WIANEWS - APRIL 27 - 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA IS FOR WEEK COMMENCING APRIL 2t 2014. YOUR SO 'VEIN' Scanning veins in the human hand could become the biometric measure of choice for authentication when we pay for things or want to unlock devices such as smartphones, an Australian professor says. Thanks to the iPhone 5s and Galaxy S5 smartphones, fingerprint scanners are going mainstream quickly. But how will they fare against vein scanning? According to computer science Professor Willy Susilo of the University of Wollongong, fingerprint scanners are a "gimmick" and iris and vein scanners are likely to trump them. One of the main benefits of vein and iris scanning is that you don't tend to leave behind iris or vein prints, he said. As most vein scanner sensors coming out this year require no physical contact, it means there are no residual biometric patterns that could be copied, preventing fraudulent use. www.smh.com.au/digital-life/consumer-security/veinscanning-technology-may-trump-fingerprint-scanning-for-payments-20140416-zqvj7.html#ixzz2z6T2uUt9 Free WiFi for Victorian country trains Passengers on some trains to Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Seymour and Traralgon will enjoy free WiFi by late 2015. WiFi is also planned for the central business districts of Melbourne, Bendigo and Ballarat - which will dovetail into the country train network. Many cities, eateries, shop, libraries, other public places and accommodation around the world are progressively adopting free public access WiFi. (Jim Linton VK3PC) ABC's Australia Network has struck a deal for what it says will provide unprecedented opportunities for Australian content in China. The agreement with the Shanghai Media Group is expected to be signed in Shanghai on May 4. Under the deal, ABC International will establish an online portal in China through which a range of ABC and other Australian media content and services will be available to partner Chinese media organisations. The ABC says the deal gives Australia Network the most extensive access to Chinese audiences by any Western broadcaster. ABC Managing Director Mark Scott says the agreement opens new opportunities for media cooperation between the two countries. (ABC Pressor) Hard to swallow 40% of 11 to 16 year olds has suffered some kind of back or neck pain, chiropractors in the UK have found. The use of laptops and tablets is behind a major rise in neck and back pain sufferers amongst young people, a new report has said. Research from the British Chiropractic Association found that being slumped in front electronic devices could be contributing to a rise in muscle and joint problems, especially in teenagers. People working on such devices often sat in a 'hunched' position, leading to strain being put on their backs, the BCA said. In order to ameliorate this, the association has released a number of tips for parents, including encouraging their children to be more active and only to sit for short periods, and teaching them how to sit properly. (full story on cbronline.com) REACH FOR THE SKY. AUSTRALIAN ASTRONOMERS have a new stargazing gadget they hope will lead to breakthroughs in their exploration of the Milky Way. The federal government hopes it will help Australia remain a world leader in astronomy, Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane said as he launched the $13 million instrument called HERMES at Siding Spring Observatory. It can capture and analyse light from up to 400 stars at the same time, helping astronomers map the age and movements of stars and explain the formation of our local galaxy, the Milky Way. It is providing information about the motion and chemical composition of the stars in the Milky Way, through a multinational project involving 17 institutions in eight countries. It's known as the Galactic Archaeology with HERMES, or GALAH, survey. Macfarlane says participation in world-class research like this, and the international collaboration on the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope, has enormous potential to build skills across many fields of technology. (THE AUSTRALIAN) OH OH OH Telecommunications company TPG has been fined $400,000 for failing to provide customers with the ability to call triple-zero in an emergency. The Federal Court found TPG contravened the telecommunication laws by failing to ensure its controlled network and facilities gave thousands of home telephone service users access to emergency call services. The court found on 193 occasions between March 15, 2011 and September 21, 2011, TPG failed to give end users access to the emergency call services. It also failed to ensure its networks gave end users 5979 standard telephone calls to emergency services This is the first time that the ACMA has instituted proceedings against a telecommunications provider for contraventions of the Determination. This decision is a reminder for all providers that the obligation to give Triple Zero access is of paramount importance,’ said ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman. HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA. VK3 web service:- http://www.amateurradio.com.au/news/ Moorabbin & District Radio Club Hamfest 2014 The Moorabbin and District Amateur Radio club are pleased to announce the 2014 Hamfest will be on Saturday 10th May with doors opening at 10am. This year’s event will be at the Southern Community Centre, Rupert Drive, Mulgrave (Melways map ref 80 F4). The Moorabbin Radio Club’s annual Hamfest is proud to be Victoria's biggest with displays and sales of new and preloved equipment. A must come must see event for anyone interested in Radio Communications and Electronics. Major door prizes, free tea and coffee, light refreshments and a sausage sizzle will also be on offer. Trader table bookings and general enquires can be made by emailing Graeme Lewis VK3GL (vk3gl@bigpond.com) or by phoning mobile 0418 171601. A Must see, must come event!! VK6 The HARG swap meet is on again Saturday the 10th of May with doors open to sellers at 1pm, entry fee is $5 at 5 Sanderson rd Lesmurdie Email Address : vk6zms@iinet.net.au EDUCATION YOUTH AND ADVANCEMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO www.hamcollege.com.au www.enjoyhamradio.com HAM RADIO IN INDIA SCHOOL TEXT BOOK Amateur radio is featured in the 9th grade school book "Our World Through English" published by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, India. A four-page section concentrates on the Disaster and Emergency Communications capabilities of amateur radio. For those interested the book it is available via the web at tinyurl.com/india-ham-schoolbook for 35 Rupees which is about 70 cents in VK 'proper money.' (Southgate) DISCUSSION POINT What use is an F-call? An F-call is an amateur license that you can obtain over a weekend with a little study. It's not particularly complicated and it will give you some knowledge and skills to get started in the hobby of amateur radio. It's the first of three license types, being foundation, standard and advanced, each with their own skill-set and requirements. In return, each license gives you access to more privileges with different requirements, restrictions and obligations. This is the way of Amateur Radio licensing in Australia, but it's not the only way to get on air. You're likely familiar with CB, or Citizens Band, in the Amateur community it can be referred to as the chicken band. Epitaphs not withstanding, having exposure to radio is another way to get into the hobby. Alternatively, you could purchase a commercial radio with a membership to one or more HF clubs, each with their own frequencies, nets, customs and communities. On the face of it, costs differ widely. Getting a little closer, they are six of one and half-a-dozen of another. You'll have to pay for a radio - new or second-hand, that or borrow one from a friend. For CB, that's really the only requirement. HF Clubs add their own requirements, as they are likely to have paid for their frequencies and need members to recoup their cost. Amateur Radio requires that you have an Amateur License, but you can operate an Amateur Radio legally if you're supervised directly by an appropriately licensed Amateur. These three broad groups, CB, HF Clubs and Amateur, all share technologies, skills and communities, so getting introduced to one community automatically introduces you to the others in more or lesser degree. There's no excuse not the get on air. 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. CITATION ISSUED FOR OPERATION ON NON ASSIGNED FREQUENCY The FCC has issued an official citation to CAM Electronics Distributing, Inc. for programming into a transmitter frequencies for which the operator of the device was not authorized. Agents from the Enforcement Bureau's New York Office conducted an investigation and observed Private Land Mobile Station WPZV506 transmitting on 455.500 MHz from the 30th Street Men's Shelter in Manhattan. In a subsequent telephone conversation and in an e-mail a CAM representative is said to have acknowledged that the company had programmed the radio transmitting equipment that FJC Security Corporation was using. The Commission may impose monetary forfeitures, and in addition, further violations can result in criminal sanctions, including imprisonment. SANGEAN TURNS 40 And a very Happy Birthday to the Sangean Company which is marking the company's 40th year of operation. The Los Angeles based Sangean USA is best known to hams and SWL's for its shortwave and long-wave receiver designs including the iconic ATS-803A. A private label version of the ATS- 803A was sold by Radio Shack as the Realistic DX-440 with both still in demand on the used gear market. ============================================================================= ARNEWSLINE CELLPHONE JAMMER BRINGS TEXAS FIRM $29,250 NAL Houston, Texas-based R&M Manufacturing has been issued a $29,250 Notice of Apparent Liability for its alleged use of a cellular telephone phone jamming device. This, to keep employees at its plant from placing wireless calls at work. The FCC's Houston office first learned of the interference in a complaint from AT&T alleging that a signal was interfering with its licensed cellular communications. Using direction finding the agents assigned to the case located the source of the strong wideband signals in the cellular and P-C-S bands were coming from R&M's manufacturing facility. In its decision to issue the $29,250 proposed fine the FCC noted that R&M admitted that it operated a jamming device for about 10 days, starting on or around March 23, 2013, with the intended effect of blocking and otherwise interfering with FCC authorized radio communications. The FCC says that the operation of the jamming device could have had disastrous consequences by precluding the use of cellular phones to reach life saving 9-1-1 services provided by police, ambulance, and fire departments. It could also have disrupted critical communications of first responders who might have visited R&M's facility or nearby locations in a life and death situation. As is customary in these cases, R&M was given the customary 30 days to pay the fine or to file an appeal. ============================================================================= OPERATIONAL NEWS - DATELINE 2014 WIA VK Harry Angel Memorial Sprint May 3 SGARS 80 METRE TROPHY CONTEST July 26 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. SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS, DX, BEACON REPEATER AND NET ADVICE And while it did not last as long as its planners had hoped but the good news is that the recently concluded VK9MT operation from Mellish Reef has been approved for DXCC credit. Once the confirmation is in your hands you can request credit for having made contact with VK9MT. Heritage Day 2014 - Without any borders Being one of the most important heritage events in Flanders and Brussels, the 2014 Heritage Day is being held today, April 27th. This year's motto is 'without any borders'. With the slogan 'A World of Dits and Dahs' the Belgian IARU Society UBA takes part in this event emphasizing Morse code as cultural heritage. Now until May 14th, ten special event stations are active from various locations: OS10M, OS11M, OS12M, OS13M, OS14M, OS15M, OS16M, OS17M, OS18M and OS19M. QSL cards will automatically be sent out via the QSL Bureau. An online log is available at http://livelog.on4aol.be IW 5 ELA will is active stroke TK from Corsica till May 1st. This operation will be on 40, 20, 15, 12 and possibly 6 meters. Mode mainly CW. QSL via IW5ELA We couldn't tell you about this Special Event Station last week because "IT WAS A SECRET." BUT a Secret Nuclear Bunker WAS on the air The Essex Secret Nuclear Bunker amateur radio station GB 0 SNB was on the air last weekend located in an RGHQ 5.1 Cold War Nuclear Bunker at Kelvedon Hatch, SatNav postcode CM15 0LA. The Bunker is located in the Borough of Brentwood, 32 km north-east of London and is a large underground bunker operated by the UK government from 1952 until 1993. It is hidden behind a small bungalow, tucked into some farm land along a small lane, which houses the main entrance to the bunker. GB0SNB – Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker http://www.gb0snb.com/ Secret Nuclear Bunker http://www.secretnuclearbunker.com/ AWARDS Keith Roget Memorial Award - enhanced This Award run by Amateur Radio Victoria which began in the early 1970s encourages portable operation in Victoria's 45 National Parks. It was renamed in the 1980s after Keith Roget who began the Award and did so much for the WIA. With smaller transceivers now available and targeted publicity by an enthusiastic Awards Manager, Tony Hambling VK3VTH, more people are venturing into the parks. Considerable thought has been given to enhance the Award to more appropriately recognise the few higher achievers who do a lot to promote portable operation. At the same time, take this long-running Award into a new era. The rules now include Merit Plaques. These recognise those who have 'Activated all National Parks' or 'Worked all National Parks'. A 'Grand Slam' plaque is also available for working from, and to, all National Parks. To check out the full rules visit the Award section on the Amateur Radio Victoria website. (Jim Linton VK3PC) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FINAL FRONTIER GREECE IS THE WORD J 43 VHF will be used by the Greek AELOUS balloon flight slated for May 11th. As of now, the balloon will be carrying a payload of an APRS transmitter along with QRP gear for 2 and 10 meter CW. According to M 0 LPT, the high altitude balloon will be released from the area of Megalopolis. It's primary goal is to reach an altitude over 98 000 feet to gather propagation data from any station being able to copy its beacons. The balloon will be trackable on-line at aprs.fi. Reception reports can be filed on-line at j43vhf.wordpress.com (J43VHF team) JUNO SPACECRAFT QSL'S ON THEIR WAY QSL cards have been sent out to those radio amateurs who participated in the Juno Earth flyby experiment on October 9th of 2013. During the experiment, hams worldwide were requested to send the word HI in very slow Morse at about 1/25th of a word per minute toward the Juno Spacecraft during its Earth flyby. The Juno team confirmed that more than 1400 radio amateurs participated, representing all seven continents. (NASA, Southgate via ARNewsLine) 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 MARYLAND CITY GETS TO RADIO STATIONS FOR SERIOUS SITUATION ALERTS Ocean City, Maryland officials have announced that the resort town will be getting into the radio business. This by acquiring two FM stations through a FEMA sponsored hazard mitigation grant. The FM stations that Ocean City has just acquired will be primarily used as a way to get out critical emergency information in the event of massive storms like Hurricanes Sandy and Irene that rocked the resort in consecutive years. REWIND a look back at history Marconi was a hacker victim As we mark the birth of an Italian inventor on International Marconi Day, April the 26th, it's worth while revisiting a story we brought you ;ast year. It's that story of one of his early exploits being hacked which caused him much embarrassment. A new book, Pranksters: Making Mischief in the Modern World, by Kembrew McLeod published by New York University Press, reminds us of that occasion involving Guglielmo Marconi. The book reports that in 1903 a troublemaker took over a demonstration of wireless telegraphy. Marconi was trying to sell his patented radio system to send secure and private messages. All were ready for the display in London. Then just before a device received a demonstration transmission, the wireless telegraph came alive announcing the words "Rats Rats Rats". Then followed a few rhymes, making the whole thing a disaster. Later, a noted magician Nevil Maskelyne, who was also involved in wireless telegraphy and a public detractor of Marconi, explained to reporters that he wanted to show that the device had a fatal security flaw, and won the day. (Jim Linton VK3PC) SOCIAL SCENE 2014 May 2- 4 VK4 Clairview Gathering ( 0429 632 815 ) May 10 VK3 Moorabbin and District Amateur Radio club Hamfest 10am May 10 VK4 BARCFEST: Salvation Army Hall Calamvale. May 10 VK6 HARG swap meet open to sellers 1pm. 5 Sanderson rd Lesmurdie May 16-18 VK4 WIA Conference presented by SCARC ( vk4ts@wia.org.au ) Jun 7- 9 VK2 Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club field day Port Macquarie Jun 7- 9 VK5 South East Radio Club's (SERG) 50th annual Convention and Australian Foxhunting Championship. Nov 2 VK5 HamFest Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society Nov 15 VK7 Hamfest (Venue to be advised) 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. 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