WIANEWS - October 21 - 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 WEEK COMMENCING OCTOBER 21 2012. THESE STORIES AND MORE IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA FOR WEEK COMMENCING OCT 21 2012. WIA President Phil Wait VK2ASD vk2asd@wia.org.au Vice President Chris Platt VK5CP vk5cp@wia.org.au Secretary David Williams VK3RU vk3ru@wia.org.au Treasurer John Longayroux VK3PZ vk3pz@wia.org.au JOTA THIS WEEKEND (1:30) GRANTS SCHEME As reported in recent weeks, the 2012 WIA Clubs Grant Scheme closed for entries on August 20th. 10 arrived in time, with one 9-days after the cut off. The Grants Committee consisting of Reg VK7KK, Peter VK3KCD and Bill VK4ZD had expected to announce the results tomorrow, Monday 22nd October. The timeline for this process has been extended. We will bring you updates and result as soon as they are available. Good luck to all submissions and here's a gentle prod for everybody else next year; "The WIA Club Grants Scheme promotes the advancement of amateur radio through WIA Affiliated Clubs by financially supporting useful and/or innovative projects undertaken or to be undertaken by Clubs." (http://www.wia.org.au/members/clubs/clubgrant/) 30 Meter Multi Mode Weekend The 30 Meter Multi Mode Weekend is taking place on the weekend of October 27th and 28th 2012 on the 10 MHz - 30 Meter Band (10.100 – 10.150). The objective is to promote experimenting and using different digital modes on the unique 30 Meter Band. For a more detailed listing of this event see the News Page at www.30mdg.net The 30 Meter Digital Group (30MDG) is celebrating….5 year Anniversary, 6,000 members (120DXCC), and its 30MDG Award Program issuing over 31,000 Award Certificates. 30MDG is FREE to join, FREE Awards program with FREE Award software – Ultimate 30 or U30). Good Luck and as always this is NOT a contest – no start or stop times, no exchanges, no logs to send to anyone, no winners or trophy – this IS to PROMOTE AWARENESS of the 30 METER BAND and the only winners are those that participate and have fun! (Don KB9UMT 30MDG #0001-Founder) (aside: worldwide management/committee, including Laurie VK3AMA as Awards Manager, Database Programmer and manages the 30m Digital Spot page on the website. Yahoo Group "30MDG" typically sees 50~60 messages a month) (wia broadcast feedback page) QUICK CORRECTION The VK7 "Mil-ena" Hamfest is actually in "My-eena". Somehow an extra 'ell' got in there in the middle of our newscopy. Doing a quick map search on the internet you'll see that the closest "Milena, is a [municipality] in the Province of Caltanissetta in [...] Sicily, located about 80 km southeast of Palermo and about 30 km west of Caltanissetta." This is clearly a little too far to visit by car on the weekend, so our unreserved apologies for misspelling, and mispronouncing Miena (My-eena). Thanks to VK7 Regional News & Broadcast Coordinator, Justin VK7TW for bringing it to our attention this week. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milena,_Sicily) HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA. VK1 WICEN Call for Assistance - Fitz's Challenge Bike Ride - Sunday 28th October The Community Service Arm of the Canberra Region Amateur Radio Club, is seeking people to assist with two events in coming weeks: Firstly, the Annual "Pedal Power Fitz's Challenge Bicycle Ride" taking place on Sunday 28th October. Information of the event itself can be found at http://www.fitzs.com.au/. For this, WICEN operation will be on VHF using the Portable Repeater VK1RWP to be installed on Mt Tennent, with VK1RBH on Bulls Head used for the latter parts of the afternoon. Second event is the "NSW Carriage Driving Championships" which is taking place on Sunday 4th November at "Witwood" between Bungendore and Braidwood. The WICEN operation will be on VHF and UHF simplex frequencies with the majority of operators being able to use handheld radio's. It is normal to meet onsite at around 8:00 AM for the now standard Egg & Bacon Rolls for breakfast before a day of keeping track of the 1, 2 & maybe 4 horse power vehicles undertake their "marathon" & "obstacle" runs. This is a great one to take the family to, especially if you have horse lovers in the family. Finish time is normally early afternoon. If you can assist for either event, please notify Matt VK1MA and Phil VK1PL by email to wicen@crarc.ampr.org (Phil Longworth VK1PL) (Deputy State Coordinator, WICEN ACT) VK3 web service:- http://www.amateurradio.com.au/news/ YARRA VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO GROUP HAMFEST, SUNDAY 11TH NOVEMBER From 10:00am – 2pm The Yarra Valley Amateur Radio Group Hamfest is on again. This year the event will be held in Yarra Glen at the Gary Cooper Pavilion 16 Anzac Avenue Yarra Glen. Melway 274 K1. Over 20 tables of goodies at bargain prices. Call in on the VK3RYV repeater 146.725MHz FM. If you would like to book a table for this event please call Steve on 0418103487, email yvarg yvarg.org.au . The club will put on a BBQ. Tea and coffee will be available free. Yarra Valley Hamfest 2012 Don’t miss out on the bargains. Web: http://yvarg.org.au SOUTHERN PENINSULA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB (SPARC), ROSEBUD HAMFEST SUNDAY 25TH NOVEMBER This hamfest will be held at the Eastbourne Primary School auditorium, Allambi Avenue, Rosebud, Victoria, on Sunday November 25th 2012. The event is now on Facebook under the name of "Rosebud RadioFest". Check in to stay tuned about our progress, leave a message, ask questions or just say "Hi". The Rosebud Hamfest contact is: Mark Bruechert (VK3PDG) markybradio at gmail.com & phone 0407844063 WICEN Vic: Australian 4 Day Enduro Event: 24 - 26 October The Australian 4 Day Enduro motorbike event is scheduled for this Wednesday to Friday inclusive. WICEN Vic is a couple of operators short, so if you could assist, it would be greatly appreciated. The event is being run in the area east and north of Warragul, with the event HQ at Buln Buln (just north of Warragul) and the event itself in the area south and west of Noojee. Access to checkpoints is over good gravel roads; 4WD is not required. The communications will be 2m voice with 40m HF as backup. If you can assist, please contact John Morrissey VK3ZRX on 0419 872 772 or jbmorrissey@netspace.net.au. Alternatively, you can contact Chris Morley VK3CJK on chris.morley@gdfsuezau.com. VK4 - QNEWS Send your stories for news. SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ get local audio news www.wiaq.org.au/ftp/vk4_qnews_64.mp3 get local news emailed qnews-vk-subscribe@yahoogroups.com [Audio Provided] Amateur TV - In South East Queensland. Hello, this is Peter, VK4EA. The Brisbane Digital Amateur TV Group have moved the VK4RKC 70cm output to 446.5MHz in line with Amateurs losing the 420 to 430MHz spectrum. ACMA issued the same output frequency to VK4RKC as VK4RMG (South East Queensland ATV Group) after much negotiation between BDATV, the WIA and the ACMA. What this means is now one 70cm ATV frequency has to be shared by two groups with similar interests. We are hopeful a gentlemens agreement will be reached between the two Groups soon to ensure all ATV enthusists can utilise this valuable resource without interference. To receive VK4RKC you need a settop box capable of manual tuning and an antenna pointed toward Oceanview. Appropriate settop boxes are available for less than $50 from various retailers. To transmit to VK4RKC you can use either 1250 MHz DVB-S, 1250 MHz FM or a very economical solution for sub $100 via 2.415GHz. VK4RKC will continue to maintain the 1250MHz FM input so your existing investment in ATV is not forgone. Repeater id beacon has been reduced to 30 seconds as per the WIA conditions, put out a call on 147.400 MHz (simplex) if need a signal to help with setting up your receiver. Every Monday evening the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club broadcast's their meetings live to air from about 7.30pm, and also keep an eye out for regular programming from VK4BTV screening HamNation and other Amateur Radio related programs at the same 7.30 pm time slot. This is a great example of ATV usage, we welcome any local Amateur Radio related content at any time of the day, please get in touch if you are interested. The email and website addresses are in the text edition of this broadcast (badtv@people.net.au - http://members.optusnet.com.au/~cardenrj/), or you can just Google "VK4RKC". Liasion is via the WIA band plan specificed ATV liasion simplex frequency - 147.400MHz. This has been Peter, VK4EA, on behalf of the BADTV Group [Audio Provided] HISTORY OF JOTA (2:00) SILENT KEY Ray Naughton VK3ATN Ray passed away on the 15th of September. Ray was 83. Ray had a wealth of radio knowledge but was best known for his moon bounce work in the early sixties. In fact Ray Naughton was the first in the southern hemisphere to work stations in the northern hemisphere by Moonbounce. Quite a feat in the early sixties when most amateur equipment used valves and was largely home made. And off course without the aid of computers as we know them today. Through that work Ray was presented with an ARRL award and also received a trip to America where he traveled thousands of miles visiting leading moon bouncers and many other radio installations. Ray operated ATN Antennas at Birchip over a period of some 40 years. Noel VK3FI reports that he last spoke to Ray several months ago, and although he had been in and out of hospital after a series of strokes - he was still saying “when I get back to the factory etc”. Ray certainly had a determined outlook right to the end. Ray Naughton will be remembered within the Sunraysia Radio Group through the ongoing “VK3ATN Technical Merit Award” The aim of that award is to encourage Sunraysia Radio Group members to become more involved with technical projects. The VK3ATN Technical Merit Award is presented annually after being decided by nomination and members votes. A heavily edited version of Ray VK3ATN presentation at the 2009 Sunraysia Radio Group AGM, may be viewed by going to You Tube and searching VK3ATN. Ray leaves xyl Margaret, Sons Trevor, Peter, David and daughter Jennifer. Vale – Ray Naughton VK3ATN (Many articles from QST 1960's editions found online) (http://www.ok2kkw.com/eme1960/eme1965eng.htm) INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to IARU, RSGB, SARL, Southgate AR Club, ARRL, Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART, AR Victoria and the WW sources of the WIA. Multiple changes proposed to US Amateur Service Rules The FCC has released a 'Notice of Proposed Rule Making' which includes a number of changes that could redefine large swathes of the United States Amateur Radio service. While not effecting Australian Amateurs they are interesting as points of discussion and comparison to our own regulatory arrangements. In brief, a change to rules to no longer require retesting of hams who have let their licence expire. The argument in favour of the change cites that many amateurs maintain their payments while not actively engaged in the hobby and are not required to reassert their competency. They are looking for acknowledgement of past examinations in the same way we do here, in VK. In the area of training, the FCC seeks a change from the requirement of 3 examiners to two and to allow for modern alternatives for remote testing stations like those already employed widely in the enterprise and education sectors. What is of more interest to VK amateurs is the possibility of more emmission types entering the amateur service. Here's Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, introducing comments by CQ Magazine's editor: -- Rich Moseson, W2VU, is editor of CQ Magazine, and Amateur Radio Newsline called upon him for his take on the proposals. Moseson says he's encouraged by the proposal looking at the modes for amateur radio transmissions. He says there are too many restrictions and limitations on hams which can stifle rather than encourage experimentation. He says the FCC is wise to look at the issue, especially considering the area of TDMA or Time Division Multiple Access technology for amateur radio. "I think that the more that we can do with them as hams, in addition to what the commercial world is doing, the better off we'll all be because that competition is a fact of life," Moseson says. "You know, you look at our microwave bands which are really where a lot of the future is going to be - 2.4 Ghz, 5.8 Ghz - these bands are already shared. "And if we can make better use of that sharing so that we can do what we want to do without bothering the other people and without having them bother us then that's great we can all get by very well." For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V in Philadelphia. -- [audio available] OPERATIONAL NEWS - DATELINE 2012 WW JOTA/JOTI October 21 VK3 Melbourne Cup Day 160m Net November 6 VK Spring VHF / UHF Field Day November 24-25 HOW TO TALK TO A SCOUT ON JOTA (2:00) SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS, DX and BEACON AND NET ADVICE The Morning Coffee Break Net A long established tradition in VK3 is a net on 1843 kHz in the AM mode running from 11am to noon Monday to Saturday. Regularly participants of this Australian net seek advice on their equipment or antenna problems, restoration of old gear and where to get bits and parts. It seems that there's always someone who can come up with the answers and good advice including experienced people who have worked in the broadcasting industry. For those unable to get on air at 11am, the Melbourne Cup Day public holiday in VK3 is one of a few opportunities to get involved, and typically seen as an opportunity to get portable. So, with a couple of weeks left, and for many of you a long weekend before hand, there's still time to get a 160m antenna arranged and work topband! You can find a number of youtube videos by Peter VK3YE with recordings of previous efforts, and some explaining the toploaded verticals and loop antenna designs on his website. (www.youtube.com/user/vk3ye) (www.vk3ye.com) INTRUDER WATCH - ENFORCEMENT ZONE Region III IARUMS Coordinator Peter Young VK3MV VK IARUMS reflector email to subscribe intruders@wia.org.au INTRUDER REPORT: CHINESE OTH RADAR GAIN HARASSING 40 METERS The IARU Monitoring System newsletter reports that Radio Hargeisa is operating on 7.120 MHz and that Chinese surveillance radar in the amateur radio 40 meter band is now stronger than ever before According to the report, the pesky Chinese Over the Horizon Radar had left the 40 meter band for few weeks. But now its reported back with a very strong burst system. One that is at least 10 kHz wide and has an almost S9 signal, world-wide. IARU Regions 1 and 3 are reported to be severely affected by it. More about both of these situations is on-line at tinyurl.com/china-radar-again. (IRUMS) THE QNEWS WORK BENCH - the nuts and volts report – Measure Twice cut Once. EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: ULTRA HIGH DEFINITION TV SYSTEM EXPECTS ITU APPROVAL The next generation of super high definition television may soon be on its way as we hear from Amateur Radio Newsline's Jim Damron, N8TMW: -- Ultra High Definition Television also known under the acronym Super Hi-Vision, will likely be approved by the International Telecommunication Union as the next generation universal global television standard. Developed by public broadcaster NHK at its Science and Technical Research Laboratories, Ultra High Definition Television is a system that delivers 16 times the resolution of current high definition images. The new format can deliver images with 33 million pixels through 7,680 horizontal lines and 4,320 vertical lines. It also boasts a video refresh rate of 120 frames per second, as well as 22.2 channel multi-dimensional sound. The system is collaboration between NHK along with electronics manufacturers Panasonic and Sharp. From Charleston West Virginia, I'm Jim Damron, N8TMW, reporting. [ARNewsline] [AUDIO AVAILABLE] (1:09) MEDIA WATCH www.cq-amateur-radio.com/WorldRadio.html VK Club Bulletins http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aarnie/ VK2 CCARC news ccarc.org.au/wp/2012/09/ccarc-news-12-31/ THE ARRL OFFERS FIVE NEW BOOKS The ARRL has just released five new books that you are going to want to have in your shack. Two favorites have been re-released and are chock-full of new information: hardcover and softcover editions of The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications (90th edition), The ARRL Operating Manual (10th edition). In addition, the ARRL is proud to offer three new titles: The Amateur Radio Public Service Handbook, The Care and Feeding of Transmission Lines by QST Technical Editor Joel Hallas, W1ZR, and Antenna Modeling for Beginners by H. Ward Silver, N0AX. Read more at www.arrl.org WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO SCOUTING http://www.scouts.com.au http://www.scout.org/jota http://www.international.scouts.com.au CALLING FREQUENCIES Please QSY off the calling frequency after establishing communication. Australian voice calling frequencies: 3.650, 7.090, 14.190, 21.190, 28.590, 52.160 World CW calling frequencies: 3.570, 7.030, 14.060, 18.080, 21.140, 24.910, 28.180, 50.160 World voice calling frequencies: 3.690 & 3.940 MHz, 7.090 & 7.190, 14.290, 18.140, 21.360, 24.960, 28.390, 50.160 Calling frequencies for Slow Scan TV (SSTV): 3.630, 7.033, 14.227 Calling Frequencies for PSK31 14.070 SCOUTS AND AMATEUR RADIO (2:00) [AUDIO UPLOADED] [NEED TEXT] SOCIAL SCENE 2012 OCT 21 VK3 BALLARAT HAMVENTION NOV 4 VK5 Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society HAMFEST @ Goodwood NOV 11 VK3 Yarra Valley Amateur Radio Group Hamfest NOV 25 VK3 SPARC HAMFEST AT ROSEBUD DEC 1 VK7 Miena Hamfest (CORRECTION: "My-eena", not Mil-ena) AUG 17-18 WW ILLW Submitting news items If you would like to submit news items for inclusion in the VK1WIA broadcasts, please email your item in text to nationalnews@wia.org.au to submit audio read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on wia.org.au Remember the sooner you submit material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition of WIA National News. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh ‘and always if the news room is to read your item write in the 3rd person. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ============================================================================= 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 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 VK3GR@wia.org.au on behalf of the National WIA. *****************************************************************************