----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 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 DEC 26 2010. VK6RK New Awards Manager ------------------------ WIA President Michael Owen VK3KI announced on Saturday 18 December 2010 at a meeting of WA clubs that the WIA Board had appointed Keith Bainbridge VK6RK a member of the WIA Awards Committee. WIA Commences Emergency Communications Operator Training -------------------------------------------------------- At long last, and following extensive consultation with clubs and interested amateurs, the first WIA training courses for Emergency Communications Operators are to commence. WA Club Meeting --------------- The first meeting since the restructure of the WIA of its affiliated clubs in Western Australia was held on Saturday 18 December 2010. WIA Jim Rumble WA Amateur of the Year Award Presented ----------------------------------------------------- The Wireless Institute of Australia Western Australia Division created the Amateur of the Year Award in back in 1977. It was renamed the Jim Rumble Amateur of the Year Award in 2000. ALL UP AND COMING IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA FOR WEEK COMMENCING DECEMBER 26 2010 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- WIA President Michael Owen VK3KI president@wia.org.au Vice President Phil Wait VK2ASD vk2asd@wia.org.au Secretary Geoff Atkinson VK3AFA secretary@wia.org.au Treasurer John Longayroux VK3PZ vk3pz@wia.org.au Amateur LCD Amended ACMA has amended the Amateur LCD) and the Overseas Amateurs Visiting Australia Class Licence. WRC -07 allocated the band 135.7 – 137.8 kHz to amateurs on a secondary basis, but to date Advanced licensees have been able to operate on this band only if they had obtained a variation of their licence conditions. Now all Advanced amateurs may operate on that band subject to conditions including the condition that g a radiated power of more than 1 watt EIRP cannot be used. A worry for D-Star users and other digital modes was the requirement to use either a tone burst system that has a frequency of 1750 Hz, or a continuous tone coded squelch system or a dual tone multi frequency system if the output of the repeater was on a frequency different from the input frequency. Now any other readily available code or signal is equally acceptable. Many visiting amateurs were bemused by the requirement that if visiting Australia they had to give their callsign followed by the suffix VK, the opposite of the order used everywhere else. Now the class licence has been varied and an amateur visiting Australia now must use his callsign preceded by the letters VK. These changes were first requested by the WIA in December 2008. There a number of other changes, mainly reflecting current drafting practises and also requiring amateurs not to communicate with amateurs in a foreign country if that would be inconsistent with the Australian spectrum plan. That rather obscure provision is really substituting the spectrum plan, which is always accessible on the ACMA website for a notice in the Commonwealth Gazette. The WIA welcomes the changes. The first meeting since the restructure of the WIA of its affiliated clubs in Western Australia was held on Saturday 18 December 2010. Representatives of the WA Repeater Group, Hills Amateur Radio Group, the West Australian VHF Group, the Scout Communications Team, Ham College, WICEN West Australia and Northern Corridor Radio Group met with members of the WIA Western Australia Advisory Committee, WIA Director Bob Bristow VK6POP and WIA President Michael Owen VK3KI. The WIA President outlined the current matters engaging the WIA, including the changes to the production of the magazine Amateur Radio, the success of the Centenary year, the need for ongoing publicity promoting amateur radio, the National Field day and the advocacy/representational role of the WIA both with the Australian regulator and as a participant in the processes of the International Telecommunications Union. Each group then reported on its current activities and concerns, responding to some of the issues raised. In a constructive discussion, a number of concerns and suggestions were advanced. Concern was expressed about delays in repeater licensing. Part of the problem was a failure to communicate and the WIA President told the group that as a result of these concerns, expressed in a number of recent meetings, new procedures had been adopted in the WIA office to ensure better communication and follow up. The President also undertook to investigate the possibility of combining practical assessments with Standard Theory and Advanced Theory assessments as is done with the Foundation qualification. Michael Owen said that the meeting had been very constructive and useful, and that he hoped it would become a regular event, as it had become in South Australia and Queensland. WICEN has been involved in the Murray Marathon for a great many years and this year is looking for additional volunteers. You do not need to be a member of WICEN to be involved playing radio in the bush and enjoying the company of other amateur radio operators. The Murray Marathon is a canoe race that starts in Yarrawonga Tomorrow December 27th and finishes in Swan Hill 5 days later on New Years eve. WICEN provides the communication for the event primarily on 80 and 2 metres. WICEN particularly need more 2 metre operators to provide communications for the Doctors, First Aid vehicles and boats that form check points down the river. Camping is easy as YMCA is providing meals. Transport can be arranged from Melbourne to the event if that is necessary. If any one is interested in joining the team for a fun week along the river please call Graham Mason VK3KMG (03) 59811238. The Wireless Institute of Australia Western Australia Division created the Amateur of the Year Award in 1977. In 2000 the Award was renamed the Jim Rumble Amateur of the Year Award, in honour of VK6RU, a former President of the then Division and the VK6 QSL Manager for an incredible 61 years. With the restructure of the WIA in 2004 the national WIA took over the Award, to continue to recognise the Western Australian amateur making an outstanding contribution to amateur radio. WIA Director Bob Bristow VK6POP, encouraged by Christine Bastin VK6ZLZ resurrected the award. On Sunday 19 December 2010 at an informal barbeque in Perth, the Jim Rumble Award was presented by WIA President Michael Owen VK3KI to Heath Walder VK6TWO and Monique Faulkner VK6FMON. The Award is a perpetual trophy, with an attractive certificate for each recipient. Heath and Monique organised the collaboration of the various amateur radio groups to conduct the very successful Super Springtime promotion of amateur radio to the public in September and October. HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA. VK2 web service:- http://www.arnsw.org.au/html/news_vk2wi.htm VKG Roundup http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news Today VK2WI News will only have a morning transmission at 10 am - opening as usual with VK1WIA News - and followed at 10.30 with VK2WI local news. These is to be no transmission this evening. This is the annual summer format and will exist until January the 16th when the evening transmission resumes. There is also a break in the Thursday slow morse session from VK2BWI conducted by Ross VK2ER from Orange. His session will resume on the 3 rd February. VK4 - QNEWS web service local audio news:- www.wiaq.com/ftp/vk4_qnews_64.mp3 local news email qnews-vk-subscribe@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 and I've been thinking. For AR in the land down under, 2010 was a significant year with the Wireless Institute celebrating the centenary of organised amateur radio in Australia. With a special call sign and a special award and QSL card and the inaugural National Field Day, the progress of VK100WIA around the country was a big event both at home and abroad. This year also saw the Presidents Lunch hosted in regional Queensland, in the City of Rockhampton. If memory serves me rightly, this year's event recorded the biggest attendance ever. The publicity that the hobby, generally, and many clubs, in particular, received as a result of the media kits developed by the WIA would be valued in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not the millions, if the same level of coverage were purchased in newspapers, radio and television. In the broadcast media, the digital modes of television and DAB+ radio have become realities for more and more people, this year passing. The first switch off of analogue broadcast services featured in the news. Well the wrapping papers have been cleared and new toys explored. In a few days, it will be time to make the resolutions to propel our intentions for 2011. What shows on your calendar? What activities can we undertake to build on the centenary year? Have you dusted off the media kits and put your thoughts together to tell people about amateur radio in the coming year? I'm Geoff Emery and that is what I think....how about you? CLUBBING - SUNSHINE COAST Maleny VK4RSC 146.850 and 438.075 VK4RSN 53.7 Noosa Heads VK4RSL 146.825 and 438.175 This is Gordon VK4VP with news from the Sunshine Coast Correction First things first, apparently I made a mistake in the news last week, however I did cover my rear end. I made mention of SCARC achieving an unofficial score of 33,105 points in the recent VHF/UHF Summer Field day. Well it was quite unofficial to the tune of 30,000 points. I have been advised the score was 3,105 points, a much more believable number, still unofficial. Bjelke Peterson Dam Camp Quite a few club members camped out at the Bjelke Peterson Dam a few weeks back. From all accounts it was an enjoyable time. When I say camp out, most camp out in luxurious 2.5 tonne monsters with showers, a toilet and air conditioning so if it wasn't enjoyable they must be hard to please. Saturday evening saw a BBQ and raffles with a sufficient quantity of liquid refreshment. Just to keep things radio oriented one of the raffle prizes was a pair of binoculars with a built in radio. Sunday morning saw the obligatory boot sale but there was not much on offer due to the main boot collector, Harvey VK4AHW, being unable to attend. Well Christmas has been and gone so its New Year to get through now and start the whole process over again. Thanks to Graham VK4BB and the news team for their efforts during the year, it is very much appreciated. This has been Gordon, VK4VP on behalf of the Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio Club. TOWNSVILLE Expressions of Interest sought for Public Safety Communications Training Fred Swainston VK3DAC is seeking nominal dates for Public Safety Training early next year. Roger VK4CD has proposed that if enough interest is shown then a course could be conducted in Townsville on the weekends of 29-30 January and 26-27 February. 6 to 10 registrations are required in order for the course to proceed, taking in candidates from Rockhampton to Cairns. For Expressions of Interest please contact Roger VK4CD vk4cd@bigpond.com 4774 0221. Deadline for decisions is Thursday 30th December. INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to RSGB, Southgate AR Club, the ARRL, Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART and the WW sources of the WIA. Christmas comes early for amateur radio society. The bad weather currently being experienced in the UK has meant an earlier-than-planned Christmas closure for the country's national amateur radio society HQ. The RSGB has posted the following statement on its website: Adverse weather conditions cause early closure of RSGB HQ Heavy snow and ice have severely disrupted transport in the Bedfordshire area. Because of this the decision has been made to bring forward the holiday closure of RSGB HQ. RSGB HQ will now close for the Christmas and New Year holidays on Monday, 20 December 2010 at 14.00, and will re-open one day earlier than scheduled on Tuesday, 4 January 2011. UK GOVERNMENT LOOKING FOR 500 MHZ FOR BROADBAND The United Kingdom's government is looking 500MHz spectrum and this could spell problems ahead for hams in that nation. The British newspaper the Register recently carried a story on government plans to reallocate as much as 500 MHz of spectrum for broadband Internet. The article points out that if large chunks of Ministry of Defence spectrum are sold off, the new owners are unlikely to be willing to share it with others. The problem for UK hams comes from the fact that all Amateur Radio UHF and Microwave bands are shared with either the Ministry of Defence or the U-K Civil Aviation Authority. If some of the spectrum that gets reallocated happens be shared with radio amateurs, its quite likely that the hams will be forced off those bands. Those interested can read the entire Register article at tinyurl.com/28ayvzl New Amelia Earhart documentary In the USA a "Betty Brown" captured the world’s attention in 2006 when a National Geographic documentary featured her claims that she had heard some of Amelia Earhart’s last known words while tuning in to shortwave radio broadcasts in 1937. Last week, a new Discovery Channel documentary retold her story while expounding on recent evidence, including what might be a finger bone and a glass moisturizer bottle found on the island where an aviation investigation group thinks Earhart died. Betty Brown watched the new film with her daughter, “I was real pleased with it,” Betty said this week. “The part of mine was handled good.” The film includes a film interview researchers did with Brown in Illinois in 2000 and a dramatized scene about her experience listening to Earhart’s voice on her family’s shortwave radio, which was attached to a 60-foot-tall antenna, when Brown was 15. Though many people over the years paid no attention to Brown’s family’s claims of hearing Earhart’s voice, the contact she appears to have heard included intimate details only Earhart would have known. No word as to when Australian Discovery will air the program. Read more: Patterson Irrigator - Local woman featured in new Amelia Earhart documentary SO-67 FM Amateur Radio transponder suspended Johann Lochner, ZR1CBC, reports that the FM Amateur Radio transponder on SO-67 is being temporarily suspended due to a probable radiation event. On the AMSAT bulletin board he writes: Last week the flash boot memory of a CAN controller on Sumbandila was corrupted by a probable radiation event. It does not affect satellite health but prevents activation of the amateur radio repeater, as the particular script detects an anomaly and aborts. The same problem also occurred in October of 2009 and was corrected. However, the fix requires time consuming effort, which cannot be exerted immediately. SO-67 repeater activations are therefore suspended. We apologise for any disappointment and hope to return to normal operations somewhere in January. ============================================================================= NEWS FROM ARNEWSLINE OHIO HAMS PROVIDE TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT TO IMPROVE COUNTY RADIO SYSTEM Ham radio operators have volunteered their time and technical expertise to improve communications for the Wood County Sheriff's Office just south of Toledo, Ohio. Amateur Radio Newsline's Fred Vobbe, W8HDU, has the rest of the story: -- After years of incomplete police radio coverage, the Wood County Sheriff's Office has made some significant communications upgrades. In many remote areas of the county, deputies' police radios wouldn't work once they got out of their car. That caused them t0 loose contact with dispatchers and other officers. But with a little ingenuity, and some help from ham radio operators, the problem is solved. "It was scary for me to know that there were times when my deputies went there on a call we had no communication with them, said Wood County Sheriff Mark "That caused a lot of sleepless nights." Estimates for communications upgrades ran in to the millions. Wood County did not have that kind of money. So the Sheriff turned to amateur radio operators from around the county. "They looked at our system and came up with a relatively inexpensive fix which was to move antenna situation around the county to much high locations," said Wasylyshyn. Wood County was able to update the system for just $160,000. Tower space at eight locations around Wood County was donated, from radio towers to water towers. And to make sure deputies could stay in contact anywhere outside, as well as inside buildings, they are putting mobile repeaters in the trunks of cruisers. I'm Fred Vobbe, W8HDU, reporting from Lima, Ohio. -- To even further strengthen Wood County's communication system, it has now installed two new propane powered generators for the radio system. That means the county can maintain radio contact with its officers in the field in case of a power outage that could last several days. Up until the generators the battery back-up system would only keep the county's communication's network going four hours. FCC GRANTS WAIVER FOR TRAIN BREAK RADIO SYSTEM The FCC has granted eight railroads temporary waivers of the power limit for telemetry operations in the 450 to 470 MHz band. Specifically, the waivers to permit the operation of end-of-train ot E-O-T devices with eight watts transmitter output power, pending the resolution of a related rulemaking proceeding. Also granted in the December 3rd decision was a waiver to permit the equipment authorization of E-O-T devices with a transmitter output power of up to eight watts. For those not aware, end-of-train devices operate on frequency pair 452 and 457.9375 MHz. They transmit information regarding the brake pipe pressure on the rear car to the lead locomotive for display to the locomotive engineer. This in turn allows the engineer to apply the rear train brakes in an emergency. SA NASA TO SUPPORT HAM RADIO SPACE PROGRAM The newly formed South African National Space Agency has announced its intention to champion the amateur radio in space. In response to a question at the agency's launch ceremony press briefing from the South African Radio League, the new space agency's representative stated that the organization will support the amateur radio satellite program and that radio amateurs are part of the plans. Naledi Pandor is the South African Minister of Science and Technology. She officially launched the South African National Space Agency at a gala event on Thursday December 9th. At that time she said that the new agency will be that nations primary but not its only leader to direct Government's investment in space sciences and technology. Just how the South African National Space Agency will support amateur radio space efforts was not spelled out at the briefing. REPEATER LOCATION GUIDE FOR GREECE NOW IPHONE APP A directory of amateur repeaters in Greece is now available for iPhone, iPod and IPad users developed by SW1NJX is now available from the iTunes on-line store. This is a free app designed to assist hams living in or travelling through Greece to find the closest VHF or UHF to their current location. ============================================================================= XMAS FUN TIME listen to this weeks news or go direct to www.ARVideoNews.com to hear a great Christmas item written and performed by KN4AQ. Guitar accompaniment by WA3AYR. ((c)2010 Pearce10, Inc. Permission granted to copy, embed and present this video anywhere. Please include a link to www.ARVideoNews.com (spotted by vk5's paul gully) OPERATIONAL NEWS - SPECIAL EVENTS AND ON AIR CONTEST COLUMN - D A T E L I N E 2011 Jan 1-31 WIA ROSS HULL MEMORIAL VHF/UHF Jan 1 AMSAT 2011 Straight Key Night (SKN) Jan 15/16 WIA Summer VHF-UHF Field Day Includes “Microwave Challenge”, with special certificates to be awarded to the participants on microwave bands. John Martin VK3KM tac@wia.org.au Mar 19-20 WIA John Moyle Field Day weekend SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS, REPEATER BEACON DX AND NET ADVICE hf nets ON the net, www.timroberts-vk4yeh.id.au/ JE1RXJ, will be on the air as T88RX from Palau between January 21st and the 26th. Activity will be holiday style on 160 to 6 meters using CW and SSB. His emphasis will be on the lower band and CW. QSL via JE1RXJ, direct or by the JA Bureau. JA2EZD will be active from Laos as XWPA from the Vientiane DX Club for another year. His operation will be on the HF bands only. QSL to Hiroo Yonezuka, Box DD153, Huang Sathai, Vientiane, Laos. And that callsign is not a mistake. It is XWPA. FROM OPDX Bulletin 3 STEVE'S TO BE ACTIVE AGAIN! Yes, it is that time again. The 3 Steve's (Steve/KF2TI, Steve/N2IFA, Steve/KB2ENF and Kurt/W2MW [aka Steve]), along with those two laughing young men, Andrew/N2IFB and Eric/K2EMZ will be guest op'ing at the ARRL station, W1AW, Wednesday, December 29th, between 1700-2045z. This is their 20th annual WAS (Worked All Steve's) DXpedition to Newington, and they will be operating on the following bands: 30M CW (Kurt aka Steve) 15, 20 and 40m SSB (Steve, Steve and Steve) 10 and 17m (possibly 80m) (Andrew/N2IFB and Eric/K2EMZ will also be operating as “Steves”) Steve (KF2TI) states, "Hopefully condx will improve and we will try to listen for outside the US. Packet spots will be posted. If you work any 3 operators, we will send you a beautiful, full colour WAS (Worked All Steve's) certificate (suitable for framing). No QSL is needed, as we will have copies of the log and send out a certificate to all those who qualify. QSL cards to us are not necessary for the WAS. If you want a W1AW QSL Card, please send to them direct or via the Bureau. The logs will be posted (hopefully) after January 1st on our website: http://the3stevesarc.org This is not an officially sanctioned ARRL event. It is run for fun by the 3 Steves Amateur Radio Association (TSARC) – WK3SS (all rights reserved) and we are responsible for the printing and sending of the Worked All Steve's certificate (suitable for framing). We would like to thank the ARRL for allowing us to play with their great toys and putting up with us each year. Hope to work you then." AWARDS WIA President Michael Owen VK3KI announced on Saturday 18 December 2010 at a meeting of WA clubs that the WIA Board had appointed Keith Bainbridge VK6RK a member of the WIA Awards Committee. The Board had acted on the advice of Chris Platt VK5CP, the WIA Director responsible for Awards. The current WIA Awards Manager Eddie de Young VK4AN has advised the Board that he would not seek reappointment, and the Board has also appointed Keith as WIA Awards Manager, leaving it to Eddie and Keith to arrange the formal changeover at a time that best achieves an orderly transition. In accepting the resignation of Eddie, the WIA Board formally recorded its gratitude for his contribution to the WIA. INTRUDER WATCH - ENFORCEMENT ZONE CALIFORNIA CB'ER ISSUED NOTICE OF UNLICENSED OPERATION The FCC's Sam Francisco Field Office has issued a Notice of Unlicensed Operation to an operator on 27 MHz who was transmitting sound effects, language that might be classified as profane, indecent or obscene, and music. If he fails to abide by the FCC, he could be re-investigated during FCC enforcement efforts. He could face severe penalties, including a substantial monetary forfeiture, seizure of his radio equipment and criminal sanctions including imprisonment. (sourced to arnewsline.org) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FEMALES IN RADIO ALARA - AUSTRALIAN LADIES AR ASSOCIATION http://alara.org.au Net is held each Mondays on 3.580 MHz, commencing at 1030 UTC. (1000utc during daylight saving) geencee@picknowl.com.au 3 items of news today in our special interest group arena, ROAR, RESCUE RADIO AND --- FEMALES IN RADIO. ALARA - AUSTRALIAN LADIES AR ASSOCIATION Tina VK5TMC advises the YL International Meeting in Adelaide in 2012 has gotten bigger! Now commencing May 3 it will run 15 days, and starting in Adelaide and finishing in Darwin. This is the event where YL's meet from around the world with their OM's. Tours of Adelaide, Hahndorf, Cleland National Park, Port Adelaide, a progressive lunch through the Barossa then join the Ghan for a 9 day adventure. For more detail see ylinternational2012.com WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RESCUE RADIO IARU REGION 3 Emergency Centre of Activity (CoA) frequencies 3.600, 7.110, 14.300, 18.160 and 21.360 MHz Phil Wait - VK2ASD says at long last following extensive consultation with clubs and interested amateurs, the first WIA training courses for Emergency Communications Operators are to commence. Organised and delivered by the WIA’s Registered Training Organisation each training program will be held over four days. Victoria at the EMDRC club rooms Burwood. Queensland in Bundaberg Western Australia Perth 26 and 27th February and 2nd and 3rd April North Queensland only if sufficient interest. New South Wales Training will be held at a time and place to be advised. The aim is to develop in participants the skills and knowledge required to become Emergency Communications Operators. Emergency Communications Operators are persons who provide services to a variety of Emergency Services Organisations by operating a range of communication equipment. The Emergency Services training program is composed of six core modules plus one elective. How to Apply? Simply fill out the on-line application form, which you will easily see in the "Members Area" from wia.org.au SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ROAR ROTARIANS OF AMATEUR RADIO bill.learmonth@lineone.net rotmem@yahoogroups.com nmclaren3@juno.com VK2IWT Secretary Peter Lowe, VK3KCD ANZO VP 0600z - 0630z Anzo Net on 7115 Rotary's radio prize fight THE Rotary Club of Somerville Tyabb is holding a monster raffle to raise funds for new headquarters for community radio station 3RPP. Peninsula Rotary clubs have joined forces to build radio and recording studios and offices at the former Mornington High School site on Wilsons Road following the end of 3RPP's lease at the Coolstores in Moorooduc. Mt Eliza ward councillor Leigh Eustace, who is on the committee overseeing the refurbishment, has asked Mornington Peninsula Shire to make a $100,000 interest-free loan to the group to enable works to continue until the raffle funds are available in April. Up for grabs are two cars, a cruise holiday package and plasma TV. Rotary members will hawk tickets at community events over the holiday period, with the raffle to be drawn on April 25 so if you are listening in the area get a book of tickets there and then. To obtain a book of tickets, call Cr Eustace on 03 9787 0415. SOCIAL SCENE 2011 Jan 30 vk2 Mid North Coast Radio Expo 2011 at St Johns Church Hall McLean Street, Coffs Harbour at 8:30am, vk2cjc@wia.org.au Feb 13 VK3 Centre Victoria RadioFest No.4 Kyneton Racecourse ( http://amateurradio.com.au/node/865/ ) Feb 27 vk2 Central Coast Amateur Radio Club Field Day at Wyong Start Time : Gates open 6.30 am Feb 27 vk3 YARRA VALLEY HAMFEST at Gary Cooper Pavilion 16 Anzac Av Yarra Glen. Opens 10am-2pm. ( www//yarravalley.ar.org.au) Apr 9 vk6 Hills Amateur Radio Group Swapmeet at club rooms Lesmurdie. Apr 18 WW “Amateur Radio: The first technology-based social network” World Amateur Radio Day, April 18, 2011. May 27-29 WIA AGM Weekend in Darwin secretary@wia.org.au 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 3-18 2012 VK5 YL International 2012 Australia (vk5tmc@bigpond.com) Please think of the environment before printing this email ============================================================================= 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.