WIANEWS - JUNE 01 - 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 JUNE 01 2014. HEADING TOWARDS OUR 20TH YEAR OF NON STOP NEWS WIA AND IARU HAMS TO MEET IN BRISBANE WIA - VK Shires contest over Queen’s Birthday long weekend THESE STORIES AND MORE IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA FOR WEEK COMMENCING JUN 1 2014. TRENDING ON VK1WIA TWITTER ACCOUNT http://twitter.com/VK1WIA #WIA Survey #WIA Telecommunity World Radiocommunication Conference THIS NEWS IS HAPPENING NOW! News Release the VK1WIA National News Broadcast Asia-Pacific Telecommunity World Radiocommunication Conference Preparatory Group Meeting in Brisbane 9 -13 June 2014 Dale Hughes VK1DSH. As part of preparations for the next World Radiocommunication Conference which is scheduled for November 2015, many of the Asia-Pacific nations that make up ITU region 3 are meeting in Brisbane between June 9 and 13. The Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Conference Preparatory Group (usually abbreviated to APG) will discuss many of the WRC-15 agenda items, including issues that will affect amateur operators. The meeting in Brisbane is the third in a series of five meetings that are being held in the Asia-pacific region and this meeting is sponsored by the Australian Communications and Media Authority with the assistance of the Australian Department of Communications. Several hundred delegates representing all areas of the radio communications industry and many national administrations will attend the meeting. There are two main issues that are of interest to Australian amateurs: these being a proposed new secondary allocation for the amateur service around 5300 kHz and a proposed new primary allocation in the 77.5 to 78 GHz frequency band for the radiolocation service that may affect the existing primary amateur service allocation in that band. Both of these issues are being extensively studied at ITU working party meetings in Geneva and the APG meeting will consider the regional aspects of these issues and formulate a regional view that will be presented at the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2015. There are also a number of other WRC agenda items that may affect the amateur service, even though they are not specifically amateur issues. Information about all the agenda items can be found on the ITU website. A number of delegates at the APG meeting are representing the interests of the amateur service, either as a member of their national delegation or as representatives of the International Amateur Radio Union. The amateur representatives take part in the agenda item discussions and will present information on the needs and purpose of the amateur service with respect to relevant WRC agenda items. This input also serves to maintain the profile of the amateur service in the regional communications administrations. It is vitally important that the amateur service continues to be seen as a valuable resource for the wider community and deserving of the radio spectrum we are permitted to use. Attendance at APG and ITU meetings is one aspect of showing the ongoing commitment of the amateur service to the maintenance and expansion of our operating privileges. As the meeting is in Brisbane there is opportunity for a limited number of interested local amateurs to meet the APG representatives and a dinner is planned for the evening of Wednesday 11 June in central Brisbane. Please contact Dale Hughes vk1dsh@wia.org.au if you are interested in attending. Relevant links for the print edition of this news release: Dale Hughes VK1DSH email address: VK1DSH@WIA.ORG.AU APG website http://www.aptsec.org/APTAPG ONE TWO - ONE TWO - TESTING The countdown is on for users of wireless microphones, with only seven months to go until new arrangements take effect on 1 January 2015. From this date, it will be illegal to use spectrum in the 694–820 MHz frequency range. ACMA have a handy info graphic which explains what you need to do to get ready and still be heard. So if you or an organisation you belong to use a wireless microphone, be warned. HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA. VK2 web service:- http://www.arnsw.org.au/html/news_vk2wi.htm The BWRS will be conducting the Navshield at a location within 3 hour's travel from Sydney on the 5th and 6th of July, with set-up on the 4th. The base and at least one checkpoint can be reached by 2 Wheel Drive vehicle. WICEN provides safety and event management communications. There is also the option for members to join the WICEN team competing in the event. Then August, September and October sees Alzheimer's Australia Memory Walk and Jog events in Port Macquarie, the Hunter, Inner Western Sydney and North Wollongong. These are fairly short events, which would make great first events for newer members. WICEN New South Wales website is at: www.nsw.wicen.org.au Armidale & District A R C. The club advises that it will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Saturday the 7th of June 2014 at 11 am. The meeting venue 18 Mann St. Armidale. For catering you need to R S V P to the club. The Rotary International Convention is under way in Sydney June 1 to 4 and will use special event callsign VI 2 R. The Rotarians of Amateur Radio began using VI 2 R from May 31. Up on the Central Coast, CCARC will be assisting with a Remote Controlled station which is set up in their club rooms at Kariong. VK3 web service:- http://www.amateurradio.com.au/news/ Portable operation is easy, once you know how A part of modern Amateur Radio is being able to easily take it with you on a business trip, a holiday, or just while out somewhere. To encourage an even greater level of portable operation, particularly among Foundation Licensees, an opportunity to hear from the experts is being held in July by Amateur Radio Victoria. The 'Master Class - Portable' will have mini-lectures on transceivers, batteries and antennas, locations, etiquette in operating, DXing, QSL’ing, logging, contesting, and of course, award chasing. It is aimed primarily at Foundation Licence holders and others genuinely wanting to operate portable. This free session is on Saturday July the 19th at Ashburton. Attendance is limited. It requires an RSVP. To book a place or for further information contact Tony Hambling VK3VTH. vk3vth@amateurradio.com.au (Jim Linton VK3PC) AMATEUR RADIO LICENCE TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT WEEKEND A few places are still available for several Foundation courses and exams to be held on the 2nd weekend of June, 14/15th. At NERG exams for Standard and Advanced can also be taken on Sunday and Foundation candidates can do the two day training and evaluation including the exams, or just sit for the exam/assessment on Sunday. Contact Greg Williams 9432 0563 to book in. In Ashburton enrolments are closing soon for the Amateur Radio Victoria Foundation Course on that weekend, June 14th and 15th. A Standard Bridging Course, for those already with a Foundation Licence, will be held every Wednesday at 6.30pm, from July the 2nd to August the 6th. Standard assessments are on the Sunday August the 10th. More information about both the Foundation Training and the Bridging Course is available at the 'Get a licence' tab on the Amateur Radio Victoria website. (Jim Linton VK3PC) VK7 vk7 local news, email vk7regionalnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vk7regionalnews/ June REAST Presentation – Maritime Radio Operations Roger Latham VK7ER and Tom Macha VK7TL will be presenting their experiences as professional Maritime Radio Officers. Both Roger and Tom have travelled the world in ships and have a wealth of knowledge and experience relating to radio operation at sea (and on land). Roger was 2nd radio officer responsible for maintenance on the iconic liner Queen Elizabeth 2 joining her in the shipyard Glasgow before she was completed and then on all the trials and maiden voyages. In 1968 QE2 was equipped with the latest technology including the military version of GPS, a prototype track whilst scanning radar, digital receivers, British embassy PICALO receiver and early version of Sitor to receive daily the Daily Telegraph newspaper for direct printing. After arrival in Australia Roger was RTO with DCA (now Air Services Australia), shift supervisor Quoin Ridge monitoring station and then Australian Antarctic Division as STO Radio recruiting and supervising the communications staff in Antarctica. This should be a fascinating presentation. Sunday 15 June 2014 starting 11am Queens Domain clubrooms. DISCUSSION POINT What use is an F-call? Since I started in Amateur Radio, in November 2010, barely a minute and a half ago when compared with the history of this hobby, I've been involved in many different activities. Last week I had the opportunity to sit down and have a think about what that entailed for me. I've been doing lots of things, partly because I'm likely to jump in head first into any new adventure, and partly because I want to get a feel for what Amateur Radio can be. I'm going to list some of the things I've done, not to brag about them, but to attempt to share what you might do to expand your personal involvement with this fantastic hobby. I purchased a radio after finding out about online sites like eham and QRZ where other amateurs congregate to share their opinion. I participated in about five or so contests, ranging from smaller to large on my own and as a member of a team, with low power, or high power, portable and in well-appointed shacks. I attended two WIA conferences, organised one of them, was the President of a club for a year, produced the weekly news for two years, recorded this segment for two years, hosted a weekly net for two years and visited new students whilst they were learning about becoming an Amateur. I helped with an ARISS contact in the Northbridge Piazza, maintain several Amateur Radio websites, answer questions from hams around the country and participated in two or was it three Jamborees On The Air. I was part of several field days, camped out with friends and set-up portable stations, have a weekly amateur radio lunch, built antennas and testing equipment, wrote articles, went to swap meets, attended many club meetings, started learning Morse, made several QRP DXCC contacts, won awards and received accolades and still I cannot quench the thirst for this hobby. You might be listening to this list and get exhausted. Even saying this out loud is pretty insane to me, but the intent is to highlight what is possible within this magical adventure that's called Amateur Radio. I'm very fortunate. I'm self-employed, don't have kids and have a very, very understanding XYL. Some of the activities I did with much help from the community and other amateurs who showed the way or helped me out. I'd never tell you to get off your Alpha Romeo Sierra Echo, instead, next time you're bored, next time you're unsure what to do, go out and participate, be part of the community, get going, build stuff, meet people, get on air. No-one is stopping you. I'm Onno VK6FLAB ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Sean Kutzko KX9X has added new 30-second radio/audio public service announcements to promote Amateur Radio. The spot named “Amateur” talks about the meaning of the word amateur and how the Amateur Radio Emergency Service helps during disasters. It includes an 8-second “sting” at the end for local clubs to provide contact information. “Careers” tells how Amateur Radio skills can lead to a career path, and it references the ARRL website. “What Is Ham Radio” is a generic spot to promote how much fun Amateur Radio offers. It includes an 8-second sting at the end for a local club billboard. Download the amateur radio public service announcements from http://www.arrl.org/public-service-announcements INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to IARU, RSGB, SARL, Southgate AR Club, ARRL, Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART and the WW sources of the WIA. VE6SH AND LA2RR RE-ELECTED TO LEAD IARU International Amateur Radio Union member-societies have completed voting on proposals to re-elect Timothy Ellam, VE6SH and Ole Garpestad, LA2RR as the organizations President and Vice President, respectively. This for a second five-year term that began on May 9th.. VE6SH served as IARU Vice President from 2004 until 2009. He was then elected as IARU President on May 9th of that year. LA2RR was first elected as IARU Vice President at the same time VE6SH became President. According to IARU rules, there were a minimum 51 affirmative votes required for adoption but both VE6SH and LA2RR received a resounding 67. 'Project Banana' Absolute Radio in the UK has introduced a revolutionary new music concept to their Breakfast Show. Listeners now have a choice between seven (7) different music formats while listening to the same on air talent, news, sport weather, traffic and, of course, ads. Dubbed “Project Banana’ in its secretive planning stage, it was the brainchild of Clive Dickens, who has for the past year been SCA’s Director of Digital and Innovation right here in Australia. Over 40% of Absolute Radio Breakfast Audience now enjoy the station within one of the ‘other’ six music formats available online and on Digital Radio. The system took months of development work . Read more at: www.radioinfo.com.au/news/sca-has-no-plan-introduce-project-banana-anytime-soon © Radioinfo.com.au 2 INDUCTED INTO ASTRONAUT HALL OF FAME The accomplishments of two astronauts who helped inspire another generation of space explorers have been honoured for their achievements on-orbit. Shannon Lucid and Jerry Ross, the former N5SCW, of the space shuttle era were inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex. Shannon Lucid flew aboard the Atlantis three times and is the only American woman to serve aboard the Russian Mir space station from where she operated the R0MIR radio gear. Jerry Ross was the first person to complete seven space shuttle missions. Five of those were aboard Atlantis. He spent more than 1,393 hours in space and 58 hours, 18 minutes on nine spacewalks. ============================================================================= ARNEWSLINE YOUNGER RADIO HAMS DISAPPEARING IN THE UK The Radio Society of Great Britain has released the figure for the number of members aged under 25 and the news is not very good. Amateur Radio Newsline's Stephan Kinford, N8WB:- -- According to the Southgate ham radio news service, membership in the Radio Society of Great Britain is completely free for United Kingdom radio amateurs aged 25 and under who are full time students. As such, you think that almost every younger person involved in the hobby to be a member of the Society. This in turn would provide a good estimate for United Kingdom amateurs in that age group. But a recently released figure says otherwise. Numbers are falling with only 295 UK hams who are aged 25 or younger hams. Take almost any UK radio club and you will find many members who have been licensed for 40, 50 or 60 years, having first taken up the hobby in their teens or early twenties. The latest figure suggests a declining demographic which could conceivably see amateur radio in the United Kingdom all but disappear in 20 years’ time. But says Southgate, all is not doom and gloom. For instance, this year the Radio Society of Great Britain has decided to take part for the first time in the annual International Amateur Radio Union Region One Youngsters On The Air event. The RSGB also intends to run a separate event for youngsters called YOTA UK on July 19th and the 20th. All this in the hope of reversing the current downward trend. For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephen Kinford, N8WB, reporting. -- Southgate ends by noting that many United Kingdom amateurs at grassroots level are now becoming involved in attracting younger-blood into the hobby. It singles out at least two major groups it says have been doing a great job in promoting amateur radio to a new generation. RSGB's G4NJH AM nets mark D-Day landings On Friday 6th June, to mark the 70th anniversary of the Allied D-Day landings in Normandy, the Vintage & Military Amateur Radio Society are organising amplitude modulation radio nets on 80m, 60m and 40m for operators of vintage military wireless sets that would have been in use at that time. The AM nets will be open to all amateurs and joining stations are encouraged to undertake a little research beforehand, in order to provide a description of how their equipment type was used in Operation Overlord, and other information such as naming any known military, naval and air force units that operated the sets, their role in Overlord, or anecdotes about the hectic life of the operators. The schedule is 07.00 GMT on 3,615kHz, 11.00 on 7,143kHz and 15.00 5,317kHz for 5MHz NoV holders. OPERATIONAL NEWS - DATELINE 2014 Don't forget that the VK Shires contest is on over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend starting at 0600 UTC on the Saturday and running for 24 hours. VK Shires Contest Manager is Richard Neilsen VK2BO who also is President of the Blue Mountains Amateur Radio Club. (vk2bo@wia.org.au) ALL HF Bands available to Standard licencees - Modes are SSB and CW and stations can be worked once on each mode. ROVER stations as well as portable entries make up part of the character of the VK Shires as well as the timing to take place over an East Coast Long Weekend. (Queens Birthday) The objectives of this contest are for amateurs around the world to contact as many VK shires as possible in the contest period. VK amateurs are to work the world including VK, whilst the rest of the world can only work VK. This would be a great opportunity to get out and activate a shire. All the information can be found at http://vkshires.vk2bo.com/vk-shires-contest-rules or under the contest page in the members section of the WIA website. Hope to work you in the contest. 73 Richard. VK2BO June 21-22 - Winter VHF-UHF Field Day weekend (thanks to NERG in VK3) 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 JAPAN TO CELEBRATE QRP DAY Japan's QRP day special event station 8 J 2 VLP will be active with 5 watts through June 30th. The QSLs will be sent automatically via the JARL Bureau. Three other stations with the call signs 8 J 4 VLP, 8 J 6 VLP, and 8 J 9 VLP will also be on the air for this event. TM 70 BBC Commemorating the 70th anniversary of the landing of Allied Forces in Normandy. This special event station will be active from 3rd June to 13th June. See QRZ.com for more details and QSL info. UNTIL JUNE 16 CELEBRATE THE HAMANAKO FLOWER EXPO On the air, keep an ear open for special event station 8 N 2 HHH active on all bands and modes until June 16th. This in celebration of Japan’s Hamanako Flower Expo on the island of Honshu. When you make contact, please QSL as directed on the air. (JJ1WTL/AC6IM via ARNewsLine) Joe, W 5 FJG, has been assigned to the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station and will be operating from KC 4 AAA, the amateur radio station there. He will operate SSB only on weekdays and some weekends, through the winter season until November 2014. Almost all activity is currently on 20 metres on or near 14,243kHz. QSL to Larry Skilton, K 1 IED. LI for LA and LJ for LB Celebrates 200 years of the Norwegian Constitution during 2014. In addition, special event station LM1814 will be active as part of the celebration. JULY OPERATION FROM THE ISLAND OF JERSEY A group of hams from the Czech Republic will be active as MJ 0 ICD from the Island of Jersey between July 21st and the 27th on 160 through 10 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL MJ 0 ICD via OK 1 BIL (ARNewsLine) NAURU SEPTEMBER 29 TO OCTOBER 19 LZ 1 GC is planning to be operational as C 21 GC from the Republic of Nauru between September 29th and October 19th on 160 through10 meters using CW, SSB and some RTTY. Panama Canal Special Event This year, Panama is celebrating its 100th anniversary of the Panama Canal. On August 15th, the Panamanians will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the inaugural transit through the Panama Canal. This activity is organized by amateurs of the Republic of Panama. A special event station is operating as HO 100 CANAL until August 15. Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB, PSK and RTTY. The QSL Manager for the operation is HP 1 AVS. http://www.qrz.com/db/HO100CANAL WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ATV CQ-DATV 11 MAGAZINE NOW AVAILABLE The May issue of the free Amateur TV magazine CQ-DATV is now available for download. Among other items, this months issue contains articles on measurement and display software, understanding DVBS protocol, a review of the MAX 7456 OSD generator modules and much more. Look for it at www.vk5tm.com/ebooks.php WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ILLW The ILLW on track for a good year The growing International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend list has recently been joined by the Faroe Islands, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway and Switzerland. Nearly 270 in 32 countries will be in this annual fun-event held on the third full weekend in August, aimed at the preservation of marine beacons and promoting Amateur Radio. Australia has 45 entries and this is creating plenty of interest. Activating for the first time the Griffith Island Lighthouse at Port Fairy is Peter Fraser VK3ZPF. King Island in Bass Strait has two activations - Tony Hambling VK3VTH at the Currie Lighthouse, and Glenn Alford VK3ILH from the Cape Wickham light. With special permission, the false lighthouse at Alice Springs will again be part of event, courtesy Greg Mair VK8GM and the team at the Henley-on-the-Todd Regatta. Lighthouses, lightships and a time-ball tower will be on air right around the Australian coast. To register or learn more about the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend on August the 16th and 17th, visit the website illw.net (Jim Linton VK3PC) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO AMATEUR OLD-TIMERS http://www.raotc.org.au Hallo everyone, this is Clive VK6CSW. Another month has flown and tomorrow is the first Monday in June, time once again for the Radio Amateurs Old Timers Club of Australia's monthly bulletin of news and information to go to air. This month's RAOTC bulletin contains a feature on RF connectors as well as the usual Club news. The bulletin can be heard on a number of HF, VHF and UHF frequencies, the time and frequency depending upon your particular location. However, the main 20 metre broadcast takes place on 14.150 MHz USB, beamed northwards from Melbourne for eastern states listeners at 0100 UTC, and an hour later at 0200 UTC the program is beamed westward for WA listeners. Also at 0200 UTC there are two broadcasts from Perth, one on 40m on 7060 kHz and a simultaneous broadcast via the West Australian linked repeater network. In addition, there are a number of local relays throughout the day on other frequencies in the HF, VHF and UHF bands. To find one for your particular area please visit the RAOTC website at www.raotc.org.au Everyone, RAOTC members and non-members alike, is cordially invited to tune in and to participate in the call backs afterwards. Once again, the June RAOTC bulletin goes to air tomorrow, Monday June 2nd. 73 from Clive VK6CSW. 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 The second edition of the ARSI National Field Day & Emergency Preparedness Test is scheduled for the weekend of June 7-8. It is a great opportunity for VU Hams to head outdoors, setup stations and make contacts, and in the process test their emergency response skills, learn about antennas and provide newcomers a chance to get their feet wet. http://arsi.info/contests/contestsnfd WICEN SA have been asked to create a radio safety and tracking net for the State level Horse Endurance event from 0001 Saturday 13th July to 2359 Saturday 13th July 2014. It is suggested that some people arrive on Friday so the checkpoints can be established during daylight hours. WICEN - SA are requesting groups of operators to man three checkpoints and the base location in the Monarto area. This will enable rotations of operators. Everyone is welcome to assist even for a few hours or the whole time period. The radio net will use amateur 2m simplex or the Murray Bridge repeater. The WICEN SA Commercial frequency UHF repeater will be deployed and the associated radios will be used by clerk of the course, base and the horse recovery unit vehicles. Radio equipment can be supplied, so do not let this restrict you. ( Andrew Macmichael VK5FMAC secretary@sa.wicen.org.au 0403 791488 ) SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ROAR -- ROTARIANS OF AMATEUR RADIO We pay a very warm welcome to the Rotarians from around the globe here in Australia for their world conference. If you are a Rotarian and wish to find out more about this Friendship activity the official website is www.ifroar.org You can search FaceBook as well, under groups:- facebook.com/groups/RotariansROAR/ The International President 2012 -2015: Bill Main VK4ZD World secretary is Dr Elwood Anderson, AE 5 EA and in our region, ANZO VP is Peter Lowe, VK3KCD Sunday nets are:- 0645z - 0730z Anzo Net 7.118 0730z - 0830z International net 14.293 It is said that Guglielmo Marconi "Father of wireless," was an Honorary member of the Rotary Club of Bologna, Italy from 1933 to 1937 and it continues the tradition and honouring Marconi to this very day. Now a' days among its honorary members is Marconi's Daughter, Princess Elettra Marconi. 4EB -- VK4EB Ted Gold the founder of the first commercial radio station in Queensland was Vice President of Toowoomba Rotary Club. SOCIAL SCENE 2014 Jun 7- 9 VK2 Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club field day Port Macquarie Jun 7- 9 VK5 South East Radio Groups’ (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. 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. . -------------