WIANEWS - MARCH 02 - 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. When you upload audio email us the txt version. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ WIANEWS WEEK COMMENCING MAR 02 2014. OUR 19TH YEAR OF NON STOP NEWS WIA expresses thanks to ARRL on its Centenary VK2ASD WIA merit awards VK6POP WIA John Moyle Field Day manager VK4AE THESE STORIES AND MORE IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA FOR WEEK COMMENCING MARCH 2 2014. TRENDING ON VK1WIA TWITTER ACCOUNT #WIAnews of Rotary and their POLIO stations #WIAfee Rise and Member Survey #WIAarrl Congratulations on your 100 years of service to US hams #WIAar = Digital Download The VK3FI Mildura beacon on 630 metres creates interest The CW beacon that is on 473 kHz nightly has now been heard in VK1, VK2, VK3, VK5 and VK7. These reports are very welcome, including from those who have heard it more than once. In Canberra, Dale Hughes VK1DSH reports having received the beacon and suggests trying it on the weak signal digital modes for a two-way QSO. Matt Hetherington VK2DAG, at Ourimbah on the Central Coast of New South Wales north of Sydney, heard the beacon on his IC706 transceiver and a Beverage Antenna with a varying S2 to S7 signal. Paul Hadlow VK2PNH at Balranald in the Riverina found it detectable. In Victoria the latest is Dale Barrow VK3DB in Moe noise-free on his Spectrum Lab screen grab, Mark Campbell VK3UA, Donvale, with an 80-metre dipole at RST 409, and Craig Meddings VK3CRG, Lara, a G5RV and IC7600 who has also supplied a MP3 recording. From South Australia it has been received by Les Virgo VK5KLV in Port Augusta, using a 40-metre off-centre dipole into an IC725 transceiver. He was been joined by Andrew Russell VK5CV near Adelaide at S8, above a local noise of 1 to 2 S-points. In Tasmania Justin Giles-Clark VK7TW, South of Hobart, reports detecting the beacon on a High Performance Software Defined Radio with an Earth dipole, at minus-91 dBm. The Mildura beacon on 473 kHz has been running daily 1100 to 2200 UTC when Noel Ferguson VK3FI is at home. He welcomes reception reports on vk3fi@wia.org.au (Jim Linton VK3PC) LAP THE MAP AT YOUNG The licensees of Young’s commercial radio broadcasting services, call signs 2LF and 2LFF have proposed that the ACMA vary the Young Radio Licence Area Plan (LAP). Their aim is to make additional FM in-fill transmitters available in Cootamundra, Cowra, Grenfell and Temora for 2LF and at Grenfell and Temora for 2LFF. At the same time, the licensee of the Temora community broadcasting service call sign TEM FM has proposed that the ACMA consider a change to the station’s technical specifications to improve coverage in the Temora area. The ACMA has considered these proposals and its preliminary view that the changes would improve coverage and reception in their licence areas. As a result, the ACMA is looking for public comment on the proposed LAP variation. WIA BOARD TALK 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 WIA expresses thanks to ARRL on its Centenary It is with great pleasure that the Wireless Institute of Australia acknowledges the 100 year milestone reached this year 2014 by the American Radio Relay League. The consistent leadership shown by the ARRL is well known and admired. However, now is opportune to reflect and record some of the occasions that WIA has benefitted from having a close relationship with ARRL. These include the Trans-Pacific Tests of the mid-1920s proving that shortwave radio was viable, the introduction of television in 1956, the later roll-out of cable TV, and the trial use of Broadband Over Powerlines (BPL). Your partnership on these, and in many other areas, has been invaluable, writes the WIA President Phil Wait VK2ASD in a letter. The ability of the WIA to have its own popular DX Century Club (DXCC) Award program is appreciated, and it continues to be a mirror of the DXCC that was introduced by the ARRL. The Australian Novice grade of licence drew on its existence in the USA. Although the WIA had asked for that stepping-stone licence years earlier, its eventual introduction was partly due to the ARRL experience. The ARRL works with all at global forums including International Amateur Radio Union meetings, and the Word Radiocommunications Conferences by the International Telecommunications Union. A range of publications from the ARRL, stocked by the WIA Bookshop, continue to be a source of knowledge and experience. There are many things to be learned from the ARRL in the way it approaches issues. For example, it has shown a recent growth in the number of radio amateurs that is counter to the worldwide trend. The WIA notes that the ARRL has announced an exciting program of celebratory events and activities to mark its 100th year. At the same time the League is looking to the future and how to engage the next generation. On behalf of WIA members, a warm thank you for the role undertaken by the ARRL, best wishes for the celebration and the century ahead. Making what we do relevant Because we have had Amateur Radio for 100 years does it mean that it should continue? That is a question being asked, particularly as spectrum hungry users continue to grow. In defence of Amateur Radio are arguments that it has evolved into a modern technological hobby, is easily assessable and enjoyed by people of all walks of life around the world. The Wireless Institute of Australia is concerned that missing from the equation is the relevance of Amateur Radio, or even an awareness that it does exist in this technological age. This is why the WIA has initiated the PR4AmateurRadio Expo in April, to showcase through the clubs or groups of like-minded radio amateurs, to show what we do, how to understand and perhaps join us. With the right image Amateur Radio can be attractive to more people - but first they need to learn what it offers them and its modern-day relevance. The PR4AmateurRadio Expo is held during April the 11th and 13th. For more information or to enrol, check out the What's On section of the WIA website. VK6POP POPS IN A couple of weeks ago I announced the call for nominations for W.I.A. merit awards. I recognise that we aren't in the hobby for the purpose of gaining awards, however there are people who have made a difference, developed something clever, or maybe have provided leadership with a club over a period of time. Any or all of the above, and perhaps more, are worthy of recognition. There is information in the March issue of the Amateur Radio Magazine and you can also find information and a link to the nomination form on the WIA website, right there on the front page, in the Latest news from the W.I.A. section. Nominations close in less than a month, so please make the effort and make one or more nominations. The website again is wia.org.au HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA. VK1 On the evening of 25 February, Alan Hawes VK1WX and Gilbert Hughes VK1GH carried out an Advanced upgrade assessment for Mark Cairns VK1MDC. They are pleased to announce that Mark was successful, and has now applied for a two-letter Advanced Licence callsign. VK2 web service:- http://www.arnsw.org.au/html/news_vk2wi.htm ARNSW has recently introduced a Development Fund which may be of interest to radio clubs within the VK2 call area. It you have a project in mind which may benefit from some funding you may be eligible for some assistance. If you would like to obtain the guidelines and an application form please contact the ARNSW office by email - office@arnsw.org.au - by mail to P. O. Box 6044 Dural Delivery Centre NSW 2158 - or telephone 9651 1490 and leave contact details on the message bank. You will have two months to consider this offer. The close off for this project is Friday the 11th of April 2014. You will need to obtain the guidelines to see if you qualify for consideration. Apply now, the offer is only open for the next two months. NEW CLUB FOR ARMIDALE Armidale in VK2 have held their initial Meet and Eat of the new club. 2 members, Les, VK2LES and Ken, ex VK4JR one time members from the VK4 Club Redcliffe must have the power of persuasion as Redcliffe club has loaned, on a long term basis, the new club in Armidale VK2 both 2 metre and 70 centimetre repeaters and cavities. VK4EA and VK4KI provided much of the technical support in the installation of the repeaters. The club is located in the Rural Fire Brigade building in Armidale and has some 22 members currently. 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 It's that time again! This is Stuart, VK4MSL with news from the Brisbane Amateur Radio Club. BARCfest will be here in a few months’ time, on the 10th of May, 2014, at a completely new venue: The Salvation Army Hall, corner of Beaudesert Road and Kameruka Street, Calamvale. Doors open at 9:30 AM. Ample parking is available at the venue and we are now taking bookings for people wishing to book tables. Hope to see you all there. This has been Stuart, VK4MSL on behalf of the Brisbane Amateur Radio Club. INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to IARU, RSGB, SARL, Southgate AR Club, ARRL, Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART and the WW sources of the WIA. Radio hams help track patient The Register-Guard reports amateur radio enthusiasts helped authorities track down a man with dementia after he had wandered away from his home They say Ham radio specialists used locating equipment to find the 78-year-old man who was wearing an electronic transmitter bracelet. The sheriff’s office provides its volunteer team of amateur radio specialists with the tracking equipment used to find the man. Read the full story at http://www.registerguard.com/rg/news/31173142-75/radio-dementia-equipment-officials-track.html.csp 2014 World Amateur Radio Day This day is celebrated each year on April 18 in recognition of the anniversary of the founding of the IARU in Paris in 1925. The primary purpose of WARD, as stated in IARU Resolution 94-3, is the need for an annual focus on Amateur Radio and the benefits countries and communities derive from the service. Every year the IARU Administrative Council has attempted to select a theme both consistent with the role and purpose of amateur radio and at the same time representing a meritorious activity which, if promoted, could bring favourable credit to IARU and amateur radio generally. At the IARU Administrative Council meeting in September 2013, various topics were discussed and possible themes massaged. The theme "Amateur Radio: Your Gateway to Wireless Communication" was put forward and after discussion was adopted by the Council for the forthcoming World Amateur Radio Day, April 18, 2014. This is an opportunity for clubs and groups to promote our hobby Gopal Madhavan President ARSI and Chairman IARU Region 3 VU2GMN DARC queries PLT measurements The German national amateur radio society, DARC are questioning the measurement protocol used by the Federal Network Agency for PLT testing. It appears measurements on PLT devices are carried out partly in stand-by mode, with no data being exchanged. This may give the misleading impression the equipment meets the emission standards. Thilo Kootz DL9KCE says "A disabled mower also does not violate the Noise Ordinance. Such a measurement method would be a carte blanche for thousands of other devices that are not allowed to come to our market." http://tinyurl.com/q5ozmdx ============================================================================= ARNEWSLINE UK HAM LOCATES SIGNAL FROM CHINA'S LUNAR ROVER China's Jade Rabbit Lunar Rover is not dead after all. This after its signal was heard and confirmed by a United Kingdom radio amateur. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with the latest: -- The Jade Rabbit rover was launched as a part of China's Chang 3 mission to the Moon last December 1st . On December 14th the Chang 3 landed on the Moon with the first signals copied at UHF-Satcom around 17:18 UTC on that same day. The Jade Rabbit Lunar Rover was then deployed with its transmitter activated and signals detected on 8462.080MHz running in a low rate BPSK mode. The rover functioned well until the lunar night-time set in. The missions Command Control centre was expecting the rover to contact Earth on February 12th after it had it endured its second lunar night. Since it did not transmit any signals, the rover was officially declared permanently inoperative. But on that same day a signal from the Jade Rabbit was heard by a ham radio operator in the United Kingdom. Paul Marsh, G7EYT, who also holds the call M0EYT reported detecting the missing rover on 8462.078 MHz. This has brought new hope to the China's Command Control personnel that the overall mission might be saved. For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in the Newsroom in Los Angeles -- Needless to say that is quite an accomplishment for ham radio. Especially after those in command of the project seemed to think that all might be lost. The complete story of how the Jade Rabbit was found along with spectral pictures of the Chang mission is at www.uhf-satcom.com/amateurdsn/chang-e-3/ OPERATIONAL NEWS - DATELINE 2014 WIA John Moyle Field Day weekend March 15-16 WIA VK Harry Angel Memorial Sprint May 3 10-10 INTERNATIONAL SUMMER CONTEST Aug 2 - 3 WIA REMEMBRANCE DAY (THE RD) CONTEST Aug 16 - 17 Manly-Warringah Radio Society's Flagpole contest September. Amateur Radios International Air-ambulance Week, 9 days from Sep 28. Using Amateur Radio portable during a popular contest With milder weather starting to return as we move from summer to autumn now is an opportune time to join the John Moyle Memorial Field Day, to be held across the third weekend of March. Manager of the Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award, Tony Hambling VK3VTH says the field day is great opportunity to 'test' portable stations in a friendly contest environment. While the big guns and clubs have chosen to be in the contest, Tony VK3VTH says please also consider as an individual operating in a national park. Contacts can qualify for the KRMNPA, VK5 Parks Award and VKFF Award. The contest six hour section is ideal for individuals in a portable environment, wherever you may be in Australia. Headed for the first ever KRMNPA Plaque by having activated all 45 Victorian National Parks and worked 45, is Peter Fraser VK3ZPF. Already with the award certificate, he needs to work only six more to qualify for a plaque. This is a huge effort with the aim of achieving the ultimate goal. This exponent of portable operation has helped many others along the way. In most areas this month it remains wise to keep a watch on the weather and fire conditions, on the contest of March 15th and 16th. (Jim Linton VK3PC) This Denis VK4AE, WIA coordinator for the John Moyle Memorial Field Day 2014. This year the contest will occur over the weekend of Saturday the 15th to Sunday 16th March, the duration of the contest will be from UTC 0100 Saturday to 0059 on the Sunday. The aim of the field day contest is to encourage and provide familiarisation with portable operation and to provide training for operations in emergency situations. During the contest the field (portable) stations appreciate the support from home stations. However, in order to make the whole event a lot fairer, those field (portable) stations actually take part in effectively a separate event to home stations. In this way home stations are not given an unfair advantage, when compared the portable stations that do not have the advantages of a permanent antenna installation, mains power and the comfort of operating from their own home QTH. No matter how you plan to take part in the contest, after the activity is all over and the radio equipment has been packed away, there is one task that must be completed by all stations. They must submit their log for the contest. There is sufficient time allowed after the contest to actually complete and submit their log to the WIA, as electronic logs and paper logs will be accepted right up until midnight 19th April 2014. So there are not many excuses today for not sending in your as it can be kept electronically while the contest is under way using one of the many logging programs such as VK Contest Log by our own Mike VK3AVV. Then you simply have to submit the print file from this program to me via one of the e-mail addresses shown on the contest page on the WIA website. Last year there was a significant reduction in the number of logs that were submitted and this means that many contacts claimed by stations could not be verified by the log of the other stations and so there were very many queries from my log checking program which were no possible to resolve. So this year to make it fair to all stations it has been decided that if you work the same station more than 5 times, on any band or any mode, during the field day, you must submit your log for those contacts to be eligible for a score. If the matching log entry is not submitted you may have those contacts changed to non-scoring. This applies to all stations either portable or home stations that take part in the field day – if you take part you should enter your log just to make sure the effort you have put in actually provides a score to the stations you worked. Of course by submitting your log you automatically enter the contest and you never know you might even get a certificate? Now is the time to carry on with your planning for the field day as there are only two weeks to go before the event. There is still time to make sure that everything is in order and operating and all of the little bits and pieces that are needed to put your station onto the airwaves are all in the desired place. Nothing worse than to arrive at your chosen spot only to find you have forgotten to pack the piece of cable that is installed between the set and some other piece of gear. Make sure that the location you have chosen is still accessible after the summer onslaught from flood and bushfire and the roads into the place have not been closed – in the interests of public safety – and that the trees that were so useful for string aerials and tent ropes in the past are still in good condition and safe to be around. So it might be a good idea to make a short visit you your selected site and ensure the all will be well on the day. Best of luck to all in the field day and I look forward to working a few of you on the day and most of all receiving your log entry after the event. SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS, DX, BEACON REPEATER AND NET ADVICE Western Victorian repeater VK3RBA back on air The Ballarat repeater VK3RBA on Mt Buninyong is in service after more than two years of negotiations and about $8000 of site work to bring it up to full commercial standard. That repeater was removed originally as a result of a reshuffle by the site management, which posed a doubt over whether VK3RBA should in fact continue to be an occupant. A lot of voluntary work by a few and diplomacy eventually won the day. It was not a matter that could be fixed overnight, yet the VK3RBA site played an important role being strategically located and serving Ballarat in Western Victoria. With the manpower of a few local radio amateurs, WICEN (Victoria) and Amateur Radio Victoria, the repeater has been restored. The next step in the short-term is to link VK3RBA with VK3RWZ Mt William giving it a wide coverage area. (Jim Linton VK3PC) Russian special event R 0000 O R (4 zero's) and letter O symbolising the Olympic rings is on the air in the context of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games and 2014 Paralympic Games. QRV until March 31. QSL via UA1OJL, LoTW, eQSL. http://ok2014.ru/ CELEBRATING COSMONAUT YURI GAGARIN’S 80th BIRTHDAY On the air, keep an ear open during the entire month of March for Russian special event station UE 80 HS. This operation is being held to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Russia’s first astronaut Yuri Gagarin who was born on March 9th 1934. Gagarin was the first human to journey into space when his Vostok spacecraft completed an orbit of the Earth on April 12th, 1961. If you work UE 80 HS, please QSL via RW 6 HS. (OPDX) Westlake’s celebrate their 50th birthday. In recognition they have been granted the special call sign, VI 2 ATZ 50, which they will be using next month during april. (sourced to vk2wi news) Rotary special event a hit Waiting in anticipation last weekend for Rotary's 'CQ Polio' special event stations were thousands of radio amateurs throughout the world. The stations were operated by members of the Rotarians On Amateur Radio or the ROAR group, in conjunction with the Rotary's birthday. In Australia at least 5 special event stations (VI2POLIO, VI3POLIO, VI4POLIO VI6POLIO and VI7POLIO) logged well over 2,000 contacts and 10,000 hits were recorded for more information on Rotary's End Polio Now website. ROAR World President VK4ZD Bill and his personal Rotary Family, Wife Diane and Daughter Alizah were kept busy at the VI4POLIO world station based in South East Queenslands Lockyer Valley. Among those joining the activity were people who had contracted Polio, adding their support for Rotary's target of ending the disease by 2018. It remains in small pockets of Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Also picked up on air were a number of Rotary members who had not heard of ROAR, and may now join its fellowship. As Rotary prepares for its next birthday on February the 23rd 2015, the organisation is ready for another CQ Polio weekend. (Jim Linton VK3PC and VK4BB) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- DIGITAL Listening to D-STAR with DSD 1.7 The RTL-SDR.com site has posted that D-STAR digital voice can now be decoded using DSD 1.7 software The post says: Up until recently it was possible to decode D-STAR headers using either DSD 1.6 or dstar.exe and an RTL-SDR, but it was not possible to decode voice. Now amateur radio hobbyist PU2VLW has brought to our attention that the latest DSD development version 1.7 is capable of decoding D-STAR audio. Read the RTL-SDR post at http://www.rtl-sdr.com/listening-d-star-digital-voice-dsd-1-7/ Read the PU2VLW webpage in Google English at http://tinyurl.com/DecodingDSTAR (SouthGate) 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 WICEN has been asked to provide communications support for the Bushwalker's Wilderness Rescue Squad's Operational Exercise, or OPEX, at Winburndale Nature Reserve, 35kms north-east of Bathurst, on the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd of March. (vk2wi) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FINAL FRONTIER Project Space Balloon Talk at EMDRC. This Friday night, March 7, the Eastern and Mountain District Radio Club will have a presentation and demonstration from Andy, VK3YT, and the team at "Project Space Balloon". This is a group of amateurs that have been developing and flying small high altitude balloons in south eastern Australia loaded with radio transceivers. The club meeting is held at the Willis Rooms at the Nunawading civic centre commencing at 8 PM. More details are available on the clubs web site at www.emdrc.com.au Both members and visitors are welcome. The club Hamfest and White Elephant Sale for 2014 is also rapidly approaching on Sunday March 23 at the Great Ryrie Primary School, Heathmont. We have now just about booked out all tables for traders, both commercial and private and expect a wide variety of goodies for all to purchase. ICOM Australia has confirmed attendance along with a number of regulars such as NBS Antennas & Masts , PK's Loop Antennas and Radio Books Cobram, just to name a few. The famous barbecue will once again be cooking up a storm out the front, and of course - lots of onions. Complementary Tea and Coffee are also available with soft drinks for purchase. Entry is only $6, and doors open at 10 AM. Once again, check out the clubs web site for more details. Look forward to seeing you there. Cheers from the committee of the EMDRC Andrew Scott - VK3BQ mail@asphotos.com.au 0411101021 WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO AMATEUR OLD-TIMERS http://www.raotc.org.au Hallo everyone, this is Clive VK6CSW. Yet another month has flown by and tomorrow is the first Monday in March. That means that it's time again for the RAOTC's News and Information bulletin to go to air. Tomorrow's RAOTC Bulletin can be heard on a variety of HF,VHF and UHF frequencies but the two main HF 20 mtr broadcasts are at 0100 and 0200 UTC. AT 0100 UTC the bulletin is beamed northwards from Melbourne on 14.150 MHz USB for Eastern states listeners, while an hour later at 0200 UTC the transmission is beamed towards Western Australia, again on 14.150 MHz. Also at 0200 UTC there will be a transmission from Perth on 40 mtrs on 7060 kHz LSB, and also via all linked NewsWest repeaters. In addition to these broadcasts, throughout the day local operators transmit the bulletin on a number of HF, VHF and UHF frequencies. To find a frequency and time for your local area please visit the RAOTC website www.raotc.org.au Tomorrow we have an interesting piece from Ron VK3AFW on some unusual battery technology, and also how ambient RF signals are being used to power small devices. Everyone, RAOTC members and non-members alike, is cordially invited to listen to the bulletin and to participate in the call backs afterwards. Once again, the March RAOTC Bulletin can be heard tomorrow, Monday March 3rd. 73 from Clive VK6CSW - and now back to your announcer. SOCIAL SCENE 2014 Mar 23 VK3 EMDRC White Elephant Sale 10am ( 03 9005 9251 ) Mar 28-30 VK4 Bunya Mts&District AmCom camp Somerset dam (vk4bad@wia.org.au) Apr 13-15 VK PR4AmateurRadio Expo. Apr 18 WW Amateur Radio Day: Your Gateway to Wireless Communications. Apr 25 vk3 ANZAC Day event Ballarat Showgrounds (johnkarr@bigpond.net.au) May 2- 4 VK4 Clairview Gathering ( 0429 632 815 ) May 10 VK4 BARCFEST: Salvation Army Hall Calamvale. May 16-18 VK4 WIA Conference presented by SCARC ( vk4ts@wia.org.au ) Nov 2 VK5 HamFest Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society Nov 30 VK3 SPARC HamFest at Rosebud ( howardjones155@gmail.com ) 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 VK4BB on behalf of the National WIA. . -------------