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SB WIANEWS @ WW $QNEWS090118
WIANEWS - Jan 18 - 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



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This is WIANEWS for week commencing January 18 2009



eHAM.net reports W3A Inauguration Station:

The District of Columbia Amateur Radio Society is proud to announce the
operation of W3A in honor of the inauguration of the 44th President of the
United States, Barack Obama.

W3A will be on the air during the week of January 17-24. The greatest amount
of activity will from January 17 through January 19.

The Society will attempt to be active on all bands, although the majority of
activity is expected to be on 20, 40 and 80 meters. Check the various
spotting networks for their status.

QSL information:

Direct to W3DQ with SASE
Via the bureau
Via LoTW



VK4RTL Beacons Update

Following some ferocious weather which included lightning zaps,
some of the equipment at the Townsville Repeater Site has had
to be tended to or replaced.

Amongst the equipment attended to was the VK4RTL 50.087MHz Beacon.

This has been removed from service after spurious emissions were detected
out will remain out until the end of February.


The VK4RTL 28.270MHz Beacon had been off air since 24 December but was placed
back into active service January Ten.


Now if you can hear this 28 MHz repeater probably depends on if you were able
to resist the temptation to spend up big just before Christmas on one of the
super deals being offered Australia wide on large screen Plasmas.

Those that couldn't are probably still trying to tome to terms with the
noise they are said to generate!

Now comes word in the UK press that these Plasma screen TVs may be banned
under new EU legislation.

The Daily Telegraph carries a story that Plasma screen TVs could be banned.

They have had a bad reputation among users of the Short Wave radio spectrum
because of the high level of RF interference they can generate and many radio
users will be pleased to see them go.

Read the full Daily Telegraph story by googling eu plasma banned



HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.

VK1
vk1 local news email and ask for subscription.

Some WICEN activity planned by Phil VK1PL includes
a small local Horse Endurance Ride Sunday the 25th of January
the Rally of Canberra weekend 7th & 8th March
The 2009 Carriage Driving Championships at Easter out at Doug VK2FDMW's
property.



VK2
web service:- http://www.arnsw.org.au/html/news_vk2wi.htm
VKG Roundup http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news

JANUARY 18 today, VK2WI News resumes with both a morning and evening
session and Mid North Coast Amateur Radio Group's Radio Expo is being held
at St Johns Church Hall, Maclean Street Coffs Harbour.

Next Sunday, the 25 th will be the first Trash and Treasure event for the
year at the VK2WI site. This will be in the morning with the Home Brew and
Experimenters Group meeting in the afternoon ......

Oh and those in VK2 who the past 3 broadcasts have heard an in-depth run down
on the Kurrajong Radio Museum, will be jealous that on Saturday the 31st
January the Hornsby and District ARC are arranging a visit to said Museum.



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

Bargains galore at today's Jan 18 Amateur Radio Victoria Trash'n Treasure
Sale.

A wide selection of radios, components, HF transceivers, 2-metre transceivers
along with some ex-commercial disposals gear and books too!

The doors open at 10.30am Sunday the 18th of January at the Amateur
Radio Victoria Office, 40g Victory Boulevard, Ashburton.



VK4
web service local news:- www.wiaq.com/qnews/upload/qnewsbcast.htm
local news email
VKR Roundup
http://www.police.qld.gov.au/News+an...edia+Releases/

In Ingham a wild night following a wild day of non stop heavy rain, about
277 mm for a 24 hour period through the week.
Felix, VK4FUQ one of our broadcast team's 40 m inverted V mast failed during
the strong winds and now truly is " inverted".
On 7070 the news broadcast this weekend is using a separate 80 m dipole.



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

Normal service is resumed today for this news. Or to quote an movie of imperishable
memory: "We're ba-a-ack!"

Keith Bainbridge VK6XH of Northern Corridor Radio Group Inc advises that the
WA Hamfest is on September 2. If your visiting VK6 that month or a new ham
Keith say's it's in the same location as always, to find that email


2m ducting has been present with reaches from the Perth area to Mount Barker
in the South and Geraldton in the North. Proof that VK6ROO is back on air
came on Boxing Day, when VK6ARA worked into 6ROO from Eaton near Bunbury.
VK6ROO is in Geraldton.

VK6 addendum. We thought we had one of those magic headsets in VK6, but DFing
it came to an abrupt halt when we realised we were hearing the audio
channels from the channel 5a transmitter on Mt Mawson near Wagin.....



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

There was NO 40m broadcast of this news service January 11 owing to use of
the 7090 frequency for emergency purposes connected with the Costa Rica
earthquake.



EDUCATION YOUTH AND ADVANCEMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO
www.hamcollege.com.au

Ham Radio Intro

A regular visitor to the Southgate AR club, is Fernando, EC1AME who hails
from Ourense in Spain and has spotted a VERY interesting ham radio video.

It's an 8-minute 'introduction to ham radio' video produced by the Malaysian
TV channel TV3 and, says Fernando, it's 100% ham radio related.

There is, however, one slight snag - it's all in Malaysian..

But, let's not allow that to deter us. Instead, let's look on the bright
side.

It's (a) introduced by a "TOP SORT", and
(b) has loads of amateur radio gear featured.

So, 2 out of 3 can't be bad.. Enjoy!


Google ham radio tv3 Malaysia or visit Fernando's website
www.ea1uro.com



Last week the guys in their excellent and different presentation of this
WIA news had as special guests Edward Seeto VK3FEET a teacher and 3
students who have done their foundation course, Sam, Calum VK3FSDP and
Cameron VK3FZAT the guys praised the efforts of, in particular, Jim VK3AMN
and Bill VK3FBIL for their project days with the help of these guys from the
local radio club etc.

Barry Robinson picks up the story;


"The interview by Robert Broomhead VK3DN, showed many positive aspects of
the amateur radio activity occurring at the Sherbrooke Community School in
the Dandenong Ranges east of Melbourne.

Ed VK3FEET on getting his licence was keen to introduce radio into the
school.

Amateur Radio Victoria supported him by donating a set of Foundation Licence
Manuals and made available training and assessment opportunities.

Listening to this broadcast and interested in getting your licence, or know
some who could be?

Then the next Foundation Licence weekend to be held will be February 14th
and 15th, inquiries via email to or phone
0428 516 001.

I'm Barry Robinson VK3PV and you're listening to VK1WIA.





Canberra Region Amateur Radio Clubs next foundation Licence course is
scheduled for 14/15th March.
If you are interested contact the education officer Alan Hawes VK1WX




Last month more than 100 students at Rosemary Clark Middle School in the USA
attended a presentation on Ham radio given by local Amateur Radio Emergency
Services representatives.

The students got to learn about the use of Ham radio in today's society.

An interesting 'tid bit' the youngsters are said to have had explained is that
term "Ham" derives from the last names of three scientists,
Hertz, Armstrong, and Marconi, who developed amateur radio use.

Truly incredible how myths are born!

At the beginning of the presentation, Steve Bird and Jerry Fuge told the
class to think of two things: Where are radios used for communicating today,
and name a job where math is not used.

Fuge, president of ARES, and Bird, vice president, gave sixth-grade students
a short introduction into the world of radios that existed before the world
of iPods, etc.

Bird, a retired federal engineer, made a promise to a friend of his father
that he would get a license to operate Ham radios. At the same time, he
decided to volunteer his time for the good of the community by joining ARES.

Bird taught that there are three basic forms of radio waves, rhythmic
(radio), light and sound. He then showed how these waves pass through
objects to radios inside buildings and other internal locations by
contacting another operator at a California station. He added that "waves
also travel into space and back."

The kids discovered that Bird had been a spy for the government and that
there are no jobs that do not use math in some form.



AMATEUR RADIO - HOME OF THE GOOD GUYS

New QSL tracking service in Chile

Have you sent a QSL to Chile but had no reply?

Perhaps you had a contact with XQ, CE, CA, CD, XR, 3G, CC which has not been
confirmed.

A group of Chilean radio amateurs is offering to try to help to obtain
missing card or cards by carrying out searches and making enquiries in Chile.

This service is offered as a goodwill gesture by some Chilean amateurs and
is completely free.

To use the service you need to contact José Luis Jiménez. His email address
is . You can write to him in Spanish or English.

Full details are available on the website
http://hunting-qsl.blogspot.com/



Jim Linton VK3PC, Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee
has told this VK1WIA news broadcast team that the prompt action to avoid a
potential clash between emergency communications in Costa Rica, Central
America, and this WIA News re-broadcast in Tasmania should be widely
recognised.


"The WIA ham news broadcast frequency in VK7 has traditionally been 7090 kHz
used each Sunday morning local time.

When earthquakes struck Costa Rica on Thursday the 8th of January causing
death, damage and triggering landslides, the IARU Region 2 Emergency
Communications Coordinator Cesar Pio Santos HR2P asked that 7090 be kept
clear.

Well done those responsible for ensuring that the VK1WIA broadcast and
callbacks did not occur on 7090 and in doing so showing leadership to the
wider amateur radio community."


VK3PC also has commented on our "Holy Batman repeater issue" of a couple
of weeks ago.

"While at first look something may seem to be awry when the ACMA database
includes new frequencies on a repeater or other site, but there's nothing
sinister at play, it's just standard spectrum planning practice at work.

Concerns expressed by the Townsville Amateur Radio Club about new frequencies
at its repeater site were mentioned on a recent Sunday broadcast.

So why do the frequencies appear in the ACMA database? Well put very simply,
to plan future spectrum requirements, licensees 'park' or reserve
frequencies on a site for possible future use.

The amateur radio community and many other spectrum users have done just
that for years. It is nothing more than a listing in the ACMA database.
And yes the ACMA does carry out all of the necessary intermodulation checks
prior to issuing a licence.

Whether the licence actually results in equipment installation would of
course require agreement with the site owners, or finding other
accommodation elsewhere nearby.

And now for an interesting twist in the story, a state government agency has
used the ACMA database to send site rental payment demands, this for
non-existent facilities, somewhat a classic pig in a poke situation."



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.

NASA balloon mission tunes in to a cosmic radio mystery

Listening to the early universe just got harder.

A team led by Alan Kogut of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Centre has announced
the discovery of cosmic radio noise that booms six times louder than expected.

The finding comes from a balloon-borne instrument named ARCADE, which stands
for the Absolute Radiometer for Cosmology, Astrophysics, and Diffuse Emission.

The instrument launched from NASA's Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in
Texas, and flew to an altitude of 120,000 feet, where the atmosphere thins
into the vacuum of space.

ARCADE's mission was to search the sky for heat from the first generation of
stars. Instead, it found a cosmic puzzle.

ARCADE is the first instrument to measure the radio sky with enough precision
to detect this mysterious signal. To enhance the sensitivity of ARCADE's
radio receivers, they were immersed in more than 500 gallons of ultra-cold
liquid helium. The instrument's operating temperature was just 2.7 degrees
above absolute zero.

This is the same temperature as the cosmic microwave background (CMB)
radiation, the remnant heat of the Big Bang that was itself discovered as
cosmic radio noise in 1965. "If ARCADE is the same temperature as the
microwave background, then the instrument's heat cannot contaminate the

cosmic signal," Kogut explains.

The NASA-funded project includes scientists and engineers from NASA's Goddard
Space Flight Centre; the Jet Propulsion Laboratory; the University of
California and Brazil's National Institute for Space Research among others.

More than a dozen high school and undergraduate students participated in the
payload's development.

The balloon flight was conducted under the auspices of the Balloon Program
Office.



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

NEWS FROM ARNEWSLINE

KGO RADIO GOES GREEN

San Francisco station KGO AM says that it has gone partially green.
According to its website, KGO became the first major commercial
broadcast media outlet in California to reach its listeners
by harnessing the power of the sun to reduce its dependence
on the regions power system.

The KGO solar energy program began last winter. The now completed solar
panel installation is located at the stations transmitter site near San
Francisco's Dumbarton Bridge. Not only does it reduce KGO's daily load
on the power grid, but it will serve as an ongoing test facility for
emerging solar technology. You can see the construction of the solar
power system as it progressed from 2008 to now
http://dynamic.kgoradio.com/solar.php



NEXT LUNAR LANDER MISSION DELAYED TWO YEARS

Another wait before there will be more pictures radioed back to Earth from
Mars. This as NASA says that it will delay the launch of the
next-generation Mars rover two years due to technical difficulties and cost
overruns. Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, has the details:

The mission, which was originally scheduled for late next year, is now
slated for 2011. This next generation of automated explorer will be known
as the Mars Science Laboratory. Its primary mission will be to try to
determine habitability on Mars now and in the past.

According to a report in The Los Angeles Times, the new target date was the
earliest available because missions to Mars can only be launched every 26
months when the Earth and Mars are properly aligned. In the interim, NASA
says that it plans to try to contact the Phoenix lander in the Martian
springtime.

The Phoenix, which landed on Mars last May, last communicated with the Mars
Odyssey orbiter on November 2nd. That's when it lost power and shut down
due to sub-freezing temperatures on the red planets surface.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF

If NASA can revive the Phoenix, it will have a continuing flow of Mars data
until the next probe arrives. (NASA)



OPERATIONAL NEWS -

ON AIR CONTEST AND EVENT COLUMN - D A T E L I N E 2009

JAN 1 ROSS HULL Contest started

Jan 10 - 11 Hunting Lions in the air.

JAN 17 - 18 Summer VHF Field Day

FEB 28 - Mar 1 JOCK WHITE MEMORIAL FIELD DAY

MAR 14 - 15 BERU

Running till Dec 31 2009 is the 4th CQ DX Marathon



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

GB 40 WAB 40th anniversary of the WAB Till Dec 31

OP 0 LE (O-POLE) Princess Elizabeth Base Antarctica Till Feb 15

OZ 1658 ROS 350th anniversary of the Treaty of Roskilde Till Dec 31

VARIOUS SM STATIONS USING 1658 (Treaty of Roskilde) Till Dec 31

VI 2 BV90 Waverley ARS 90th Birthday Jan 24 - Feb 1

VP 9 400 /home call 400th Anniversary of Bermuda Till Dec 31



2009 is the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Bermuda by Sir
George Somers. The Radio Society of Bermuda has been issued
with a special call sign that can be used all year, it is VP9400/xx.

The xx suffix is the operator's call sign, i.e. VP9400/LP. There are
a few novice licence holders who have a 3 digit suffix, i.e. VP9400/NMT.
+ Special pictorial postcards will be used to QSL.

(VP9LP Secretary Radio Society of Bermuda).



XR27, CHILE
Chilean operators activate special event station XR27RAID until January 24th.
Operations will be on all bands using CW, SSB and PSK.
QSL via the Bureau.


SOLOMON ISLANDS
Bernhard, DL2GAC will be active as H44MS from Honiara, Solomon Islands,
(OC-047) until April 28th. Focus on 40m/80m.

(VU2TS)


VIETNAM
Mike, OM2DX is in Hanoi, Vietnam call signs XV9DX and 3W1M.
During the next 3 years he will be active on all bands.
QSL via OM3JW.

(VU2TS)


CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
Chris expects to start activity from the Central African Republic
(requested call TLØA) around January 15th.

(VU2TS)



The New Zealand DX Hall of Fame

Southgate AR Club news have reported on a group of Kiwi DXers have worked to
set up The New Zealand DX Hall of Fame to honour those outstanding ZL DXers
who have excelled in our radio sport hobby over many years.

The panel of judges, Ken ZL1AIH, Duncan ZL3JT and Bill ZL3NB have been
nominated to the panel for three years.

Their first task was to draw up a long list of possibles from which the first
three ZL DXers to be elected to the Hall of Fame were chosen.

After much deliberation the judges were unanimous in their selection and have
elected the first three ZL radio amateurs to the New Zealand DX Hall of Fame
for 2009.

• Roy Jackson - ZL4BO

• Ron Wright - ZL1AMO

• Jock White ZL2GX - (SK)



Beginning back on January 1, Amateur Radio has its own triple play
recognizing the achievement of contacting all 50 states of the US of A
on each of three modes: phone, CW and RTTY/data. All contacts must
be made on or after the starting date and must be confirmed via the ARRL's
Logbook of the World! (LoTW) electronic QSL system. So there's no rooting
around in dusty card files involved, and no tedious requesting or answering
QSL cards -- nothing to distract you from the on-the-air thrill of the hunt!

Central idea of "Triple-Play" is to encourage all to develop operating
skills using modes that may be outside our normal "comfort zone." Most of us
have a favourite operating mode or two, but few can claim to be equally
versatile in all three. We tend to stay in our comfortable ruts, seldom
departing from the well-worn and familiar track. Working all 50 states on
an unfamiliar mode is an achievable goal, and we're bound to learn something
and make new friends during the quest.

Oh and a good thing there was not a 4th contest in the group! hihi



MEDIA WATCH

WIA SPECIAL BROADCASTS

In 2008 we were lucky enough to have many states and activity groups
present this WIA news for you,

MAY VK7 11 REAST
JUNE VK4 22 Redcliffe
JULY VK6 27 VK6KAD WARG
AUGUST VK 24 ALARA
SEPTEMBER VK3 14 ARV (Jim Linton)
OCTOBER VK 19 JOTA WEEKEND Scouts Aust via Redcliffe VK4
NOVEMBER VK8 2 DARC SPUD VK8ZMW vk8


In 2009 these groups have told us they should be OK for presentations,
so stay tuned

January VK3 12 vk3 duo again, Bryan vk3hxr/Rob vk3dn
JAN VK5 ? (Trev Quick)
FEB VK2 01 WYONG FIELD DAY
March VK3 9/16 VK3HXR/VK3KBR
MARCH VK1 ? CRARC
APRIL VK2 ? WESTLAKES? FRANK VK2FJL
MAY BACK TO VK7 ?
JUNE VK4 ? If no other vk4 club asks back to Redcliffe
OCTOBER VK ? JOTA WEEKEND a definite by vk6pop as far as a scout
from each state





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



A contact with the International Space Station during a 9 day period
commencing Jan 24 has been arranged subject to crew availability and a
suitable orbit. This by the Waverley Amateur Radio Society, who, as we have
been advising you will activate VI 2 BV 90 from midnight the 24th.

The event is to mark the 90th anniversary of the club and during this
period it will operate HF using mainly SSB with some CW and also via the
Paddington 2m and 70cm repeaters both directly and using the club's IRLP
and Echolink nodes. 24 hour operation is anticipated, at least over the
long weekend. The club welcomes contact from both VK and overseas
amateurs and will issue a special QSL card to mark the event.

Much more detail on this event including the frequencies and operating
schedule as well as other activities for the 90th anniversary year, will
be found on the club's website at vk2bv.org



WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- INTERNET --- THE HAMS DOMAIN

Free Contest Mapping Tool on the net has been updated

Some exciting news about EI8IC's unique Contest Log Mapping Tool - its now
completely FREE to use, and its just been updated with the results of 35
new contests.

Working from an online database of ALMOST ONE MILLION W/VE callsigns past and
present, LogView plots the QSOs in a Cabrillo-format contest-log on to one
of 8 different maps of North America.

Essentially a post-contest log-visualisation tool for analysing contest
performance, LogView is also useful in defining gaps in your antenna
coverage, by comparing the positions of entrants to the contest against those
entrants actually contacted.

All the maps you create can be saved for offline viewing and detailed future
analysis - full details on the website.

To start using LogView on your own contest logs, visit:
http://www.mapability.com/ei8ic/logview

(Tim Makins EI8IC)



WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO AMATEUR OLD-TIMERS

OLD TIMERS
Members and friends of the Radio Amateurs Old Timers Club Australia are
reminded that the next news and information broadcast will take place on the
first Monday of February using the RAOTC callsign of VK3OTN.



WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- VHF AND ABOVE


FIRST Worked All Continents on 2300 MHz:

The big news this month is that LX1DB has received 13 cm WAC #1.

He accepts the award in memory of OE9XXI and W4HHK who contributed so much
to EME on 13 cm.

(from k2uyh 432 eme newsletter)



2009 SOCIAL SCENE


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


Jan 18 VK3
Amateur Radio Victoria Trash'n Treasure Sale.


Jan 24 - 26 VK4
TARC Australia Day Weekend Family Radio Camp at Girl Guides Campsite
46-56 Toolakea Beach Road, Bluewater



Feb 8 VK2
WYONG FIELD DAY


Feb 15 VK3
The annual Yarra Valley Amateur Radio Group's White Elephant Sale is
on Sunday 15th Feb at Healesville Memorial Hall, 10am.


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.



Sept 2 vk6
Northern Corridor Radio Group's WA Hamfest.
email



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)


2008 DX Sound Bites!

Tom, K8CX, has done it again. He has provided DXers with 120 memorable DX
sound clips from 2008.

Rewind to last year and further, just visit Tom's famous "HAM GALLERY" Web:
http://hamgallery.com/dx2008

While there also check out some of his other features on his Web page, such
as: Rare DX Sound Clips of the past, QSL Card Museum, Dayton Photo Galleries
and Tribute to Silent Key Ham Operators.

(southgate)


Please think of the environment before printing this email


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

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

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 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.


************************************************** ***************************
- NEWS POSTING TO PACKET -
Courtesy Tony VK7AX VK7AX(AT)VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC


************************************************** ***************************


/ex




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QNEWS - JAN 11 - VK4 ON AIR
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QNEWS available in Audio after 0001Hrs UTC Saturday.



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----------------------------------------------------------------

Contact QAC by HF Radio 3.605 Mondays 7:30pm after QNEWS
QAC OVERSEES HAM RADIO MATTERS IN VK4
QNEWS newsroom USE TO SEND US YOUR NEWS STORIES!!
QTAC HANDLES TECHNICAL QUERIES
QTC AR MAGAZINE COLUMN


QAC office officers :-

VK4AHW Harvey Wickes
VK4AQ Ross Anderson
VK4BY Don Wilschefski
VK4UH Kevin Johnstone

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

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





QNEWS BROADCAST JANUARY 18 2008



Flooding - Townsville

Police have been advising the Townsville community through the week to avoid
flooded roads, creeks and watercourses over the coming weeks after
recent heavy rain in the area.

Acting Superintendent Cheryl Scanlon, District Officer for Townsville said
that motorists are reminded that road closures will change over the coming
days as creeks and water courses can rise and fall quickly.

"I would like to remind motorists and members of the public of the hazardous
and unpredictable nature of flood waters and the dangers associated with
storm debris and road washouts," Acting Superintendent Scanlon said.

Members of the public should contact RACQ on 1300 130 595
or www.racq.com or alternately Department of Main Roads on 13 1940
for current road closures


To all Radio Amateurs in the North -

The monsoon is active across northern Australia.

Charge your batteries, run your generators, stock your survival kits
and get ready to give a hand in counter-disaster activities.

And a timely reminder from Gavin VK4ZZ is that WICEN Queensland holds a net
every Sunday on 7075kHz from 8-30am (2230UTC). The net calls in regular
stations and then invites new stations to call in.

If conditions are poor on 7MHz, net control then moves to 3600kHz.

Mix it with other WICEN ops and call in on the net !!








CLUBBING - WITH

COL CLARKE VK4CC SOUTHSIDE AR CLUB






GYMPIE

A successful get-together was held by the Gympie Communications and
Electronics Group, last Saturday. On an overcast day members from Gympie
were joined by a contingent from Maryborough in a relaxed and informal
barbecue at the Chatsworth Duck Ponds. These functions are proving to be a
great social activity where personal as well as club matters can be shared
in a friendly way.

Around the Gympie area, the experimentation with 1200baud packet continues
with various stations on air most nights. Members are learning the vagaries
of multipath VHF propogation and refining software settings and the
regularity of reliable connections continues to increase as antennas are
shifted and familiarity with the tweaks that this mode needs are made. So far
a better understanding of the terrrain has been gained and discussions are
being held on the establishment of a local digipeater. Already there is
interest in the opportunities which high speed multimedia, HSMM, could
provide.

Members of G C E G are reminded that the next meeting will be held at the
basement of Leading Edge Electronics, Reef Street, Gympie on Thursday
5th February at 7p.m.







REDCLIFFE
www.redclifferadioclub.org.au/

With news from redcliffe amateur radio club, I'm Ray VK4CF,

Firstly a belated Happy New Year to all from all the Redcliffe Club members.

With a major storm over Redcliffe last Monday week, the QTH of Roger VK4ZLQ
was nearly hit by a lightning bolt. Although it was a near miss and despite
believing that he had adequately earthed his equipment and disconnected his
antennas, Roger lost his transceiver, computer, WIFI, broadband modem,
answer phone and his new TV. The moral of the story is when you think that
your earthing is appropriate, it probably isn't.

While the insurance will pay for the damage, the lesson for all amateurs is
that lightning travels in straight lines, it ignores curves and bends in
transmission lines and will seek any path to find earth. All equipment needs
to fully disconnected from coax leads. Antennae should also have a separate
earth to your equipment.

On Saturday 14 Feb the first working bee will be conducted at the club house
starting at 8 am with a free sausage sizzle on the new second barbeque
obtained from Lifeline for $30 dollars. A real bargain!

The Redcliffe club will be conducting Foundation and other radio classes
starting in late February and anyone wishing to undertake classes to obtain
their licence, please contact the club secretary, Peter VK4TAA via
or visit the club's website or contact
Peter via snail mail, The Secretary, Redcliffe and District Radio Club Inc,
PO Box 20, Woody Point, QLD, 4019.

CW practice is back on again in 2009 with John, VK4BZ on Thursday nights
on 3.665 mHz +/- QRM with coordination on the Redcliffe 2 metre repeater at
8.30pm local Brisbane time.

January's Tech Talk this coming Monday night is on combined 6m / 2m antenna
design.

Until next week this is Ray VK4CF saying 73 and good DX.










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 Australia Day Weekend Family Radio Camp is
happening next weekend from Saturday Morning 24th to Monday Afternoon
26th at the Girl Guides Campsite and Training Centre Bluewater

VK4ATV/AX4ATV will be on-air from the camp to provide directions and contact.

There will be Antenna and operating mode clinics, Australian activities,
and some camp recipes tried out in real time - just to mention a few events.
If you can't stay the weekend then pop out for a day trip anyway and join
in the fun !









**************************************************
- NEWS POSTING TO PACKET -
Courtesy Tony VK7AX VK7AX(AT)VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC

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