| |
ZL2BAU > NEWS 01.02.08 13:01l 988 Lines 33677 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : VK1WIA080203
Read: GUEST
Subj: WIANEWS - Feb 3 27 - VK NATIONAL NEWS
Path: IZ3LSV<IW2OHX<OE6XPE<DB0RES<F5GOV<CX2SA<VK4TRS<VK6HGR<ZL2BAU
Sent: 080201/0952Z @:ZL2BAU.#79.NZL.OC #:19647 [Waimate] $:VK1WIA080203
From: ZL2BAU@ZL2BAU.#79.NZL.OC
To : NEWS@WW
ALWAYS ENSURE ORIGINAL BID # AND TITLE ARE USED.
Packet uploads with thanks to
vk4zz Gavin, vk7ax Tony, zl2bau Peter
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
http://www.wiaq.com/ftp/wianews_64.mp3 FM Radio quality
http://www.wiaq.com/ftp/wianews.mp3 AM Radio Quality
http://www.wiaq.com/admin/pandaupload.php Submit your Audio
free emailed script http://lists.wia.org.au/mailman/listinfo/vk1wia-news
This is WIANEWS for week commencing February 3 2008
NATIONAL NEWS
GLENDEN STATE SCHOOL THE RECIPIENT OF AN AUSTRALIA DAY AWARD:-
FOR ARISS AMATEUR RADIO PROJECT
Saturday 26th January 2008 at an Australia Day awards ceremony held at the
Nebo Town Hall in Nebo Queensland Australia, Glenden State School was
presented with an Australia Day Award recognising its successful Amateur Radio
on the International Space Station (ARISS) direct radio contact with astronaut
Sunita Williams as the ISS passed over Australia at precisely 8:47am on the
5th April 2007.
In presenting the award Mayor Bob Oakes called on Glenden State School teacher
Andrea Maltby, student representatives Murray Nell and Dakota Ellington along
with local resident (and ARISS ground station operator) Shane Lynd VK4KHZ to
accept the award on behalf of the School.
Mayor Oakes said in presenting the award "the ARISS event was such a unique
once in a lifetime educational and community event and is something that will
probably never happen again in Glenden that the Australia Day Awards selection
committee considered it worthy of recognition". Also in accepting the
award Shane VK4KHZ said "On behalf of the international team of ARISS we thank
you for this award and congratulate the students of Glenden State School as
the recipients. The Glenden ARISS contact was an amazing experience, it was
technically challenging but a very rewarding experience, my thanks go to
Andrea, the students, teachers and staff of Glenden State School the community
of Glenden and to everyone who supported the event well done Glenden State
School."
The Glenden ARISS contact was a direct contact which meant that all of the
amateur radio equipment was installed at the school. This meant dismantling
Shane's satellite ground station and re-installing the radio equipment in the
school hall, running telephone & internet cabling and mounting the satellite
tracking antennas on the roof (which in itself was quite a challenge as the
roof pitch was some 38 feet above the ground) the success of the contact
stimulated significant community interest in amateur radio which will
hopefully inspire other Australian schools to participate in this amazing
educational opportunity.
For further information on how you can assist your local school in applying
for an ARISS contact the Australian ARISS coordinator, Tony VK5ZAI.
Emergency Communications in Queensland flood
A flying squad of radio amateurs, members of the RECOM Red Cross Emergency
Communications have completed a six day assignment in flood hit Emerald
in central Queensland.
Some six months ago RECOM was asked by the Red Cross to form a core group
that could be on call should the need arise anywhere in Australia.
Although RECOM which began in Victoria has been involved in various natural
disasters, this was the first occasion that its newly formed flying squad
was put to the test.
Starting on early Monday January the 21st, RECOM set up in the Emerald
Relief Centre primarily to record details of 3,000 evacuees and then upload that
information to the Red Cross national database.
Apart from the information being used to provide relatives with a means of
finding out about their loved ones via the national call centre phone line,
the information was also used by a range of stake-holders in disaster
management and recovery.
At the height of the flood, the worst since 1950, more than a thousand homes
were evacuated and businesses were flood when the Nogoa River which divides
the township, broke its banks.
While the RECOM crew have returned home after a job well done, the Red Cross
still has a contingent in the field assisting those who affected by the flood.
I'm Jim Linton VK3PC and you're listening to VK1WIA.
VK3AML DELIVERS OPTICAL PAPER
Chris Long VK3AML was invited to present a paper to the SPIE
Photonics West Conference in California last Monday. The title of the
talk was "Decibels vs. dollars: long range atmospheric optical
communications on a tight budget."
The authors of the paper and presentation where Chris, Mike Groth
VK7MJ and Clint Turner KA7EOI.
The presentation covers the experimentation that Chris, Mike and
Clint have been doing and includes a number of VK3 and VK7 experimenters.
From all reports the talk went well and received many good responses
and interest.
Chris is now travelling to Utah to visit Clint and the crew who set
the 173 mile optical record back on October 3 2007.
SPIE is an international society advancing an interdisciplinary
approach to the science and application of light and they run
Photonics West which is the largest Photonics event in the US and was
held in San Jose California from the 19th to 24th January 2008.
http://spie.org/x2584.xml
(Justin, VK7TW)
HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.
( 2sky )
VK1
vk1 local news email broadcast@vk1.wia.ampr.org and ask for subscription.
It is that time of year again when CRARC seek volunteers to serve on the
management committee.
All positions become vacant during at the AGM on the 25th February and
nominations must be in the hands of the secretary 11th February.
On the whole you could expect to devote on average 1-2 hours per week to
club business.
Committee positions range from 3 committee members to President.
VK2
web service:- http://www.arnsw.org.au/html/news_vk2wi.htm
Congratulations to Eddie VK2ZEJ (ex VK4ZEJ) on his successful move from
Townsville to Jindabyne NSW.
When able to get some spare time away from managing the Jindabyne Post Office
Eddie is going to utilise some of the spacious back yard he has scored to
put up several wire dipoles and beams and get back into the hobby with a
vengeance.
You might also hear Eddie shortly on 6 metres and on some of the 2 metre
repeaters in the region
26th of January saw a great turnout at the Westlakes club. This Australia Day
event continued well into the afternoon and I believe that all that stayed
really enjoyed themselves.
VK3
web service:- http://www.amateurradio.com.au/news/
Congratulations go out to David VK3DLS (ex VK4KIX) on his successful
transplant from Townsville to Bairnsdale Victoria.
David has been lucky enough to score a semi-rural billet which allows him to
run amok with lots of wire antennae when he gets some spare time away from
teaching music at several schools in the region. Look out for David VK3DLS on
80 metres from time to time.
VK4
web service local news:- www.wiaq.com/qnews/upload/qnewsbcast.htm
local news email qnews-vk-subscribe@yahoogroups.com subscribe in subject field.
14 bods camped over at Bluewater Girl Guides Camp during the TARC Australia
Day Weekend Family Radio Camp which incorporated some experimenting with
large antennae in the great outdoors, a portable transmission of WIA National
News onto the local VHF repeater, a tryout of some new field equipment that
will be used later in the year during the John Moyle Field Day and Lighthouse
Weekends and a very comprehensive demonstration of sound-card based computer
operating modes by David VK4BDJ.
VK5
(no local services known)
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
http://reast.asn.au/events.php
By now all members would have received their notification of the AGM,
nomination form and renewal form (if renewal is due) in the post.
This is notification of the REAST AGM which is on Sunday February
10th starting at 11am and will followed by a BYO BBQ - hot plates,
tea, coffee and soft drinks will be available.
There will be another four of the Moonraker AT318 antennas up for
grabs at the AGM so, if you missed out at the BBQ then come along to
the AGM and you can throw your name into the hat.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#agm
See you there.
VK8
http://www.vkham.com/vk8da/ note an audio version available on this page.
EDUCATION YOUTH AND ADVANCEMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO
Listening to this broadcast and interested in becoming a radio amateur?
In Victoria there are a number of opportunities available. For the
Maryborough and Castlemaine area, contact Peter Rafferty VK3CC phone 5460
4387.
The Bendigo District the contact is Ross Pittard VK3FCE telephone 0408 533
107.
For the Greater Melbourne and nearby regional areas, Amateur Radio
Victoria runs monthly weekend training and assessment sessions at Box Hill
North.
Its next session is the 16th and 17th of February. Contact Barry Robinson
VK3JBR on 0428 516 001 or arv@amateurradio.com.au
Congratulations go out this week to Chris VK4FCCC who successfully sat his
Foundation Assessment with the WIA Exam Service in Townsville during December
and has been issued his new callsign by ACMA.
Chris is about to spend a couple of months with work near Toowoomba so he
will be heard from time to time on the Darling Downs repeaters.
WESTERN CAPE RTA PROMISES TO BE A KNOCK-OUT
The SARL RTA, Radio Technology in Action day in the Western Cape promises to
be a knock out with exciting presentations on several technologies that will
enhance Amateur Radio. The RTA comes to Cape Town on Saturday 8 March at the
Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
Setting the scene for the day will be a panel discussion which will look at
where Amateur radio is going in the next 5 years.
This will be followed by a presentation on Spread Spectrum, WiFi for amateur
radio, Space Weather and HF propagation for Amateur Radio. On the practical
side there are papers on APRS on HF, and how to build a Power Supply from
scrap, to mention some.
The SARL objective with the RTA is to give radio amateurs and electronic
hobbyists an insight into the new technologies that will drive amateur radio
of the future.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
MALTA
This should serve as a timely reminder that we all should take extreme care
when "playing antenna".
9H1AW (ex GW3LDH) was adjusting his antenna when he fell from the roof of
his apartment in Malta.
Since moving to live in Malta 9H1AW frequented the Malta Amateur Radio League
in nearby Attard. His Welsh call sign was GW3LDH and he was an advocate of
6 meters.
A spokesman for Malta Police said: "The incident happened when he was
rearranging an aerial on his roof and he fell into the yard of another house.
"He was certified dead at the scene."
CANADA
RAC has become aware of increasing levels of interference to Amateur Radio
operations on the 902-928MHz (33cm) band from wireless power meters and is
calling on Radio Amateurs in Canada who use that band to provide any
information to help identify the extent and nature of the problem.
In a number of Canadian cities, electrical power utilities are installing
wireless meters that operate in the 33cm band. Amateur Radio has access to
that band there on a Secondary basis, BUT Amateur Radio operations may claim
protection from these devices.
RAC intends to raise this issue with Industry Canada, but requires more
information on the effect these meters are having on operations.
RAC Vice-President Industrial Liaison, Norm Rashleigh VE3LC of Ottawa.
VE3LC@rac.ca
=======================================================================
RSGB NEWS G4NJH
STILL THE ACOLADES ROLL IN FOR VK4DMC AND VK5BC
Antipodean amateurs achieve 2,200 miles on 2m
In two spectacular openings on the two metre band, a new Australia
to New Zealand record was set.
On 29th December, VK4DMC worked ZL1CN at a distance of 3,549
kilometres. VK4DMC was running 200 watts into an 11 element Yagi
just 8 metres above ground. Then on 9th January, there was an
opening to ZL from VK5 resulting in several contacts, the best
being between VK5BC and ZL1TWR over a distance of 3,482 km.
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
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)
CONTEST STORIES
ATHOL JOHNSON CONTEST
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#AJContest
Things are hotting up. Now two electronics loggers are being developed, one
from Mike VK3AVV who develops the VK Contest Logging application and another
from Tom VK7NML which is a Java Application that will run on any computer!
With the availability of electronic logging software, logs for the contest
will be that much easier! Keep an ear on the broadcast for when these loggers
will become available.
(vk7wia news)
SPECIAL EVENTS, BEACON AND NET ADVICE
Back by request after a very successful "First" VK/ZL Digital weekend in
October 2007 everyone is invited to join in and get active on the 30 meter
Digital Modes.
Yes it's the 30 Meter VK/ZL/Pacific Digital Weekend February 9/10
0600Z on the 9th and end 1900Z on the 10th of Feb on 10.138 to 10.145 MHZ
PSK31 RTTY or Whatever digital mode you fancy.
Depending on propagation here is a rough guide to follow in contacting VK/ZL's
Europe: 0600 to 0800Z and after 1200 to 1400Z then 1500 to 1900Z.
USA/Canada: 0800Z and after 1100 to 1200Z if propagation is kind to us.
Japan/Asia: 0800Z and onwards.
This activity is not a contest but an opportunity for the rest of the world to
work VK/ZL/Pacific stations in a easy relax atmosphere of "Your Choice" of
rag chewing and or experimenting with modes/propagation.
Bill zl3nb@arrl.net
or Don KB9UMT dobson123@aol.com
The 5th Antarctic Activities Week will take place between February 18th
and 24th. A lot of stations with special callsigns are lining up to
participate in this year's event. Read about the details and see the list
of stations that will be active at
www.waponline.it/Default.aspx?tabid=113
D X A C T I V I T Y A N D D A T E S
VP6PR is currently QRV from Pitcairn Islands and will remain QRV until the
8th of February. The modes in operation are CW, RTTY and PSK31.
QSL is via JJ8DEN.
(IRTS)
THEHINDU.CoM HAVE REORTED AND FEATURED A STORY ON 22-year-old
Sadineni Yamini, the youngest and sole woman of a 15-member international
expedition of ham wireless operators to the picturesque Isla del Coco
(Cocos Island), off Costa Rica from February 6.
In an interview with "the hindu dot com Sadineni said " I am looking forward
with excitement and trepidation since I will be away on an uninhabited island
for almost a fortnight."
Incidentally, she will be the first Indian to participate in a 'DXpedition'
of radio amateurs outside India.
The young Indian ham enthusiast has been sponsored by the Austrian Amateur
Radio Society and the National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR). Yamini,
whose call sign is VU2YAM, said the team after sailing for about 40 hours
from San Jose and reaching the island would set up five to six amateur radio
stations. The main aim of the expedition is to test state-of-the-art
technologies. She has been assigned a particular mode of voice and digital
communication called PACTOR-3.
Yamini, who is married and has a three-year-old daughter, said her aim was
to be numero uno among women ham radio operators in the world. Besides
seeking to achieve the highest number of communication contacts, she would
like to serve during calamities and spread awareness among schoolchildren
about the utility of ham radio.
MEDIA WATCH
Recently ABC Melbourne morning radio gave our hobby some excellent publicity.
Let's tune in and listen, the first voice we hear is the interviewer Red
Symmons.
(Play audio)
The seven minute interview included discussion about - amateur radio on the
international space station, Solar Cycle 24 and its impact on communications,
and a warning about illegal cordless phones causing interference.
Ah, not letting the opportunity slip, Jim Linton VK3PC extended a public
invitation for anyone to attend the Centre Victoria RadioFest, to learn more
about amateur radio.
Michael Wright VK5ARD dropped us a note through the week to say that
this WIA news is being broadcast in Roxby Downs on VK5ROX 146.900
Sundays at 11am and 7:30PM.
The broadcast is automated via IRLP node 6011 with the node herself disabled
during the broadcast.
This month's Silicon Chip magazine categorises the Centre Victoria
RadioFest as one of Australia's largest and best known amateur
radio/communications field days.
And why not indeed! It has the major commercial traders and interesting
club displays. The latest entrant to the Club Corner precinct is FISTS
Downunder, the New Zealand/Australia chapter of the International Morse
Preservation Society.
The mini-lectures include two Icom show 'n tell D-Star presentations, Phil
Grimshaw VK4KVK interesting talk on antennas for limited space QTH's, and
Paul Engler VK3DXE returns with the latest on the PicAStar software
defined radio.
Add to this is Terry Murphy's do-it-yourself Dipole Factory, Constructors
Cavalcade of home-brew and kit building, and an antenna measurement range
for 2-metres, 70-centimetres and 23-centimetres.
There's a huge second-hand market - the organisers have been overwhelmed
by the record demand for sales tables. At this late stage there's still a
few car-boot or trailer sales spots - book one or just turn up on the day.
Do check out the full program at the website radiofest.amateurradio.com.au
See you at the Centre Victoria RadioFest, Kyneton racecourse only an hour
from Melbourne, Ballarat and Bendigo, on Sunday the 10th of February.
I'm Bruce Lees VK3FFF and you're listening to VK1WIA.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ARDF
WIA ARDF COORDINATOR VK3WWW Jack vk3www@alphalink.com.au
http://users.mackay.net.au/~ron/
http://www.homingin.com
http://www.ardf.org.au
Scanning Tasmania FoxHunts
Paul VK7FPGB reports that the next Scanning Tasmania fox hunt will be
held on Tuesday 5th of February 2008 starting at 7pm meet up at our
normal place of the car park at the end of Park Street Launceston
over the road from Launceston College.
Do we have any body who is interested in being the fox this time?
Contact Paul if you are interested or just come along and see what
foxhunting is all about.
http://www.scanningtasmania.org/
(Paul, VK7FPGB)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ATV (Every pixel tells a story)
ATV is alive and well in VK4.
Hams in the know are receiving Richard VK4XRL's Digital ATV transmission
using the Australian DVB-T standard.
The transmissions originate from Wavell Heights in Brisbane.
Tune to 428.5MHz to receive the first Australian standard digital Ham TV .
16.9 and 4/3 video on demand, you can't get better.
If you are in the Brisbane area call up on 145.200 MHz for more info.
(Alan VK4YAR)
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.
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.
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)
Kaguya lunar satellite heard
Dave VK5DG in Mt Gambier, South Australia has been receiving carrier
signals from the Kaguya lunar satellite's on 2263.6MHz.
Dave reports he has been using nothing more than an unmodified MMDS
(ex Pay TV down converter) mounted in a BBQ grill and a PCR-1000
receiver. Dave got inspired by Michael Fletcher OH2AUE's
(microwave/AMSAT guru) experiments, especially where he was able to
hear a lunar satellite using a paper clip as an antenna.
Dave's MMDS down converters have a nominal 1951MHz Local Oscillator
so the IF will be around 312.6MHz.
The problem that Dave reports is that they are filtered for 2300-
2400MHz input and 349-449MHz output.
Dave used to operate AO-40 on 2401.3MHz and the signal was marginal
in a couple of cases.
Despite this, birdies on 312.56MHz and the lousy overcast weather for
the last two nights, Dave heard the signal shift ~22kHz over an hour.
It was 20dB over the noise according to the spectrum display and
quite audible.
www.planetary.org/explore/topics/kaguya/
(Dave VK5DG via Justin VK7TW).
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 --- 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)
AUSTRALIA DAY AWARD TO VK4PHT
Peter Twyford of Cambooya, (or Wombat, his Scout name) joined the Cambooya
Scout Group in 2002 as an Assistant Scout Leader. In June of the same year
he became Scout Leader and the Scout section has flourished under his
leadership.
Over the years the Cambooya Scouts have received accolades and awards at the
Standards Camp and Nighthawk; seen 2 members, under Peter's guidance, gain
the highest award possible for a scout the "Australian Scout Medallion";
Raised funds so that scouts could attend the Australian Jamboree.
Peter and members of the Cambooya Scouts have also attended the Agoonoree camp
for mentally and physically challenged youth where the scouts assist these
people in their daily needs and well as doing camping activities with them.
This allows the attendees to enjoying camping and outdoors activities and
give their families a break also.
In 2007 Peter was one of the troop leaders for this camp.
In 2007 Peter started as Assistant Troop Leader at the Australian Scout
Jamboree and has also taken on the role of Assistant Regional Commissioner
- Scouts section for the Darling Downs.
The scouts and their families, and indeed the community as a whole, have
enormous respect for Peter and agree he provides so many positive
opportunities for the youth of Cambooya.
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
500 kHz Distance Record Set:
On January 17, Neil Schwanitz, V73NS/WD8CRT, on Roi-Namur in the Marshall
Islands, received a signal from experimental station WD2XSH/20.
This experimental station, operated by Rudy Severns N6LF, is located in
Cottage Grove, Oregon -- 4737 miles away from the island in the Kwajalein
atoll.
The 13 words-per-minute CW transmission was copyable by ear and also appeared
in the Spectran capture. During this same week, the Belgian BIPT (the
equivalent of the ACMA) granted Belgian amateurs with full licenses access to
501-504 kHz with up to 5 W ERP; this is the first general amateur allocation
at 500 kHz.
The ARRL 500 kHz experimental license, WD2XSH, was issued in September 2006
and has 20 active stations. Fritz Raab, W1FR, of Vermont, serves as
experimental project manager for The 500 KC Experimental Group for Amateur
Radio
www.500kc.com/
Additional information can be found at the experiment's Web site and also in
the July/August 2007 issue of QEX
www.arrl.org/qex/2007/07/raab.pdf
SOCIAL SCENE
FEBRUARY 9
Blue Mountains Amateur Radio Club's 50th anniversary dinner.
For more information, 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 Club recently celebrated 50 years of history last October and historians
tell this coming Field Day is also 50th., a double celebration.
Allocated frequencies for the new D-Star radio, on VK2 RAG are in.
Negotiations for the correct ADSL connections which is proving difficult,
D-Star requires only the best connections.
Wyong Scout Group will be helping out at the entrance gate.
Security has been increased by the employment of the NSW police, an ATM is
now installed in the main building, and The St. Johns First Aiders will again
be on-site "just in case"
The ladies of The Embroiderers' Guild NSW, Newcastle Branch will be having a
display of their skills and will sell articles to patrons.
Traders area will be "off limits" until 0930 hours, this will give them plenty
of time to set-up, this also means that the free tea/coffee & biscuits will
not be available until the Traders open for business, however The Bistro will
be open early for people who need some refreshments.
The free tea/coffee will now be located on the top floor of the main building,
Australia's top importers and sellers of radio and electronic gear will be
there as well as a number of good "Flea Market" sellers with a big variety of
preloved gear for sale.
Mobile phone Number 0458 245 576, as well as existing number (02) 4340 2500.
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.
=========================================================================
WIANews - we've reported...YOU decide.
Societies and Club News Letter Editors can EXCHANGE a feed prior to
the actual broadcast date, e-mail nationalnews@wia.org.au
Call-backs follow the RF editions, but also for text readers you may
lodge a quick reply to let us know you read it, who knows, you might
even get a "cheerio call".
Thanks to to our dedicated band of broadcast volunteers who utilize
their time and equipment in bringing you this weekly broadcast.
The purpose of "WIANews" is to rapidly provide news of interest to
active amateurs residing in Australia and the globe.
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
submitted.
Material may be reproduced in whole or in part, in any form, a credit to
WIANews wouldn't go astray...
Compiled by VK4BB on behalf of the National WIA.
Read previous mail | Read next mail
| |
