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VK7AX > BCAST 15.06.25 04:30l 508 Lines 25365 Bytes #300 (0) @ WW
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Subj: VK7 Amateur Radio News 15Jun25
Path: IZ3LSV<IW0QNL<HB9ON<DK0WUE<PI8ZTM<IR0AAB<HB9ON<VK7AX
Sent: 250615/0221Z 2192@VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.AUNZ LinBPQ6.0.24
VK7 Amateur Radio News 15Jun25
Text edition:
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VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 15th June 2025
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Welcome to the “almost shortest day of the year” edition of the VK7 Amateur Radio News.
This was first broadcast on Sunday, June 15th, 2025 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 Nic, VK7WW.
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 the digital group.
On Medium and high frequency rebroadcasts thanks to our dedicated operators:
1.862 MHz by Any Takers
3.670 MHz by Garry, VK7JGD
7.140 MHz by Dale, VK7DG
14.130 MHz by Justin, VK7TW
28.525 MHz by Ross, VK7ALH and
UHF CB Channel 24 in the Hobart area, hosted by Mark, VK7FMAC
If you missed todays 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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Miena is back, Baby
Hi Amateurs, the Miena Ham fest is back on Saturday the 15th November 2025.
We think it was last held in 2018, and we are keen to reinstate the event.
The venue will be the Miena Community Centre at the Great Lakes in Central Tasmania, From 10am till 4pm.
On the day Snags, burgers and hotdogs, as well as Tea and coffee and cordial will be available to purchase.
The bar will open at 3pm.
Bring your items you want to sell.
We hope to have some operating radio setups for amateurs and the local community to peruse, as well as displays from organisations that support amateur radio activities.
There is interest from some suppliers to attend.
An entry fee of $5.00 to attend.
Come and sell your radios, buy other radios, chew the fat, have a feed, meet those you talk to on air, but have never met.
And enjoy a great day out, at a great location.
More details to follow.
73
Eric VK7EV Dave VK7OB
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WWFF, SOTA, POTA and IOTA
Weekly Wrap-Up
What a big week its been for VK7 activators!
Jim, VK7JZ, has been on a roll with an impressive string of activations across VK1, VK2, and VK3. Over the course of his trip, hes activated ten SOTA summits and six park references so far, racking up a total of 152 QSOsaveraging a contact every 75 seconds during his time on air! Some of the references activated include Mt Coree, Webbs Ridge, Mt Foxlow, Big Badja Hill, Gourock National Park, and Nungurner Bushland Reserve. Jim operated on the 40m and 20m bands, using both SSB and CW.
Travis, VK7VXT, made the most of the long weekend, activating three summits, Mt Wellington, Collins Cap, and The Needles. Operating on the 40m band, Travis logged a total of 14 QSOs across the activations and bagged himself 26 SOTA points.
Pipers River Regional Reserve was the destination of choice for Rodney, VK7HAM, Al, VK7AN, and Shane, VK7FF. After Rodney and Al went QRT for the activation, they all travelled back to Hollybank where Shane fired up the BBQ and delivered a feast that would make any My Kitchen Rules judge envious. A total of 33 contacts were logged during the activation.
Tony, VK7LTD, activated Cape Deslacs Nature Reserve, a coastal conservation area near Clifton Beach. The reserve features nationally significant perched dune fields and plays a crucial role as a breeding site for the Short-tailed Shearwater, also known as the Tasmanian Muttonbird.
Following up on last weeks question about VK7s tallest and shortest SOTA summits the highest is Mt Ossa, standing at 5,312 feet. It has been activated three times, with Stuart, VK7FADZ, responsible for two of those activations. Stuart also shared an impressive photo from his 2024 activation during heavy snowfall, which you can find on the SOTLAS website. On the other end of the scale, the shortest summit is Gentle Annie on King Island, rising to just 531 feet. It was last activated in 2015 by David, VK7XDM.
Dont forget about those winter bonus points for SOTA activations!
73, Matt, VK7MAT
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QSL News
Inwards QSL Bureau Information
The current list of QSL Cards held by the VK7 Inwards Bureau as at 12 June is in the email version of the Broadcast.
If you have recently moved or if you have recently received or changed your callsign please advise your new details to Herman[at]ozemail.com.au
73 Herman VK7HW
Manager WIA VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
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Sorted Cards held at 12 June 2025 ( Any errors in the listing are mine, I sometimes miss culling a call sign)
AAC, AAD, AAE, 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, BD, BPV, BT, BU, BYE
CA, CBK, CBR, CH/T, CJ, CMV, CTV, CV, CWB, CX
DAN, DBX, DHT, DI, DIK, DN, DO, DP, DQ, DR, DT, DV, DY, DZ
EG, EI, ER
FADZ, FALX (alx), FAZZ, FCIA, FG, FGGT, FKLW, FLAR, FMI, FPRN, FTAS, FTR
G, GA, GC, GEL, GGZ, GH/C, GL, GM, GOP, GR, GU
HCH, HCK, HDE, HL, HOB, HRS, HSA, HSC, HSD, HSE, HSJ, HSO, HVK, HXT, HZ
IAN, ID, IR, IS
JA, JAB, JAZ, JCR, 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, MAT, MBD, MD, MEL, MET, MHZ, MI, MJ, MOO, MRS, MV
NA, NB, NC, ND, NEC, NFI, NET, NIK, NMH, NRF, NRT, NRX, NSE, NTE, NVH
OB
PAF, PBD, PM, POL, PRN, PSH, PSJ, PSZ, PW
QK
RA, RG, ROY, RW
SG(vi7SG), SIX, SN, STO, SV, SZ
TA, TCE, TED, TK, TL, TM, TO, TPE, TR, TUX, TX, TZ
UT
VA, VAC, VAO, VAZ, VDC, VEK, VH, VK7/AG9A9Mark), VM, VR, VTM
WA, WC, WIA, WL, WO, WT, WUU, WX
XTC, XV
Y, YN
ZA, ZJJ, ZK, ZM, ZR, ZT
Following were left at WAGS - HH, LW, MR, WN, ZBX, ZMS, ZTA, WN
Special Callsign Cards delivered to VK7 Bureau - VI7POL, VI75G, VI90IARU, VK75FAA
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Statewide SSTV Nights
A busy net night that saw the following participants, VK7s –
ZAB, KT, EV, AX, TW, ZCF and ZBX all sharing over fifty photos.
The main themes were:
The restoration of Marconi R1155 receivers, as presented this week at NTARCs clubroom technical night
The strip down of the REAST clubrooms ready for a replacement ceiling
Cartoon drawings of cars and trucks
Cartoons of fighting politicians that blame the public and how to recycle past MPs
Other highlights were:
More books, this time from the “Your childhood ruined” series on how everything will kill you in Australia
An optometrist eye test chart with extra meanings
A wooden CW operators station with sounding box
A small autonomous tracked vehicle and a WW2 bomber
A cooking tip, to use goggles when peeling onions
And an evil looking kitten
Again Tony VK7AX interconnected VK7RJG to his SSTV International Gateway and VK7s exchanged photos with DO1ORG in Germany and PC1K in the Netherlands.
Remember to leave a 30 second break between transmissions to allow the European counties a chance to send photos.
Tony will connect the gateway again next week at 6:30 pm.
Note - Ken VK7KRJs and Steve VK7OOs fully automatic 24/7 monitoring sites allow anyone who has sent SSTV pictures the ability to check them on their pages almost immediately, any time, both South and North Tasmania.
If you missed the net there are archives of these SSTV nights on Kens and Steves SSTV websites or on NTARCs website under blogs. Please remember to use your own photos or those that are copyright free.
https://vk7oo.tasme.com/vhfsstv/
https://sstv.vk7krj.com/scrolling%20web%20gallery.html
https://www.ntarc.net/blogs
https://www.qsl.net/vk7ax/sstvgate3/index.html
73 from Andre VK7ZAB
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NEWS FROM THE NORTH WEST
North West Tasmania Amateur Radio Club Inc. meeting report
The Club held its bi-monthly meeting on the 7th June.
VK7DAN Dan, has done a great job setting up the GSM and Rig Runner setup for Mt Duncan, to remotely control individual radios. Dan has done lots of fine-tuning, soak testing over many weeks, to ensure reliability before it is installed-on Mt Duncan, and it passed with flying colours.
The 2m APRS and the 70cm Notch Filter are ready to go up the mountain to VK7RMD and showing fantastic performance specifications.
The lease documents for the VK7RMD site are on the way from the Crown Law for the club to accept and sign.
Club members decided to contact the Central Coast Council, to see if we can arrange a memorial plaque to Shirley, to be installed on a memorial seat in Ulverstone.
The Club welcomed new member Dean VK7DJG
At the conclusion of the meeting, we had afternoon tea, and our usual show and tell session.
Brenton VK7HP and Andrew VK7XR, brought along a IFR 1200S Comms service monitor, and an Aeroflex 2459B Comms Service Monitor, as well as a Nano VNA. Members brought their radios along to have a performance test done on them. Brenton also showed how to sweep Filters, using the 2m Notch Filter he built for VK7RMD, and swept the new 70cm notch filter for 7RMD. Brenton also brought along an antenna he constructed for a community tv translator station, to show its varying characteristics.
Brenton who is a retired Airservices Australia technician and Broadcast Engineer, then showed photos of his work constructing community TV translators in the 2000s. He constructed the antennas, cabinets, huts and transmitting infrastructure at most community sites around Tasmania. The most challenging, on a very small island off Sister Beach in NW Tasmania. Due to the local terrain, the only way to get a signal to the seaside town, Brenton had to build a solar powered, translator site offshore on the Island beaming its signal to the town. The different TV channel signals were received from the Table Cape TV transmitter site via microwave setup.
Terry VK7JAI brought along his self-designed and constructed, water monitoring and control equipment, that he manufactured for his rural property a few years ago, the unit required maintenance so Terry brought it along to show the innards.
Kevin had brought along a great tip shop find from Port Sorell, an original HealthKit electronic design experimenter Model et 3100, still with its original carton and instructions. Kevin had given the unit a birthday, cleaning it completely, unit was in working order, and will used by Kevin teaching people about electronics.
An impromptu discussion session was then held, to come up with an acceptable solution to upgrade one of our elderly amateurs HF antennae, which is now long past its serviceable life, and not functioning, a solution and site visit to occur soon. Members finally left at 6pm.
Club member Kevin, has spent two years building an observatory at his residence at Port Sorell, and has invited the club to visit and gaze at the heavens.
The Observatory is visited by people from around Australia. And we are keen to go visit it.
73, Eric, 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
Last Wednesday Club Room Technical night was a special presentation by Trevor VK7TB and Eric on the challenges of radio restoration. The session commenced on time at 7:30 pm with an excellent inclusion to start off with, a potted history of the Marconi R1155 receivers that were being restored. Not just where these particular units came from but the reason why seventy thousand or so were even manufactured and never technically made it past the prototype refining stage. The R1155 in various forms were manufactured in England between 1939 and 1945. These dates should ring a “bell” for you as being the period around World War II. Marconi didnt have the luxury of time to perfect the design and construction to a point where it would have been streamlined suitable for a normal production line requiring assembly, adjustment and calibration. The production underwent continuous refinement with versions for ground based usage as well as light-weight aluminium versions for aircraft use, with the added ability to “Direction Finder”. In fact the aircraft version had a small cardboard box that accompanied it which contained a complement of swap over spare valves. I cant imagine trying to fault find in a non-pressurised and potentially freezing environment of a bomber in active duty! They relied on the change of valves to bring the receiver back to life again. Remember the receiver was also used for direction finding. If they couldnt direction find a radio station or beacon originating back in England they were basically flying blind. This wasnt Hollywood, this was for real, with real people, many aged only nineteen!
As expected after the formal presentation Eric and Trevor happily opened things up for the normal question and answer session. However the breadth of the restoration topic and the depth in which it was covered by Eric and Trevor generated an incredible amount of interest and number of questions. These questions were all answered in depth to the satisfaction of the gathering. In fact the “Q and A” lasted well over an hour in its own right. The entire evening extended to well after 10:30, until the cold finally took its toll. There will be a brief overview of the actual restoration process in next weeks broadcast. Thank you Eric and Trevor for an epic presentation.
Mid-year Club get-together and meal - The venue has been booked, locking in the date and time. It is to be held on the 9th of July, which is a Wednesday night, with the venue being the Iron Horse Bar and Grill located at 468 Westbury Rd, Prospect Vale, Launceston. Those who wish to attend please register the number of places required by e-mailing the Secretary or filling in the registration sheet at the club rooms. Menu is a-la-carte. We will be arriving at 6pm for a 6:30 meal. A link to the Iron Horse location and menu information is available in the text version of this broadcast. Iron Horse Menu
Just for information, the main access to the restaurant is via a wheel chair and walking friendly gentle ramp.
As always pictures will be available on the NTARC Web site under “Blogs” for this broadcast. NTARC Blogs
https://www.ntarc.net/blogs
UPCOMING EVENTS
On Air Test and Technical Net session - Every Wednesday, Test-Net and CW course on 3.580 MHz from 7 pm, then a Technical Net on 3.567 MHz from 7.30 pm till 8.30 pm. Your host for the evening is Nic VK7WW.
Club Room Technical night session - The next session will be Wednesday the 25th June, from the usual time of 6.30 pm at the Club Room Archer Street, Rocherlea.
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.
Thats 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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REAST Presentation / Q&A
June Forum night
Essential Shack Test Equipment
https://www.reast.asn.au/event/reast-forum-night-essential-shack-test-equipment/
Join us for a hands-on and highly practical REAST Forum Night as we dive into the world of Essential Shack Test Equipment! Whether youre just starting out or running a fully equipped home lab, every shack can benefit from the right tools. From NanoVNAs and multimeters to signal generators, power meters, and clever DIY solutions – this session is all about what helps you get on air and keep your station humming.
Bring along your favourite piece of test gear to show and tell, or come along to see what others are using, whats worth the investment, and what might just change the way you troubleshoot and experiment. Perfect for the curious builder, the active experimenter, and anyone keen to sharpen their technical toolkit. Dont forget – if you cant make it in person, you can still tune in live on the REAST YouTube Channel.
Wednesday 18 June 2025 – From 7:30pm AEST in the REAST Clubrooms & Streaming live.
See you there!
https://www.reast.asn.au/event/reast-forum-night-essential-shack-test-equipment/
73, REAST Committee
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Wednesday Experimenters Group (WEGs)
https://youtube.com/live/Uep1AktU9iI
We are back in the studio on June 25th.
See you there or on the stream.
https://youtube.com/live/Uep1AktU9iI
73, Justin, VK7TW
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July Presentation
Chirpsounder Technology and Propagation Tool Interpretation
https://www.reast.asn.au/event/chirpsounder-technology-propagation-tool-interpretation/
Ever wondered how the Bureau of Meterology or the Australian Antarctic Division or La Trobe Uni gather data about what the ionosphere is doing above them?
This presentation will be given by Dr Stephen Newbery with assistance from Dr Andrew Klekocuik and will explore chirpsounder technology that has been deployed to gather data about what the ionosphere is doing – realtime.
Dr Stephen undertook his PhD at Latrobe Uni on digital (phase) pulsed ionosondes and he did work in the US on the development of a pulse compressed ionosonde (Digisonde Portable Sounders). Latrobe Uni was known for the ionospheric research project called SuperDARN radar which included the TIGER HF radar antenna array on Bruny Island.
The presentation will also include some information about how amateurs can easily interpret some of the Ionospheric Prediction data that is available locally and globally on the interwebs.
When: Wednesday 2nd July from 7:30pm
Where: Queens Domain Clubrooms and Streaming (REAST Youtube Streaming)
C U there or on the Stream.
https://www.reast.asn.au/event/chirpsounder-technology-propagation-tool-interpretation/
73, REAST, Committee
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July Forum Night
Logging, paper, pen, computer or memory?
https://www.reast.asn.au/event/reast-forum-night-logging-paper-pen-computer-or-memory/
The July forum night is one topic that every ham encounters: Logging!
Whether youre a traditionalist with paper and pen, a digital devotee using the latest logging software, or someone who relies purely on memory (brave soul!), this night is for you.
Come along and share your favourite method, software, shortcuts, or clever tricks of the trade.
Whether youre chasing DX, contesting, or just jotting down casual QSOs, lets explore how we each tackle the timeless challenge of keeping track.
Join us for the REAST Forum Night on Tuesday 9th July 2025 at 7:30pm in the Queens Domain clubrooms (and streaming online).
See you there or on the stream
https://www.reast.asn.au/event/reast-forum-night-logging-paper-pen-computer-or-memory/
73, REAST Committee
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REAST Training and Assessment Update
https://www.reast.asn.au/information/amateur-licence-assessments/
Are you looking to join the world of amateur radio or upgrade your license? REAST has you covered with regular Training and Assessment Days for all license levels!
Key Dates:
Foundation Training and Assessment Days: Held every two months with the next one on 28th June 2025.
Standard, Advanced, and Regulations Assessments: Held on alternate months, next is 26th July 2025.
Stay updated with the full schedule on the REAST Events Page.
https://www.reast.asn.au/news-events/upcoming-events/
Do you need to secure your spot or ask a question - email: reast.assessor(at)gmail.com and your inquiry will go directly to the Learning Organiser, who be in contact.
We have learning resources available including our Foundation Licence Training Videos that are a must-watch for beginners. Find them on the REAST YouTube Training and Assessment Playlist.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsnsP_zjw831mdC6sY4XqavRUY-53ZWUn
Practice Makes Perfect so, prepare with the WIA Foundation Trial Exams and the link can be found on the email edition of the broadcast.
https://www.wia.org.au/licenses/foundation/onlineexams/foundation.php
Whether you're starting your journey or leveling up, REAST is here to guide you every step of the way.
73, Reg, VK7KK
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Regular VK7 gatherings and events over the coming months:
VK7 Regular gatherings:
Sewing Circle Net – Daily on 3.640MHz commences at 6:30pm AEST.
Statewide SSTV Net - held every Thursday night via the North/South Link on VK7RAF/VK7RJG from 7:30pm. In the North and North West - VK7RJG on 438.55 -7MHz and in the South - VK7RAF (146.650 -600kHz) CTCSS tone 141.3Hz to link RAF North-South.
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 Queens Domain.
REAST - WEGs - Wednesday Experimenters Group on the third, fourth & fifth Wednesday nights of the month from around 6pm in the REAST Clubrooms Queens Domain and streamed.
REAST - 6m AM Net on 53.1MHz Everyday from 4:30pm
SOTA/WWFF Group – Meeting Mondays and Fridays 10.30-12.00 midday at Glebe Gardens Cafe, Henry St, Launceston.
NTARC TestNet and TechNet session - Every Wednesday, TestNet/CW course on 3.580MHz from 7 pm, then a TechNet on 3.567MHz from 7.30 pm till 8.30 pm. Your host for the evening is Nic VK7WW.
NTARC Coffee Mornings are held every Friday in the NTARC Club rooms. Time is from 10am to noon in the Rocherlea Clubrooms.
NTARC Club Room Technical night session Wednesday the 25th June, from 6.30 pm at the Club Room Archer Street, Rocherlea.
NW VK7 – Wednesday from 8:00pm local – NW Tassie Amateur Repeater Group Net on 2M VK7RMD and Allstar Node 56780
NW VK7 - Thursday commencing at 8:30pm local - N.W. Tassie 2m DX Net 144.190 USB
VK7 Events:
REAST 9th to 16th June - Queens Domain Clubrooms are closed.
REAST - 18th June - Essential Shack Test Equipment Forum Night from 7:30pm in QD Clubrooms and Streamed
REAST - 2nd July - Chirpsounder Technology and Propagation Tool Interpretation Presentation in Queens Domain clubrooms and streamed from 7:30pm.
NTARC - 9th July - Mid-year Club get-together and meal - Iron Horse Bar and Grill 468 Westbury Rd, Prospect Vale, Launceston. Email the Secretary to book a place - 6pm for a 6:30 meal
REAST - 9th July - Forum - Logging, paper, pen, computer or memory from 7:30pm in Queens Domain Clubrooms and streamed.
VK7 - 15th November - Miena Hamfest - Community Hall Miena from 10am
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A reminder to those people rostered for next weeks broadcast:
Newsreader: VK7TW
Repeaters: REAST, NTARC and in the NW thanks to NWTARC, WCRG, NWCRRA, VK7AX, VK7JH and VK7DC
160m: Any Takers
80m: VK7ALH
40m: VK7JGD
20m: VK7DG
10m: VK7VKT
UHFCB24: VK7FMAC
DMR: Talk Group 5 and D-Star Reflector 91C - Digital Group
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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 youve just tuned in, you've just missed our live broadcast. But dont worry if its not Tuesday night then 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@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 youre 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 Nic, VK7WW wishing you 73 and good DX to all.
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(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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