WIANEWS - MARCH 23 - 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 23 2014. OUR 19TH YEAR OF NON STOP NEWS Wireless Institute of Australia Merit Awards 2014 WIA PR4AmateurRadio Expo - April the 11th to the 13th THESE STORIES AND MORE IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA FOR WEEK COMMENCING MARCH 23 2014. TRENDING ON VK1WIA TWITTER ACCOUNT http://twitter.com/VK1WIA #MH370 and Ham Radio Brisbane Times is reporting on how a radio network has been set up for security forces and emergency workers for the G20 summit in Brisbane. Queensland IT Minister Ian Walker says the secure Government Wireless Network will allow agencies to communicate instantly during the leaders' meeting in November. He says it's a private digital network, which isn't connected to public frequencies. The Campbell Newman led state government has announced a range of G20 security measures, including increased police powers, harsher punishments for protesters and mass criminal background checks on residents within the summit zone. The government said the radio network would be introduced across southeast Queensland by 2016. Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 We heard last week here on VK1WIA National News how the Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters' Society led by President, Mohd Aris Bernawi 9M2IR, was providing radio links from KL airport and hotels housing family of the missing passengers. Also helping out is MARES the emergency service who called on all hams particularly in India, Indonesia, Sri Langka, Mauritius, Seychelles, Thailand to participate in the search and rescue of the missing aircraft. In light with the multinational effort taken hams were asked to participate in a d 1300hrs - 1500hrs check in on 14.250 MHz and 21.250 MHz (+- QRM) Any urgent message beyond the specified DX session time via email to emergency@mares.org.my (sourced to SouthGate) VK3 medium wave beacon heard in VK4 and 6 The CW beacon on 473 kHz at Mildura in northwest Victoria has had more than 50 reception reports from all over Australia since early this year and will continue its transmissions. The most distant reports have been from West Australia. Is it also heard in New Zealand. While reports are most welcome, including those who have reception at different times or days, many more are needed. The band 472-479 kHz is now a secondary allocation in many countries. The beacon encourages use of our new band. A couple are now gearing up for reception of it. In Queensland, John Goldfinch VK4FNQ east of Charters Towers was the first from that state to report, followed by Rick Freemantle VK4RF, north of Brisbane, and Dougal Johnston VK4EKA near Toowoomba who recorded reception during lightning activity. Among those in South Australia is Ian Maxted VK5ZIM at Adelaide. In West Australia Phil Hartwell VK6GX was first to provide a reception report. He was followed by Peter Zwarecz VK6APZ on a 350 metre long wire at fence height, and then came Derek Zeck VK6DZ. Noel VK3FI is amazed that his home-built beacon has been heard from VK6 at an average distance of 2400 kms. As we experience the winter season with longer nights and less lightning activity, reception conditions should improve. He now has hopes that spurred on by reception reports throughout Australia, the beacon will be detected across the ditch in New Zealand. Crossing the Tasman Sea would be quite an achievement and is now an aim. The CW beacon on 473 kHz is on most nights 1100 to 2200 UTC. Reception reports please on email to vk3fi@wia.org.au (Jim Linton VK3PC) 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 PR4AmateurRadio Expo - April the 11th to the 13th Recruitment and the lifting of public awareness of modern Amateur Radio are on the increase - if the level of 'Calling CQ' brochures and posters issued by the Wireless Institute of Australia are a guide. The WIA receives frequent requests from clubs, organisations and assessors engaged in publicity. The material is available via an online form, under the "Discover Amateur Radio" tab, on the WIA website. The WIA has initiated its PR4AmateurRadio Expo, which also celebrates the International Amateur Radio Union 'World Amateur Radio Day'. The Expo harnesses the resources of WIA affiliates as they showcase the benefits of modern Amateur Radio, engage the community, and explain how they too can join. The aims, besides recruitment of all genders, ages and abilities; does include the relevance of Amateur Radio in a technological world, its do-it-yourself aspects, life-long learning opportunities and the making of new friends. Each club or organisation registered with a venue has now been sent a media release template, to help publicise their event. These Expos are at parks, outside Jaycar stores, a public library, a car-boot sale and clubhouses. So far registrations are from VK2, VK3, VK4 and VK5. Many WIA Directors will be on air looking for demonstration stations calling 'CQ Expo', on either on the Friday, Saturday or Sunday - April the 11th to the 13th. As an individual station you too are most welcome to join them on air. The Expo engages the community - please join and support it - for the full details check out the WIA website 'What’s On' column. Wireless Institute of Australia Merit Awards 2014 One week to go, and only two nominations received. I refuse to believe that only two people have made significant contributions to Amateur Radio in Australia Rather I choose to believe that you haven’t got around to writing out that nomination yet. The Board of the WIA at its discretion makes awards to members for their contribution to Amateur Radio. These awards are usually presented at the WIA’s Annual Conference and AGM. The Board is now calling for nominations, and these close at the end of March. The nomination form is available for download on the WIA website. When completing the survey, you are not required to suggest which award should be made. The Board will assess each nomination, and decide which awards, if any, it will make. Clearly it’s best to include as much information as you can so as to inform the Board, and please do keep it in some sort of chronological order. Also include information about any other awards they may have received. It’s important to recognise the work done within the hobby, so please give some thought to nominating someone you know of. The nomination form is available on the WIA Website, in the news section. Nominations close on 31st March, which is next week, and awards will be announced and where possible presented at the WIA’s 2014 AGM and Conference on the Sunshine Coast on May 16-18. I’m Bob, VK6POP, and you’re listening to the WIA National News from VK1WIA OK here's a deal for all our listeners, how about a blanket "thank you" sent to Bob for the behind the Editor help I have received for some probably 10 plus years. Felix VK4FUQ and Jason VK2LAW who have never let me down as readers of Operational and of International news each week. Robert and Bryan for not only reading Special Interest group news but always able to step in and handle news when I am away. (PS guys a heads up for April 24! HiHi) And of late Jim VK3PC who each week sends 'read ready' news stories we can bring you. On the local VK4 scene we could never forget Geoff VK4ZPP who keeps supplying his discussion point even whilst undergoing intrusive medical procedures! And Alan VK4FABR for handing QNEWS when I am absent. Pen to paper YL's and OM's and get it off to Merit Awards and VK6POP HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA. VK3 web service:- http://www.amateurradio.com.au/news/ Andrew Scott VK3BQ says the EMDRC HamFest and White Elephant sale is bustling to the sounds of hams looking over the interesting gear for sale and catching up with friends this Sunday morning as the event is in full swing. The BBQ has plenty of snags on the go, the kettle is on for a cuppa and you still have time to pop in and check out the new and pre loved gear from the traders, say hello to an old friend, meet a new one, or just find that special item you have been searching for, maybe even snag a bargain, or just snag a snag from the BBQ. Entry is $6, at the Great Ryrie Primary School, Great Ryrie Street Heathmont. So, come visit and say G'day. VK3 Homebrewers meeting in April The next meeting of the VK3 Homebrew Construction Group will be held Saturday, April the 5th, in the Amateur Radio Victoria rooms, 40g Victory Boulevard, Ashburton at 2pm. All are very welcome. At the group's March meeting, Glen Gould VK3GHG gave an informative talk on third order intercept products in receiving equipment. This can be an important factor in receiver design. Following on from that fine effort, at the April meeting Joe Gonzales VK3YSP will reflect on his experiences as a newcomer to the weak signal digital mode JT65a. The low power mode can be found on HF. Joe VK3YSP will illustrate his very informative the talk with an on-air demonstration using various software applications. The group is available on email homebrew@amateurradio.com.au (Jim Linton VK3PC) EDUCATION YOUTH AND ADVANCEMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO www.hamcollege.com.au Foundation Licence now - Standard Bridging Course later Do you know someone who could become or is already interested in Amateur Radio? In Melbourne enrolments are now being taken for the Foundation Licence weekend on April the 26th and 27th - that's just after Easter. The course in theory, regulatory and practical knowledge, plus assessments, are held at the Amateur Radio Victoria office 40G Victory Boulevard, Ashburton. In July a Standard Bridging Course will also be held for those with the Foundation Licence qualification. To enrol please contact Barry Robinson VK3PV foundation@amateurradio.com.au or 0428 516 001. (Jim Linton VK3PC) DISCUSSION POINT What use is an F-call? In Real Estate, there are three things you need for success. Location, Location, Location. In Amateur Radio, you need three things as well, Antenna, Antenna, Antenna. Many of us live in suburbia where erecting a suitable antenna is fraught with challenge. There is not enough space, or too much local interference, or neighbours with a concern, or a council with rules that prevent proper installation. During the week I received a call from an amateur in VK5 who shared their experience. A neighbour had complained about their antenna and the council had written a letter instructing him to remove the antenna since it did not have approval. A little wrinkle was also part of this letter. It went on to say that if you are an Amateur, you do not need to remove your antenna. So our friend contacted the local council, furnished them with his callsign and registration details and all was well in his world. Another amateur I know recently removed his antenna on instruction from the council without challenging their instruction. Other amateurs around him suggested that he re-instate the antenna and go through the process of discussing the issue with the local council. One wag suggested that he expand his single vertical to a real tower, add some 20m yagi’s and wait for heart attacks. Far be it for me to suggest that this is the best plan for success. The point I'd like to make is that an enlightened council can permit your antenna and an unenlightened one can prohibit your antenna. Your job, should you wish to accept, is to convert your council to becoming enlightened. You could do this by staging a sit-in, or you could meet with the Mayor, some councillors, or invite them to a field day in your area. You could educate your neighbours, allay their fears and discuss alternative solutions with them. Many people I've spoken to just do not understand that Amateur Radio exists, has a place in society and can be called upon to help in case of emergency, let alone be a social experience or a fantastic hobby. Who knows, your council might even sponsor the erection of your mast. I'm Onno VK6FLAB INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to IARU, RSGB, SARL, Southgate AR Club, ARRL, Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART and the WW sources of the WIA. ARRL'S KX9X RECREATES SOUND OF SPARK FOR NPR When you need the sound of a working spark gap transmitter, the best place to turn is the ARRL. So when the daily National Public Radio series All Things Considered needed such a sound, that's exactly where it went. The sound effect was required for an episode titled "What if World War I Had Never Happened?" In order to provide sound effect, ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, took a short trip over to the ARRL Lab where there just happens to be a working spark transmitter. There he took the provided script and sent it by hand as the sound of the spark transmitter was recorded. You can hear the results of KX9X effort when the show airs on your local NPR outlet or soon thereafter on the NPR website at npr.org/programs/all-things-considered PITTSBURGH USA CBER ORDERED TO PAY $18000 FINE The FCC has affirmed an $18,000 Forfeiture Order previously issued against Nathaniel Johnson of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This for his alleged repeated failure to make his CB station available for inspection by authorized FCC representatives and his failure to comply with the restricted hours of CB Station operation set forth in an official FCC notice. Way back on May 14, 2013, the Enforcement Bureau's Philadelphia Office issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture in the amount of $18,000 to Mr. Johnson. Although the FCC has evidence that Johnson received a copy of the notice that was sent by Certified Mail, he has not filed a response. Based on the information before it the Commission has now affirmed the forfeiture order. As is usual in these cases, the FCC has given Johnson the usual 30 days from the March 12th release of the order to pay the fine in full, arrange for time payments or file an appeal. If he fails to do any of these the matter will likely be turned over to the Department of Justice for further action. New frequencies for French radio hams The minutes of the March 7 meeting between the French National Society REF and the communications regulator ARCEP have been published French radio amateurs have gained access to 472-479 kHz with 1 watt output in Region 1 and territories in Region 2. Discussions also covered the possibility of an amateur allocation across the whole of 1.8 - 2.0 MHz and possible future allocations at 5.5 MHz and 70 MHz 435-438 MHz is now allocated to the Amateur-satellite service for both Earth-to-Space and Space-to-Earth in Region 1 & territories in Region 2. http://tinyurl.com/REF-ARCEP-Minutes-2014-03-07 ============================================================================= ARNEWSLINE TWO LOS ANGELES TV STATIONS TO TRY CHANNEL SHARING Two Los Angeles,. California, television stations are going to explore channel-sharing with the support of the major wireless lobby. This after The Wireless Association along with stations KLCS and KJLA announce a channel-sharing pilot project that responds to the Federal Communications Commission's request to demonstrate the technical and legal arrangements necessary to implement a successful channel- sharing operation. Once the two broadcast stations receive FCC approval, the testing will take place throughout the remainder of the first quarter of 2014. Under the channel-sharing agreement, KLCS and KJLA will conduct a series of tests that will culminate in KLCS hosting KJLA's content and transmitting a shared stream that will combine the two stations' primary and multicast content. KLCS and KJLA will also attempt a variety of High Definition as well as Standard Definition video feeds to confirm the feasibility and technical limits of channel sharing between two unaffiliated broadcasters. There will be no impact to KJLA's and KLCS' viewers during this test. More is at tinyurl.com/channel-sharing-study. ============================================================================= OPERATIONAL NEWS - DATELINE 2014 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. 2015 10-10 INTERNATIONAL SUMMER CONTEST Aug 1 - 2 2016 10-10 INTERNATIONAL SUMMER CONTEST Aug 6 - 7 2017 10-10 INTERNATIONAL SUMMER CONTEST Aug 5 - 6 2018 10-10 INTERNATIONAL SUMMER CONTEST Aug 4 - 5 In VK3 National Parks during the contest Portable stations ventured into Victoria's National Parks last weekend to take advantage of John Moyle Memorial Field Day. The primary aim was to join the contest six hour section and chase portable awards. Nicholas Lock VK3ANL was at Mt Disappointment in the Kinglake National Park on Sunday. Despite the weather cutting his operation short, he had 83 contacts that qualified for either the Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award or the Summits on The Air. Tony Hambling VK3VTH had set up at the Brisbane Ranges 'Grahams Creek', when a very pleasant Victoria Parks Ranger arrived to warn of the pending poor weather. The sky turned a very nasty 'black' leading to a quick pack-up, but not before VK3VTH managed a worthy 134 contacts. Portable from Mount Donna Buang in the Yarra Ranges National Park were husband and wife team, Joe Gonzales VK3YSP and Julie VK3FOWL. The SOTA gear including an HF triplexer with three rigs were walked in, antennas launched and everything was right to operate under an awning. The contest started and there were to be two consecutive 6 hour individual challenges. Half-way though Julie VK3FOWL's turn it went pitch black around 9pm. Then there was a huge BANG and SPLASH, as an awning pole broke under the weight of water. She hurriedly went QRX. The station being worked said, "What's your number again?" Everything went quiet. Oh well, there's always next year. A morning survey found there had little damage that could not be easily repaired. (Jim Linton VK3PC) SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS, DX, BEACON REPEATER AND NET ADVICE The West African country of Burkina Faso will is on the air until March 26. Calls to look for are XT 2 AEF, XT 2 IVU and XT 2 VWT and they will be found on all bands 80 – 10m. (IRTS) The rarish DXCC entity of the Andaman Islands will see a one-man expedition on the air from 23 – 30 March. The operator will be Krishna W 4 VKU who will sign VU 4 K from Port Blair. Activity will be on 40 – 10m SSB and RTTY. QSL to W4VKU (irts) 7P8Z FROM LESOTHO MARCH 28 AND 29 Also get ready for ZS4TX to be on the air as 7P8Z from Lesotho on March 28th and the 29th. Although this is mainly a VHF activation to explore possible F2 and Trans Equatorial Propagation openings on 6 meters, ZS4TX may also be active on 10 and 12 meter CW. The actual operating site is at 10,800 feet situated right next to the Afriski Resort which also claims to have the highest Restaurant and Pub in Africa. QSL as directed by the operator Still in Lesotho, news that EI7CC is on the air as 7P8PB through April 3rd. Activity will be limited because he will be on a family holiday and will only operate when circumstances permit. Logs will be uploaded to Logbook of the World immediately upon his return to Ireland. QSL via EI7CC either direct or via the bureau. (ARNewsLine) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ATV arvideonews.com hamradiotube.com youtube.com qdg.org.au GALILEO GPS CLOSES DOWN 23CM ATV REPEATER DB0QI A new Global Positioning System headquarted in Germany has led to the closure of a pair of co-sited Amateur Television repeaters. On March 4th the owners of the Munich-based DB0QI repeaters operating analogue on 1276 MHz and digital on 1291 MHz took them out of service after being informed by the nations Federal Network Agency that they were interfering with the operation of the Global Positioning System's Galileo Satnav Control Centre. As elsewhere, the 23 cm band in Germany is allocated to radio amateurs only on a secondary use basis. So far no other ham radio operations in Germany have been affected. (Southgate via ARNewsLine) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FINAL FRONTIER ARISS CONTACTS TO BE DELAYED Due to the increased work load of Astronaut and ham radio operator Koichi Wakata, KC5ZTA, ARISS has had to move 3 schools back to its long term waiting list. Planners say that they hope to get all of them rescheduled and completed by the US fall. Also, there are also several other schools that are on the list for possible postponement to the fall season. This is because for the period from May 12th to June 15th there will be no licensed radio amateurs on-board the International Space Station. (ARISS via ARNewsLine) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- IOTA http://rsgbiota.org VK6ARI Rottnest Island OC-164 Earlier Dutch explorers spotted this out-crop off Perth in Western Australia, mistook the quaint wildlife quokka as rodents, and named it Rat-nest or Rottnest Island. Now it's a nature reserve protecting its heritage, natural beauty, spectacular flora, abundant marine life, wildlife including quokka with walking paths and is home to many unique species. Taking the ferry again is John Ferrington VK6HZ, who as VK6ARI in holiday style, will be on the usual IOTA frequencies 10 to 40 metres. VK6ARI uses SSB, PSK and RTTY, possibly CW, feeding a Buddipole antenna, and is usually very popular on the bands. Listen for him from today until Sunday, March the 30th. QSL via his home call of VK6HZ. (Jim Linton VK3PC) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ILLW Lots of interest in ILLW this year In the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend held in late each August, there are already more than 180 registrations from throughout the world. Germany remains in the lead on 43, ahead of Australia on 34, followed by the USA 28 and England with 18, out the 26 different countries. Several have one registration. Freddy Carmona CE3NLU will be at the Rada Quintay lighthouse, a square pyramidal concrete tower that has provided navigation on Chile's coast. He joins ZV3CP Brazil at Cristovao Pereira, PJ2L Curacao from Noordpunt, TM0LHG France Petit-Fort-Phillipe, and JE9LMZ Japan from Iwasaki No Hana. Others are 9M2MI Malaysia portable Pulau Undan, SN2NP the Polish Gdansk Nowy Port, and YO9RIJ Romania the Farul Sulina lighthouse. If you would like to join this premier fun-event on August the 16th and 17th, see the guidelines and register on-line by visiting the website www.illw.net (Jim Linton VK3PC) 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 SALVATION ARMY PUTS NEW EDS SATERN STATION 'ON THE AIR' The FCC has approved a new call sign for a recently created SATERN station located in the Salvation Army's Alabama-Louisiana-Mississippi Division's Emergency Disaster Services centre. The new call of WB5ALM stands for William Booth 5 Alabama Louisiana Mississippi and is dedicated to William Booth who was the founder of the Salvation Army. The WB5ALM call was activated for the first time during a check-in to the International SATERN Net on 20 meter phone. SATERN, which is an acronym for Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network, is the volunteer amateur radio communications arm of the Salvation Army's Emergency Disaster Services. (Nevada Amateur Radio Newswire via ARNewsLine) 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. . -------------