WIANEWS for week commencing Dec 14 2008
 

SB WIANEWS @ WW $QNEWS081214
WIANEWS - Dec 14 - VK NATIONAL NEWS

ALWAYS ENSURE ORIGINAL BID # AND TITLE ARE USED.
Packet uploads with thanks to vk7ax Tony



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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


Please.. write your story as you would expect to hear it being read back
do NOT send us links and url's!!


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WIANews 24/7 with the following bulletin in Audio
when you visit the MEMBERS AREA on www.wia.org.au
This weeks WIANews available in Audio after 0100hrs UTC Saturday.
http://www.wiaq.com/ftp/wianews_64.mp3 FM Radio quality
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http://www.wiaq.com and click the QNEWS link to see weekly news stats

free emailed script
http://lists.wia.org.au/mailman/listinfo/vk1wia-news

Now you can dial this WIANews wherever you are on the
"gateway dot net dot au" 1300 phone service.
Dial 1300 558 592 and at the prompt type W.I.A.N. (That's 9426).
"Standard call rate from fixed home phone, higher from mobiles".


This is WIANEWS for week commencing Dec 14 2008

VK1WIA News Service Schedule

Please note that there will VK1WIA bulletins as usual over the Christmas
New Year period.

HOWEVER anyone with news of events taking place between now and 11 January
should send it to as soon as possible.

If your local RF rebroadcaster is taking a break, you will be able to pick
up the news on a myriad of stations, just check the web site wia.org.au
for where and when or even download the mp3 also from wia.org.au


HO HO HO A PIRATING WE GO.

Back in July this year the this WIA News Service received an email from
Tim VK4TIM to say that a wireless audio sender had been heard frequently
in the Hawthorne, Bulimba and Morningside areas of Brisbane, which caused
interference to reception of the 147.000 2m repeater.

We directed Tim to the WIA Intruder Watch team who at that point in time had
had no reports of any pirate activity at all on any band. For that statement
when we mentioned it in the news we were taken to task by several folk
who had in fact made reports.

However I digress

We also put Tim in contact with Terry VK4AAT who had had the same problem
to the south of the City and who, working with ACMA had cleared the band
in the south of this pc game audio activity.

Tim also sent a VERY detailed report to the powers that be and our own WIA
Director Peter Young VK3MV

Now comes good news that this "Headphone" interfering With the RBN 2m
Repeater has been confiscated by The ACMA.

The ACMA's investigations revealed that the device was a pair of wireless
headphones, with a mike back-channel, designed to be used with a PC online.
The headphones, an Omni model WEP-910D, use the 2m frequency as the audio
feed to deliver audio to the headphones, which explains Tim hearing endless
hours of what was from their PC soundcard, be it gaming, or streamed audio
from internet sources.

It turns out that the users of this particular equipment had, on some
occasions heard "voices talking to them" on their headphones...

There may be more of these units in use, so be sure to keep an ear out for
them, they seem to operate on 147.000 MHz +- about 15kHz, so users listening
to repeaters on 147.000 MHz are more likely to be affected by one of these
units.

These are the sort of devices including cordless telephones that can be
freely imported and sold in Australia, however they should be operating
on the correct frequencies allocated. It is however an offence to use
these devices on frequencies that are out of band. - Peter Young VK3MV

Oh and sticking my head up again, still the WIA news service has had no
reports of other intrusions into our band so obviously another "easy year"
for our Intruder Watches!

We will have more later in this bulletin on the problem and outcome
that VK4AAT experienced in Brisbane's South, that when VK3DN looks at this
months AR Magazine.



LOCK N LOAD

WIA National Office volunteer staff have been very busy This week and have
packed all outstanding back orders for the 2009 Amateur Radio Callbook.


All the boxes and mailbags were loaded into a 4WD and taken to the Bayswater
district Mail Centre for despatch.

If you have placed an order look out for it in your mail box in the next few
days. If your Club has ordered, then give your Club a few days to receive
the box. As it is nearing Christmas Australia Post is very busy and we know
they will do their best to get the parcels through as quickly as possible.

We trust that you will enjoy the new layout, the extra information and the
overall presentation of the 2009 Callbook.

(vk3afa secretary wia)


HAVE YOURSELF A MONSTER CHRISTMAS

theTARCinc 2008 Christmas Party and Monster Auction is happening this Sunday
afternoon December 14th from 2pm at the VK4TJS Satellite Dish City.

2pm the Monster Auction will get underway so clear your shacks and bring
treasure and lots of change for the new treasure you will want to bid on
and take home.

From 4-30pm the BBQ will light up with food supplied by TARC.

Those who have put in their numbers will feast, those who haven't will drool.

Bring esky's of drink (no glass), comfy seating or picnic rugs.

During cooking the Mystery XMAS Pressie auction will take place.

Bring a suitably wrapped pressie or three for this fun event.

Above all, have fun but party responsibly!






IT'S A GIFT WE HAVE

Are you STILL looking for something special to give a radio enthusiast friend
or a loved one for Christmas, yet can't decide what to buy, then look no
further, consider giving them a new Wireless Institute Of Australia Gift
Certificate.

Available to the dollar value of your choice and redeemable for any purchase
made through the WIA Online Bookshop, for any book or item of merchandise or
any service provided by the WIA, the WIA Gift Certificate makes the perfect
Christmas gift!

But wait .. as we said last week "there's more" !!

In addition to the new WIA Gift Certificate, we are also pleased to announce
the availability of the WIA Membership Gift Certificate. Why not encourage
your friends to become members of the Wireless Institute of Australia by
giving them a "Become a WIA Member" Gift Certificate.

Available for purchase in Full, Concession, Student and Family membership
grades.

Both types of Gift Certificates can be purchased online through the
"Gift certificate" section of the WIA online bookshop. Gift certificates
will be mailed to you from the National WIA office. Alternatively, Gift
Certificates can be purchased by mail or in person directly from the
Wireless Institute Of Australia Office, Unit 20 - 11 Havelock Road
Bayswater VIC 3153.








EDUCATION YOUTH AND ADVANCEMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO

This week alongside Kylea VK6XYL at the education desk is our WIA President
Michael Owen VK3KI.

"On 11 December the WIA posted an important release, and I would like to
read it for this broadcast.

From 2 February 2009, the price of WIA examinations will increase to $67.00
(inc. GST).

However, the WIA Board is very pleased to announce that the price increases
will not apply to candidates under the age of 18 on the day of assessment.
The charge for these candidates will remain $35 (inc. GST), with the
exception of practical assessments taken alone, which will increase from
$25 to $35.

The price increases are the result of a number of factors.

The date of the increases (2 February 2009) is the anticipated date that the
WIA will commence conducting examinations in accordance with proposed new
contractual arrangements with ACMA. From that date, the WIA will be obliged
to comply with the Commonwealth's Cost Recovery guidelines, with its charges
requiring Commonwealth approval. These guidelines require the WIA to charge
a price consistent with the full cost of providing the service. The WIA will
subsidise the lower charge for candidates under 18.

The work necessary to establish and obtain approval of WIA assessment
charges has demonstrated that the WIA is currently undercharging for
examination services. A number of new costs have also been incurred.
Inflation has added to existing costs. The WIA has taken out a new insurance
policy covering the WIA and each individual Assessor against claims arising
from alleged improper assessments. There are also additional costs arising
from the provision of additional services under the proposed contractual
arrangements (for example, the WIA will issue amateur certificates of
proficiency to successful examination candidates under the proposed
arrangements).

WIA costs and corresponding charges have been verified by the WIA's auditors
and ACMA.

The WIA is a not-for-profit organization established to promote amateur
radio. The price increases are due entirely to increased costs, the adoption
of full cost recovery and the provision of additional services. The larger
part of the work associated with the conduct of assessments is still provided
on a voluntary basis by people who believe that amateur radio is worth
promoting and encouraging.

This release has been approved by ACMA, and has been repeated in emails to
clubs and in Assessor Alerts for all Assessors.

Thank you."



The ACMA website lets us know that another recent Foundation Licensee
now has a callsign - Paul VK7FPAH now has his callsign and no doubt was
eagerly buying up at the Miana Hamfest....HIHI.

Congratulations to Paul and we look forward to hearing you on the airways
soon.

If you are interested in attending a foundation licence course or an
assessment for any licence in 2009 in the Hobart area then please let Reg
VK7KK know on mobile: 0417 391 607 or email:


And now for a poem entitled

"The Night Before Christmas", Ham Radio-style

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the town,
The snowstorm was raging, the phone lines were down;
The wind it did howl, the tree limbs did crack,
I hope that St. Nick isn't forced to turn back.
The wife making cookies, the kids making noise,
While away in the shack, by my rig I was poised.
The finals were glowing, the mike gain was set,
I was chasing DX to see what I could get.
The bands were all empty, the frequencies clear,
Except one lone station that sounded quite near.
He was calling CQ and my interest did pique,
When he ended transmission with the words,
"Old St. Nick".
I answered back quickly, I used great dispatch,
If this were St. Nicholas, good God, what a catch!
We exchanged information, it was really quite graphic,
Then he came back and said,
"I've emergency traffic!"
His reindeer were tired, his elves in a grump,
If he didn't land soon, then his sleigh he would dump.
I thought very carefully, I thought very hard,
Then I gave him directions to my snow covered yard.
As he flew past my window, his hair like a mane,
He reined in his chargers and called them by name:
"Whoa, Anode! Whoa, Cathode! Whoa, Zener! Whoa, Diode!
Stop, Heater! Stop, Grid leak! Stop, Bias! Stop, Triode!
You're flying too low! you're flying too fast!
Look out, you dumb reindeer, his antenna mast!"
So into the backyard the reindeer did drop,
St. Nick, the elves, and the sleigh went kerplop!
Then at the back door, I heard this loud knocking,
"Open up in there, or I won't fill your stocking!"
As I turned off the light and was leaving the shack,
Into the house Saint Nicholas came from the back--
His two-meter rig held to his hip with a strap,
"Hams do it in the shack" on the front of his cap.
The sack that he carried made his aged brow furrow,
And he handed me a card that read,
"QSL Via Bureau".
His clothes were all sooty, from his shoes to his vest;
I felt like a novice taking his test.
His fingers were calloused and from what I could tell,
This came from a straight key that I'll bet he used well.
I offered him coffee, I offered him smokes,
I tried easing the tension by telling ham jokes.
Then he nodded his head and raised up his thumb,
He smiled like an Elmer, did I ever feel dumb.
He grabbed up his sack and went straight for the tree,
And placed in it a large present for me.
When he finished his work, he stood up, took a bow,
Then out the back door to his team he did plow.
But I heard him exclaim as he flew o'er the land,
"Beware of the ACMA, friend, we were both out of band!"

Merry Christmas everyone

I'm Kylea VK6XYL



INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to RSGB, Southgate AR Club, the ARRL,
Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART and the WW sources of the WIA. I'm VK5MM Rob.


Radio hams come to rescue

Leanne Carter writing in the Northern Scot says that a family left stranded
when their car skidded off a country road were rescued thanks to the quick
thinking of two amateur radio enthusiasts.

Unable to get a mobile phone signal anywhere near the scene of the accident,
radio ham Barry Horning sent out a call for help over the airwaves. His plea
for medical assistance for the injured female driver was picked up almost
20 miles away in Longmorn by fellow enthusiast Jon Coulter.

The pair were delighted that their hobby was able to play such a pivotal
role in the rescue of the family, and succeeded where mobile technology
failed.



Copper Thieves Threaten U.S. Infrastructure, FBI says

Copper thieves, sometimes acting as "organized groups," are threatening what
the FBI said is "critical" U.S. infrastructure, from electrical sub-stations,
cellular towers, telephone land lines to railroads and crops, the agency
said in an unclassified report unveiled Wednesday.

The report, Copper Thefts Threaten US Critical Infrastructure, said bandits
are taking advantage of unprecedented high prices for copper, an almost
500 percent increase since 2001 as measured earlier this year.

The FBI's report, dated Sept. 15, contains striking stories about copper
theft when the mineral's price was golden.

In one instance, the bureau reported, five tornado warning sirens in Jackson,
Miss., did not sound ahead of an April tornado "because copper thieves had
stripped the sirens of copper wiring, thus rendering them inoperable."

The demand for copper, the FBI said, was created by lower production stemming
from an Indonesian mining accident and a strike in Chile, the world's largest
nation producer.

http://www.fbi.gov/hq/majorthefts/co...ft_120308b.htm

http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/200...r-thieves.html

(sourced to vk7news)



================================================== =======================NEWS FROM ARNEWSLINE


HAM RADIO BUSINESS: CQ ACQUIRES WORLDRADIO AND TAKES IT ON-LINE

A big change is coming to the ham radio publishing scene. This as one
popular magazine absorbs another. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the
Newsroom with the details:


Two magazines that this writer knows quite well are kind of being joined at
the hip. At least, so as to speak. This with word that Hicksville, New
York-based CQ Communications, Inc. has acquired Sacramento, California
based WorldRadio magazine.

Since its inception in July of 1971, WorldRadio has been the only ham radio
magazine published West of the Continental Divide. Its a monthly
publication with a primary focus on the human side of ham radio. And as
many of you know, for about the past 10 years this reporter has been the
editor of its VHF and F-M column.

So why has Worldradio been sold? My long-time friend and Worldradio
publisher Armond Noble, N6WR, says that at the age of 74 its simply time
for him to retire. And why sell to CQ? In a press release N6WR said
simply that he wanted to be sure that WorldRadio found a good home, and

that its readers would continue to be served by what he termed as an
independent voice in amateur radio.

CQ Publisher Dick Ross, K2MGA, echoed Armond Noble's words. Ross says that
for nearly four decades WorldRadio has filled an important niche in the

hobby. Ross says that he welcomes all of WorldRadio's readers to the CQ
family, and looks forward to meeting their needs for many years to come.

At this time WorldRadio to continue to be published, but only online
magazine with Editor Nancy Kott, WZ8C, continuing in that
position. Current WorldRadio subscribers will also have their
subscriptions transferred to CQ magazine. Readers will be notified of
details as plans are finalized.

CQ, a general-interest ham radio magazine best known for its support of

DX'ing and contesting, has been in print since January, 1945. And along
with Vertex-Standard Corporation, it is also one of the two primary
corporate underwriters of the Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year
Award.

In the newsroom, I'm Bill Pasterak, WA6ITF.

We at Amateur Radio Newsline thank retiring Worldradio publisher Armond

Noble, N6WR, and his wife Helen for their years of service to the
world-wide ham radio community.




WORLDBEAT - BELGIUM: CELEBRATING THE FIRST TV SHOW

Turning to news from around the world, the first television show in Belgium
was broadcast 55 years ago in 1953. And this is the reason for the special
event station signing ON55INR. It will be active on SSB, CW and the
digital modes through December 31st. QSL only via the bureau.





================================================== =======================


WEIRD N WONDERFUL

Power plants to protect forests.
Hello I'm Jim Linton VK3PC with the weird 'n wonderful file.

A voltage difference exits between a tree and the ground. Researchers have
found that the metabolism of a tree works to maintain the voltage difference,
whether it's day or night, rain or shine all year round.

Up to two volts is available, enough to trickle-charge a battery or power a
wireless transmitter.

Tree-power will be helping to collect improved local climate data that is
essential for computerised fire modelling.

The United States Forest Service is about to field test a tree-powered
wireless network.

It looks like being an alternative to installing intrusive solar panels in a
forest.

The bio-energy source may have other applications too, such as border
security and managing agriculture.

Could this lead to self-illuminated Christmas trees or even radio amateurs
tapping in it for QRP operation.

Anyone pine for the day that this kind of energy becomes poplar?

(Jim Linton VK3PC)


OPERATIONAL NEWS -



ON AIR CONTEST AND EVENT COLUMN - D A T E L I N E


2009

JAN 1 ROSS HULL Contest starts

JAN 17 - 18 Summer VHF Field Day

FEB 28 - Mar 1 JOCK WHITE MEMORIAL FIELD DAY 0200 UTC til 1100 UTC 21ST
1700 UTC til 0200 UTC 22ND






CONTEST STORIES

The results of the Westlakes Cup for 2008 have arrived.
The following supplied by Westlakes Contest Manager John VK2NEN.

Standard and Advanced Section:
1st Vince VK7VH
2nd Graham VK2VV
3rd Richard VK2KRM

Foundation Section:
1st Richard VK2FRKO
2nd Leonie VK2FHRK


Congratulation and well done to both the winners, placegetters and those who
took part. Certificates are being prepared.



VHF CONTEST NEWS

The results of the Spring VHF-UHF Field Day have now been finalised.
The latest event saw an all-time record number of logs and an increase
of 60 per cent over last year's event. The Summer Field Day has
traditionally seen more activity than the Spring event, but this year's
activity also breaks the previous Summer Field Day record.

Microwave activity was static or a little down in some areas, although this
year's event saw the first Field Day contact on the 47 GHz band. But on all
the lower bands, there were solid increases of activity from both portable
and home stations.

In the single operator 24 hour section, the winner was Tim Dixon VK5ZT, and
second place went to Doug Friend VK4OE. In the 8 hour section, the winner
was Gavin Brain VK3HY, and second place went to Ed Roache VK3BG.

In the multi operator category, the winner of the 24 hour section was
VK3UHF, operated by Chas VK3PY and David VK3QM. Second place went to VK3ER,
the Eastern and Mountain District Radio Club. In the 8 hour section, the
first place went to Alan Devlin VK3XPD and Michael Coleman VK3KH, and second
place went to VK5LZ, the Elizabeth Amateur Radio Club.

The top scoring home station was Matt Hetherington, VK2DAG, and second place
went to David Purkis VK4ZDP.

Certificates are in the mail to all entrants, and full details of the
results are also available on the WIA web site.

The next contest in the calendar is the Ross Hull VHF-UHF Contest, which
begins on January 1.

For users of the VKCL contest logging program, Mike VK3AVV has advised that
a new version of VKCL is now available for download. Version 2.15 supports
the new rules for the Ross Hull Contest, and also includes improvements for
VHF-UHF Field Day logging. There are download links for this software on the
VHF-UHF Field Day and Ross Hull Contest pages of the WIA web site.

(John Martin)



SPECIAL EVENTS, BEACON DX AND NET ADVICE
hf nets ON the net, www.timroberts-vk4yeh.id.au/

9M1CS* 18 Scouting stations (* Apart from 9M1CSS in 9M6 all
others are 9M2 stations.
QSL via 9m2 bureau) Until Dec 31


C 4 EURO E-Day, 1st of January currency changes to Euro. Until Dec 31


ON 55 INR marks start of TV broadcasting from Brussels Until Dec 31


PY 100 JA Centenary of first Japanese immigration to Brazil. Until Dec 31


VI 90 BV Waverley Amateur Radio Society 90th Birthday JAN 1-DEC 31 2009




Alfred Faure Base on Crozet Island (WAP FRA-Ø2)

Florentin (F4DYW) has got a working assignment as Voluntary Civilian
Technical Assistant at Alfred Faure Base WAP-WADA FRA-Ø2, working on
Crozet Island from now until November 30 2009.

With call FT5WO, he will be active in phone on 15, 20 and 40 meters, using a
Yaesu FT757 GX 100 watts and dipoles which will be built directly on
Crozet. QSL will be via his home call, direct or buro.

Crozet FT5W, is #9 on the most wanted DXCC countries. The return trip, in
Dec 2009, could preview a short activity as FR/F4DYW and FH/F4DYW.

Good luck for contacting Florentin!



Many Amateurs in Antarctica and Arctic over Summer

Helmuth, W6KDX is staying on Amundsen-Scott South Pole station until Jan 5,
2009 and if time permits may be active as KC4AAA. Activity will mainly be
on 20 meters SSB 14243 kHz . QSL via K1IED.

Nicolas, F4EGX will be QRV as FT5YI from the French base "Dumont d'Urville"
on Petrel Island, IOTA AN-017, until mid December. Activity is on the HF
bands using SSB in his spare time. QSL to home call.

Joel, ON5XX will be QRV as OP0DL from Patriot Hills until around December 25

Bob, VK2ABP will be QRV as VK0BP on Davis Base until March 7. He will be
active in his spare time. QSL via VK2CA.

OPØLE is the callsign of the new Belgian Antarctic Research Station
"Princess Elisabeth" situated on Utsteinen on Dronning Maud Land.

Activities can be expected between mid December and the mid of
February 2009. The OP will be Paul ON3PC


Once again OH9SCL is going to be active in CW, SSB and digital modes
on 10-160m from Santa Claus Land (SCL) at the Arctic Circle. Ho Ho Ho!
QSL via OH9UV, PL 50, 96101 Rovaniemi, Finland.





The Marconi Radio Club W1AA of Massachusetts USA will take part in the Jack
Binns special event with two stations, by representing SS Republic
(Call sign MKC) as W1AA/MKC and SS Baltic (Call sign BC) as W1AA/BC.
The two stations plan to be on the amateur bands on Jan 23 from 0001Z to
0400Z and on Jan 24th from 1200Z to 2000Z. . Both SSB and CW.






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


Now you can download a condensed collection of handy data to help you through
your next project.

How much current will AWG 14 wire handle?

How many turns does it take to get a 140 mH inductor?

What is the pinout for a TO-220 transistor?

Answer these and many other questions using the Handy Reference.

The Handy Reference consists of two sides of an 8.5 × 11 inch sheet chock
full of useful tidbits of reference data. It covers everything from the
formula for capacitance to a wire table in a one page cheat sheet. So put
down that data book and click on

www.arrl.org/news/files/HandyReference.pdf



MEDIA WATCH



Amateur Radio magazine for December is now out. This Christmas issue has
extra pages and many more of them are in colour. Nip down to the newsagents
and get your copy now, before they are all gone.

The cover photo will catch your eye first. Just look at the magnificent

Flinders Ranges in outback South Australia. Then you will see Barry Miller's
144 and 432 MHz antennas. Read about this DXpedition undertaken by Barry
VK3BJM, and get a report on how the DX was coming in. Barry includes some
excellent photos of his antennas, and that is another of his skills, because
it is very difficult to get good photos of antennas against a sky background.


Pirates on the amateur bands are an ongoing problem, perhaps more so on HF
with world-wide transmission. Recently however, a pirate on the 2-metre
amateur band was heard regularly on the air in Brisbane. Learn how it was
located by WIA 160 meter AM Newsman Terry Stewart VK4AAT and then shut down
by ACMA.



Perhaps the most frequent contributor to Amateur Radio magazine, over a
number of years, has been Drew Diamond VK3XU. In this issue there are not
one, but two, articles by Drew. He tackles the noise problem that always
troubles operators on 1.8 MHz, the lowest amateur band, with an active
loop-stick antenna. The article tells all you need to build one of these,
with circuit and construction details, operating instructions and advice on
parts selection.

Then, Drew VK3XU provides some excellent advice on frequency counters - in
particular, how well you can rely on their accuracy. To overcome such
uncertainties, Drew describes in detail how to build your own highly
accurate crystal reference oscillator. And once you have built it and checked
its performance, how to use it to calibrate your counter. Everything is
the circuit , construction details with photos and a very useful list of
references.


Jamborees-of-the-Air (JOTA) are the flavour of the month (October, that is)
and hundreds of Scouts, Cubs and Guides were involved. On page 29, read all
about the Northern Rivers groups meeting at Murwillumbah. Then, on page 30,
begins an account of the big gathering at Murrenbong scout campsite just
north of Brisbane. This event is supported by the Redcliffe & District Radio
Club and was attended by WIA Vice President Ewan McLeod, who took the photos.
Those who heard the WIA news the Sunday morning of JOTA will be interested
as this is the group who actually read that weekends news for us.
Also on page 30, read about the JOTA activities at the Lismore Show;
supported by the Summerland Amateur Radio Club, as always. And the Tranmere
Sea Scouts had their own JOTA in the eastern suburbs of Adelaide, with the
active support of several VK5 radio clubs (see page 32). They were active on
HF, 2 metres and the internet.
And finally, after a gap of some ten years, Ipswich and District Radio Club
ran a JOTA Around 13 Cubs had a fantastic time and a bigger, better event
is already being planned for next October.


Amateur Radio magazine is usually a smorgasbord as the WIA try to include
something to interest everyone. If your special interest is not covered,
please write and tell the Editor Peter Freeman. Or better still, write an
article for the magazine on that special topic - all the articles (and the
regular columns) are written by Amateur Radio readers.


Orders are flowing in for the 2009 WIA Callbook. It will be available in the
first week of December, and contains right-up-to-date call listings plus all
kinds of other useful information for the radio amateur.

Here's wishing all readers of Amateur Radio a Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year. It is hard work sometimes but we volunteers at the
Publications Committee enjoy bringing you this quality magazine, which we
are always aiming to improve. And thanks Mike VK1OO, we do appreciate the
occasional pat on the back.









WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FINAL FRONTIER

AMSAT-VK UNOFFICIAL HF Net.
2nd Sunday each month.
November through March 0900 UTC 7.068 MHz
April through October 1000 UTC 3.685 MHz

ISS 70cm to 2m FM Repeater operational
David Barber has reported on the AMSAT Bulletin Board that the International
Space Station (ISS) 70cm to 2 metre FM Repeater is operational.
The Space Station FM repeater has it's input on 437.800 MHz and it's output
on 145.800 MHz.
There is no need to use CTCSS or any toneburst to activate it.

For information on how to use it see 'ISS Repeater Tips' by Miles Mann WF1F
at http://www.southgatearc.org/news/feb...eater_tips.htm

(southgate)









WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- Internet Linking of Repeaters

A quick reminder from Ben VK7BEN that IRLP & EchoLink Node on VK7RAD has
received some TLC and is now back on frequency that's VK7RAD (R2/R5) and is
getting some use.

http://reast.asn.au/repeaters.php#IRLP











SOCIAL SCENE


Dec 27 VK5
AS-LAN #10 takes place in Adelaide.



2009

International Telecommunication Union's Telecom World 2009.



JANUARY 18 2009 VK2
Mid North Coast Amateur Radio Group's Radio Expo St Johns Church Hall,
Maclean Street Coffs Harbour 8.30am



Feb 8 2009 VK2
WYONG FIELD DAY


June 5 - 8 VK4
FNNQARG at Cardwell Village Beachcomber Resort book on 1800 005633
Contact FNNQARG co-ordinator Gavin VK4ZZ for site booking guidance.



July 11 - 12 VK3
GippsTech 2009, the technical conference with a VHF, UHF & microwave focus.


OCT 12 - 16 ZL
14th IARU R3 Conference Christchurch 12 ? 16 October 2009.
Details at www.christchurch.org.nz/
The Region 3 Web Site: www.jarl.or.jp/iaru-r3/





REWIND - A LOOK BACK IN HISTORY
(Will McGhie VK6UU is WIA National Historian)

It's now the 75th anniversary of the development of Frequency Modulation by
Edwin Howard Armstrong.

The story begins in 1904 when his father gave him The Boys' Book of
Inventions and following year a publication entitled Stories of Inventors.

At age 14 he told his parents he wanted to become an inventor.

Inspired by Faraday, Marconi and others he experimented with wireless
telegraphy, later holding the office of President in the Radio Club of

America.

While an undergraduate at the Columbia School of Engineering in 1914 he
created the regenerative circuit, using a triode tube invented in 1906 by
Lee De Forest.

In 1917 he enlisted in the army signal corps to be stationed in France
testing and developing radio equipment.

He returned home for a 19-year legal battle that ended with the regeneration
method awarded to De Forest.

Armstrong had moved on, developing the super-heterodyne receiver. Then he
took out a patent for wideband FM on the 26th of December 1933.

In 1936 he set up FM stations and amazed the public by their broadcast
quality. In 1940-41 he helped adapt FM for mobile military communications.

To keep his FM broadcasting dream going he started court action seeking

unpaid royalty payments on FM radio receivers. Armstrong was financially
ruined, depressed and he ended his life in 1954 aged 63.

His wife Esther continued the battle to gain millions of dollars for patent
infringements.

Edwin Howard Armstrong, a genius, the father of FM, did more than anyone
other individual to develop radio technology which the world enjoys today.

(Jim Linton VK3PC)



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QNEWS - DEC 14 - VK4 ON AIR
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THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD IN QNEWS.MP3
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The wia office address is:
The Wireless Institute of Australia
P.O. Box 2042
BAYSWATER VIC 3153

Telephone: 03 9729 0400
Fax: 03 9729 7325




GOLD COAST AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY
http://www.goldcoastamateurradio.com
IRLP Node 6702

To access the Goldies 146.700 repeater you must have a CTCSS 123 tone.

A great Christmas Party was held at the Clubrooms last night and there was
much laughter and revellery enjoyed by those who attended.

Lots of surprises were enjoyed by all those who attended.

The Club wishes all radio operators and their families all the very best for
the holiday season and we look forward to great New Year.

Cheers
Kaye



Gympie Communications and Electronics Group.
www.gceginc.org.au

Gympie Amateur Radio has managed to establish itself over the last 6 months.

The Gympie Communications and Electronics Group celebrated its first
half year by a combined Christmas outing and barbecue, yesterday.

Despite the forecast of storms, over 40 amateurs and family enjoyed a
half day ride on the Valley Rattler steam train. This was followed up with
celebrations in the park. More joined the barbecue and it was a jolly
contingent that marked another year of growth of amateur radio in the
Wide Bay area of southern Queensland.

Club members from Caboolture and Sunshine Coast joined with the amateurs
from the Gympie and Maryborough clubs in the day's activities.

To mark the exact date of 6 months, Gympie Group issued Foundation Membership
Certificates to the group which started GCEG, Incorporated. These
certificates will be a special memento and shack adornment to those members.

The group newsletter QNC will be forwarded to members in the coming week and
the Monday night 2 metre net continues with a sustained participation of
around the dozen.

With the increasing frequency of summer storms through out the state, the
Gympie group is trialling a storm watch net within the service area of the
Mt. Corella repeater, VK4RCM.

Even with the Bureau of Meteorology having a weather radar station in the
Gympie area, at Mt. Kannigan, the images available indicate rainfall and not
the actual storm location, activity and intensity. By having real time
reports from amateurs around the district, it is hoped that people can be
better prepared and assistance summoned, if required. Participation in this
net activity is a way of sharpening message handling skills as well.



REDCLIFFE
www.redclifferadioclub.org.au/


Despite the high heat and humidity some 30 members and their families made
their way to the club's Christmas break-up held at Picnic park on the

Pumicestone Passage side next to Spinnakers sound boat ramp.

It was a grand day with a wonderful location with the beach and water about
a metre away. Charlie VK4YZ set up a large portable awning, Gary VK4FGAZ,
set up a smaller one and all present settled down with cold drinks and
nibbles.

All members enjoyed the fellowship and great conversation which did not
involve very much amateur radio. Charles, VK4BTK, Charlie VK4YZ and
Ray, VK4CF, shot off to the local fish shop instead of cooking the steaks and
all were impressed with Charlie's bread roll filled with chips and sauce.

Shaun, son of Gary VK4FGAZ tried his luck with a fishing rod but the family
had to eat barbeque steak instead.

Club members brought an array of equipment for the QRP contest and Roger,
VK4UPS set up his FT 817 with a mobile antenna and to claim victory with the
smallest rig setup. Unfortunately the radio was stolen from his car which
was parked outside his house that evening. If you are offered a FT-817 in a
carry case which included tuner & whips etc, with a fitted optional CW filter
(inrad) & DTMF mic, Roger VK4UPS would like to know.

The club's CW practice is now conducted by John VK4BZ at 2030 hrs local time,
on Thursday nights about 3.665 mHz +/- QRM. Meet John on the Redcliffe
2 metre repeater to coordinate frequencies. John says that there will be a
break for the Christmas and New Year period but will be back into it early
in the New Year.

Until the New Year, the club will be closed on each Wednesday to let both
Charles and Ken have a well deserved break and the club will remain open on
Monday nights right through the Christmas and New Year period.







TOWNSVILLE
contacting theTARCinc
email address
phone contact 07-47731196 or 0408 001142
snailmail po box 333 Garbutt East, QLD 4814
homepage http://www.tarc.org.au


theTARCinc 2008 Xmas Lights Tour will be happening in Townsville City
this Friday evening December 19th.

Cost per person $5, kiddies ride for FREE.

Bring family and friends dressed up for Christmas Cheer to see
polychromatic delights onboard the very comfy air-conditioned coach
piloted by ace lights tour captain Ian VK4ZT.

Lucky door prize for those who ride the comfy coach. Embarkation point
will be at the Picnic Tables and Playground, northern end of The Domain
near the DSE Powderhouse and Sloppy Jacks by 7pm.

Attendance numbers are needed, deadline is TARC Social Evening Tuesday 16th
Dec, please advise Gavin VK4ZZ soonest.

!

TARC Social Evening this Tuesday

This Tuesday December 16th the TARC Social Evening will be happening
at the Club Rooms atop SES HQ Green Street West End from
7-30pm. Come along and lend a helping hand to put the magazine of renown,
Back-scatter together and socialise with fellow hams.

All welcome !



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Courtesy Tony VK7AX VK7AX(AT)VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC

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