----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 WEEK COMMENCING May 15 2011. Your news crew this week, Bob VK6POP, John VK6FB, Onno VK6FLAB and Dennis VK6KAD. WIa Director Phil Adams reports on the National Field Day. The School Of The Air celebrates 60 years on air. THESE STORIES AND MORE IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA FOR WEEK COMMENCING MAY 15. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCHOOL DAYS This week Australia's School of the Air celebrated 60 years since its first lesson from Alice Springs Royal Flying Doctor Base was transmitted. June is officially the anniversary but students have travelled to the Alice to take part in special events throughout the week. Before the School of the Air, students from outback areas had to attend boarding schools or do their school work by mail. Organiser Belinda Pearson says the anniversary is a time to reflect on the changes technology has made to School of the Air operations. "We've got families in our schools where the mums and dads started off in the radio days," she said. "Kids are now sitting in front of computers, speaking with their teachers and their classmates via video-conferencing." Digital radio bid Tasmania's two major cities could have digital radio within a year if an application by Commercial Radio Australia is successful. The organisation is applying to Regional Development Australia to fund digital broadcasting services in Hobart and Launceston. Hobart was the only capital city to be excluded when digital radio was rolled out to mainland capital cities in 2009. So many new things and benefits as a result of digital radio, in the same way that digital television has offered opportunities for Tasmanian viewers. If successful, the application would see Launceston become the first non-capital city to receive digital radio in Australia. (Darwin via Grant Broadcasters is currently under trial with DAB+) WIA FROM ANDERSSON HOUSE THE WEEKLY WIA DIRECTORS SPOT. WIA National Field Day – Future Directions Many radio clubs and individuals have now contributed to the success of the WIA National Field Day under the banner of Tune-In To The World - Amateur Radio Gets People Talking. You should be proud of the publicity generated by your efforts. The WIA National Field Day has now promoted amateur radio to the general public twice in the last 6 months. Many people are now more aware of our activities and some have even started to study or enrolled in your Amateur Radio courses. I would firstly like to thank the WIA National Field Day committee consisting of Paul VK5PH, Gerard VK5ZQV and Fred VK3DAC, for the effort in guiding the first two National Field Days. Regretfully, Paul has tendered his resignation from the committee to further pursue his family, scouting and other ar interests. I wish him good luck for the future. My thanks is also extended to Jim VK3PC, Graham VK4BB and Robert VK3DN for their work in publicising the event. Some people have asked about the participation certificates and I am pleased to report that both the inaugural 2010 and certificates for the 2011 events are now being prepared. I apologise for the delay in the production of these certificates. The date for submitting the Logs, Reports and Photos of the 2011 event was last Friday the 13th of May and the work of reviewing your recent efforts has already commenced. The results and some of the photos will be published in both AR and via wia.org.au Looking forward, I invite clubs and individuals to consider the ongoing development of the WIA National Field Day including the event name and catch phrase or slogan. Some comments have been received with the reports submitted. I now invite interested individuals and clubs to submit your ideas that may assist to determine the future direction of this important amateur radio publicity event. Your input is requested by the 30th of June. I would also be pleased to hear your ideas in Darwin at the WIA Annual Conference. Thank –you Philip Adams - VK3JNI HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA. News from North Queensland - FNNQARG! 2011 Cancelled ! The word is in regarding the running of the Far North and North Queensland Amateur Radio Gathering for 2011 - Cancellation due to Yasi, more in QNEWS. VK2 web service:- http://www.arnsw.org.au/html/news_vk2wi.htm VKG Roundup http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news BLUE MOUNTAINS The Blue Mountains Amateur Radio Club held it’s AGM on Friday the 6th of May. The committee for this year is. Richard VK2WAY as President Andrew VK2XPT as Vice President Felicity VK2GRR as Secretary John VK2VJA as Treasurer. Other members elected are. Alf VK2YAC, Carl VK2HRC and Erik VK2MAN as the club committee members. Tony VK2HO as Repeater Manager, Daniel VK2DC as Club Historian, Richard VK2WAY as Education Manager, Dennis VK2RM as the HF Net Manager, Andrew VK2XPT as Web Manager and Danny VK2FDCA as Publicity Officer and Ragchew Editor. The club would like to thank the outgoing committee for their great work over the past year and wish the new committee the best of luck for the next year. The club is currently holding meetings at the MYRO hall in Mt Riverview, please check out the clubs website for more information at www.bmarc.org (Publicity Officer Danny VK2FDCA) OXLEY VK2RPM (146.700 Mhz output) repeater has been upgraded with a new Icom IC-FR3000 50 watt commercial repeater, and 6" cavity filters. CTCSS frequency is 91.5 Hz. (sourced to John McLean VK2KC Honorary Secretary Oxley Region ARC Inc.) Wagga Wagga & District Amateur Radio Club. While not until next month the Wagga Wagga & District Amateur Radio Club's AGM will be held in the Club room in Small Street, Wagga Wagga on Friday 24th JUNE at 8 pm. 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. In progressing the emergency communications training program, the Wireless Institute has suggested a name for the program. http://www.wia.org.au/newsevents/news/2011/20110510-1/index.php In keeping with the name of a previous Army wireless network, the acronym of RAVEN is suggested. Already reaction has been experienced as the last letter stands for network. Some of the adherents of the existing WICEN groups are worried that this might suggest the Institute is preparing to displace WICEN. Here, it seems to me, that the Institute has always been extremely clear that the intention has been provide the community with suitably trained amateurs to help in emergency and to support those volunteers with training, accreditation and insurance. The Institute has specifically stated it does not intend to replace WICEN. What we need to do is make sure of our facts, otherwise we end up with just a crow and not a RAVEN. Our radio spectrum is vast and precious commodity and to restate on old axiom, it's up to the amateurs to "use it or lose it." I'm Geoff Emery and that's what I think....how about you? CLUBBING - TO SUPPLY NEWS ITEMS:- email qnews@wia.org.au TABLELANDS RADIO AND ELECTRONICS CLUB vk4wat@wia.org.au www.treclub.org.au G’Day again from Far North Queensland, where the wet season is finally drawing to a close and the cooler days are starting, this is Dale VK4DMC for the Tablelands Radio and Electronics Club, TREC, in Far North Queensland. At the April TREC meeting Ron Goodhew VK4EMF gave an update on the historical radio station XQA which will be on permanent display at the Mareeba Heritage Museum on the Atherton Tablelands. Ron has been instrumental in acquiring and setting up this fascinating display of the first licensed Queensland Amateur Radio station (a spark gap station) that was operated by Marcus Brims in Mareeba in 1914. It is believed that the station is basically still in an operational condition. Last weekend TREC members provided communications and check point manning for the Far North Endurance Riders in the Wondecla region of the Atherton Tablelands. A great day out in the bush was had by all. The 2011 get together of North Queensland and Far North Queensland amateurs, FNNQARG, that was to be held over the Queen’s birthday weekend has been cancelled due to damage caused by Cyclone Yasi to Kurrimine Beach in February. Well that’s your lot for this week. Visit the revamped TREC website at www.treclub.org.au for club information and you can also download the latest monthly club news in TREC-NEWS. Past issues are also available on the site. This has been Dale VK4DMC and you are listening to QNEWS. Travel Well! TRG activate Mount Fox Members and friends of the Tablelands Radio Group will be spending some time on the wallaby to Mount Fox around this weekend of 14th and 15th of May, involved with some serious loafing, inspecting and helping out at Rob/VK4ARQ QTH, tromping around the Volcanic Crater, cooking up some mouth watering meals and - doing a bit of HF, VHF and UHF DX using lots of modes of operation. Keep a listen out for the group this weekend and during the week to come. (tarc) NQ Amateur Radio Convention Date Arguably the "stellar event" in the Radio Amateur calendar. The 20th Bi-ennial North Queensland Amateur Radio Convention will be happening in Townsville from Fri afternoon 16th to Sunday afternoon 18th September. The next Convention Planning Session will be happening on Tuesday 17th May from 7-30pm at the TARC Club Rooms. All welcome to attend. VK5 Good morning this is Charles VK5HD for the South East Radio Group. This year our annual radio convention will be held on Sunday the 12th of June. Yes one day only. The scout hall on Margaret Street will open at 10am and close at 2pm. The scout hall is located behind the Mount Gambier Police Station. Entry fee is $5. The Australian Fox Hunting Championships are also being held in Mount Gambier on the same weekend. The Fox Hunting action starts on the Saturday and goes for two days. Check out the SERG website for more details. I hope to see you there EDUCATION YOUTH AND ADVANCEMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO www.hamcollege.com.au At age 8, Deltona girl is among youngest ham-radio operators When many kids her age are learning texting abbreviations such as R O F L or G R 8 T, 8-year-old Mikaila Williams is focused on K K 4 B F K. "KK4BFK, CQ?" she spoke into the microphone at her Deltona home in the USA, a little timidly but with a big, hopeful smile. Mikaila is thought to be the youngest ham-radio operator in Central Florida, and she ranks among the youngest in the country holding the general license for amateur radio. Although ham radios may seem outdated in an era of smartphones and Twitter, hobbyists remain devoted to their frequencies, enjoying the chance for random chatter while standing by to use the airwaves in an emergency. Read the full Orlando Sentinel article http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-05-07/news/os-ham-radio-deltona-girl -20110507_1_youngest-ham-radio-national-ham-radio-group-ham-radio (SOUTHGATE) NIAGARA GAZETTE Reading a column in this paper the other day, Bob Confer writes a great expose on the joys of Ham Radio. The Internet has made the world a smaller place. We can log on to our email and Facebook accounts and share messages with friends and family around the globe. We can use Skype to see and talk to them from the comfort of our homes. It’s like the futuristic technology that was once a part of sci-fi movies is here now. Even so, Bob writes, "there’s still a place for the old-fashioned ways of doing things. There’s little that’s more exciting from a communications hobby standpoint than talking around the world with a two-way radio." He recently got his radio license KC2ZZW after years of letting lapse a hobby he started and was licensed for back in junior high. Worth a read, and a copy is on the net right now! http://niagara-gazette.com/opinion/x264245690/CONFER-The-original-instant-messaging INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to RSGB, Southgate AR Club, the ARRL, Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART and the WW sources of the WIA. Automatic meter reading on 169 MHz What is claimed to be the world's first long range 169 MHz Automatic Meter Reading module has been released, operating in the new harmonized frequency band for meter reading in the British Isles and Europe. The typical range is claimed to be 1.5 km in urban areas and 20 to 40 km in open terrain with quarter-wave antennas. The module supports two-way communication at 2.4 and 4.8 kbps in 6 narrowband channels, and 38.4 kbps in a 50 kHz channel. Wireless solutions such as this are a far better approach to reading meters than using the polluting PLT technology. www.mwee.com/en/News/full-news.html?id=222901764&news_id=222901764&cmp_id=7 HAM AID The ARRL's Ham Aid Fund has been tapped to aid Amateur Radio operations in Alabama, following the wake of destructive killer tornadoes that ravaged the US state a week or so back. According to ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, hams in Alabama have requested radios and antennas since cell tower sites and repeaters have been damaged and are not yet back up. "The ARRL has already shipped five cases to the state, full of 2 meter, 440 MHz and HF radios, as well as two cases of handheld transceivers with batteries," K1MMH said. "We anticipate the demand for equipment may continue from Alabama and possibly from neighbouring states." Mary Hobart said that she knows that not every ham can be in Alabama to help out, but every ham can support the effort -- by contributing to the ARRL's Ham Aid Fund: "First created in response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Ham Aid Fund has enabled ARRL to provide vital communication equipment to devastated areas along the Gulf Coast. Commercial radio in the USA is stepping up to promote amateur radio in times of disaster. These recent devastating tornadoes in the South are yet another reminder of how vulnerable our communities — and their communications systems — are. But when all else fails, amateur radio works. The American Radio Relay League has produced an advert to help recruit new amateur radio operators who can assist first responders and victims in times of crisis . The spot was produced and is voiced by WABC Radio's legendary Johnny Donovan, himself an amateur radio operator (audio supplied) SPECIAL EVENTS AND ON AIR CONTEST COLUMN - D A T E L I N E 2011 2011 Aug 20-21 WW I.L.L.W. 2012 March 17-18 VK JOHN MOYLE MEMORIAL FIELD DAY Steve VK3TDX has been told by CQ magazine he was the Oceania winner SOAB HP for the 2010 RTTY DX contest with 1326 QSO's, he says "This is my first significant contest win and I get the plaque for Oceania HP but due to a misunderstanding of who was going to sponsor the Oceania plaque my name didn't get printed in the winners on page 16 of the current CQ issue but the contest director confirms that I did win." (73 Steve VK3TDX via vk6pop) SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS, DX and BEACON AND NET ADVICE Dam Busters Raid Memorial on 3.617 Tomorrow, Monday 16th May 2011, the Lincoln Short Wave Club will be operating G5FZ on the 80m band as near to 3.617 as conditions allow. The transmissions will commence at precisely 21.39 - the time the first wave of nine Lancaster bombers of RAF 617 Squadron took-off on the night of 16/17 May 1943, to attack the great dams of Germany using Barnes Wallace’s famous 'bouncing bomb' (text edition only) MONACO, 3A. Monaco Telegraphy Group active as 3A2CWG during the month of May in celebration of its 20th anniversary. QSL via 3A2LF. AZERBAIJAN, 4J. 4JV3AM active until May 20 only to commemorate the 66 years since the end of World War II. QSL via RW6HS. Nepal DXpedition A multi-national team, all members of Mediterraneo DX Club (MDXC), will be active as 9N0MD from Nepal during November on all HF bands and modes. The team plans to give away trophies and prizes. Look for more details and updates at: www.mdxc.org/nepal/topic1/index.html (SOUTHGATE) CR55, PORTUGAL Members of the Algarve STAR DX Team will be active as CR 55 PQ from the inside of Portuguese Airborne Troops School between May 21-23rd. Activity is to celebrate 55th years of Para-Military at this school. Operations will be on 80-6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via CT 1 EHX, by the Bureau or direct. ( http://algarvedx.com ) ANZA DX Net Lindsay, VK3WM, boss of the Australia, New Zealand and Africa DX Net (ANZA) writes that the net operation takes place on 20m on 14183 kHz starting every day at 0515 UTC. Every Saturday they meet also on 21205 kHz starting at 0445 UTC. The net controllers are John, VK4LJ, Morris, ZL1ANF, Jamie, NH7U, Lindsay, VK3WM, Ray, VK4NH, Rob, ZL1RD Alan, VK3HGN and Col, VK4CC, (Col is also one of our regular readers here on VK1WIA National News.) http://anzadx.net (Southgate) WIRELESS WEATHER Beginning Tuesday, September 6, the Space Weather Prediction Centre will cease broadcasting its geophysical alert message on WWV and WWVH. These messages have informed listeners of the solar flux, the mid-latitude A and K indices and space weather storms, both current and predicted. Currently, the message is heard on minute 18 from WWV and minute 45 from WWVH. The information will still be available on the SWPC website. www.nws.noaa.gov (sourced to arrl) INTRUDER WATCH - ENFORCEMENT ZONE Region III IARUMS Coordinator Peter Young VK3MV VK IARUMS reflector email to subscribe intruders@wia.org.au INTRUDER NETS Friday 0730 UTC 7.065.5 with VK4CEU David. Amateur exclusive frequencies where any non-amateur signal is definitely an intruder. Amateur HF Spectrum world wide 7.050 to 7.100 14.000 to 14.250 14.250 to 14.350 No broadcasters 21.000 to 21.450 24.890 to 24.990 28.000 to 29.700 RUSSIAN VOCODER RETURNS TO 15 METERS The Russian vocoder system known as Yakhta has appeared again on the 15 meter band. Its been heard and logged by an IARU Region 1 monitoring station on 21.001.5 kHz. Its running F1B in band key-synchronized at 100 baud s and 150 Hz shift. The F1B has been active daily and at times encrypted voice transmissions have also been heard. The German Department of Post and Telecommunications has filed another complaint about the system. The first was made back in 2010 when it was active from the same location and on the same frequency. (IARUMS Region 1 via ARNewsline) THE QNEWS WORK BENCH - the nuts and volts report - (Measure twice - Cut once!) The Software Defined Radio Club A new website dedicated to Software Defined Radio is due to launch soon. The website, called The SDR Club, is the brainchild of Adrian 2E0SDR, who says the idea is to create a global community dedicated to the technology of Software Defined Radio. Membership is FREE... (and why wouldn't it be)? The site is being run as a dedicated Portal with all members being able to add content to the site. Kit suppliers and manufacturers of SDR products are welcome to advertise their products on the site. Also hosting to any group or project that wishes to work out of the site, in return for content. The site officially launches on 1st June, but people are free to register and add content before then if they wish too. (sourced to Southgate) MEDIA WATCH www.cq-amateur-radio.com/WorldRadio.html VK Club Bulletins http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aarnie/ The Egyptian Radio Amateurs Society (ERASD). One of the foremost goals is providing educational programs and materials to promote amateur radio and develop the scientific and technical skills of the Egyptian and Arab youth. In this context, ERASD is currently issued an online magazine focused on simplifying science and technology to youth in general, and more particularly in areas related to amateur radio and satellite. The Magazine articles will be mix English and Arabic 'CQ EGYPT' Amateur Radio Magazine. The May issue is NOW on-line at http://erasd.net/CQSUAMATEURRADIOMAGAZIN.aspx COMIC SWAP ICOM has produced a series of comic books based on Amateur Radio for youngsters. They can be downloaded from the net: They contain a lot of "plugs" for ICOM equipment, obviously in the stories everyone uses ICOM! and is mostly meant for US audience. www.icomamerica.com/en/amateur/comic_book/Default.aspx (salim vu2lid / n8li) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ATV (Every pixel tells a story) - Video arvideonews.com hamradiotube.com youtube.com qdg.org.au Dayton Hamvention live internet broadcast. W5KUB.Com will start the live broadcast NEXT Wednesday, May 18th at approx 1300 UTC, this as they are on the 550 mile drive to Dayton. Thursday morning May 19th at Hara Arena again 1300 UTC and them might broadcast the Air Force Museum on that afternoon. Then live for the entire Hamvention Friday 20th through 22nd. Also WIN! Over $5000 to lucky winners on the broadcast. All you have to do is be logged into the chatroom and claim your prize when your name is called. WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP --- MILITARY A salute to those that serve Calling all radio amateurs! May 28, Amateur Radio Military Appreciation will once again honour those that serve in the Armed Forces, Veterans, Military Retired; and 1ST Responders with a rally in Fort Wayne, Indiana as well as live on the air over Amateur Radio. Please join in this Primarily US event, saluting these brave men and women with messages of thanks and appreciation. There will be several Amateur Radio Clubs, and other organizations around the USA taking part in this event with rallies and Amateur Radio stations on the air. May is National Military Appreciation Month WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP --- NAVAL The Royal Naval Amateur Radio Society will run a Special Event station at the open day in HMS Collingwood on Saturday 4th June. The callsign to be used is GB6COD, Collingwood Open Day. The station will be operational on all amateur bands from 1.8MHz to 440MHz. 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 Guglielmo Marconi Father of wireless, was an Honorary member of the club from 1933 to 1937 and it continues the tradition and honouring Marconi to this very day. Now a' days among its honorary members is Marconi's Daughter, Princess Elettra Marconi. 4EB -- VK4EB Ted Gold the founder of the first commercial radio station in Queensland was Vice President of Toowoomba Rotary Club. SOCIAL SCENE 2011 May 27-29 WIA AGM Weekend in Darwin secretary@wia.org.au Jun 10 - 12 VK4 Far North and North Queensland Amateur Radio Gathering at King Reef Resort Kurrimine Beach. CANCELLED (VK4DMC) Jun 11 - 12 VK2 Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club annual Field Day Jul 16 VK3 Gippsland Gate Radio & Electronics Club Hamfest Cranbourne Community Hall 10am ( secretary@ggrec.org.au ) Jul 16 VK4 Maryborough Electronics and Radio Group "Wide Bay Hamfest" West Scout Hall, Ariadne St, Maryborough 8:30am. secretary@merg.org.au Jul 31 VK2/3 Riverina Field Day 10am at Lavington Scout Group Hall. Aug 7 VK2 Lismore region - SARCFEST Aug 7 VK6 NCRG HAMFEST Sep 11 VK3 SADARC Comms Day at St Augustine's Hall Shepparton 10am. Sep 16-18 VK4 NQ Amateur Radio Convention Date Set Townsville Sep 23-28 R3 Region 3 ARDF Championship Bendigo VK3 http://r3.ardf.org.au/ Sep 30-Oct 2 VK4 Central Highlands Amateur Radio Club AGM at Camp Fairbairn CONTACT Secretary Gordon, (vk4kal@wia.org.au) Nov 20 vk5 Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society Hamfest Goodwood Community Centre, Rosa St Goodwood at 0930. Visit www.ahars.com.au for contact details 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) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ============================================================================= WIANews - we've reported...YOU decide. TWITTER http://twitter.com/VK1WIA 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... ***************************************************************************** /ex