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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(AT)wia.org.au
http://www.wia.org.au (click news in member area) Submit your audio news
Please.. If you are only submitting text and not audio, write your story as
you would expect to hear it being read back and NEVER send just links & url's.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WIANEWS FOR WEEK COMMENCING MAR 7 2010.
I'm Tim VK2ZTM, and the broadcast this week has been prepared and presented by
members from the VK2WI broadcast team, Mathew VK2YAP, Richard VK2SKY,
John VK2JPM and Tim VK2ZTM, So stay tuned!
IT'S ALL UP AND COMING IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF
AUSTRALIA FOR WEEK COMMENCING MAR 07 2010
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
WIA CENTENARY
The WIA is very pleased to announce that Dick Smith VK2DIK has agreed to be
Patron of the WIA's Centenary Celebrations.
Dick is one of Australia's best known entrepreneurs, businessman, aviator
and modern day explorer. He obtained his amateur licence when he was 17.
He founded Dick Smith Electronics, the Australian Geographic and Dick Smith
Foods.
He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1999 for service to the
aviation industry, and was the 1986 Australian of the Year.
In accepting the position of Patron for the WIA Centenary Celebrations,
Dick Smith said "I am delighted to support an organisation that traces its
history back 100 years but at the same time is looking to the future by
encouraging a new generation of radio amateurs."
As you would already have heard, This year the WIA celebrates 100 years of
organised amateur radio in Australia - there are articles in Amateur Radio
Magazine for February and March as well as on wia.org.au
Next Thursday the 11th of March, marks one hundred years since a group of
Wireless experimenters met to discuss the difficulties they were having in
pursuing their interests.
This 1910 meeting was reported by both the Sydney Morning Herald and the Daily
Telegraph. The Sydney Morning Herald of the 14th March 1910 reported on an
Institute of Wireless Telegraphy, that had been inaugurated on Friday at a
meeting at the Australia Hotel. It continued ...
[clip] Mr George A Taylor, who was chairman, pointed out that investigations of
wireless were to-day on the verge of an arena of wonder. They were like
explorers of a strange country, where every step was a discovery.
But as success could only be achieved after many failures, there was need of
mutual co-operation between investigators to avoid making the same mistakes
and to climb together when any successful discovery would be achieved ..
There was further necessity for the formation of the Institute to protect
legitimate experimenting. He proposed the formation of the Institiute.
Mr. Wal Hannam seconded the motion. He explains how the meeting came about in
this interview recorded by Radio New Zealand in the mid 1950's ..
[Extract of Wal Hannam - Transcript]
In conjunction with the late George Taylor...he was keenly interested with all
sorts of flying, and... he heard about me having this radio gear, and he asked me
would i come and show it at this exhibition. Well, when I was at the exhibition i
suggested to him that as a lot of people had been round the stand and showed an
interest in the matter of radio we called it wireless of course in those days ?
still do i think, most of us an Americanism... he um.. said when i spoke to him
about this, yes he said, i'll arrange a meeting.
Well the meeting was held in the smoke room of the Hotel Australia, I think there
were about fifty people there, including professors, physicists and all that sort
of thing, and they came and they said, yes we will form a society. And thats how
the wireless institute of new south wales was born, and I became the first
secretary.
How long the original name lasted is not known, but by 1912 the group was using
the name Wireless Institute of New South Wales.
What is interesting is that Groups formed in other states independently. The
Wireless Institute of Australia was formed in the 1920s as an umbrella
organisation, to represent the common interests of these state organisations on a
National and International level. Each state organisation maintained its
independent existence as Divisions, until the recent amalgamation into the
National WIA in 2004. Before World War 1 most States had formed Amateur groups,
but it is New South Wales that is the longest spoke in the wheel.
By the time Mr. Marconi carried out his successful wireless experiments, cables
and telegraph lines - carrying Morse code traffic - were well established. The
telephone was also starting to make its presence felt.
These systems produced revenue and the operators sought to keep it that way. But
the radio experimenters just wanted to experiment and the authorities were not
being helpful.
So, some of those experimenters in Sydney decided to call a meeting. The venue
was chosen the smoking room(!) of the Hotel Australia - on the corner of
Castlereagh Street and Martin Place in Sydney. It was a Friday afternoon the
11th March 1910.
Other states established similar organisations soon thereafter. The outbreak of
World War I in 1914 curtailed the experimenters, as the Navy acquired control of
the spectrum. At war's end, the Navy was ill inclined to return the spectrum for
civilian use. The experimenters lobbied through their respective Institutes, but
by then there were other interests after the spectrum as well.
NSW, it appears was the leading 'Institute' and about 1920 they were talking
about a national body and inquired whether other States would ? if such a body
was formed ? join as branches. NSW proposed that the body be known as the
Wireless Institute of Australia. That took until 1924.
During this period the NSW body was registered as a company the Wireless
Instutute of Australia New South Wales Division on the 26 th May 1922.
The 1920's were rough times for the experimenters. They had been pushed down
below 200 metres or above 1.5 Mhz - near the top of the present AM broadcast
band. That got them out of the hair of the 'important players' who saw their
fortunes in this new medium. Below 200 metres was ? as the conventional wisdom
then held useless. But that proved otherwise, as we now know!
Membership of the Wireless Institute had expended to encompass both the amateur -
experimenter and professional ? commercial interests. This caused some conflict
and for a period in NSW the amateurs split out into another body the A R A. In
time, professional radio engineers went off to become members of the IRE and the
amateurs regained the WIA.
The WIA had a policy to be located where the PMG was. In the early years of
Federation the Commonwealth Government was Melbourne based and so was the WIA and
has been ever since - except for a period in World War 2 when they operated in a
very reduced way in Sydney. When the Radio Department involved with the Amateur
movement made their transfer to Canberra in the 1970's a lack of resources
prevented the WIA from following.
While the Institutes were the main State organisation, local radio clubs sprang
up around the country. One which has lasted the distance is the Waverley Amateur
Radio Society, established in 1919. It is the photo of some of their early
members which is on this years Callbook cover and one of the centenary posters.
And that brings us back to today, one hundred years later proud to be the
National Society, acknowledged as the oldest in the world. We are two years ahead
of the RSGB of the UK, and four years ahead of the ARRL in America.
There is much more to tell, but it will have to wait till another time.
WIA
President Michael Owen VK3KI president(AT)wia.org.au
Vice President Ewan McLeod VK4ERM vk4erm(AT)wia.org.au
Secretary Geoff Atkinson VK3AFA secretary(AT)wia.org.au
Treasurer John Longayroux VK3PZ vk3pz(AT)wia.org.au
WIA National Inwards QSL Bureau Changes
A new National Inwards QSL Bureau Service is being introduced for WIA members, to
expedite the availability of inwards cards from overseas bureaux.
The Inwards Bureau has established a central Post Office box for the new service,
at PO Box 2040 Bayswater VIC 3153.
By centralising the Australian delivery point, overseas bureaux can make more
cost-effective despatches to the central box.
In summary, bulk quantities of cards to a central point will lead to more
frequency consignments and a better service to you.
HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.
VK1
vk1 local news email broadcast(AT)vk1.wia.ampr.org and ask for subscription.
Last Wednesday 24th February the Canberra Region Amateur Radio Club
held its AGM.
It was reported that the club is in a healthy financial position and has
had increase of twenty members bringing the total membership to 110 members.
The new committee for 2010 is
President Peter Westerhoff VK1NPW
Vice President Phil Longworth VK1PL
Vice President John Woolner VK1ET
Secretary Bruce Howard VK2MIB
Treasurer Bob Howie VK1MRH
Membership Secretary Glen Taylor VK1NUT
Committee Member Tony Vickers VK1VIC
Committee Member Ian McCleary VK1FMAC
Committee Member Wayne Nitchske VK1VNB
Immediate Past President Alan Hawes VK1WX
VK2
web service:- http://www.arnsw.org.au/html/news_vk2wi.htm
VKG Roundup http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news
The Next meeting of the Illawarra Amateur Radio Society will be held at
Industry World, Off Springhill Road Coniston on Tuesday the 9th of March
at 7.30pm.
Max VK2ARZ will give a talk “Audio Quality and your signalö
Get along and have a coffee, a bickie and a good rag chew after the meeting.
All visitors are most welcome.
For information on the Illawarra Amateur Radio Society please see
www.iars.org.au
The Illawarra Amateur Radio Society, the Progressive Amateur Radio Club.
VK3
ARK's Academy will conduct a regulations course over the weekend of Sat
27th March and Sunday 28th March and the venue will be
Wordware Pty Ltd
Level 1, 321 Whitehorse Rd Nunawading.
The course is FREE of charge.
just e-mail vk3ark(AT)wia.org.au
The course will run 9:30am ---3pm on Saturday and 10am --2pm Sunday
(John Fisher VK3DQ / VK3ARK)
The next Foundation Licence training and assessment weekend by Amateur
Radio Victoria will be held on the 20th and 21st of March, at Ashburton.
For inquiries or to enrol in a quality training experience please contact
Barry Robinson VK3PV on 0428 516 001 or email foundation(AT)amateurradio.com.au
VK4 - QNEWS
web service local news:- www.wiaq.com/qnews/upload/qnewsbcast.htm
local news email qnews-vk-subscribe(AT)yahoogroups.com
VKR Roundup http://www.police.qld.gov.au/News+and+Alerts/Media+Releases/
Welcome to QNEWS from VK4WIA. I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP wondering if I still
have the internet.
When we changed QTH, almost 18mths ago, we found that we were eligible for
satellite "broadband" via the Australian Broadband Guarantee. Duly the
processes were completed and the ground station equipment installed, at
government expense.
As the summer season started, an email arrived from the ISP advising that
the outside (roof mounted) equipment could overheat and the frequency of
the back channel transmitter drift outside the pass band of the satellite's
receiver. Before summer had started this year, we got the same reminder.
Being in the sub-tropical zone, this is really re-assuring that the gear
you're using has a basic major design flaw. We averaged about 6 hours loss
of service daily when the inside thermometer reached 32degC.
Well, this year, connectivity had been getting progressively poorer and the
dropouts were occurring before the outside temperature reached the critical
level. After 2 days without service but after the passing monsoonal rains,
I got onto the ISP tech support line. Seems the outside equipment also suffers
moisture ingress.
We are waiting for the replacement equipment to arrive and the local
installer to do the repairs.
Am I glad I took the extended insurance cover?
There are consultations going on between the government and the satellite
service supplier. If your satellite internet was supplied through the ABG
program, call them on their toll free number (1800 883 488) if you are having
equipment problems.
now do I have service to file this report?
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and That’s What I think... how about you.............?
GYMPIE
www.gceginc.org.au
Trevor Taege, VK4BAT
I’m Trevor Taege, VK4BAT with news from the Gympie Communications &
Electronics Group:
The Club is happy to advise that the 2 metre repeater is operational again,
now at the temporary location at Chatsworth.
The repeater was off-air for only one day and after identifying and removing
a faulty lightening arrester in the feed line, acceptable coverage was
restored to the Gympie region.
Base station reports from the Sunshine Coast through Maleny to Maryborough
along with a few reports from mobile stations were gratefully received to
assist with troubleshooting.
The IRLP node 6464 is also back on line and operating fine.
The Club’s Monday evening net was held at the usual time of 7:30pm with good
signals into the repeater.
The next step toward the move to Mt. Boulder is to obtain solar panels and
batteries and then set up these and associated equipment for testing at
Chatsworth.
And now a reminder to any amateurs that may be interested in assisting the
WICEN operators at the International Rally of Queensland.
The car rally is to be held predominantly in the beautiful Imbil Forest areas
over the weekend of Friday 30th July through to Sunday 1st August.
Please contact the GCEG Treasurer or Secretary who will put you in touch
with Gary VK4ZGB for more information.
Your assistance would be appreciated and this event would be a good way to
learn more about the practical side of field communications as first time
operators will be teamed up with experienced members.
It’s now less than two weeks until the John Moyle field day contest and
Gympie Club members participating are reminded to prepare equipment to take
to Mt. Wolvi.
Please let Barry VK4KKN know what you are planning to bring along.
For Gympie Area News, I’m Trevor Taege, VK4BAT.
ROCKHAMPTON
IRLP NODE 6973 ;
e-mail vk4acc(AT)wia.org.au
Secretary Clive 4928 1173
http://www.radarc.cjb.net/
This is Doug VK4DUG from the Rockhampton and District Amateur Radio Club.
Work is being carried out by Brian 4QB on a rather impressive piece of
brass tube which masquerades as a 23 centimetre slot antenna, the electrics
for which was previously assembled and tested by Marcel VK4TMH A suitable
location with a generous coverage for the beacon is at present being
negotiated before a working bee will be arranged.
With the renewed interest in Fox Hunting and requests for comm.’s support for
motor rallies, Open Days at the Heritage Village, and the anticipated trip to
Clairview for the May day weekend, (and its famous auction) the RADAR Club is
assured for a busy year.
The next important happening will be the RADAR Club’s Annual Meeting to be
held on the 17th March (that’s the 3rd Wednesday of the month) at the usual
meeting place, the SES Building on Charles St. North Rockhampton at 1930 hrs.
Both the President Jack JRC and the Secretary Clive ACC will not be able to
attend (both gallivanting in other countries or oceans). But don’t be afraid
to attend for fear of election or appointment to one of these positions as
they have both indicated their willingness to accept re-election should you
so decide.
As an added attraction for you to attend it should be noted that Brian,
(an ex radio inspector from the local area) will be attending the meeting to
give a talk and share his vast knowledge with members. It should be an
interesting night.
73 from Doug.
TABLELANDS RADIO AND ELECTRONICS CLUB
vk4wat(AT)wia.org.au
www.treclub.org.au
G’day this is Dale VK4DMC from the Tablelands Radio and Electronics Club
located on the Atherton Tablelands.
This week our president John VK4TL penned some timely words for our monthly
club newsletter TREC-NEWS which is distributed throughout Queensland and
elsewhere.
John has a background as a broadcast engineer and has been a licensed ham
for over 50 years.
So, without further ado over to John.
"How easy it is. We used to build all of our gear before WW2 and after it
when AR88, BC348s etc were abundant we built the transmitter. In the 50s
along comes Donald Duck and a few of us made SSB transmitters.
It has all progressed to the point where we no longer build anything.
It horrifies me to see new hams buying a dipole. What could be more simple
than two measured lengths of wire connected to a piece of coax. The essence
is that the self satisfaction of achievement has gone. When we chase DX we
gang up in a mob waiting our turn at a special DX contact. Where is
character in the ham of today who will get his DX on his own merit.
Well there are still plenty around who do still build in particular antennas
and amplifiers. $10,000 for an Alpha, no fear, get some Russian tubes and
look on VK ham classifieds for some parts, that's the way. Many hams are
frightened individuals who will not even look at the 240 volt connections
in their gear. Some will call an electrician.
Having worked in the Broadcast industry most of my working life I assure all
that if one observes all the normal safety precautions all will be well.
I am still here and I might add no ill effects of radiation from high power
radiation from the antennas. I did work on the pirate radio ships in the
English channel where you could wander the ship’s deck with a lit fluorescent
tube in each hand.
Let us put fear aside as a reason for not constructing certain projects and
continue ham radio as a do it yourself hobby".
TOWNSVILLE
vk4wit(AT)wia.org.au
4773 1196 or 0408 001142
po box 333 Garbutt East, QLD 4814
www.tarc.org.au
GREETINGS!
THIS IS DON VK4FNQA, WITH ALL THE GOOD NEWS FROM NORTH QUEENSLAND,
THIS MORNING, I PASS ON CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MASTER OF TIME AND SPACE,
IAIN VK4IGM, FOR BEING THE 500TH CALLER ON THE NEWS CALLBACK SESSIONS IN
TOWNSVILLE FOR THE CURRENT WIA YEAR.
(Congratulations Iain, and congratulations to all that call in following
retransmissions across VK, making things all that more worthwhile..
and before continuing with Don and then moving actross Bass Straight, on
Melbournes VK3REC 9:30AM news recently they clocked up their 1000th checkin
this WIA year it was VK3UKR!...vk4bb ed.)
WANT TO REALLY KNOW HOW ACCURATE YOUR RECEIVER, TRANSMITTER OR TEST EQUIPMENT
IS IN RELATION TO FREQUENCY ? AT THIS TUESDAY EVENINGS TARC PROJECT NIGHT,
THE THEME IS CALIBRATION, WITH CLUB TECHNICIAN AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEER
DON VK4MC GIVING THOSE WHO ATTEND A CHANCE TO CHECK THEIR EQUIPMENT AGAINST
SOME SERIOUSLY ACCURATE FREQUENCY AND TIME CALIBRATION SOURCES. THE PROJECT
NIGHT STARTS THIS TUESDAY AT 7-30PM AND EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND.
HERE IS AN ITEM THAT WILL INTEREST THOSE WHO ATTENDED THE 2009 NORTH
QUEENSLAND AMATEUR RADIO CONVENTION. DURING THE BOOT SALE IAN VK4ZT SOLD A
LABTECH DUAL TRACE OSCILLOSCOPE TO AN AMATEUR BUT CAN NOT REMEMBER WHO IT
WAS. COULD THAT AMATEUR CONTACT IAN AS THE USERS MANUAL HAS BEEN FOUND!
IAN CAN BE CONTACTED ON 47799668.
SHOCK ! HORROR ! THE TIME IS GOING QUICK AND IT IS NOW ONLY TWO WEEKS UNTIL
THE JOHN MOYLE FIELD DAY ! TARCADIANS AND SUPPORT CREWS WILL BE OPERATING
VK4WIT CLUB STATION LOCATED AT BLUEWATER SCOUT DEN, JUST A SHORT 20 MINUTES
DRIVE NORTH ALONG THE BRUCE HIGHWAY FROM THE THURINGOWA CBD. NOT MANY
OPERATORS HAVE INFORMED RICHARD THAT THEY ARE GOING AND BECAUSE OF THIS THE
ENTIRE OPERATION IS IN JEOPARDY !
SO, STOP THINKING ABOUT IT AND CONTACT TARC CONTEST MANAGER RICHARD VK4FRJG
ON MOBILE 0400339543 FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR LET HIM KNOW YOU ARE GOING ALONG.
FINALLY, NEWS THAT A REGULAR TARC SOCIAL GATHERING IS STARTING UP THIS MONTH
AND WILL HAPPEN ON THE FOURTH SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH FROM NOW ON.
TARC PRESIDENT KEN VK4QZ HAS OBSERVED THAT TARCADIANS DO HEAPS FOR EVERYONE
IN THE COMMUNITY BUT DO NOT HAVE MANY EVENTS WHERE THEY CAN SOCIALISE
TOGETHER. SO, BRING YOUR BREKKIE ITEMS DOWN TO THE BARBEQUES LOCATED EITHER
SIDE OF THE ENTRY TO STRAND JETTY, MAKE BAKE AND COOK ALL THE WHILE WHILST
SOCIALISING IN ONE OF NORTH QUEENSLANDS AWARD WINNING SETTINGS.
BREAKFAST WITH THE PRESIDENT WILL BE HAPPENING THIS MONTH FROM 7AM,
SATURDAY 27TH MARCH.
ARE YOU PROMOTING THE CENTENARY OF ORGANISED AMATEUR RADIO IN AUSTRALIA
AND IF NOT, WHY NOT...
WELL, THATS ALL THE QNEWS FOR THIS SUNDAY 7TH MARCH... THIS HAS BEEN DON
VK4FNQA IN TROPICAL PARADISE FOR THE TOWNSVILLE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB INC, AND
YOU HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO; AND ENJOYING QNEWS FROM VK4WIA..
VK7
local area news :- http://reast.asn.au/news.php
vk7 local news, email vk7regionalnews-subscribe(AT)yahoogroups.com
Club Archive Proposals
It has been proposed to build an archive of NWT-ATV Group history, activity
and involvement over the last 35 or so years since the North West ATV Group
first became active early in the 1970's.
Some of the activities were installation of the Solar Powered ATV Repeater
on Mt. Duncan, The 1990 World Rowing championships and 2 subsequent
National Rowing Championships, ATV at HamFests, through to some recent
events such as The Marconi Centenary and the International Space Station
communications with the Devonport High Schools in 2007.
(Tony VK7AX, News Officer NWT-ATV Group)
Don’t forget, today is the day for Penguinale.
The Penguin Lions Club in north-west Tasmania is holding a community fun day
today at Hiscutt Park in Penguin.
Celebrating the Penguin-ness of Penguin, there will be games for the kids, a
‘Penguin Performs’ talent quest, Penguinalia displays, Penguin Polish car and
bike display, a model boat regatta, Devonshire teas, hot food and refreshments
and ‘Penguins On The Air’ because Amateur Radio will be there.
Winston VK7EM will be operating throughout the day portable from near the
windmill beside the lake and frequently calling on 7090, 14190 and 28490 KHz.
Operating times are from 2300 to 0500 UTC (10.00 am until 4.00pm local time.
Listen out and join in the fun. That’s today, on 7090, 14190 and 28490 KHz.
VK9
Tim, NL8F (ex VK4COF) will be on Cocos Keeling Islands, which is IOTA
reference OC-003 from 2nd to 10th March. He hopes to get the callsign
VK9COF.
After operating from Cocos, his plans are to go to the South Cook Islands
where he will be active as E51COF from 20th to 30th March.
Activity is expected mostly on 40m.
SILENT KEY
Dr David Toth, VE3GYQ -- President Emeritus of Tucson Amateur Packet Radio
(TAPR) -- passed away Friday, February 26. He was 55.
VE3GYQ had served as a Director and Executive Vice President of TAPR in the
1980s and was elected President of the organization in September 2005.
(advised by vk4jkl)
INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to RSGB, Southgate AR Club, the ARRL,
Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART and the WW sources of the WIA.
Chile
Doctor Galdino Besomi CE3PG Radio Club de Chile (RCCH) president informs us
via the RAC that soon after the earthquake, their Emergency Net was activated
throughout the whole country, first on VHF and them in HF.
All the board and club members are actively working in close coordination
with civil and military authorities.
The request for news about people in the affected countryside areas is one
the main activities occupying the radio amateurs.
IARU Region 2 Area Emergency Coordinator Jorge Sierra, LU1AS reports that
traffic on the 40m band has included health and welfare inquiries with people
seeking information about the well-being of their relatives and friends in
the affected areas of southern Chile.
The death toll following the 8.8 Richter scale magnitude earthquake is about
800 with authorities expecting to rise further as rescue crews dig into more
collapsed buildings and find bodies.
More than 500,000 structures were destroyed and millions of people displaced
or left homeless
At the request of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) and the
Red Chilena Nor Austral Servicio (RECNA), all Radio Amateurs are requested
to keep all IARU Centre of Activity Frequencies clear until further notice
as health and welfare traffic is being passed to and from Chile.
As well, the RECNA requests that their call frequencies be avoided.
28300, 28500,
21200, 21350,
14200, 14350,
7050, 7095,
3738, 3750 kHz.
(Doug Mercer VO1DTM and Reinaldo Leandro, YV5AMH President - Executive
Committee - IARU Region 2 and Jim Linton IARU Region 3)
RESCUE RADIO ROBOT IN THE 430 TO 450 MHz BAND
The FCC has issued a waiver of the Part 90 rules to permit a company called
Reconrobotics Incorporated to sell a remote controlled security robot that
will operate in the 430 to 448 MHz band. This is spectrum that is primary
to the Federal Radiolocation Service but also encompasses the Amateur
Service weak signal, satellite and repeater sub bands.
The Recon Scout transmits the analogue video signal to the operator on one of
three six megahertz channels. These are 430 to 436 MHz, 436 to 442 MHz,
and 442 to 448 MHz.
In approving the waiver, the FCC told Reconrobotics . the Recon Scout will
have to operate on a secondary basis where it cannot cause interference and
is not protected from interference to all Federal users and licensed
non-Federal users including radio amateurs.
OPERATIONAL NEWS -
SPECIAL EVENTS AND ON AIR CONTEST COLUMN - D A T E L I N E 2010
Mar 13-14 RSBG COMMONWEALTH CONTEST (BERU)
details on hfcc.org/hfcc/rule/2009/beru.shtml
Mar 20-21 WIA John Moyle Field Day
details from vk4ae(AT)hotmail.com
APR 30 - MAY 6 Westlakes CQ Repeater contest
contestmanager(AT)westlakesarc.org.au
May 8 WIA VK Trans Tasman 80m Phone
Bruce Renn vk3jwz(AT)wia.org.au
Jun 12 WIA VK Trans Tasman 160m Phone
Bruce Renn vk3jwz(AT)wia.org.au
Jun 12-13 WIA Worked All VK Shires
contest(AT)vkshires.info
Jun 19-20 WIA WINTER VHF-UHF Field Day
John Martin VK3KM tac(AT)wia.org.au
Jul 10tbc WIA Jack Files Contest
John Spooner vk4ajs(AT)wia.org.au
Aug 14-15 WIA Remembrance Day Contest
Peter Harding vk4od(AT)wia.org.au
Aug 21-22 International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend.
register on website illw.net
Oct 2- 3 WIA Oceania DX Contest Phone
Tony Burt vk3tz(AT)wia.org.au
Oct 9-10 WIA Oceania DX Contest CW
Tony Burt vk3tz(AT)wia.org.au
NOV 20-21 WIA Spring VHF-UHF Field Day
John Martin VK3KM tac(AT)wia.org.au
NERG's VK3CNE field station will be portable on Mt. Macedon
for the John Moyle Memorial National Field Day Contest.
Setup begins on Friday afternoon, with Contest runs Mid-day Saturday
to Mid-day Sunday. This National Field Day covers all bands (except
10, 18 and 24 MHz) with emphasis on portable operation. Categories
for single or multi-operator, home/portable, HF/VHF+/All bands. All
Australian, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand amateurs may compete.
Rules and last minute changes at:
www.wia.org.au
(Mark NERG NEWS editor, February 2010)
Ross Hull Contest Results
The 2010 Ross Hull Contest was won by Ted Thrift VK2ARA.
Ted was also highest scorer on the 6 metre band.
The top scorer on 144 and 1296 MHz was Stephen Hayman ZL1TPH, and the highest
score on 432 was made by Gavin Brain VK3HY.
The winner of the Digital Modes section was Rex Moncur VK7MO, closely
followed by Wayne Pearson VK5APN.
Congratulations to all.
RSGB secures the use of short form contest calls
Following long and detailed discussions with the Radio Society of
Great Britain, Ofcom have announced the availability of special short
form contest callsigns for certain amateur full and reciprocal licensees.
The callsign will consist of G or M, a regional locator if applicable, a
chosen digit and a chosen suffix letter. For example G8Z or GW8Z.
SPECIAL EVENT CALLS, REPEATER BEACON DX AND NET ADVICE
hf nets ON the net, www.timroberts-vk4yeh.id.au/
EI2GBW, Ireland to Great Britain Ferry Celebrations ends March 31 2010
GB2EI, Great Britain to Ireland Ferry Celebrations ends March 31 2010
Ei2GBW and GB2Ei, special event stations celebrating the return of the Cork
to Swansea ferry, enter their final weeks of operation, unfortunately however
the intended maritime mobile operations aboard MV Julia had to be cancelled
due to refusal by the Department of Transportation to issue the ship's
passenger certificate if the amateur station was allowed to operate on board.
VP2MCC will be on the air during March, including the British Commonwealth
Contest, from Montserrat.
During the contest, contacts will only be with other British Commonwealth
Call areas but outside the contest he will try to work other countries as
a priority.
All VP2MCC contacts will be uploaded to Logbook of the world so do not
send a paper QSL if you only want a card for DXCC.
QSL to the home call of G4FAL.
Micronesia DXpedition - rare IOTA to be activated
Operators Mike KM9D and Jan KF4TUG onboard the 'Don Henry', are now on
Oroluk Atoll (OC-260).
Amateur radio activity from a land-based station located at Oroluk Island
began 02 March, 2010, and should be continuing for about 10-days.
Oroluk Island is located on the northwest of a lagoon bearing the same name
and is located near 07"37'N, 155"10'E.
For island-collecting enthusiasts Oroluk atoll is IOTA reference OC-260.
Requests for QSL cards should be directed to the QSL manager, OM2SA.
The radio-log will also be included in the ARRL's LoTW database."
Summary:
V63MY, V63TO
Oroluk Island, OC-260
Pohnpei State
Federated States of Micronesia
07'37"N, 155'10"E (QJ77no)
QSL via OM2SA and/or LoTW
From 02 March 2010
AWARDS
The Tassie Trout Award is awarded for "kilograms of trout" or points from
contacts made with Central Highlands Amateur Radio Club of Tasmania members.
The Club callsign gains you 3kg of trout, the President, 2kg, etc. Once you
have 14kg of trout you can claim the basic award, 25kg – gold award and
50kg – platinum award.
http://www.qsl.net/charct/award.htm
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- DIGITAL
Australian Coordinator for TCPIP domains is Indy vk2xb(AT)wia.org.au
W1AW ANNOUNCES NEW SCHEDULE FOR DIGITAL BULLETIN TRANSMISSIONS
The ARRL says that beginning Monday, March 15th its W1AW digital bulletin
transmissions will alternate the modes used.
While Baudot, PSK31 and MFSK16 still make up the digital mode complement,
the schedule will be altered to give more exposure to PSK31 and MFSK16.
The digital bulletin times remain at 6 and 9 p.m. daily Eastern Time. More
on this change is on-line at
www.arrl.org/news/stories/2010/02/16/11343/?nc=1
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RESCUE RADIO
EMERGENCY FREQUENCIES IARU REGION 3
3.600, 7.110, 14.300, 18.160 and 21.360 MHz
SUMMERLAND VK2
Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) on Tuesday 8th at Rockhampton saw 3 hams
attend, 4LM, 4NJB & VK4JRC.
The meeting was basically a fact finding mission for Amateur Radio
Emergency Comms and to present ham ideas to EMQ for their consideration.
Both parties acknowledged that this is the beginning of a plan that will
hopefully see mutual benefits for EMQ and the RADAR Club in respect of
Emergency Comms and the promotion of Amateur Radio in the future.
Sunday Feb 7 saw the inaugural Hobart `Run the Bridge' run, with 1400 runners
and walkers completing the 10 km course.
The event's communications framework was provided by WICEN Tasmania (South).
WICEN has commercial VHF and UHF licensed frequencies, which were used for the
event. The event crew carried hired handhelds with headsets on the UHF
network, extended by a repeater on Rosny Hill near the eastern approaches to
the Tasman Bridge. WICEN also provided a back up VHF network with WICEN
operators stationed at the Start, Finish and two Aid Points along the way.
A presentation can be found at
http://tas.wicen.org.au/Photo_pages/2010_run_bridge.html
(73, Roger, VK7ARN)
The Kentish Endurance Riders have asked the C.C.A.R.C. to provide comms
support for their Tassie endurance ride next Saturday March 13.
This is an 80km event and starts at 7.30am and will be held in the Sheffield
area.
If amateurs would like to assist with this event then please contact
David, VK7DC directly or through any of the other committee members and
register you interest and get more information.
WRAP UP WYONG FIELD DAY.
Australia's biggest gathering of hams and electronic enthusiasts took place last
Sunday, 28th of February.
The 2010 Central Coast Amateur Radio Club's? Field Day at Wyong Racecourse
attracted the crowds, boosted by perfect weather.
WIA News was there, and we open the report with Dot VK2DB who told us just how
far some people had travelled
[clip]
We heard the vendor point of view from Gary VK2ZKT who thought that sales were good
[clip]
Amateur Radio New South Wales ran an onsite assessment, providing the opportunity
to qualify people on to the bands, and higher levels. Terry, VK2UX, was very
pleased with the outcome.
[clip]
Michael Owen, VK3KI, WIA National President, made a special trip up from
Melbourne to catch up with old friends and snare a few new recruits. What did he
think of the event?
[clip]
One attendee who can claim a special affinity is Pierce, VK2APQ, very close to
celebrating a centenary of his own. Pierce has attended nearly every field day....
[clip]
And having seen so many field days, what's happened over the years?
[clip]
As president of CCARC, Col VK2ZCO had much riding on the day, the culmination of
almost 12 months' work by a seriously dedicated bunch of volunteers.
[clip]
But you can just bet he's also looking forward to next year's Wyong Field day.
2010 SOCIAL SCENE
In VK2 some celebrations are taking place, this month Amateur Radio New South
Wales will be operating using its special call - VK2 FIRST.
Next Thursday afternoon of the 11 th of March there is to be a small gathering in
the Sydney CBD on the site of the former Hotel Australia to mark the anniversary.
Then on next Sunday the 14 th - members of Amateur Radio New South Wales have
been invited to the VK2WI site in Dural where the Centenary will be observed by
the opening of the recent completed building. More details in this week?s VK2WI
News and on the ARNSW web site - www.arnsw.org.au
Around the rest of the country,
MARCH 14 VK3
Eastern And Mountain District Radio Club White Elephant Sale
MARCH 14 VK6
100 years of the WIA+Ham Heaven Official opening. (NCRG club premises)
Contact Keith vk6rk(AT)wia.org.au
MARCH 21 VK7
MEET THE VOICE BBQ at Ross in VK7
APRIL 2 VK3
Midland Amateur Radio Club's Radio, Electronic & Astronomy Expo.
Venue to be advised.
April 3 & 4 VK2
Urunga convention on the NSW mid north coast.
JUNE 12 VK2
Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club's 35th Annual Field Day.
JULY 17 VK3
GGREC Hamfest Start Time : 10:00
AUGUST 1 VK6
Northern Corridor Group Hamfest Cyril Jackson Sports Centre Ashfield
Oct 29 - 31
VK1OOWIA Westlakes ARC during our WIA centenary celebrations.
NOV 7 VK5
2010 Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society Hamfest Rosa St Goodwood
2012
15TH IARU REGION 3 CONFERENCE hosted by V.A.R.C. in Ho-Chi-Minh City, Vietnam.
JAN 23-FEB 17 YEAR 2012
World Radio Conference WRC-11 Geneva 23rd January TO 17th February 2012
MAY 4-7 2012 VK5
YL International 2012 Australia (vk5tmc(AT)bigpond.com)
Well, that wraps it up for this historic news bulletin. We are indeed honoured by
having been invited to present this bulletin - both close to the date and close
to the place, where it all began.
While celebrations have already started from the first day of the year - there is
much more to come throughout the country. Next weekend is the annual John Moyle
Field Day, and Ian VK2ZIO's Radio Museum at Kurrajong is mounting a centenary
display to name but a few activities.
So from Mathew VK2YAP, Richard VK2SKY, John VK2JPM, and me Tim VK2ZTM - Its
goodbye from members of the VK2WI news team.
=============================================================================
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Societies and Club News Letter Editors can EXCHANGE a feed prior to
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Call-backs follow the RF editions, but also for text readers you may
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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 VK2WI and VK4BB and READ on behalf of the National WIA BY vk2wi
**********************************************************************
- NEWS POSTING TO PACKET -
Courtesy Tony VK7AX VK7AX(AT)VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC
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