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VK7AX > BCAST 30.11.24 09:14l 507 Lines 22550 Bytes #279 (0) @ WW
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VK7 Amateur Radio News 01Dec24
Text edition:
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VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 1st December 2024
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Welcome to the Summer edition of the VK7 Amateur Radio News.
This was first broadcast on Sunday, December 1st, 2024 and we bring you the latest from the world of amateur radio in VK7.
This week, joining you from the Tasmanian Amateur Radio News desk is Idris, VK7ZIR.
Tune in as we share updates and insights across VK7, broadcast through an array of platforms and frequencies:
On DMR Talk Group 5 and D-Star Reflector 91C, managed by Gavin, VK7HGO.
On Medium and high frequency rebroadcasts thanks to our dedicated operators:
1.862 MHz by Graham, VK7GS
3.670 MHz by Ross, VK7ALH
7.140 MHz by Garry, VK7JGD
14.130 MHz by Any Takers
28.525 MHz by Any Takers and
UHF CB Channel 24 in the Hobart area, hosted by Mark, VK7FMAC
If you missed todayâ€Ös broadcast then you can catch the replay on Tuesday night at 8:00pm on repeaters VK7RAA in Northern VK7 and VK7RHT and UHFCB24 in Southern VK7.
Thank you for tuning in and enjoy the broadcast!
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RAOTC
Monthly Broadcast - December 2024
Further to that mentioned on the WIA National News, this is another reminder about the RAOTC broadcast for Monday the 2 nd of December 2024 at 8 pm local time; thatâ€Ös tomorrow night for those listening on Sunday.
This monthâ€Ös presentation is a repeat of 2 stories that first went to air in August 2013.
The first is told by Clive, VK6CSW; he relates 2 extracts that were taken from Naval Air News relating to incidents during WW2.
Of interest to radio amateurs is Cliveâ€Ös technical description of radio equipment from that era, its limitations and the fact that short distance and intra-aircraft communications were augmented by hand signals.
Clive goes on to relate an incident where the need for radio silence ended both in tragedy and one lucky escape.
Ron, VK3AFW details a review of power consuming products in the average home, how to save power and to be aware of scammers.
Listen at 8 pm Monday, local time, over the VK7RAA/VK7RHT state-wide network or at about 8:30pm as a telecast on VK7AX ‘Spectrum Tasmaniaâ€Ö via the BATC membersâ€Ö stream or in the
Ulverstone area on 445.50MHz DATV. Audio feed is available on VK7RDR, 439.775MHz, Dazzler Range.
The broadcast date again is Monday December 2 nd . Call backs will follow on both networks. Please call in if you are able; this provides the RAOTC broadcast committee with an idea of how many are listening to these broadcasts.
If you miss the off-air broadcasts you can listen to audio files on the RAOTC website:
https://www.raotc.org.au/
73, Peter VK7PD
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QSL News
Report - from Herman VK7HW Manager of the WIA VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
The updated list of QSL cards held as at 28 November 2024 is in the email version of the broadcast.
73, Herman, VK7HW, WIA Manager VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
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Cards held at 28 November 2024 ( Any errors in the listing are mine, I sometimes miss culling a call sign)
AAC, AAD, AAH, AAP, AAR, AB, ACE, ACG, ACN, ADE, AED, AG(2014), AGC, AHT, AIR, AJC, AKK, ALZ, AM, ANC, AO, APZ, AS, ATH, AXZ, AY
BA, BB, BPV, BT, BU, BYE
CA, CBK, CBR, CH/T, CJ, CTV, CV, CX
DAN, DHT, DI, DN, DO, DQ, DT, DV, DY, DZ
EG, EI, ER
FADZ, FALX (alx), FAZZ, FCIA, FF, FG, FGGT, FKLW, FLAR, FMI, FPRN, FTAS
GA, GEL, GGZ, GM, GOP, GR, GU
HCH, HH, HL, HOB, HRS, HSA, HSD, HSJ, HVK, HXT, HZ
IAN, IR, IS
JA, JAB, JAZ, JCR, JG, JOK, JP, JS, JW, JX
KAC, KAM, KBA, KD, KDO, KJ, KKR, KL, KO, KQ, KRJ
LA, LDH, LJ, LL, LLL, LM, LT, LVH
M, MA, MAG, MBD, MBP, MD, MEL, MET, MHZ, MI, MJ, MRS, MS, MV
NA, NB, NC, ND, NEC, NIK, NRF, NSE, NTE, NVH
OB
PAF, PBD, PM, PRN, PSH, PSJ, PSZ, PW
QK
RG, RJ, RN, ROY
SG(vi7SG), SN, SV, SZ
TCE, TED, TK, TL, TPE, TR, TS, TUX, TX, TZ
UT
VA, VAC, VAO, VAZ, VDC, VEK, VH, VI75G, VK7/AG9A9Mark), VR, VTM
WA, WC, WIA, WL, WO, WT, WUU
XV
Y, YN
ZA, ZJJ, ZK, ZM, ZR, ZT
Cards held at REAST Club Room 30 October 2024 (Sorted In wooden box on desk as you enter the door). AZ, HSD, SD, STO, VKT
73, Herman, VK7HW
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Contesting News
WIA Spring VHF/UHF field day Logs Due
Thanks to all who participated in the Spring Field Day.
Your logs are now due and all you have to do is export your log as a Cabrillo formatted text file and upload your logs via the WIA website Field Day Log File Uploader and the link is available on the email version of this broadcast.
www.wia.org.au/members/contests/upload/
If you need to revise your log, upload it again. Only the last log uploaded is used.
Logs must be received by midnight EAST, Monday 9 December 2024.
Checkout the WIA website for all the rules and other information.
https://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/vhfuhf/
73, Richard, VK7ZBX
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Statewide News
Thursday Night SSTV Nets
Due to VK7RAF being off the air there is no North – South repeater link and the ability to share any photos state-wide!
I will keep you updated as to when the link will be available again.
If you missed the previous nets there are archives of these nights. These photos can be seen on Ken VK7KRJâ€Ös and Steve VK7OOâ€Ös SSTV websites or on NTARCâ€Ös website under blogs.
SSTV VK7OO Tasmania Australia (tasme.com)
VK7KRJ's 2m SSTV scrolling web gallery
Blog 3 â€ö NTARC Inc.
73 from Andreâ€Ö VK7ZAB
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NEWS FROM THE NORTH WEST
North West Tasmania Amateur Radio Club
Meeting
The next club meeting will be commencing at 1.30pm on Saturday 7th December 2024 at our usual venue, the Scout hall, 73 Alexandra Road, Ulverstone. afternoon tea will also be held.
Members are encouraged to bring items for show & tell, and club rooms are open till 6pm for members to socialise.
A small plate of afternoon tea would be appreciated, We have Tea, Coffee etc available for members and guests. Visitors are most welcome to attend.
If you have any cold or flu symptoms , or are unwell , or been in contact with a confirmed COVID case, then please do not attend the meeting.
Christmas Bar B Que
On Saturday the 14th December, the club will hold a Christmas Bar B Que commencing at 1pm in Legion Park, which is off The Esplanade behind the Showgrounds at West Ulverstone.
The park is accessed by turning East into Maud Street off Queen Street, following the road to the river and BBQ facilities. This is a BYO food & drinks event. Onsite there are two electric Bar B Ques, toilets, running water and some seating and tables under cover.
We welcome other amateurs from around the state attending, and socialising with our members
If you have any cold or flu symptoms, or are unwell, or been in contact with a confirmed COVID case, then please do not attend the function.
The alternate Bar B Que venue will be Air Force Park off Tasma Parade West Ulverstone, turn right immediately after crossing the bridge over the Leven river, it is south of the Rec Centre, which has no Toilets, but has two electric Bar B Ques, no running water and some seating and tables under cover.
The Club will monitor the Mt Duncan 2 metre repeater the morning of the Bar B Que and if the weather conditions are not pleasant, can advise if itâ€Ös going ahead
If you have camping chairs it may pay to bring your own.
73, Eric, VK7EV,
News Officer, NWTARC
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NEWS FROM THE NORTH
SOTA/WWFF PARKS GROUP
The Summits On The Air/World Wide Flora and Fauna parks group meets twice weekly – Mondays and Fridays 10.30AM till 12.00 at the Glebe Gardens Cafe, Henry Street, Launceston.
For more information contact Al on 0417 354 410.
73, Al, VK7AN
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Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club Incorporated
www.ntarc.net
The highlight of this week hopefully happened over the weekend and is still happening with the presentation ceremony just getting started. NTARC and volunteers have been providing emergency radio communications and ride tracking for the final equine event of the year. This is the 24 hour State Championships Equine Endurance Ride held at Santarena Park located near Scottsdale.
This event features 160, 95, 55 and 15 kilometre rides, with the 160 km ride commencing at midnight Friday, to be completed by midnight Saturday.
With a bit of luck, NTARC members and volunteers are currently finishing the last of the packing up of the check points, repeaters and communications trailer. This will undoubtedly be interspersed with consumption of the renowned “Egg and Bacon Rolls†and much chatter before dispersing and making their way back home to the North West Coast, Hobart and Launceston. Thank you to all who assisted and I am sure there will be a round up to follow in a future broadcast.
A quick reminder that NTARCâ€Ös end of year dinner is this coming Wednesday the 4th of December at the Iron Horse Bar and Grill. Itâ€Ös not too late to register! Just E-mail the secretary at: secretary(at)ntarc.net no later than Tuesday.
A link to the Iron Horse location and menu information is available in the text version of this broadcast.
Iron Horse Bar & Grill
UPCOMING EVENTS
TestNet and TechNet session - Every Wednesday, TestNet/CW course on 3.580MHz from 7 pm till 7.30 pm, then a TechNet on 3.567MHz from 7.30 pm till 8.30 pm. Your host for the evening is Nic VK7WW.
End of year NTARC dinner – this Wednesday the 4th of December, 6:00 for a 6:30 pm meal.
Club General Meeting – Wednesday 11th December at 7.30pm. Held at the NTARC Club Room, Rocherlea Scout Hall, Archer Street, Rocherlea. If you have items you would like added to the agenda please email the secretary at: secretary@ntarc.net no later than tomorrow, Monday the 9th December.
Coffee Morning - held every Friday in the NTARC Club rooms. Time is from 10 am to noon and we look forward to seeing you all there. So why not pop in check the QSL cards and join us for a cuppa, there is endless tea and coffee along with biscuits available for a donation.
Finally - A reminder to all members that if you have any items of news you would like added to our weekly roundup, no matter how trivial, then please email them to the Secretary at the following address news(at)ntarc.net all items to be received no later than 5 pm on the Friday prior to the Broadcast.
Thatâ€Ös all folks,
73 from Stefan, VK7ZSB, Secretary NTARC Inc.
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NEWS FROM THE SOUTH
Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania
https://www.reast.asn.au/
https://www.facebook.com/reasttas/
https://www.youtube.com/reasthobart/
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Huge Thank You!
https://www.reast.asn.au/information/repeater-frequencies/
The move of the VK7RST GPS-Locked Digital Beacons will be taking place over summer. Sorry for the pun but this move is tiered - that is the beacons are going from Lower Snug to Snug Tiers…HIHI!
There will also be an upgrade to the beacons with the addition of a 23cm Beacon on 1296.470MHz.
This addition has been made possible by a couple of very generous people. The first is Bryon VK3YFL who has donated a ZLPLL - DDS or Direct Digital Synthesis unit for the upgrade. The second person is Larry VK7WLH who has donated some 23cm Power Amplifier units for the project.
Please note these beacons (6m, 2m & 70cm) are currently off air in preparation for the move.
73, Justin, VK7TW
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End Of Year Celebration BBQ and Working Bee
https://www.reast.asn.au/news-events/upcoming-events/?event_id1=2562
We will be holding a free BBQ for club members to celebrate a fantastic year at REAST.
This will be held after the broadcast on Sunday December 8th, 2024 from 1100 - 1500.
BRING YOUR WORK CLOTHES - after lunch we will be holding a working bee to clean up the shack, check antennas, mount new cameras, clean up the shack and DATV studios and a range of other exciting things!
See you there.
REAST Committee
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HUMONGOUS Amateur Radio Car Boot Sale
https://www.reast.asn.au/news-events/upcoming-events/?event_id1=2565
REAST will be holding a huge amateur radio carboot sale in the Queens Domain compound from 11am on Sunday 19th January 2025.
Want to sell something - it will cost you $10 to setup your carboot then you can sell as much as you want - all profit goes to you.
There will be a Sausage Sizzle on the day with Snags and Bread at $3 and Burgers and Bread at $5 - Soft drinks available $1 per can.
The REAST club will be selling 5.4m and 8.1m portable Aluminium masts for very reasonable prices!
No need to book - just turn up.
73, REAST Committee
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Wednesday Experimenterâ€Ös Nights
https://youtube.com/live/5iICyQijE8c
Last Wednesday night saw a deep dive into packet radio history with a focus on Baycom Modems. Baycom originally came from a Bavarian group of amateur who wanted to make packet radio much cheaper to get into. “Bayern†is the German word for Bavaria.
There is some great history in the documents that are linked on the email version of this broadcast.
https://www.qsl.net/ta1dx/amator/bay160en.pdf
http://www.tapr.net/meetings/DCC_1993/DCC1993-Baycom-KB2BBW.pdf
To make it cheaper they moved all the protocol handling out of hardware into software and removed the power supply requirements and powered the modem from the RS-232 interface itself. The issue with this is it make the RS-232 connects look somewhat weird if you are used to standard RS-232 Serial Communications.
We took a clos look at the interface and the reasons why the DTR is used as the Tx and the CTS is used for the Rx. The original Baycom Modems used the AM7910 World Modem chip then later TCM3105 chips and we showed the schematics.
Due to the protocol handling being done in software there were baud rate speed limitations that need to be taken into account due to processing speed of early PCs.
We showed some of the original Baycom Modem designs and compared them to the Tom Moffat VK7TM SK - Pocket Packet Modem which is Baycom Modem Based.
The era we are taking is January 1993 in Electronics Australia.- Pocket Packet Modem using TCM33105 FSK Modem Chip
We went through the ingenious elements in the design to make the modem cheap and self powered.
We then took a look at the Lou Destefano VK3AQZ - Packet Modem that was published in November 1993.
Justin VK7TW went through how he (as VK5ZJV) and his OM VK5TW SK both built these modems. They are AM7910 based - and use the Baycom interfacing. Lou references the Pocket Packet but wanted to use HF and 300 Baud but the TCM3105 cant do 300 baud only 1200/600/150/75 due to the crystal frequency.
Therefore he used an AM7910 however this chip uses positive and negative rails and is heavy on the current so running off the RS-232 lines is not an option. The AM7910 supports both Bell and CCITT modes and the design uses an RS-232 Driver a MAX-232 to buffer the modem chip. 1200 (VHF) and 300 (HF) Baud is supported and levels are independently set for each. There are full LED indicators for all lines, functions and power and there is an option to include a FSK 300 Baud FSK indicator from Silicon Chip in April 1991.
Wally and Justin etched the PCBs, populated them and got them up and working.
Justin then went through a few Packet Radio book from the early 1990s.
The Hitch Hikers Guide to Packet Radio in South Australia compiled by Grant Willis VK5ZWI from September 1993.
The ARRL publication - Your gateway to Packet Radio book and finished off our Packet Odyssey with NOSIntro - TCP/IP over Packet - Phil Karn KA9Q from the Ian Wade G3NRW Book.
We had a Australian Space Weather Report and a finished off with a reminder about future events.
This week would normally be a presentation night however given our end of year celebration on the following weekend, we are just having a social evening at the clubrooms.
On a Wednesday night people start arriving at the night around 6pm and many bring their dinner to enjoy.
There is always much discussion, experimenting, playing, talking, drinking coffee and tea, serious cunning plan development and general amateur radio shenanigans and world problem solving in the clubrooms as well!!
https://www.reast.asn.au/news-events/live-stream/
https://www.reast.asn.au/special-interest-groups/amateur-tv/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ReastHobart/
See you there.
73, Justin, VK7TW
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REAST Training and Assessments Update
We welcome two more Cygnet scouts who successfully passed their Foundation Licence this last week. Congratulations.
Foundation Training and Assessment Days are held every two months and start in February each year.
Standard, Advanced, and Regulations licence assessments are held on the alternate months starting in March. Dates can be found on the REAST Events Page.
https://www.reast.asn.au/news-events/upcoming-events/
We have completed our 2024 training and assessment sessions and our 2025 training calendar is available and the Foundation Training and Assessment days will be on:
22/02, 12/04, 28/06, 30/08 and 25/10.
Our Standard, Advanced & Regulations Assessment Days will be on: 29/03, 31/05, 26/07, 20/09 and 29/11.
For Bookings, Queries, and Questions:
Email: reast.assessor(at)gmail.com
This email is forwarded to the Learning Organiser, who will respond to all requests.
Foundation Licence Training Videos:
These have been updated to reflect the new Class Licence arrangements. Available on the REAST YouTube Training and Assessment Playlist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiSE6GEhcXU&list=PLsnsP_zjw831mdC6sY4XqavRUY-53ZWUn
Additional Resources:
Check out the WIA Foundation Trial Exams.
https://www.wia.org.au/licenses/foundation/onlineexams/foundation.php
73, Reg, VK7KK
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Space and Satellite News
Binar-2,3,4 Australian Cubesats
Earlier this month, three tiny Australian satellites from Curtin Universityâ€Ös Binar Space Program burned up in Earthâ€Ös atmosphere. That was always going to happen!
In fact, Binar means “fireball†in the Noongar language of the First Nations people of Perth. But these CubeSats, known as Binar-2, 3, and 4, entered the atmosphere much sooner than originally planned.
They only lasted for two months – a third of what was expected. Recent high solar activity has been causing an unexpected headache for satellite operators in the last few years, and itâ€Ös only increasing.
Sourced from the AMSAT News Service
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Regular VK7 gatherings and events over the coming months:
Regular gatherings:
Sewing Circle Net – Daily on 3.640MHz commences at 6:30pm AEST.
Statewide SSTV Net - held every Thursday night via the North/South Link on VK7RAF/VK7RJG from 7:30pm. In the North and North West - VK7RJG on 438.55 -7MHz and in the South - VK7RAF (146.650 -600kHz) CTCSS tone 141.3Hz to link RAF North-South.
State-wide – MICROWAVE QSO Party – following the Sunday broadcast call-back on 1296.15 MHz FM. One group in the greater Hobart area and another in the greater Launceston area.
Then North-south digital contacts on 1296.2MHz using Q65-60B.
Stations in the Launceston area transmitting on the odd minute. Southern stations on the even minute.
REAST - WAGs - Wednesday Afternoon Group from 12 noon in the REAST Clubrooms Queenâ€Ös Domain.
REAST - WEGs - Wednesday Experimenterâ€Ös Group from around 6pm in the REAST Clubrooms Queenâ€Ös Domain.
SOTA/WWFF Group – Meeting Mondays and Fridays 10.30-12.00 midday at Glebe Gardens Cafe, Henry St, Launceston.
NTARC - TestNet and TechNet sessions every Wednesday night. TestNet/CW course on 3.580MHz from 7pm till 7.30pm and a TechNet on 3.567MHz from 7.30pm till about 8.30pm
NTARC Coffee Mornings are held every Friday in the NTARC Club rooms. Time is from 10am to noon in the Rocherlea Clubrooms.
NW VK7 – Wednesday from 8:00pm local – NW Tassie Amateur Repeater Group Net on 2m VK7RMD and Node 56780
NW VK7 - Thursday commencing at 8:30pm local - N.W. Tassie 2m DX Net 144.190 USB
Events:
NTARC - December 4 - End of Year Celebration at the Iron Horse Bar and Grill located at 468 Westbury Rd, Prospect Vale, Launceston. Let the Secretary know if coming along.
NWTARC - December 7 - Club meeting and show and tell - Scout Hall 73 Alexandra Rd Ulverstone from 1:30pm
REAST - December 8 - End of Year Free BBQ and Spring Cleaning workshop from 11am after the broadcast at the Queens Domain
NWTARC - December 14 - Christmas BYO BBQ - Legion Park West Ulverstone from 1pm.
REAST - January 19, 2025 - CarBoot Sale of the Century and Sausage Sizzle - Queens Domain Clubrooms from 11am.
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A reminder to those people rostered for next weekâ€Ös broadcast:
Newsreader: VK7FB
Repeaters: REAST, NTARC and in the NW thanks to N W T A R C, West Coast Radio Group, Cradle Coast Radio Amateur Radio Club, VK7AX, VK7JH and VK7DC
160m: VK7GS
80m: VK7ALH
40m: VK7JGD
20m: VK7DG
10m: VK7VKT
UHFCB24: VK7FMAC
DMR: Talk Group 5 and D-Star: Reflector 91C VK7HGO
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A huge thank you to all people and organisations that assisted with this broadcast.
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That wraps up this week's edition of the VK7 Amateur Radio News. We hope you found it informative and enjoyable?
You've been listening to VK7WI, or if youâ€Öve just tuned in, you've just missed our live broadcast. But donâ€Öt worry! You can catch the
rebroadcast on Tuesday night at 8:00pm on repeaters VK7RAA in Northern VK7 and VK7RHT and UHFCB24 in the South.
We encourage you to share your news, stories, and updates with us. Email your contributions to vk7arnews(at)gmail.com.
For more information about the broadcast and to join the discussion, visit our VK7 Amateur Radio News Groups.IO Group.
groups.io/g/vk7arnews.
Remember, the deadline for submissions is 21:00 on the Friday before the Sunday broadcast.
Stay tuned for callbacks on the frequency youâ€Öre currently listening to. Relay stations will use their own callsigns during this time.
On behalf of the entire VK7 Amateur Radio News Team, this is Idris, VK7ZIR wishing you 73. Stay safe and have a fantastic first week of summer!
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(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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