WIANEWS - MAR 06 - VK NATIONAL NEWS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 TWITTER http://twitter.com/VK1WIA 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 MARCH 06 2011. Dormant frequency allocation eyed. Southeast Queensland Microwave Day today. 3 hams killed by pirates. Another look at Amateur Radio magazine Amateur Television history made. ALL THESE STORIES UP AND COMING IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA FOR WEEK COMMENCING MARCH 6 2011. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amateur Television history made. On Wednesday evening, 23 February 2011, Digital Amateur Television signals from Victoria were received in the northwest of VK7 by Winston VK7EM. After noting the band conditions improving with a lift in the 70cm beacon strength and the appearance of Community TV Channel 31, Winston monitored VK3RTV, the Melbourne Digital ATV repeater. At around 5.30pm colour bars appeared. Then with liaison with Peter VK3BFG on 147.4 MHz simplex, who had made sure the repeater was activated, live pictures were organized, with Peter proudly showing off his equipment with a very professional ‘on camera’ appearance. Word spread and other stations… Neil VK3BCU, John VK3DQ, and Jack VK3WWW joined in. At one stage there were two independent pictures arriving, John 3DQ on one channel, VK3RTV1 and Peter 3BFG on VK3RTV2, and both in contact with each other. 8.00PM signals on VK3RTV began to fade. It was then that a separate receiver monitoring 1250Mhz suddenly came to life with a perfect colour bar signal. A call on 2 metres established that it was Rob, VK3TRX who chatted and then held up a 10 gig. antenna he will use in an upcoming ATV field day. These pictures on 23 centimetres analogue FM, became quite noise free. The equipment used by Winston consisted of home-brew yagis on each band to a K7MEM design, masthead mounted pre-amplifiers designed by VK5EME, fed into a Teac SDB451 Digital Set Top Box on 70 centimetres, while for 23 centimetres a Drake ESR 700 satellite receiver. Read more on WIA Front Page News, wia.org.au Dormant allocation eyed. iTnews.com.au have a story worth a read on how Telstra has called on the ACMA to reclaim 1452 TO 1492 MHz, reserved for digital radio, advocating its return for use by point-to-point microwave services. It was in an important spectral band for Telstra, which used the 1.5 GHz band to deploy microwave systems for telephony services to meet its universal service obligations in remote and low-density areas. Telstra was of the view that the continued reservation of the DAB spectrum should be reviewed against the ACMA's spectrum management principles. World DAB reports about 212,000 digital radio receivers had been sold in Australia. Most services were deployed in VHF Band III spectrum, not 1.5 GHz. Go to iTnews.com.au for the full story. 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 The WIA has announced the resignation of Geoff Atkinson VK3TL as WIA Secretary and the appointment of Sarah Thompson VK3AUD as the new Secretary. Geoff has been secretary since February 2008. Geoff has played a very important role as secretary, in particular in relation to finding our current building, negotiating the lease and ultimately its purchase. WIA President Michael Owen said that he very much regretted the resignation of VK3TL who has been forced to resign as WIA Secretary because he believes that his health no longer allows him the time to do the job to the level he believes is necessary. “Geoff will still look after the inwards QSL’s. Sarah Thompson VK3AUD, recently retired from Telstra, at a senior technical position at the IP Networks, Global Operations Centre at Clayton she has also spent a year with the Antarctic Division as a Radio Officer at Macquarie Island. Oh and I see on her CV vk3aud Sara holds a Black Belt in Taekwondo! Members will be able to meet Sarah at the WIA Annual Conference in Darwin. Read more on WIA Front Page News, wia.org.au WIA Extends Emergency Communications Training The WIA’s training scheme for Emergency Communications Operators is proving to be a great success. 58 radio amateurs have now completed the training and almost 100 additional radio amateurs are registered for upcoming training sessions. Building on this success, the WIA is now extending the Emcomms training scheme to all Australian radio amateurs, both members and non-members of the WIA, and to all WIA affiliated clubs. We believe this training scheme is important for amateur radio in Australia, and that we must treat all groups on an equal basis. However, as all WIA members have all contributed to the development of this training system, with more than $7,000 from members funds already spent on the project, it’s only right that non-members should pay an amount which fully covers the cost of their training. The charge for the Emcomms training for WIA members is $30 inc. GST, and the charge for people who are not WIA members is $65 inc. GST. That way, member’s fees will not be used for the benefit of non-members. We believe that is only fair. All non-members applying for training will be given a 6 month temporary non-voting membership of the WIA, including 6 mail-outs of AR magazine and other WIA member services. We have done this for two reasons: firstly, because we require them to be covered by the WIA insurance scheme they need to be a member to be calculated in the insurance premium the WIA pays each year, and secondly, quite frankly we are also using this as an opportunity to identify active amateurs and promote WIA membership. For those who have completed their training and have been assessed as competent, WIA Accreditation is the next step. I will tell you more about WIA accreditation as a Volunteer Communications Operator in a few weeks. For more information on the WIA Emergency Communications Training Scheme, and to apply for the training, visit the WIA website at www.wia.org.au and click on Members Area and then Emergency Training. We sincerely hope as many people as possible will take up this opportunity. This is Phil Wait, VK2ASD, for the WIA Tune-in to the world Amateur Radio gets people talking Available to both radio clubs and individuals is the WIA National Field Day on Sunday 17 April, marking World Amateur Radio Day. There's a hook ready-made for local publicity. The first social media in the world was Amateur Radio and it continues that and many other roles today. Here is there an opportunity of well-presented and knowledgeable radio amateurs to support their local club or form a trio of individuals. Put something back into the hobby you enjoy so much. Promote your local classes and in a meaningful way put Amateur Radio prominently on display. Have things looking tidy and in order rather than frighten away prospective radio amateurs. Check out the rules and why not register immediately online for the public relations day on 17 April. Visit wia.org.au right now for more details. ACMA NEWS ACMA concludes review of 3D TV trials and other emerging technologies but will continue to consider authorising trials of emerging technologies using the currently unassigned digital television channels until the end of 2011. The ACMA also decided that any further trials must be of a short duration, and broadcasters will be required to give the ACMA undertakings on measures that will assist consumers to understand that trial broadcasts are temporary and will only be available in a limited number of locations.’ The ACMA considers it important that when purchasing 3D TV receivers, consumers understand the current generation of 3D receivers might be not be compatible with future transmission methods. The ACMA website has been updated, with a new section on 3D TV setting out the ACMA approach to further trials. HOME OF THE GOOD GUYS Stu VK4SDD was calling CQ on 14.240 when a very weak station came back, WD0NMU / MM. Mike was sailing somewhere north of the Philippines heading for Japan, Mike and Stu exchanged the usual in a QSO then Mike asked if Stu could do him a favour. It seems his sat phone ( ahh modern consumer technology don't we love it) was not working and could VK4SDD send an email to his family explaining the sat phone situation and that they were on track and all was well! This He did and the next day Stu received a nice reply from WD0NMU's family thanking and praising amateur radio. I think this is one huge benefit to our hobby we can have fun and occasionally help someone!!! (trec news) EDUCATION YOUTH AND ADVANCEMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO www.hamcollege.com.au Training course at Dural. Tomorrow, Monday 7th will be the start of the Amateur Radio New South Wales license training course. It will be held at the Quarry Road site of ARNSW in the Sydney suburb of Dural - number 6 3 - and will commence at 7 pm. The course instructor is Terry VK2UX. It will be held each Monday evening and Terry expects it could last up to six months - and says it will be a thorough grounding in all aspects of theory and operating practice for the hobby of Amateur Radio. Remember -- the course starts tomorrow evening - at Dural - and listeners - would you advise anyone you know within range of Dural who would like to undertake the training ..... Fone the office telephone and leave a message with contact details. The number is 02 9651 1490. There are also details www.arnsw.org.au Look under training and exams. INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to RSGB, Southgate AR Club, the ARRL, Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART and the WW sources of the WIA. CANTERBURY / CHRISTCHURCH audio intensive listen now on WWW.WIA.ORG.AU On Tuesday 1 March WIA news spoke with Richard Smart the AREC Section Leader for Christchurch and the guy responsible for the post earthquake AREC operations in the field and asked him the following questions. 1. What has AREC's involvement and function been since the earthquake? 2. What is AREC roll and involvement now? 3. What is AREC's future involvement likely to be? 4. What has AREC accomplished? THREE YACHTSMEN KILLED BY SOMALI PIRATES WERE HAMS Four Americans -- including three Amateur Radio operators -- who were being held hostage on their yacht by pirates off the coast of Oman have been killed. Scott Adam, K9ESO, and his wife Jean, KF6RVB, along with Bob Riggle, KE7IIV, and Phyllis Macay were on board the S/V Quest when pirates boarded their vessel on Friday, February 18. Officials were in the process of negotiating for the Americans' release when gunfire was heard. "As (US forces) responded to the gunfire, reaching and boarding the Quest, the forces discovered all four hostages had been shot by their captors." arrl.org/news/three-yachtsmen-killed-by-somali-pirates-were-hams ============================================================================= NEWS FROM ARNEWSLINE USA A BIG LEAP FOR CODEC 2 Codec 2 may not be ready for prime time, but its getting close. Take a listen. Codec 2 audio Hear it by downloading the MP3 version of this weeks newscast at www.wia.org.au That was just a snippet of a long conversation between Bruce Robertson VE9QRP, in Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada holding forth with Paul Saville, ZL3IN, in Christchurch, New Zealand using Codec2. For those unaware, Codec 2 is an open source alternative to both D-Star and P25 that’s being developed by a group of volunteers all around the world. The idea behind Codec 2 is to provide a single, free, software-based digital voice encode and decode system that would not require any proprietary firmware as is found in most other current digital voice systems. And as you can hear, even in this Internet-only QSO being held by two hams half a world apart, the quality is quite extraordinary. Likely on a par with all the systems available to hams today. Listen as ZL3IN describes his current career to VE9QRP: Codec 2 audio Hear it by downloading the MP3 version of this weeks newscast at www.wia.org.au More about Codec 2 is on-line at Codec2.org The complete QSO between VE9QRP and ZL3IN is at tinyurl.com/codec2video ============================================================================= International Marconi Day International Marconi Day takes place this year on Saturday 30th April. Here in Ireland the Howth Martello Radio Group will be participating once again as an award station using the call-sign EI0MAR. EI7JC Aian Noone IRTS News has details "This is not a contest but there are several nice awards available for working the officially listed stations, each of which has an historic connection with Marconi. The event is organised by the Cornish Amateur Radio Club. For more information please visit the club's website http://crac.g4usb.net/cracblog/. EI0MAR operates from the Martello Tower overlooking the East Pier in Howth. The tower now houses a vintage radio museum. In 1905 the British Post Office carried out wireless telegraphy experiments at the tower in Howth using Marconi equipment. Visitors are always welcome at the museum and the group hopes to see many visitors during the IMG event in April. The HMRG's website is www.ei0mar.org where a free information booklet in PDF format can be downloaded. The North Cork Radio Group are pleased to announce that they will be active from the Marconi Signal Station at Goleen, Mizen Head, West Cork, where Marconi sent many of his first test transmissions to America. Further details will be posted nearer the event, however, please pencil the day free if you'd like to attend or work the station. The Official call sign for the event will be EI-0-IMD and it is hoped we will be excepted on the official International Marconi Day Awards Program. EI7JC Aidan Noone IRTS News." MEDIA WATCH www.cq-amateur-radio.com/WorldRadio.html VK Club Bulletins http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aarnie/ Another look at Amateur Radio magazine Themed this month is the WIA Centenary Year in Review. A striking composite front cover design, inside-back cover display and a review of the 100th anniversary celebrations. The comprehensive article captures the essence of the year-long celebration which included a special callsign and the Centenary Award. A highlight was the AGM, which included the day at Dick Smith’s wonderful country retreat. The article discusses the planning and execution of the many events that were part of the celebrations. Well worth a read. Looking ahead, the Darwin Amateur Radio Club President Spud Murphy VK8ZWM welcomes everyone to the WIA Annual Conference to be held in May this year. Get your bookings in now. In technical articles this month is one entitled ‘Delta loops and Quad loops and inverted vee dipoles’ presented by Felix Scerri VK4FUQ, must be read by those who use this type of antenna or are just thinking about it. Felix VK4FUQ first got into Delta Loops some 20-years ago so has plenty of experience and knowledge too share. Also on the technical side is included Building an 80 metre SSB kit radio by Lyle Wyatt VK5WL and the ubiquitous SDR – A different sort of radio explained from Hans Smit VK5YX. Amateur Radio magazine, a WIA membership service, and also available at selected newsagents. I’m Barry Robinson VK3PV and you’re listening to VK1WIA. SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - VHF AND ABOVE Today in VK4 is the already-announced SouthEast Queensland Microwave Day, (6th of March) Doug Friend, VK4OE PRESIDENT of the Brisbane VHF Group says they want to enable as many folk as possible, amateurs and non-amateurs, to be able to go and see microwave amateur radio in action. "Starting just after completion of callbacks to the WIA and QNEWS broadcasts, you should find a group of us using several bands on Mt Gravatt on Brisbane's south side, or to Kevin VK4WA's place (several bands operational) at Redbank Plains in the West, or further West to John VK4JMC's place at Laidley on 1296 and 2403 MHz. On the North side of Brisbane, you can catch up with Roy, VK4ZQ who will be portable with several microwave bands. Further North again, Adrian VK4OX will be operational on 2.4 GHz from Maleny, and Wayne VK4WS will have a number of bands operational from Howell's Knob also near Maleny. Operating with low power on 5.7 and 10.3 GHz to the East of Brisbane (yes, East!) should be Peter VK4EA on the beach at Moreton Island, an unusual and potentially interesting contact for many to make. Primary liaison is expected to be via the VHF Group's 'RBN repeater on 147 MHz, so this repeater will be active on that morning. Anyone can go to any of these locations to experience the ways of operating, the challenges and the intense fun of microwave amateur radio." So again for all the latest, check in on 147.000 in Brisbane after the news! Please think of the environment before printing this email ============================================================================= WIANews - we've reported...YOU decide. 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