2023 JANUARY 29 VK NATIONAL NEWS BROADCAST ON VK1WIA ------------------------------------------------------------* THE BEST NEWS YOU'LL GET ALL WEEK THIS LINK IS A VIDEO VERSION OF NEWS COMPILED BY VK5BD BEVAN tinyurl.com/WIA-News-Videos ------------------------------------------------------------* NATIONAL NEWS FOR WEEK COMMENCING JANUARY 29 2023 IN OUR 28th YEAR OF NON STOP NEWS THIS WEEK:- WIA DX Awards Manager Graham Alston VK3GA WIA Director Steven Green VK2TSG and joining our regular team of VK2LAW, 3FFF and 4FUQ this week are:- VK6QI Mark VK4TFN Robert VK4FJRK John Knox VK3ARM Robert VK3HJ Luke VK3GTV Col VK2APC Alec VK1MIC Wade PLUS MUCH MUCH MORE IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA WITH THE SHARP RAZOR BLADES AND SISSORS I'M EDITOR GRAHAM VK4BB WIA JOIN THE WIA tinyurl.com/yyj87b9y Hello, this is your WIA Director, Steven Green VK2TSG, with this Weeks Board Comment. [for the listeners] I apologise for my Voice right now, as it appears to be my turn for the dreaded virus. Today, I'd like to bring to your attention, the WIA awards programme. There is an annual call for nominations ahead of the AGM, with the decision of the Board made on the basis of contribution or achievement; with not all awards made yearly. Your nominations for awards help promote not just the awardees achievements, but also Amateur Radio as a whole within Australia and its territories. At this time we have received only a few nominations, and to be truthful, we would like to see a good deal more. Do you know someone who has made a significant contribution to Amateur Radio, the WIA, or affiliated groups? Why not nominate them today? Please take a look at the WIA website for more information and the nomination form, under the "For Members" menu. wia.org.au/members/wiaawards/about/ This year we would like to close nominations on the 31st of March, and while that is not exactly tomorrow, it's better to get in early or before items more pressing overtake us. In other matters, for WIA Affiliated clubs, it is very important to ensure you have a base level of WIA members as part of your club to maintain affiliation with the Wireless Institute and therefore access to insurance and other benefits. We encourage clubs and their members to consider this with the beginning of club activities for 2023. That's all from myself for now; , so 73's... Steven VK2TSG [ VK2TSG@wia.org.au Graham Alston VK3GA - WIA DX Awards Manager The WIA DX Awards Committee would like to congratulate Bunbury Radio Club for winning the inaugural WIA DX Awards "VK Clubs Competition". This award recognises the WIA-affiliated club that scores the most number of DXCC slots in the calendar year. In 2022, this number was a remarkable 7336. The North East Radio Group were second on 3859, with Amateur Radio NSW third on 1360. In total, 12 radio clubs participated in 2022. The winning members of Bunbury Radio Club were VK6APK, VK6DW, VK6IR, VK6OZ and VK6RZ. Thank you to our sponsor, DX Radio Systems, for providing the medals for these members. The competition is open for 2023, again sponsored by DX Radio Systems and we encourage all WIA-affiliated radio clubs to get their members to enrol in the DX Awards and create their own Club Group. See the following link:- wiaawards.com/view/GroupStandings.php ------------------------------------------------------------* I'M JOHN KNOX VK4FJRK AND THIS IS REWIND At the age of 12 he built his first amateur radio transmitter with pieces of broken toys and at 15 his first TV camera. A whole life has passed since a Mexican became the best known scientist of the time, some 60 years ago. It was Mexican inventor Guillermo Gonzlez Camarena who came up with the concept of Colour TV. His knowledge transcended so much that Mexicos' Channel 5 carries the call XHGC, in honour of Gonzlez Camarena, his initials engraved forever. In the early 1940's Camarena developed his first colour television system, known as the Colour Television System Number 1, which was patented in 1942. This system used three colour lenses to separate the television signal into red, green and blue, which allowed the transmission of colour images. Despite its innovation, Camarenas system was not adopted commercially due to competition from other colour television systems under development at the time, including the NTSC standard, which was adopted as the official colour television standard in both the United States and Mexico. Still, Camarenas work was recognized by the industry and he was honoured with several awards and recognitions, including Mexicos Medal of Technological Merit and Mexicos Order of the Aztec Eagle. His legacy continues to be remembered as one of the pioneers in the history of television in Mexico. MY TIME IS UP - I'M JOHN KNOX VK4FJRK AND THIS HAS BEEN REWIND tinyurl.com/mtbewfev ( the yukatan times newspaper ) ------------------------------------------------------------* INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to IARU, RSGB, RAC, ARRL, NZART, eHam, AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE, Radioworld.com and the World Wide sources of the WIA. REGION ONE CEPT Short Range Device project team SE24 meeting #108 took place 911 January. The IARU participated in the work of the group on several work items associated with Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) and Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) automotive radars. The impact and standardisation of WPT technologies is being carefully assessed across the lowest HF bands and the impact of the UWB technologies is relevant in the amateur service allocations in the mm-wave bands at 76 GHz, 122 GHz and 134 GHz. IARU R1 continues to fully engage in the ongoing studies associated with WPT to ensure minimal impact to our lowest HF bands. iaru-r1.org/2023/lowest-and-highest-bands-under-the-spotlight-in-cept-se24/ The SARL 100 project is progressing very well. From the smallest newspaper clipping to the handwritten notes of amateurs from the early 1900s. It is amazing what has been preserved donated, or made available to the project so far. Since so much information had already been gathered, the author started compiling and editing the first chapters of the book from the beginning of Wireless Telegraphy in South Africa to the beginning of the Second World War, a period of over 40 years, where among other achievements the foundation for broadcasting in South Africa was also laid by the amateur radio pioneers. In the next weeks, Anette, ZR 6 D will travel to Cape Town and back via the Garden Route and Port Elizabeth to visit some senior amateur operators to record their stories and collect memorabilia they want to donate to the project. Where the items are valuable and or cannot be donated, they will be photographed to have a record of the items No matter where you are in the world if you have ZS memorabilia Anette can be contacted on archives@sarl.org.za REGION TWO USA North Carolina Station Loses Two Towers to Vandalism "These recent incidents coincide with a dramatic increase in metal thefts," said the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters Police are investigating after vandals brought down two local radio towers belonging to WSJS (AM), according to station officials. According to WFMY News, a TV station based in Greensboro, the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters issued a message to member stations about the vandalism, writing in part, NCAB has recently heard reports from several association members of perpetrators intentionally damaging communications towers and stealing copper from broadcast facilities/tower sites. As has been reported to us, at least three radio sites in the Triad area have been vandalized; in one instance, a towers guy wires were cut, leading to a tower collapsing. These recent incidents coincide with a dramatic increase in metal thefts, with copper, bronze, brass and aluminium all being targeted, according to law enforcement. The FBI is also involved in this case since its a federal crime. tinyurl.com/49n36ar9 CURACAO The Dave Kalter Memorial Youth DX Adventure group is returning to Curacao this year and is inviting young amateurs to be part of the operation between July 13th and 18th with the goal of forming a DX team of amateurs between the ages of 12 and 17. This year, the timing of the trip has an added bonus: Because this year's DX adventure overlaps somewhat with the Youth on the Air Camp taking place in Canada in July, the young hams in Curacao can expect to have some scheduled contacts with the YOTA campers as well. REGION THREE NEW ZEALAND NZART the ZL equivalent of our WIA will hold their 2023 Conference and AGM in Palmerston North over the King's Birthday Weekend, being 3 and 4 June in ZL. Location is the Millennium Copthorne Hotel, Palmerston North. INDIA A massive religious pilgrimage in India has just concluded and as always the safety of the thousands attending was assured with the help of amateur radio. This Pilgrimage is the largest religious gathering in India, the Gangasagar Mela, and the West Bengal Radio Club was there as always to assist with public safety, communications and coordination for individuals who fell ill and needed airlifting from the island to area hospitals. More than a dozen people were reported missing at the massive gathering and the hams assisted in reuniting them with their families on the island. Officials told the Hindu newspaper that they had the support of about 42 amateur radio operators. ------------------------------------------------------------* HAM RADIO OPERATIONAL NEWS - IT'S A CONTACT SPORT -------------- NOW CONTEST WISE:- -------------- 2023 -------------- Ross Hull Memorial VHF/UHF DX Contest ( Marathon ) The contest finishes Tuesday 31st LOGS DUE IN 14th FEBRUARY (wia.org.au) ------------- FEBRUARY 25 - 26 New Zealands Jock White Memorial Field Day This annual ZL contest is named to honour Jock White ZL2GX, NZART Contest and Awards Manager for over 40 years, for the service that he gave to NZART during that time The Jock White is always held the last full weekend in February Saturday 1500-2400 NZDT Sunday 0600-1500 NZDT and on 40 and 80 meters. Overseas stations in the South Pacific area are welcome and a special category exists for "us". (nzart) -------------- MARCH 18 - 19 (the 3rd Weekend) John Moyle Field Day UTC 0100 Saturday to 0059 Sunday. (wia.org.au) -------------- -------------- DX WINDOW -------------- -------------- Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be on the pointy end of a DXpedition pileup? Would you like to visit a beautiful South Pacific Island and combine some radio activity? Maybe you've always wanted to do a DXpedition but couldnt pull together the resources for such a venture'?' VK3HJ Luke has the info:- "Well, the VK9NT DXpedition Bootcamp might be just what you're looking for. A small group of experienced Australian DXpeditioners is inviting members to join them this year on Norfolk Island in the second half of March. All you need to do is book and pay for a holiday on the island and then come along to the radio station and have a go, the team has done the rest. Whether you're an experienced op looking for some time behind the microphone, morse paddle or keyboard, or a relative newcomer looking to learn about DXing and being in the thick of it, this Bootcamp might just be suitable for you." For more information visit this website dxpeditionbootcamp.net -------------- EASTER ISLAND Mario is QRV as CE3WB/CE0 from Isla de Pascua until the end of January. Activity is holiday style on 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters using SSB. QSL to home call CE3WB (arrl) ------------------- TIMOR-LESTE Again active from Timor-Leste (OC-148) is 4W / JH 2 EUV until March 3rd. Activity 10-12-15-17-20m FT8. QTH is the Palm Beach Hotel, Dili. QSL via LoTW, buro. (dx-world) -------------- GUAM. QRV is N 7 JVJ until April 28 on 40 to 10 meters using SSB and FT8. QSL via operator's instructions. (eHam) -------------- TURKEY Many Special event stations with prefix and numeral TC 100 are on air all year long. TC100TC, TC100TA, TC100TR, and TC100YEAR are celebrating the centenary of the Turkish Republic. QSL via bureau. (eHam) ------------------------------------------------------------* WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - FINAL FRONTIER AMSAT-VK Secretary - secretary@amsat-vk.org A group of University of Arizona students are putting the final touches on a CubeSat set to be launched into space this year. CubeSats are about the size of a small microwave oven. The UA "CatSat" will give students hands-on experience developing and running a space mission. UA astronomy professor Chris Walker says the students took their proposal to NASA four years ago. Around 40 students over the years have been working on it and our current cadre of students is about ten," Prof. Walker explained. "They are very motivated students, excellent students, from all different departments of the University, different levels. Walker notes graduating students mentor newcomers to the program semester-by-semester. They put the finishing touches on the satellite last month. The CatSat will ride into space aboard a privately-owned rocket. Its launch date has yet to be finalized. (azpm.org) WORLD WIDE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP NEWS - AND - SUMMITS ON THE AIR, WORLD WIDE FLORA, FAUNA PROGRAM, PARKS ON THE AIR and other ADVENTURE GROUPS. hema.org.uk/index.jsp minesontheair.com/about-mota parksontheair.com/ sota.org.uk sotawatch.sota.org.uk/en/ wwffaustralia.com/ Wade VK1MIC joins us with news of that special SOTA call VI 10 SOTA which will be used from February to years end. The callsign will be used by anyone activating a VK1 summit during the year. An online reservation system has been implemented. Details via the VK1 SOTA mailing group on groups.io While the callsign has been allocated for the entire year, the official launch of the callsign is planned for the 1st of February, which is the date from which the VK1 SOTA summits were officially registered with the SOTA summits database in the UK. Its worth noting that SOTA was first kicked off in Australia with the registration of VK3 summits in February 2012. Vk5 followed later that year and VK1 joined a year later, then VK2 and VK4 SOTA were registered on the 1st September 2013. VK6, VK7 and VK8 were registered in the next few years. Since then, amateurs around Australia have been trudging up hills with radio equipment in their backpacks, to make at least 4 contacts from the summits activation zone, which is the zone that includes the summit itself and the surrounding land that is within 25m of the peak. SOTA summits require 150m of prominence over surrounding land, so not all peaks are eligible. However many summits are located within parks registered under the WWFF scheme, and anyone listening on the HF bands will have heard activations of summits and parks under way almost every day of the week. A summit in a park gives those working the summit on the air credit for both the SOTA and the WWFF awards. For more information about SOTA, please look at SOTA.ORG.UK sota.org.uk 73 from Wade VK1MIC on behalf of the VK1 management team 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 Region 1 3760 7110 14300 18160 21360 kHz Region 2 3750 3985 7060 7240 7275 14300 18160 21360kHz Mayday: It's the international signal for an emergency made by planes and boats which use radio communications, which was recently used on Qantas flight QF144 from Auckland to Sydney, which ended up landing safely, be it on only one working engine. But the history of the mayday call dates back to the 1920s and while SOS had been used to signal an emergency via morse code, with the increase in air travel it was less practical to use over radio. Frederick Stanley Mockford came up with a new word for signalling an emergency: "mayday". Fredrick was in charge of radio at Croydon Airport near London but as planes flew to Le Bourget Airport in Paris, France, just across the channel Mockford proposed the word as it was the phonetic equivalent of "m'aidez" which means "help me" or "m'aider" which means "come help me" in French. It is repeated three times to avoid confusion and was approved in February 1923. (9news.com.au) South Africa Sunday 15 January, the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre requested SARL HAMNET Gauteng to deploy a team to assist with scene management of a light aircraft accident. SARL HAMNET is the ZS version of WIA's WICEN. They responded to the accident scene at NASREC in Johannesburg South to assist with various duties from managing the scene, keeping unauthorized persons from the site to assisting various rescue and law enforcement agencies and providing water to all personnel on site. The team provided much needed support and collaboration to the management of the incident scene alongside other emergency agencies. The volunteers were thanked for responding and although the outcome was a tragic one, it demonstrated that Amateur Radio Operators (SARL HAMNET members in particular) are always ready to respond in a time of need. (sarl news) WORLD WIDE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- DIGITAL vkdmr.info/ brandmeister.network/?page=repeaters Radio Relay International, an independent amateur radio messaging organization, has expanded its Digital Traffic Network infrastructure to Puerto Rico. Col VK3GTV has the story. According to the organization, the DTN is a hybrid mesh network utilizing HF for long-haul traffic and VHF/UHF gateways for local emergency communications activities. CQ magazine says "Over the past year, according to RRI, the group has been providing training to volunteers in Puerto Rico as well as technical support and one-on-one assistance." During Hurricane Maria, it says, one RRI volunteer alone handled over 2000 welfare messages out of the stricken area. The system also makes use of WinLink and says it is fully interoperable and integrated with other emergency communications resources. RRI also sponsors the National SOS Radio Network and Neighbourhood Radio Watch programs. (cq newsroom) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- YOTA (Youngsters On The Air) youtube.com/channel/UClAapljf0VQ751sOgu2IzaA twitter.com/hamyota ham-yota.com Short Wave Listener wins Young Scientists of the Year in Ireland SWL Shane O'Connor from Kildysart, County Clare, along with his teammate Liam Carew were announced as the winners of this year's BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition at the RDS in Dublin. Back in 1963 the USA Science Fair idea was brought to Ireland and has gone on to bigger and better things every year since reaching an all-time high this year when over 2000 projects were submitted. All entries were screened to select just 550 projects to go through to compete in the RDS. The event attracts over 40,000 people making it one of the largest events of its kind in Europe, if not the world! Shane and Liam, both aged 18 and in sixth year in the Abbey School in Tipperary won with their project Assessing the impact of second-level education on key aspects of adolescents' life and development. The pair will also represent Ireland at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in Brussels in September, and at the 64th Annual London International Youth Science Forum this summer. (btyoungscientist.com) 2023 Social Scene VK3 - BARG HamFest 5th of February barg.org.au/ (vk3kqt) Weve been telling you every week since well before December 2022 that BARG HamFest will be held at their clubrooms. Well this week news in at late notice the club has had to change Venue. VK3ARM Robert has the late breaking news:- Dont forget to put next Sunday, 5th February in your phone or diary Do it now. Why? Ballarat Amateur Radio Groups Hamvention is on again! New venue at the Airport. Doors open at 10am, Traders from 8am. Excellent place for reunions, to look for bargains or to offload items redundant to your needs. Great facilities, food and drinks available. How could you possibly miss it? Go to the BARG website and click on the Hamvention link for details. We look forward to seeing you there barg.org.au VK6 - PARGFEST - FEBRUARY 11 (vk6qi) The Peel Amateur Radio Group in Mandurah Western Australia is running PARGFEST on Saturday morning February 11th. Were celebrating PARGs 40th Anniversary and the event promises to be bigger and better than before: a huge swap-meet attracting people from all over Western Australia, short talks by invited presenters, demonstrations by various commercial organisations and Clubs, and even a coffee cart to feed the hungries plus were running a huge raffle which will be drawn on the day. Just think - you could share in $3,300 worth of prizes and could walk away as the proud owner of an Icom IC-7300 HF Transceiver and other great prizes. Tickets are on sale on right now - head to www.parg.org.au and youll be able to buy on-line from RaffleLink. Youll also be able to buy tickets at PARGFEST. So as usual, the event will be held at the Mandurah Bowling Club, 89 Allnutt Street, Mandurah - just a short walk from the light rail station. Doors open at 8am for exhibitors and sellers, and 9am for visitors - $5 per person for entry and $5 per table for exhibitors. Call CQ PARG on the VK6RMH repeater (146.850MHz with a 91.5Hz sub-tone) on the way and chat to some terrific people on the South West AllStar net. To book tables or for more information, email our Secretary Jenny VK6JEN parg.secretary@gmail.com Please check www.parg.org.au for details, links to the Raffle and for COVID updates on the day. PARGFEST - WAs Best. See you there amongst the raffles and bargains - Saturday morning February 11th at 89 Allnutt Street Mandurah. This is Mark VK6QI for the Peel Amateur Radio Group. VK4 - SUNSHINE COAST CAR BOOT SALE FEBRUARY 12 This includes a deceased estate sale and it happens at the club house, 85 Godfreys Rd Pacific Paradise, QLD. 10 AM. (vk4an) VK4 - REDCLIFFE - REDFEST APRIL ONE (vk4tfn) REDFEST 2023 Saturday 1st April 2023. No, It's not a joke we're fair dinkum. Greetings from the Redcliffe & Districts Radio Club VK4RC. Right here in South East Queensland! Robert Thomson VK4TFN here. The Redcliffe Club will hold our HamFest on: Saturday the 1st April 2023 at 9:00am at St. Michael's College, Caboolture. Please mark the date in the calendar on your mobile phone. BREAKFAST is served from 8:00am. REDFEST opens at 9:00am. $5 Admission. Vendors: Order your tables in March. $10.00 per table. Vendors are admitted free. For Table Bookings Email: redfest@redclifferadioclub.org.au Go to: www.redclifferadioclub.org.au We're also on Facebook. It'll be a good day out. We look forward to seeing you. Thank you and 73's from the Redcliffe & Districts Radio Club VK4RC. VK4 - SUNFEST - NOVEMBER 9 (vk4an) At Mountain Creek State Schools massive air conditioned auditorium, just off the Sunshine Motor Way. Mountain Creek is tucked in to the west of Mooloolaba VK - ALARAMeet2023 4/5 November in HOBART (luther8@bigpond.com) Submitting news items If you would like to submit news items for possible inclusion in the VK1WIA broadcasts, please email your item in text to nationalnews@wia.org.au and don't JUST send url's links or posters, but take the time to pen YOUR contribution. To submit audio, email nationalnews@wia.org.au and send BOTH the audio and the text We would appreciate items certainly no longer than 1.5 mts in length as we only have a half hour. Remember the sooner you submit material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition of WIA National News. Each recorded 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 it in the 3rd person. (First if YOU are reading your own item) Promote your local rebroadcast; details on wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ A reminder when supplying HamFest info we obviously can't plug DEALS from commercial traders "on air", but we at the WIA will put your supporters 'goods' in this text edition "no worries." We will not give blatant 'plugs' to raffles, be it raffles at the event or "on-line". ------------------------------------------------------------* Oh... and to contact us with your news because If It Matters To You It Matters To Us! Click the links below to download the most recent edition of National News, BUT this is ONLY the backup site! WIANEWS backup thanks to Brendan VK4BLP can be found on wiaq.org.au BACKUPS OF THE BACKUP!! thanks to Tony VK7AX www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ wia.org.au/members/broadcast/wianews/ (This is the link to the original text version and original audio on wia site) ------------------------------------------------------------* WIANews - we've reported...YOU decide. TWITTER 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. Who and where are they? wia.org.au/members/broadcast/where/ Promote your local rebroadcast; details on wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ The purpose of "WIANews" is to rapidly provide news of interest to WIA affiliated clubs and 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 IF broadcast, are done so in the spirit in which they were submitted." If you would like to see the call-backs reported each broadcast, OR have call-backs to contribute to the National News call back tally then please send through your call-backs to callbacks@wia.org.au How do I join this National News List? (subscribe for an automatic weekly feed.) Email to vk1wia-news-join@lists.wia.org.au from the email account that you wish the emails to go to. How do I leave this National News List? (unsubscribe your weekly feed) Open mail program which sends mail from the address you want to unsubscribe from. Send unsubscribe to the list unsubscribe address vk1wia-news-leave@lists.wia.org.au You will be sent a confirmation mail and must follow the instructions given in that mail to complete the unsubscription. Once your unsubscription has been processed, you will probably receive a message confirming your unsubscription from the list and at that point you should stop receiving messages. ------------------------------------------------------------*