for use by all Australian Amateurs
on Australia Day 2008. This approval is for the 24 hour period - Midnight to
Midnight - local time only.
The WIA's assistance in promulgating this message to the Amateur community
would be greatly appreciated."
(It should not be neccessary, but the 26th the Saturday is Australia Day,
NOT the public holiday 28th of January)
This is Michael Owen VK3KI
Today, a date to write in your diary.
The WIA Board has decided that the next WIA AGM and associated activities will
be on the weekend of 24 and 25 May.
One thing we did learn last year from the successful AGM and associated
activities at Parkes was that for many people an interesting location away
from a capital city was very attractive.
So, we had a challenge. Our organiser last year, Robert Broomhead responded
to the challenge.
So we know when, but where?
“Whereö is Broken Hill.
Broken Hill has many interesting things to see, a history linked to radio with
the School of the Air and the Royal Flying Doctor Service and offering great
facilities.
That is why the date is a little later than last year, as earlier would have
clashed with other events in Broken Hill.
So, Broken Hill, 24 and 25 May. Full details will be published shortly.
On 5 February, WIA Secretary Ken Fuller will resign.
Ken immediately offered to help the WIA out following the sudden death of
Chris Jones VK2ZDD in August 2006, and so became secretary on a temporary
basis.
In fact, Ken has done much more than fill-in, really making an invaluable
contribution.
The WIA Board has appointed Geoff Atkinson VK3YFA to take over from Ken.
Geoff has a technical background coupled with a real commercial involvement in
recent years, conducting a successful importation business.
You will see in the February AR a full colour page promoting WIA membership
and incorporating a membership application form.
We believe that we can attract new members this way through the magazine.
Some 1,000 copies are sold each month through newsagents, sold to people who
are yet to become WIA members.
We know that many copies are read by others or passed on to others.
But if you are a member, how about using it to get another member?
And let me mention one more thing. I know that sometimes people are put off
by the Propose and Seconder parts of the WIA application for membership form.
As I say in every letter I write to new amateurs inviting them to become WIA
members, if you don’t know someone who is a member so propose or second you,
just leave it blank and we will be happy to propose and second you.
I really do think we now do need to start talking about new members.
In the same AR, which should be distributed in early February there is an
article by Keith Malcolm about WRC07. Keith was a member of the Australian
delegation to WRC 07, the amateur expert nominated and paid for by the WIA.
He explains why WRCs are important to amateurs.
How about us all thinking about becoming a member if we are not a member and
getting a new member if we already are a member.
DStar in VK6
D-Star is the new thing, and here in VK6 it is on it's way. The West
Australian Repeater Group or WARG for short, was nominated by the WIA to be
one of the caretakers of this mode.
WARG set up a technical committee who are getting The West ready for D-Star.
The site has been selected, feed lines are on the mast, with the antennas to
follow now the festive season is over and hands are sober - sorry, I mean
available! An internet connection is being established for the site, with the
computer equipment being prepared.
The actual repeater is not yet ready to go - but it is getting closer.
If you are interested in what D-Star is, there are some Interesting snippets
on the WARG website of warg.org.au
Then simply click on the D-Star heading under News & updates.
There is a file under that which includes sample audio of a D-Star and Analog
FM test in MP3 format run right here in VK6. It sounds promising...LISTEN NOW
(Audio in this weeks wia news)
DStar Site Location - Walliston
Latitude -31 59 37
Longitude 116 04 14
Mast - 5 x 15' (22m) butt section tower on the roof of the site.
Computer - A Dell 2650 (2ru) has 5 15000rpm SCSI HDD of 72 GB ea in Raid 5,
XEON processor, 4 GB Ram, Dual Power Supplies
O.S. - Centos installed
UPS: 2 x 1200va 2ru
______________
D-Star Freq's for Perth VK6RWN
These are the proposed frequencies for Perth WIA D-Star repeater system,
Note the 2m freq was suggested by VK6UU and seems to be the best option,
the other freq's are a duplication of the freq's in use for VK3RWN
(makes it easier for visitors from VK3 and other states to use the Perth
D-Star Repeaters when they come on-line).
2m
146.8375 Mhz tx 6K25W7W
146.2375 Mhz rx 6K25W7W
70Cms Note: 5.4Mhz split as per bandplan for DS
432.900 MHz tx 6K25W7W
438.300 MHz rx 6K25W7W
23Cms
1.273900 GHz tx 6K25W7W
1.293900 Ghz rx 6K25W7W
1.2983000 GHz tx/rx 128KW7W
Whilst tuned to the west, the ARISS Team is looking for ground stations in VK6.
Do you want to be part of the international network of ground stations that
help support Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
operations? ARISS is looking to add numerous ground stations capable of
relaying ISS Amateur Radio sessions with schools and also serve as back-up
communications relays should they be needed. Locations all over the world will
be considered, but one of the greatest need for stations is in
Western Australia.
The following are guidelines for stations wanting to be considered:
24/7 access and availability of station
Operator(s) willing to support scheduled contacts at various times
Phone patch
AZ/EL tracking satellite system, preferably an auto tracking system with the
capability for manual override
Multi-element Yagis for 2 meters and 70 cm (circular polarization preferred)
If you or your club would like to be considered for selection as one of the
VK6 ARISS ground stations, send an e-mail to ARISS at,
ARISS-telebridge@amsat.org with details about your station and contact
information.
(sourced to eHam.net plus ARRL)
AMATEUR RADIO - HOME OF THE GOOD GUYS
The Yasme Foundation has announced the winners of the first-ever Yasme
Excellence Awards. These awards are given for service and dedication to
Amateur Radio as recognized by the foundation's Directors, and are in the
form of a plaque and a monetary award. The Yasme Foundation is a
not-for-profit corporation organized to conduct scientific and educational
projects related to Amateur Radio, including DXing and the introduction and
promotion of Amateur Radio in underdeveloped countries.
Jukka Salomaa, OH2BUA, and Antti Kantola, OH5TB
-- $2000 (shared) for conceiving, operating, and
maintaining DX Summit, the first widely-used
Web-based spotting network portal. They created
a tool that fundamentally changed the nature of
HF operating, a true advancement of the radio
art.
Joseph L. Arcure, Jr, W3HNK-- $2000 for his long service to DXers as a
QSL manager, for his efforts on behalf of DXers
everywhere, promoting international goodwill by
facilitating cultural exchanges between
operators that may never meet in person, yet
share a common bond of DX operation.
James Brooks, 9V1YC -- $2000 for DXpedition organization and
videography. James' professional videos make the
skills and excitement of DX operating and
expeditioning more accessible to hams that
haven't yet tried DXing and to non-hams alike.
Sheldon C. Shallon, W6EL -- $2000 for his work with propagation prediction
software. By making propagation more
accessible, he has done much to advance the
technical skills of HF operators in
understanding the physical environment of radio.
HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.
(rotate vk1 wx, 2sky, 3vim, 4vks, 5nz, 6five, 7tw, 8zwm)
VK1
vk1 local news email broadcast@vk1.wia.ampr.org and ask for subscription.
The Canberra Region Amateur Radio club recommence meetings this coming
Monday (To morrow the 28th)
The usual start to the year a trash and treasure evening.
The 2008 WIA call books will also be available
VK2
web service:- http://www.arnsw.org.au/html/news_vk2wi.htm
MID NORTH COAST RADIO EXPO
Over 100 visitors attended a very pleasant day at Coffs Harbour.
Good exhibitors, good company, congrats to Mid North Coast Amateur Radio Group
DIRTY F CALLS
Good to see some of the F calls of the Summerland Amateur Radio Club getting
their hands dirty around the club house. They have even organised a club
working bee Sunday 3rd of February, commencing at 11am with mowing and general
cleaning being the order of the day. See Nathan, VK2FADE or Dave, VK2FDIZ
if you can help out.
WYONG
We at the Central Coast Amateur Radio Club hope that all Amateur Radio people
are having a good Australia Day holiday.
Do not forget the Wyong Field Day is on th 17th.Feb.2008
Our Saturday evening dinner will now be held at the Wyong RSL Club, just
across the rail bridge from the Race Course.
We hope to see you all at the Field Day for the launch of Icom's Dstar in NSW,
which is creating much interest.
Until the next broadcast, kind regards Ray, VK2 HAY.
VK3
web service:- http://www.amateurradio.com.au/news/
Now a request for some technical assistance from UK amateur Paul
Hutch, G8KAV, currently residing in St Kilda….
Paul is volunteer communications officer for a community group which
holds a major festival out in the country twice a year. He is looking
for any amateurs or other radio enthusiasts in the Melbourne area who
can assist him in upgrading a UHF communications network in time for
the next event over Easter.
This involves assembling new equipment, testing and renovating
existing units. Equipment includes handheld radios, mobiles, a remote
base station, a masthead pre-amp, various types of antenna and
possibly solar panels. All the equipment is currently in Melbourne.
Paul estimates that a few days’ work is involved, but this can be
spread over the next few weeks and may perhaps be shared by more than
one person.
While this is not a “jobö as such, helpers will be suitably rewarded
for their time and contribution.
Contact Paul anytime on: 03 9013 9495 or 0410 967 967
Email: pmail7-g8kav@yahoo.com
VK4
web service local news:- www.wiaq.com/qnews/upload/qnewsbcast.htm
local news email qnews-vk-subscribe@yahoogroups.com subscribe in subject field.
Although no reported WICEN involvement in the Central Queensland area as the
floods continue downstream towards Rockhampton from Emerald our thoughts are
with those hams in particular in the area. Also hopefully the wet has dried
somewhat around Townsville as the TARCinc are holding their Aussie Day
Camp out this weekend! Oh and if you worked as an AX instead of a VK on
the 26th, make sure your QSL card reflects that change! Many DX stations
will I'm sure be keeping their eyes peeled for your card.
VK5
Monday feb 4th A special meeting of the Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society
has been arranged with Professor Mike Underhill G3LHZ. Mike is visiting from
Adelaide for a couple of days His topic will be . All sorts of small
antennas – they are better than you think – Heuristics shows why! The venue
is the Unley St john Hall, Arthur St Unley. The talk commences at 7pm and
there will be a time for questions afterwards, please be seated beforehand.
A light supper will be provided.
Some early advice of this years Buy and sell day. This year we have hired 2
adjoining halls and plan to make the event bigger and better. We hope to
attract some major commercial vendors for the event. It will be held on
Sunday November 9th at the Goodwood community centre, Rosa St. Goodwood.
Right near the Tram stop.
Thanks for listening, this has been David for the AHARS.
Also in VK5, young Adelaide IT specialist Megan Boundey is the first person
to be awarded a Telstra Media Communication Scholarship to study the Master
of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) at the Carnegie Mellon University.
Megan has worked at the Australian Rail Track Corporation for the past three
years, has been awarded the $90,000 scholarship.
The Telstra Media Communication Scholarship Program will support 15 students
over the next five years to complete a MSIT at Carnegie Mellon's Heinz School
of Public Policy and Management's campus in Adelaide with each scholarship
valued at $90,000.
Carnegie Mellon is the first overseas university to set up in Australia. The
Pittsburgh based University opened its doors in Adelaide in 2005.
VK6
web service http://www.vk6.net/newswest-index.html
VK7
local area news :- http://reast.asn.au/news.php
your copy of vk7 local news, email vk7regionalnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Ben VK7BEN, the ATHOL JOHNSON Contest Manager is calling on VK7 hams to
"Make this contest come back with a BANG!" Every standard and advanced amateur
in Tassie should encourage every foundation licensee to get portable and get
contesting!
Why? well QSO on 70cm with another normal station is worth 3 points,
but if you make that contact on 70cm with an F Call who is portable,
its worth 3 times that - 9 points!
The Contest is now only 1 month away, on Saturday 16th February from
10am till 6pm, for an 8 hour contest!
Contest rules, and sample log sheets are available on the web, or at the
REAST Clubrooms.
www.vk7ben.id.au/ and click on the AJ Contest Heading
(sourced to vk7 news)
VK8
http://www.vkham.com/vk8da/ note an audio version available on this page.
EDUCATION YOUTH AND ADVANCEMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO
The Central Western Daily stepped forward and has helped the Orange and
District radio club hold a most successful "open day" last Sunday by providing
quite a lengthy aricle in their paper the day prior.
The day itself was for people interested in becoming involved in amateur radio.
A small but keen band of people are already involved in the club, which is
attempting to grow its membership within the Orange district.
Club president Phil Derbyshire said a number of issues were looked at on the
day.
“It gave people an insight into some of the dangers of AC/DC power, the legal
ramifications of operating a radio licence, a whole lot of stuff,ö he said.
The club has been able to assist with the communication needs of volunteer
groups such as the State Emergency Service and Rural Fire Service in recent
years and both SES and RFS were present at this open day.
VK4's Redcliffe and District Radio Club
The Advanced licence course will commence on the second Saturday and students
have already been sent their course study material.
Also the first Foundation Licence course of the year will commence on the
second Sunday in February with 12 students already nominated to attend.
Both courses will be held at the club rooms and has many family members of
club members undertaking the Foundation course.
It is planned to have Foundation students complete their exams prior to the
John Moyle field Day and this will provide the opportunity the new amateurs
to participate and use their new found skills in the field.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Stranded migrants saved in Swiss Alps
Six Ukrainian asylum seekers - some without shoes - have been rescued after
getting lost in the snowy Swiss Alps.
A mother and her five children ran into difficulties while trying to cross
illegally from Italy into Switzerland.
They were saved late Sunday last after a local radio ham picked up their
walkie-talkie distress signals.
"Some of the children were just wearing socks," Ticino regional police
spokesman Marco Bordoli told the BBC.
Mother and her children, aged nine to 21, got stranded a 5,250ft mountain in
the canton of Ticino, Mr Bordoli said.
They were saved because the mother was carrying a children's walkie-talkie
The family's calls for help in broken English were picked up by an Italian
amateur radio fan, who then alerted the authorities.
Three members of the family were taken to hospital with frostbite.
(BBC)
Cuba:
Over 80 radio ham stations in Camagüey supported general elections last
Sunday in this Cuba province.
The Hams ensured the effectiveness of communications when the citizens attend
the ballot boxes to elect the delegates of the Provincial Assembly and the
members of the Parliament.
According to engineer Sandor Sanz Fernßndez, president of the Federación
de Radioaficionados de Cuba (the national amateur radio organization in the
Island), the service was rendered in 70 polling stations, placed in distant
areas which access is difficult.
Najasa is one of the municipalities that need most this kind of service, here
the ham radio operators will be broadcasting from 18 polling stations and
from the Municipal Electoral Commission, aside other two mobile stations will
be operating.
The amateur radio stations will also be present in faraway villages located
in Gußimaro, Esmeralda, Sierra de Cubitas, Florida and Céspedes.
The support that the Cuban amateur radio organization will give to enusre
communication in Camaguey during the suffrage on January 20th confirms the
will of this organization in backing up the Homeland in one of its most
trancedental moments of history.
(Yamylé Fernßndez Rodríguez/
Translation: Gualveris Rosales Sßnchez/Radio Cadena Agramonte).
USA AND A RECORD FALLS
Brian, WA1ZMS has claimed what should be a new world DX record of 114.4km
for the 241GHz band. (The former DX record was 79km)
The QSO was between WA1ZMS/4 and W4WWQ/4 using CW.
This QSO was over 2 years in the making with several failed attempts at even
shorter distances during that time period. The key to success was the very
driest of winter air that may only take place one day per year in that part
of the country. Oh and a wind chill factor of -26C at the WA1ZMS point!
The wind chill is said to have made for an interesting experience and as
W4WWQ said, it's amazing how a piece of RG-58 can become like a baton in such
conditions.
Two hours into the efforts Brian lost feeling in hisy right toe from just
standing around and had to resort to putting a chemical hand warmer in his
shoe!
QSO Details are:
Date: Jan 21st, 2008
Time: 01:24z
WA1ZMS/4 37-31-00N 79-30-35W FM07fm
W4WWQ/4 36-43-03N 80-19-23W EM96ur
Distance: 114.4km
WA1ZMS/4 WX:
Temp: -15C Dew Point: -26C
RH: 38% Wind: 32km/h
Wind chill: -26C
Time spent out in the wind: 5 hours
Pressure: 876mb
Atmos Loss: 0.29dB/km
W4WWQ/4 WX:
Temp: -11C Dew Point: -22C
RH: 40% Baro: 890mb
Atmos Loss: 0.41dB/km
(story with thanks to vk4oe Doug Friend)
=======================================================================
NEWS FROM ARNEWSLINE
EMRGING TECHNOLOGY: CREATING MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT COMPUTERS.
A coalition of technology companies and environmental groups led by
Google and Intel Corporation have launched an initiative to conserve
electricity and curb global warming emissions by making the world's
computers and servers more energy-efficient. The Climate Savers
Computing Initiative, organized by Internet giants sets ambitious
industry targets for more energy efficiency of computing gear over the
next four years.
Industry analysts have praised the concept. They estimate that
energy-efficiency technology would initially make computers about $20
more expensive and servers about $30 costlier, but consumers are
expected to recoup the costs through lower electricity bills and
rebates from utilities.
If successful, the plan is expected to save the nation more than $5.5
billion in electricity costs by 2010. It would also reduce greenhouse
gas emissions that contribute to climate change by 54 million tons
annually.
STS-122 LAUNCH NIW SET FOR FEB 7
NASA has announced February 7th as its target launch date for shuttle
Atlantis' STS-122 mission to the International Space Station. Lift-off
of Atlantis from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida will be at 2:47
p.m. EST.
Atlantis' main objective during its STS-122 mission to the station is
to install and activate the European Space Agency's Columbus
laboratory. This new module will provide scientists around the world
the ability to conduct a variety of experiments in life, physical, and
materials science, Earth observation and solar physics.
The Columbus module also carries two new Amateur Radio on the International
Space Station antennas. This have already been installed on the side of
Columbus.
NASA also hopes to send for the launch of Endeavour on STS-123 by
mid-March. Its mission will deliver the first section of the Japan
Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory module, and Dextre,
which is Canada's new robotics system to the space station.
THE D-STAR REVOLUTION: NEW "HOW TO" VIDEO FROM KN4AQ
Film maker Gary Pearce, KN4AQ has released a DVD of the D-Star seminar
presented by Steve Koone, KA4YMY and Ken Johnson, KC4YOZ. Held
originally for users of the new Charlotte, North Carolina D-Star
repeater and gateway, this session is a valuable tool for anyone just
getting started with the new communications system.
The program runs about 90 minutes, and covers the stuff a new D-Star
users needs to know. This includes such things as programming the
callsign fields, Gateway operation, and much more.
You can also download a preview of the program on-line at
www.arvidnews.com It can also be ordered by credit card or PayPal at
the website. For pricing and other information contact Gary Pearce to
KN4AQ@arvidnews.com
2000 FOOT ARKANSAS TOWER FALLS
Investigators are trying to figure out just what caused a 2000 foot
broadcast tower in Redfield, Arkansas to fall. The collapse took KATV
television off the air for much of Friday January 11th until the
station could partially get back on using alternate facilities.
No one was seriously injured when the tower fell but crews working to
strengthen the tower had been just minutes away from climbing it to
replace cable. The tower was 43 years old and was once the 2nd
tallest structure in the world.
Fred Anderson is the KATV Engineering Supervisor. He says that
insurance people are trying to decide the point of failure and if it
was actually mechanical or human error. Meantime the KATV signal is
once again available for cable, Dish Network and Direct TV subscribers. Its
not known if the tower held any ham radio repeater installations.
=======================================================================
RSGB NEWS G4NJH
Moonbounce on 40 metres
Scientists in the USA have succeeded in reflecting signals from
the Moon at 7.4MHz.
This is the lowest frequency at which this has been done. This
does not put HF moonbounce within the reach of amateurs, however,
as this feat required 3.6 megawatts and the huge HAARP directional
radar antenna.
Full details are at www.moondaily.com.
=======================================================================
WEIRD N WONDERFUL
Beam me more power Scotty!
For this "weird and wonderful" we thank DISCOVER magazine for January 2008:
Beaming in, could this be our "First Step" to 'Wireless' Electricity?
Thanks to wireless technology, chargers wired to your cell phone or to power
a computer, could become a thing of the past.
You see researchers at M.I.T. have now extended the Wi-Fi concept to allow the
beaming of power to ANYTHING that uses electricity.
Freeing electrical transmission from power lines has been a dream since the
days of pioneering electrical engineer Nikola Tesla.
Today electricity can be transmitted via magnetic induction in such things as
security swipe cards. But sending electricity this way is practical over only
the smallest of distances.
The MIT Wi-Fi power demonstration, first published in the journal Science,
uses two precisely tuned coils to boost efficiency. Power is loaded into one
large coil a couple of feet in diameter, causing electricity to surge back and
forth more than a million times a second...
But anything that switches current flow is a potential source of RFI.
Switching sources that have "...one large coil a couple of feet in diameter.."
would one would thing be "particularly suspect".
One wonders about piggybacking data on the beam? instead of BPL a new one
Broad Band over Beams... mmmm beam wirless revisted??
(sourced to NZART InfoLine)
OPERATIONAL NEWS -
ON AIR CONTEST AND EVENT COLUMN - D A T E L I N E
2008
February 9-10 ZL/VK 30 Mtr Digital Weekend
February 15-16 ARRL - CW Contest - 0000 UTC 15 til 0000UTC 16.
February 23-24 NZART JOCK WHITE MEMORIAL FIELD DAY
February 23-24 VK7 Athol Johnson VHF Contest
March 1- 2 ARRL SSB Contest - 0000UTC 1 until 0000UTC 2
March 8- 9 RSGB HF COMMONWEALTH CONTEST - ALL BANDS
8 March 1000 UTC til 9 March 1000 UTC
March 15-16 (Weekend) John Moyle Field Day
April 5- 6 ZL WARO Thelma Souper Memorial Contest
0800Z-1000Z Sat/Sun Evenings
August 16-17 Remembrance Day Contest
August 16-17 International Lighthouse Weekend
November 15-16 (Weekend) Spring VHF/UHF Field Day
AWARDS
awards@wia.org.au
It is with regret that the Board of the WIA announces the resignation of
Mal Johnson VK6LC from the position of National WIA Awards Manager, a
position he has held since January 2001, citing personal reasons and views.
During his tenure Mal continually developed the awards system including
a suite of highly sought after Certificates. Mal’s dedication to the
amateur radio community lead to him being awarded the inaugural Chris
Jones Award at the WIA AGM in Parkes in 2007. The contents of Mal’s
awards web site and the certificate details are being incorporated into
the new WIA web site which is under development.
Freed of his award responsibilities Mal will be able to spend more time
on air enjoying his contesting and DXing.From 31st January the Awards
Office in Perth will be closed and future enquiries should be directed
the WIA National Office, P.O. Box 2175 Caulfield Junction, Victoria 3161.
MEDIA WATCH
VK1WIA CALLBACKS
On 160 meters to WIA year to date:- 981
Westlakes have had 20 callbacks
VK2WI on 160 88
VK4AAT AM Brisbane 172
VK5 175
VK7 243
VK6 283
INTRUDER WATCH - ENFORCEMENT ZONE
Region III IARUMS Coordinator B.L.Manohar (Arasu) VU2UR
r3msc_iaru@rediffmail.com
IARU Monitoring System International Coordinator:-
Robert E. Knowles, ZL1BAD.
Len Martinson, ZL1BYA, is Monitoring Service co-ordinator for the NZART.
Lenmart@clear.net.nz
VK National Coordinator = Karl Hennig VK6XW intruders@wia.org.au
VK IARUMS reflector email to subscribe intruders@wia.org.au
VK Coordinators for I.A.R.U.M.S.
VK3TZE Jimmy intruders@wiavic.org.au
VK5EV John
VK7BBW Paul vk7bbw@bigpond.com
IARUMS NETS
Friday 0730 UTC 7.065.5 with VK4CEU David.
Amateur exclusive frequencies where any non-amateur signal is definitely an
intruder, This listing by the late P29KFS, Rick Warnett.
Exclusive amateur only spectrum world wide
7.050 to 7.100
14.000 to 14.250
14.250 to 14.350 No broadcasters
21.000 to 21.450
24.890 to 24.990
28.000 to 29.700
West Bengal Police have cracked down on six unauthorised private radio
stations. Acting on secret information from amateur radio operators, officers
from the Sagar police station raided these centres.
During the raids they dismantled six radio stations and four persons were
arrested.
A huge number of music CDs, DVDs, microphones and six radio transmitters and
high frequency antennae were seized from their studios.
The operators were all in their early twenties. One actualy rans a radio
repair shop in his neighbourhood.
A year ago, HAM radio operators had warned the official Government monitoring
station about unauthorised radio stations. The monitoring station, is under
the jurisdiction of the Department of Communications, Government of India.
The monitoring station had filed a police complaint last year, but it had been
difficult to locate the base stations then. This year, the police succeeded in
tracking them down.
In general, the makeshift station circuits can be readily made at homes. The
the entire station could come up on air "very cheaply". Then they are free to
air music, organise request shows and make revenues from advertisements.
The pirate operators make brisk business round the year airing local ads.
These operators operate in the medium wave in the range of frequencies
565 KiloHz to 1600 kiloHz normaly used for broadcasting services like
All India Radio.
NOW ROBERT BROOMHEAD - VK3KRB.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FEMALES IN RADIO
ALARA - AUSTRALIAN LADIES AR ASSOCIATION
http://alara.org.au
Net is held each Mondays on 3.580 MHz, commencing at 1030 UTC.
(1000utc during daylight saving)
geencee@picknowl.com.au
19th Anniversary Ladies Net
The 19th anniversary of the Townsville Ladies Net was celebrated on-air
last Tuesday evening January 22nd with a number of YL and YM stations
joining in for a net session that went for about 40 minutes with the main
topics of discussion being the recent plentiful supply of rain and this
weekend's VK4 Family Radio Camp at Bluewater.
To honour the memory of the founder of the Townsville Ladies Net and TARC's
very first Ladies Group Co-ordinator, Ann Renton VK4MUM (SK), the net was
renamed the Ann Renton Memorial Ladies Net a few years back.
The net happens on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 7-30pm on the
Townsville VK4RAT VHF Repeater and YL, XYL, OM, XOM Second Operators and
visitors within range are very welcome to participate.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FINAL FRONTIER
VK5ZAI is the Australian Co-ordinator for ARISS.
AMSAT-VK UNOFFICIAL HF Net.
2nd Sunday each month.
November through March 0900 UTC 7.068 MHz
April through October 1000 UTC 3.685 MHz
Australian Satellite Enthusiasts Group
http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/ozsatgroup/
Amateur Radio Satellite AO-16 reconfigured
AO-16 has been reconfigured to provide Radio Amateurs with a novel FM to SSB
satellite transponder.
The satellite was launched 18 years ago on 22nd January 1990 and it is
testimony to the high standards of Amateur Radio satellite design and
construction that it is still operating after all these years. Commercial
Low-Earth orbit satellites typically have a lifetime of just a few years.
The long lifetime of Amateur Satellites is one reason why the Amateur
Satellite Service needs the assurance of access to low-noise floor spectrum
for several decades after a satellite is launched. None of the Amateur
Satellite Service allocations between 435 MHz and 24 GHz are Primary and the
existing secondary allocations have seen significant increases in the noise
floor or sell-offs to other users, which jeopardises missions.
Amateurs are currently committing significant resources to developing new
pioneering satellites for the Microwave bands with no guarantee that the
frequencies will remain usable for the lifetime of the satellite.
AO-16 was a Digital satellite running an AX.25 protocol store-and-forward
communications system. Since that aspect of the system has now reached the end
of its days the dedicated team of AMSAT volunteers has successfully
reconfigured the satellite to give it a new lease of life as a voice
transponder.
Drew KO4MA, AMSAT-NA Vice President of Operations, has issued this report on
the reconfiguration of AO-16:
Since AO-16 was recovered approximately 6 months ago, the command team has
attempted to reload the satellite software almost a dozen times without
success. Subsequently a series of memory tests were performed which points
towards a hardware failure, which prevents restarting the spacecraft software
successfully. This team included Bruce Rahn WB9ANQ and Jim White WD0E advising
Mark Hammond N8MH as the primary groundstation. Mark put in many early hours
during the multiple reloads and test sessions, with Bruce, Jim, and others
advising. Thank you to all involved for your hard work.
After the conclusion that the spacecraft computer system was damaged and as
discussions about decommissioning were taking place, Jim recalled a series of
low level commands included in the spacecraft design by Tom Clark, K3IO during
construction. One of these commands allows an uplink receiver to be directly
tied to a downlink transmitter. The twist is that the uplink is regular FM but
the downlink via the BPSK transmitter is DSB (Double Sideband).
Mark placed the satellite in this mode early this week and some testing was
undertaken. The satellite hears VERY well, and the reduced bandwidth by using
either USB or LSB on the groundstation receiver allows for a very robust
downlink. Tuning the downlink is just like on a linear transponder, meaning it
is tight and with fast Doppler. Uplink tuning is not required, just as with
the FM mode V/U satellites. QSOs were made between N8MH, WD4ASW, KO4MA,
K5QXJ, and WA6FWF.
My personal observations include being able to access and hear the satellite
within one degree of the horizon, much lower than any other current bird for
my QTH. This should be an easy satellite with omni antennas and a 70cm preamp.
With that explanation, I'm happy to open the satellite to general use on voice
for a test period. Please submit reports either to the -bb or to
ao16@amsat.org . The uplink is 145.920 FM, and the downlink is 437.026 SSB +/-
Doppler shift. Please restrict your uplink power to a reasonable level, and do
not transmit without being able to hear the downlink. All the general
single-channel guidelines apply. Enjoy this bird's new life!
73, Drew KO4MA
AMSAT-NA VP Operations
(via southgate ar club)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP --- MILITARY
Good Luck to Snow VK4IFS
Wishes of Good Luck and "Keep Your Head Down" go out to Snow VK4IFS who is
leaving real soon now with the Green Machine for a 6 month tour of
"the Sand Pit."
PORTABLE RADIO GROUP
e-mail sv1uy@sz8l.gr
The European Portable Radio Group are gearing up for some extended activity
now that Solar Cylce 24 has officially started.
Demetre Valaris SV1UY is looking forward to working such portables as
Budd w3ff and Jack VK4JRC.
Jack is in grid square QG56FJ just outside of Rockhampton and this weekend
(if the creeks don't rise) should be found on APRS as VK4JRC-15.
When operating portable he operates with Icom 703 HF, Buddipole Antenna and
when using Digital modes, an SCS PTC-IIEx or Tigertronics SL-USB Interface.
He also operates motorcycle mobile on HF
Home WEB page http://chomleyranch.smugmug.com
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO SCOUTING
http://www.scouts.com.au
http://www.scout.org/jota
http://www.wiaq.com/nationalnews/jotahead.htm
SCOUT JOTA HF Voice Calling Frequencies
3590 primary, 3.650 secondary, 7090, 14190, 21190, 28590 kHz
14290, 18140, 21360, 24960, 28390 kHz (DX)
GB 100 BOS will be active from the District Scout Headquarters in
Birkenhead, from January 21st to 27th to celebrate Birkenhead's
role as the birthplace of scouting.
On 24th January 1908 Lord Baden Powell publicly inaugurated
the Scout Movement at a meeting held at the Old YMCA in
Birkenhead Town Centre, only a matters of yards from the
present District Scout Headquarters.
SOCIAL SCENE
JANUARY 25 VK4
theTARCinc Australia Day Weekend Family Radio Camp is happening this weekend
concluding Monday Afternoon. Where? At the Girl Guides Association
of Queensland Campsite and Training Centre 46-56 Toolakea Beach Road, Bluewater
VK4ATV/AX4ATV will be on-air from the camp to provide directions and contact.
FEBRUARY 9
Blue Mountains Amateur Radio Club's 50th anniversary dinner.
For more informations, point your browser
to www.bmarc.org
(John VK2QN Publicity Officer Blue Mountains Amateur Radio Club Inc)
FEBRUARY 10
Centre Victoria RadioFest
The program of this major event to be held at the Kyneton Racecourse on
Sunday 10 February has been expanded to include more interest group
displays and a show n' tell opportunity for home-brewers.
This is the major event in VK3 with virtually everything you could want to
see and do in a single day.
The latest in commercial products will be in the Traders Hall. Or perhaps
you’re looking for pre-loved equipment, there’s to be plenty on offer.
Interested in HF antennas, particularly those for small space QTH’s? Then
don’t miss the mini-lecture by antenna guru and author Phil Grimshaw VK4KVK.
Paul Engler VK3XDE is talking about the build it yourself PicAStar Software
Defined Radio transceiver, while Icom will have two presentations on D-STAR.
An antenna measurement range for 2m, 70cm and 23cm, plenty of displays in the
Club Precinct plus see WICEN Victoria’s emergency communications facility.
A range of home-brew and kit-built items in the Constructors' Cavalcade.
Centre Victoria RadioFest at the Kyneton Racecourse is on Sunday the 10th of
February.
Check out the website radiofest.amateurradio.com.au for full details
Centre Victoria RadioFest is a collaboration of three groups - Amateur
Radio Victoria, and the Central Goldfields and Midland Amateur Radio Clubs.
FEBRUARY 17
CENTRAL COAST AMATEUR RADIO FIELD DAY
The Central Coast Amateur Radio Club gives a big welcome to all the Amateur
Radio enthusiasts around Australia.
The date of the Wyong Field Day is arriving fast, however everything is going
to plan,remember Sunday, 17-02-2008.
At the Field Day we will have arranged for a Education Examination person to
be onsite so anyone that wishes to sit for the Standard or Advanced
certificate can do so. Just phone (02) 4325 2182 to book-in.
We have engaged additional security people to ensure that every one feels
safer and can have a great time on the day.
Rememder that the gates open at around 0500 hours, however the Traders Area
will be closed off until 0930 so that the Traders can set-up and be ready to
receive your hard earned cash.
The new DStar radios will be available for purchase at the Icom stand. Other
Traders will have plenty of bargains for you at the "right price".
The "Flea Market" will be opened as soon as the stall holders are set-up.
Patrons who travel by train from Sydney will have to change to free buses at
Gosford for Wyong because of "track-work". Those that travel from the
Newcastle side of Wyong can do so by train to Wyong, you are the lucky ones.
Till next time best regards Ray, VK2 HAY on (02) 4325 2182.
More details on the Central Coast Amateur Radio Club's web
site www.ccarc.org.au
February 24
Yarra Valley Amateur Radio Group (Formally the Healesville Amateur Radio
Club) White Elephant Sale doors open 10am to 2pm at Healesville Memorial Hall
Maroondah Highway Healsville. Entry Fee $5. Free Tea and Coffee.
For Bookings .. Trestles hire $12 for 6ft $15 for 8ft Contact Gavin VK3TLN
5968 84 82 or Steve VK3TSR 0418 103 487
April 6
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club’s Mini Field Day.
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
International Telecommunication Union's Telecom World 2009.
14th IARU R3 Conference Christchurch 12 - 16 October, 2009.
=========================================================================
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