This is WIANEWS for week commencing AUGUST 19 2007


NATIONAL NEWS

Michael Owen VK3KI WIA President:-

"Today I am making a number of important announcements.

A QSL Service at no cost is one of the benefits of WIA membership.

The WIA Board has made a number of important changes to the WIA QSL Service.

The changes will take effect from 1 December. Full details may be found on
the WIA website.

All outwards cards must be sent to the Outwards Bureau, conducted on behalf
of the WIA by Westlakes.

WIA Members should send their cards sorted in DX CC country order direct to
the Outwards Bureau addressed to:

P.O. Box 3073
Teralba
NSW 2284

Affiliated clubs may collect cards on behalf of their WIA members and forward
them in reasonable sized batches to the Outwards QSL Bureau.

The Outwards Bureau will confirm the WIA membership.

After 1 December, if a WIA member makes an arrangement with the local QSL
Manager for their cards to be sent to them annually, then WIA will meet the
cost of forwarding any cards received for that WIA member.

WIA members who are members of an affiliated club may instead through their
club request that their cards be sent to them at their club.

Inward QSL Managers will retain non-members cards for at least one year
before disposing of them, and will make available cards for collection by or
on behalf of non-members in a manner convenient to the Manager



The WIA Board has also made changes to the rules for the WIA Awards, so
enthusiastically run for us by WIA Awards Manager, Malcolm Johnson VK6LC.

As from 1 September new fees for awards will apply.

WIA Members will be entitled to one certificate and two Award up-dates per
membership year at no charge.

The fees for further certificates and award updates for members, non members
and overseas applicants have been increased and may be found on the WIA
website.

After 1 December WIA awards will only be available to person resident in
Australia who are WIA members. This follows the pattern set by many overseas
societies.

Of course, WIA membership will not be required for applicants for WIA Awards
resident outside Australia.

The application and verification rules have also been rewritten and now make
it clear that applications that are not in order may be returned for
correction.

Again, full information can be found on the WIA website.



The National Technical Advisory Committee, NTAC, is responsible for advising
the WIA Board on technical matters, band plans and coordinating frequency
assignments for repeaters, links and beacons. The National Repeater and
Beacon Coordinator, a member of NTAC, provides "Letters of Coordination" as
required by ACMA before licensing repeaters and beacons.

In consultation with Chairman John Martin VK3KWA a new procedure has been
adopted for processing applications for repeater and beacon licences.
In short, the applications are to be lodged with the WIA national office,
which will have the responsibility for ensuring that the correct experts are
involved and for tracking the progress of the application.

Again information may be found on the WIA website.

A final note of a different kind.

I am very please that now 24 people have applied for qualification and
registration as Learning Facilitators, which may be done on line.

I do ask that those of you who are planning to qualify to please get your
application in to the WIA office as soon as possible, to help us to meet the
1 December deadline.

The application form is on the WIA website, and if you feel that there is a
question you can't answer, then don't worry, don't answer it and if we need
further information we shall contact you."



The National Technical Advisory committee, NTAC
http://www.wia.org.au/news/2007/20070815-03.php


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WIA Announces Changes to WIA Awards Program...
http://www.wia.org.au/news/2007/20070815-02.php


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WIA Announces Changes to WIA QSL Service...
http://www.wia.org.au/news/2007/20070815-01.php




HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.

VK1
vk1 local news email and ask for subscription.

VK2
web service:- http://www.arnsw.org.au/html/news_vk2wi.htm

COFFS HARBOUR VK2:- rebroadcast of WIA news each Sunday morning at 10:00am
on the VMF04 CB repeater - 476.500Mhz regards, James Doyle VK2FJAD



VK3
web service:- http://www.amateurradio.com.au/news/

MELBOURNE EMDRC broadcast Sunday Mornings at 9:30am
on VK3REC 147.175 prior to club net starting this Sunday 19A


VICTORIA VK3BWI NETWORK This broadcast will revert to 10.30am from 2 Sept.



VK4
web service local news:- www.wiaq.com/qnews/upload/qnewsbcast.htm
local news email subscribe in subject
field.

VK4WIM The MacKay Amateur radio Assn's call is in use as we speak from
this years lighthouse weekend at the Pine Islet lighthouse now located
at the Mackay Marina/Harbour complex.


VK5

It's here again. Yes it's the Goolwa Lunch Bunch Sunday August 26th.
Meet at 12.00 for lunch at 12.30 at the Goolwa Hotel. After lunch it's back
to the home of Cecily and Gary VK5ZK for afternoon tea and the usual good
fellowship.

Also coming up is the Radio Amateur's Old Timers Club of South Australia's
luncheon to be held on Thursday October 25th at the Marion Hotel, Marion
Road, Mitchell Park. Meet at 12.00 for lunch at 12.30pm. Don't forget your
senior's card.

If using public transport use bus M44 to stop 24.
RSVP before October 22nd to one of the following committee members.
President Jim McLachlan VK5NB at 82942992
Secretary Ray Deane VK5RK at 82715401 or
Assistant Secretary Ron Coat VK5RV at 82966681
Thanks to Ray Deane for that item.


VK6
web service http://www.vk6.net/newswest-index.html

Two lighthouses in Western Australia will be active this weekend for the
International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend. Operators will be working from
the Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin Lighthouses in the south west of the
state. Special call signs have been allocated, VK6CNL for Cape Naturaliste
and VK6CLL for Cape Leeuwin. Operation will be on the classic five HF bands
of 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10m although the sunspot cycle being what it is
operation will probably be limited to 40 and 20m. The stations will be on
the air from 0800 local time on Saturday until late on Sunday


If you are interested and in the Margaret River area feel free to come along
to the Lighthouses and see the teams in operation. Nigel VK6KHD along with
XYL Jane VK6FJPD and Bernard VK6FBRB will be at Cape Naturaliste and Wally
VK6YS with Bruce VK6CX will be at Cape Leeuwin. If you have not been to the
lighthouses before it is worth the visit as there are well organized tours
including a climb to the top of the lights for a magnificent if windy view.
Whale watching is also possible from the coast at the lighthouses.



VK7
local area news :- http://reast.asn.au/news.php
your copy of vk7 local news, email

VK8
http://www.vkham.com/vk8da/ note an audio version available on this page.




EDUCATION YOUTH AND ADVANCEMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO
PRESENTED BY KYLEA VK6FXYL

EDUCATION MEETS FUN IN NORTH QUEENSLAND

The North Queensland Amateur Radio Convention happens in Townsville September
21 to 23 and is promising to be bigger and better than ever.

Exhibitors including Navcom Electronics supported by Icom Australia and
Vertex Standard Australia, TET Emtron Antennas, RDXG Jewellery, KVK Antenna
Books, Wireless Institute of Australia plus technical lectures from Professor
Mal Heron and Don Dinnie VK4ZCQ.

The prestigious Ken Robertson VK4KT Memorial Award is sure to go to someone
most deserving in the field of VHF-UHF experimentation and education.

As folk travel from around Australia, please let the T.A.R.C. know if you'll
be in town September 21-23 and register for the Convention by next Friday.

Registration Form send a message to the TARC email address





FUTURE EXAMS

To find out when a club in YOUR area is hosting assessments and/or
training in Amateur Radio go to wia.org.au and check out the club pages.


VICTORIA

Amateur Radio Victoria has announced that enrolments are now open for its
Foundation Licence training and assessments weekend of September the 15th
and 16th to be held at Box Hill North.
Inquiries to Barry Robinson VK3JBR 0419 808 323 or email



QUEENSLAND

A FOUNDATION LICENSE COURSE IS TO BE HELD BY THE BAYSIDE
DISTRICT AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY INC AT IT'S CLUB MEETING ROOM
FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE SUNDAYS 9 till noon COMMENCING ON THE 26 TH AUGUST.
IT INCLUDES ALL THE COURSE INFORMATION AND PAPERWORK.
THE LOCATION IS AT THE ALEXANDRA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL CORNER OF
FINUCANE ROAD AND WINDEMERE ROAD, THE ENTRANCE IS FROM WINDEMERE ROAD.
PARKING IS OPPOSITE IN THE PARKING AREA.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT THE PRESIDENT TOM ON 3396 5944 OR THE
SECRETARY DARRELL ON 3207 1118.
THE COST OF THE COURSE IS $35.00


HAM COLLEGE IN VK6

Do you live in or know someone in the Collie/Bunbury Region who wants to do
their Foundation Course/exam -

Ham College is coming to you......We are looking for people who are available
on a weekend next month (September) to do a Foundation course and subsequent
exam. If you are interested then please contact VK6MRS as soon as possible
number is 0412 704 226.

In the Perth metropolitan area the next Foundation course is scheduled for
15th & 16th September - get your name in early to avoid disappointment.
Number again is 0412 704 226.

To view future scheduled exams and associated information on courses for
Ham College in VK6 please visit the western Australian Repeater Group site on
www.warg.org.au and select the Getting your Amateur Licence link.




INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Chinese Peoples Daily have reported that students in Nanjing will have the
opportunity to directly ask the US astronauts in the international space
station questions through amateur radio.

After two years of waiting, the ARISS Program (Amateur Radio on the
International Space Station program) has entered the final stage of
preparation and students of Nanjing No.3 Middle School are almost ready to
talk directly to the astronauts in the international space station.

Wang Long, teacher in charge of the amateur radio activities in Nanjing No.3
Middle School told the NEWSPAPERS reporter that according to the latest
notice from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), NASA has
put this activity into its agenda and decided that the ARISS Program will be
between August 24 and 26. On the occasion, student representatives of
Nanjing No.3 Middle School will have a 10-minute talk with the US astronauts
son Clayton will use the amateur radio device in the International Space
Station to talk to students in Nanjing.

Wang Long said that the Station is expected pass over Nanjing at around
18:00 on August 26. Whether the communication activities will be held as
scheduled is directly dependent on the performance of Shuttle "Endeavour"
that was launched on August 8.




SMILE YOUR ON CANDID CAMERA

YourDay Video Technologies will be working with a UK theme park. When
visitors enter Alton Towers, they will be given an RFID-enabled
wristband.

By wearing the band throughout the day, they will be identified and
videoed by cameras on every ride. These personalised video clips will
be stored and later that day, visitors will be able to pick up a
personalised DVD containing 30 minutes of footage, including full-motion
video footage of the day.

(I just hope the system isn't extended to the pubs and clubs of a Friday
Night!)




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NEWS FROM ARNEWSLINE

PRAISE FOR ARES RESPONSE TO CALIFORNIA'S ZACA FIRE

Amateur Radio and particularly the Amateur Radio Emergency Service
units involved with California's giant Zaca wildfire near have drawn
the praise of that anta Barbara County's fire department. Speaking at
an August 1st Town Hall meeting of the fire-fighting Unified Command,
Fire Department Public Information Officer Eli Eskow heaped praise on
the hams who were out there backing up his fire fighting teams:


"There's one group I forgot to mention and thank personally. The
Amateur Radio Emergency Services group has worked with us forever
(applause) forever!! And on this event, this fire I have asked them
many, many requests and chores. They've jumped at every opportunity
to help us. They've carried mail. They have most importantly thrown
their bodies in front of the public to stop them from going through
closed roads, putting themselves in danger. They've been great.
Anytime we've asked them anything, they jump at any opportunity to
help us..."




KD5VNP TO MAKE TEACHER IN SPACE DREAM COME TRUE

A ham radio operator and teacher is on her way to space to help in
further construction of the International Space Station and to make
the goal of a teacher in space a reality. Mission Specialist Barbara
Morgan, KD5VNP, is part of the crew of Shuttle mission STS-118. This
is an 11 day construction and re-supply mission of the orbiter
Endeavour to the I-S-S.

Barbara Morgan is what is known as an Educator Astronaut. Almost two
decades ago she was the back-up for Christa McAuliffe in the Teacher
in Space Project. McAuliffe and the rest of the seven member crew on
board the Challenger were killed on January 28, 1986 in a launch
accident caused when a seal ruptured on the solid rocket motor and
burned through the external fuel tank. Now, 22 years later, Morgan
will complete the dream of an educator teaching from space when she
gets the chance to talk with and answer questions from schoolchildren
on the ground via ham radio.




OPERATIONAL NEWS -

CONTEST COLUMN - D A T E L I N E


AUGUST 11/12 Remembrance Day Contest (The RD) wia.org.au

Please ensure all ELECTRONIC LOGS are sent to

Peter Harding VK4OD reports:- "Good morning all, particularly all those that
took the time and patience to honour those fallen warriors from WW11, by
participating in the 2007 RD contest, however your part is not complete until
you get your logs away.

As I pen this report the 2007 RD Contest has been run and won by Someone!,
this we will find out soon.

We have received 116 Emailed and 15 Postal Logs as of Wed night,

I understand that one of the Computerised logging programs has a minor glitch,
that is no worries here, as I will pick up the anomaly as I go through the
logs.

Please get your logs in as soon as possible before the cut-off date,

Under RD 2007 Rules

Para 17b In all cases, logs must be received by last mail on Monday 10 Sept.
07. Late entries will not be eligible."




AUGUST 26-27

ALARA CONTEST.

This ALARA contest is run over 36 hours to give everyone 2 bites at the 80m
band.

For OMs only contacts with YLs count, while YLs can count ALL stations.

Club stations operated by YLs are certainly encouraged.

One highlight of the ALARA contest is that you may work the same station
after a one hour interval on the same band. So it is worth while staying
around
a tad longer for that extra contact for both yourself and the other station.

ALL DETAILS CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE 47 OF JULY'S AR MAGAZINE




7th World HST Championship will be held in Belgrade Serbia September
19-23rd.
www.hst2007.org




SEPTEMBER 22

The Second running of the Westlakes Cup is coming up on Saturday 22nd
September commencing at 8.30 Eastern Australian Standard Time (10.30 Z).




Boat Anchor Sprints:
October (13).
Local ZL time: 2000 to 2100 hrs

Section 1: Old radios - all valves - i.e. ZC1, 19 set, Heathkits, any
home brew set, but must have all valves.

Section 2: Any Hybrid transceiver (must have valve finals i.e. FT200,
FTDX400/401, Drake, FT 101s, etc..

Amplitude Modulated signals only.

The overall winner shall be the entrant having the highest points score
which will be published in the following New Zealand "Break-in".
(Jamie Pye ZL2NN, Editor NZART's InfoLine)




NOVEMBER 17/18 VK Spring VHF-UHF Field Day





CONTEST STORIES

Report on VK/ trans-Tasman 160M CW Contest: held 21st July -

The 2007 CW Contest was won by Greg Smith (ZL3IX) from Christchurch.

Allan Mason (VK2GR) from Sydney was 2nd, with Tony Burt (VK3TZ)
From Melbourne, 3rd.

QRN made operating rather difficult and, unfortunately, the participation
dropped off, compared to last year.

Only 27 VK's and 7 ZL's participated, and just less than half submitted logs.

It looks as though CW operators are diminishing, as Contest Manager
Bruce Renn expected, now that CW is no longer an examination requirement.

Reducing the Contest duration this year, from 6 to 5 hours, didn't seem to
help. It will be further reduced to 4 hours, next year, and if numbers
continue to drop, the 160M CW Contest will be discontinued.




THE QNEWS WORK BENCH - the nuts and volts report -
(Measure twice - Cut once!)

Trevor Baylis, creator of the first wind-up radio, and the amazing
electric shoe, has introduced the first wind-up MP3 player.

Available at the end of August, the Eco Media Player seems like an
attention-deficit camper's dream come true.

The wind-up media player has a 1.8-inch colour screen and a lean 2GB of memory
that can be expanded using an SD memory card.

Like a media junkie's Swiss Army knife, the Eco Media player features an MP3
player, a video player, an FM radio, and a flashlight, voice recorder,
photo viewer, mobile phone charger, and an e-book viewer.

It also can be used as a portable storage drive in a PC.




MEDIA WATCH

SATRS the Singapore Ham Society has just had some 30 minutes on A LOCAL
Singapore Radio Station.. take a listen to a short excerpt.

(hear it on www.wiaq.com.au/ftp/wianews.mp3) ((7 meg file)




NOW ROBERT BROOMHEAD - VK3KRB.

WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP --- MILITARY

Nick VK4YT on AM again with Warbirds Radio.

Mike VK4MIK advises that Nick VK4YT and helpers will be operating at the
WARBIRDS display at Mareeba today Sunday August 19th, using restored military
aircraft equipment on 3590 and 7070kHz AM from 10AM (0001UTC).

Last time he utilized the AM mode he ended up with stations calling him from
all over which was terrific as he will be putting on a public display.

So, not only do you have to keep an ear out for the Grassy Hill Light crew
near Cooktown on-air for the International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend
but you also need to get the word around and help Nick get busy !!




WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RESCUE RADIO

EMERGENCY FREQUENCIES REGION ONE
21.360 - 18.160 - 14.300 - 7.060 - 3.760 MHz.


A report in the Canadian publication, The Edmonton Journal, has reported on
how Environment Canada enlists the help of amateur radio operators around
the province to keep an eye on the sky.

Fifty ham radio operators from the Edmonton area have taken a five-hour
course on the basics of meteorology and what to look for in cloud formations.

Another 50 from central and southern Alberta took the same training, all of
it intended to avoid false reporting of would-be major storms.

Now, whenever Environment Canada issues a severe weather watch, it alerts
the network of amateur radio volunteers. Volunteers then contact other
members of the ham radio network, asking them to report signs of approaching
severe weather, including lightning, hail or funnel clouds etc.

That eyeball-to-radio system represents a final stage of Alberta's
tornado-warning system.




WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- VHF AND ABOVE

The UK 6 meter group are reporting how this month is the 50th anniversary of
a World Record QSO between Clarrie VK5KL and Eugene W7ACS/KH6 which took
place on 26 August 1947.

VK5KL Clarrie made the contact while he was living in Darwin. VK5 callsigns
then were used for South Australia PLUS the Northern Territory.

Clarrie VK5KL, now lives in the Adelaide suburb of Enfield, where he is said
to be still active on six metres.

Working in the Civil Aviation area, he was able to get a QANTAS pilot to
bring hard to source, in Australia, components for his 6 meter rig from the
UK.

During that 46-47 winter when W7ACS/KH6 was active on 50 MHz, he did also
achieve for some very brief exchanges with VK4HR of Brisbane, however even
though the pair heard one or the other, it was not a two way.

Clarrie VK5KL was fortunate to have been the first Aussie to make a two-way
contact with Hawaii.
(UKSMG)




BB's DIARY ROOM - THE FUTURE, IN AMATEUR RADIO


2008

Sept 13 Alarameet 2008 will be held in Ulverstone Tasmania on Saturday
13th and Sunday 14th September 2008. Susan VK7LUV for details.




2009
International Telecommunication Union's Telecom World 2009.


14th IARU R3 Conference Christchurch 12 - 16 October, 2009.





SOCIAL SCENE



SEPTEMBER 8
SUNSHINE COAST HAMFEST at Woombye School of Arts Hall.






SEPTEMBER 9 Shepparton and District Amateur Radio Club Hamfest
St. Augustine's Hall Orr St.






SEPTEMBER 21-23
North Queensland Amateur Radio Convention
Happening in twin cities of Thuringowa and Townsville.


OCTOBER 6
Gold Coast Amateur Radio Society Annual Hamfest at Albert Waterways Hall.


JANUARY 20 2008

The Mid North Coast Amateur Radio Group invite all amateurs to attend the
2008 Mid North Coast Radio Expo to be held in Coffs Harbour on Sunday 20th
January.

The Expo is held at the St Johns Church Hall, Mc Lean Street, Coffs Harbour.
Gary VK2ZKT is the Radio Expo Coordinator on 02 66 55 2 990 or visit the
Groups comprehensive web site at www.mncarg.org









THE FINAL FINAL

WALKS

Jeff VK4XJJ is still going strong on his walk across Australia.


But he still wants to hear from YOU, and it is these calls in particular
that keep him going!!


Amateurs are welcome to contact Jeff VK4XJJ on 7.045 MHz after 1730 EST. Ten
minutes prior is for housekeeping, position, health, weather, temperature,
walked distance, number of vehicles passed and how many stopped, etc.

About Tuesday 28th he should be in Normanton and have access to email. His
walk ends at Karumba about Monday, 3rd September.

Then after a few days I will drive him on the return trip to thank those who
donated and were kind to Jeff on his journey. I am in Stockton, Newcastle,
north of Sydney and will drive 2,630 kilometres and 3 days to meet him.

Jeff's is walking "unsupported", alone and carrying a 28Kg backpack. His
main communication is amateur radio. He is a member of the Wireless
Institute of Australia who have been very helpful and present a Sunday News
segment of Jeff's walk.

Some motorists stop to say hello and then produce a cup of tea and offer
fruit. He started carrying 8 litres (8Kg) of water but dropped down to 2
litres as the motorists often offer water. Some creeks have water and this
also replenishes his supply.

We had two years school in Nevada and Ohio 1951 to 1953. I (brother Bill)
recently re-visited Boulder City for a 50th school reunion.

Jeff's website has a lot of information, we are after public awareness for
DeafBlind and DeafBlind (NSW) Inc. in particular.
Our daughter was deafblind and Jeff has dedicated his walk to the group and
friends she loved.

Regards, Bill Johnson VK2FWGJ

for Jeff Johnson VK4XJJ Walking for DeafBlind awareness

www.jeffswalk.com








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WIANews - we've reported...YOU decide.

Societies and Club News Letter Editors can EXCHANGE a feed prior to
the actual broadcast date, e-mail

Callbacks 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".

Compiled by VK4BB on behalf of the National WIA.
______________________________
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WIANews THANKS OUR REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS , OUR RELAY OPERATORS ACROSS THE WORLD
FOR FORWARDING INFORMATION AND COMMENTS THEIR LISTENERS HAVE PASSED ON TO MAKE
WIANews VK'S LEADING WEEKLY AMATEUR RADIO PROGRAM.
_______________________________
Societies and Club News Letter Editors can EXCHANGE a feed prior to the actual
broadcast date, e-mail
Callbacks 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".
Compiled by VK4BB on behalf of QNEWS for the National WIA.
Thanks to 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.
Material may be reproduced in whole or in part, in any form, a credit to
WIANews wouldn't go astray...
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