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QNEWS - MAR 15 - VK4 ON AIR
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THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD IN QNEWS.MP3
FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICES
QNEWS -- ALL OF THE NEWS ALL OF THE TIME at www.wia.org.au/vk4
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



AR MAGAZINE—VK4 QTC COLUMN
Written by Chris Comollattie VK4VKR
news for ar magazine to



VK4 SILENT KEYS @ 2008 - 2009 QAC YEAR

VK4HEL Stan Stan Sonter November 10 (advised by vk2va via summerland)
VK4NKA John Bourke November 19 (advised by vk4kd)
VK4FFJS John VK4FFJS February (advised by vk4aoe)
VK4DIC Dick Ettinger March 5 (advised by vk4bgt)


Silent Key Richard (Dick) Ettinger vk4dic

It is with regret that I advise that Dick Ettinger vk4dic became "silent key"
on 5th March 2009. Dick was a long time member of the Brisbane North Radio
Club, and was appreciated for his good humour and dedication as Treasurer of
the Club.

Dick was an American soldier from 1947 to 1968 and served with distinction in
Korea.

He was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Silver Star for gallantry in action.

After leaving the U.S.Army, Dick settled in Brisbane with his wife Shirley
and son Robert.

Dick really enjoyed his hobby of Amateur Radio, making numerous contacts in
Australia and all over the World. He particularly liked chatting with his
many friends in the U.S.A. He will be sadly missed on the airwaves.

(Paul vk4bgt)



QNEWS BROADCAST MARCH 15 2009



CABOOLTURE CLUB

The club shares approximately 5ha with the Caboolture Scouts on Department
of Natural Resources land and is housed in a WWII military building, the
club is active in providing communications for the Caboolture Scouts during
JOTA and for various other community and sporting events like the Northern
Districts Sporting Car Club Rally at Yarraman each year.

Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm at the
Caboolture Scouts Grounds, 169 Smiths Road and is open every Saturday from
10am.

Give them a call (club call) VK4QD on repeater 146.625mHz for directions.

The Caboolture Radio Club hosts two on air nets:

Monday evenings at 7:45pm on repeater VK4RCC 146.625mHz
( Echolink/IRLP node 314599/ 6898 )

and:

Friday evenings at 7:30 on 3.610 MHz.


(sourced to club page at wia.org.au)



COBRS

The Club meets at Mt. Gravatt TAFE every second Tuesday of the Month on the
ground floor Block B at 7.00 pm.

Their room is at the rear of the building ,just walk straight to to rear
and there they are. Next Months Meeting is their AGM and fees will be
collected ($20.00/yr)

Club repeaters 3, ARE ON
70cm 438.275 echo link node 284341
2M 147.950
6m 53.975


City of Brisbane conducts assessments, ring secretary Ron for info on
3390 7762 and they do have an upcoming course and assessment on April 12
at 8:30, a foundation assessment

(sourced to club page at wia.org.au)



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

Regular club meetings and social functions are held at the club rooms at
85 Harper Street Nerang, this is just off the Nerang-Southport Road which
is an East West arterial easily accessible from the M1 Motorway in the West
or east from Southport on the Gold Coast.

If you have an interest in any aspect of Amateur Radio communications or
would like to know more about their Society please send an email to:-



The Society welcomes new members, whether already certificated Radio
Amateurs, or those wishing to get into the hobby.

The Society runs classes to prepare would-be amateurs and also holds
examinations conducted under the auspices of the Wireless Institute of
Australia and they proudly boast on their home splash page that the Society
has been responsible in recent years for inducting more people into the
hobby than any other organisation in Australia.

The Clubrooms phone number is: 07 5564 9028

(sourced to club page at wia.org.au)



GYMPIE
Geoff Emery vk4zpp

MARCH 15 NEWS CONTINUES

Well the packeteers around Gympie are on the move again. After trialing
"old fashioned" level 2 packet and getting a digipeater trial running, they
have now turned their attention to the APRS system to take advantage of
Bob Bruniga's level 3 enhancements. Planning is underway to trial the digi on
APRS via the Queensland network. Expect to see more radio traffic from what
has been a null in the network from the Sunshine Coast through to the
Bundaberg area.

This weekend has been the John Moyle Field Day contest and people have had
the need to look in their junk boxes again. Why junk box? Well there was a
time when people basically built their amateur station from what they could
sort of "beg, borrow or steal" and electronics components were in short
supply and very costly, by today's standards.

Young amateurs were known to borrow a couple of valves from the family's
receiver to put a transmitter on air after broadcasting had closed down for
the day. Breadboards were a kitchen utensil which could be cheaply bought and
permitted mounting valve bases and other components on an insulated base. So
there was a time when a lash-up was literally made on a breadboard. Anyway,
scrapped electronic items and bits of wire and insulators and all sundry of
potential useful were kept in "the junk box".

Today with the cost of radios being comparatively cheap, it is more likely
that the amateur will have a collection of spare antenna fittings, coax
cables, tools and the like which can go in the family car to provide the
necessary bits so Joe Ham can enjoy his holidays and operate away from the
home QTH. Whether it is your contest kit, your travel kit or your spare
parts box, just think that you are continuing a long tradition of keeping a
junk box as part of the mystique of amateur radio.

And just for another snippet of history, the telegrapher's shorthand
predates the radio by some decades and from that source it's 73 from GCEG.



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

MARCH 15 NEWS CONTINUES

Communications Support Events in the Townsville Region
Co-ordinator Eric "Blue" Collins VK4FBLU 47754184

Sun 29 March - TSASC King of the Hill Hillclimb Heat One - Mt Stuart

Sat 4 Sun 5 April - TERAHA Endurance Ride 80/40/20/5km - Bluewater Region

Sun 17 May - TSASC King of the Hill Hillclimb Heat Two - Mt Stuart


More March Meets.

AS WE SPEAK!
TARC IS PLAYING John Moyle Field Day March 13 14 15 - Bluewater Guides Camp

TARC Social Evening - Tue 17th Mar from 7-30pm at SES HQ Green Street
West End
Ann Renton Memorial Ladies Net Tue 24th Mar from 7-30pm on Tsvl VHF Repeater

T.S.A.S.C. King of the Hill Hillclimb Sun 29 March Heat One Comms Support
Mt Stuart




MATERIAL FROM NATIONAL NEWS PERTINENT TO VK4 QUEENSLAND


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 QNEWS, GraHam VK4BB even though on holidays is still reading for VK4,
has been reading some of the "secret societies" the clubs he rarely if ever
hears from, well one who has now updated details on the local Hamfest is
barc will run on May 9, BARCFEST (the Brisbane HamFest) 9:30am
at the Mt Gravatt Showground.

Yes Brisbane Amateur Radio Club will be holding its annual BARCFEST on
May 9 at Mt Gravatt show grounds Logan Rd, starting time has been changed
and doors will now open at 9.30am

Get along and pick up a bargain or 2 and meet up with some old mates.

Refreshments will be available at the venue.

Further information and forms for booking tables at
www.qsl.net/vk4ba

(Les VK4SO barcfest co ordinator)



VK4 NET ADVICE

The Henry Fullford and Tom Debel memorial net.

Our Thursday night net on 3588 KHz has been running for about 5 years.

It started as a Tableland Radio and Electronics Club project and the name,
Henry Fullford Memorial net was adopted. VK4TL has been net controller except
when away on holiday. The name was later changed to include Tom Debel.

The net is open to all comers from far and wide. A strict procedure is
adopted where everyone takes their turn from the list compiled at the
call in. All get two turns. All matter of topic is discussed and surprising
knowledge comes forward from the least expected sources. We encourage new
Queensland shires to come aboard so that netees can bag their contact.
Foundation hams have an important place in the net. Getting coverage from
Weipa VK4GUS new call, Julaaten Brendon VK4FBJK new call and David VK4NDX
new call Townsville is important as we try to be forward looking.

Look for VK4WAT/P at 7:30pm on 3588Khz on Thursday nights.

This has been the Henry Fullford and Tom Debel Memorial net VK4WAT with

John VK4TL



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

Redcliffe Club's Roger, VK4ZLQ, provided an informed technical talk about
his recent experiences with a lightning strike at his QTH. Roger said that
after his research, the average lightning bolt travels about 1.5 km, with a
wave front between 10 - 30 MHz, and with each lightning bolt between
40,000 to 120,000 amps. With a good earth at of about 0.5 ohms, and say

100,000 amps, the voltage potential at the lightning site is about
10 million volts.

With this large voltage the skin effect now applies and Roger said that at
10 MHz, the skin effect is about 21 micrometres deep or equivalent to a

copper tube 21 micrometre thick with a diameter of 3.5 km!

Roger's advice to all is simple, unplug all equipment from mains power and
power supplies, disconnect patch leads and earth the antenna to an outside
earth and if all else fails, hope that it hits somewhere else!

(voiced by Ray vk4cf from redcliffe club)



Worldwide Special Interest Group News
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ATV (Every pixel tells a story)

The VK4RMG Ocean View ATV repeater antennas have been moved !

Viewers are reporting a 6dB (4 times) received signal increase in the
Brisbane area so even if you have never seen a signal on 444.25 MHz, please
have a look now.

The local 2m liaison frequency is 145.700 MHz simplex.

And what about HD TV? tune in next week right here for an update!

Details can be found at http://qdg.sorbs.net/seqatv.htm

(Alan VK4YAR)



SOCIAL SCENE 2009

April 4-5 vk4
Bunya Mts & District Amcom weekend get together at Somerset Dam
Details Contact Neil VK4NF 07 4662 4950 Email


May 9 VK4
BARCFEST (the Brisbane HamFest) 9:30am Mt Gravatt Showground.


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







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



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

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



PAGE_END
/EX


SB NEWS @ WW $VK1WIA090315
WIANEWS - Mar 15 - VK NATIONAL NEWS


This is WIANEWS for week commencing March 15 2009


The WIA HD FEATURE CHANNEL this week has an interview with the "Late Great
Jim Smith VK9NS".

TITLED RECALLING JIM B. SMITH, VK9NS it is by Son Bruce Smith, G3HSR.

From the "Documentary Archive Radio Communication" Web, it is an interview
by Wolf, OE1WHC, with Bruce Smith, G3HSR, recalling his father's life and was
recorded March 5th, 2009:

http://www.wiaq.com/ftp/skey_vk9ns_feb2009.mp3



WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY 2009

Amateur Radio: Your Resource in Disaster and Emergency Communication

Each year on 18 April, radio amateurs celebrate World Amateur Radio Day.
On that day in 1925 the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) was founded.
In 2009, the theme of the event is Amateur Radio: Your Resource in Disaster
and Emergency Communication.

It is not by coincidence that last year's meeting of the IARU Administrative
Council chose this subject at this time. While the Amateur Radio Service has
traditionally made its contributions to emergency and disaster response ever
since its very beginnings almost 100 years ago, this role has gained a lot of
importance just in the recent past. It has done so mainly for two reasons:

* The number and dimension of natural as well as man-made disasters is
unfortunately on the increase, and

* The modern communication technologies are increasingly complex,
infrastructure-dependent and therefore also increasingly vulnerable.

The Amateur Radio Services puts two equally valuable assets at its disposal
for emergency and disaster prevention, preparedness and response:

* A large number of very flexible and mostly
infrastructure-independent,
local, national, regional and global networks, and

* A large number of skilled operators, who know how to communicate with often
very limited means and to establish communications even under the most
difficult circumstances.

The tools at their disposal range from the most robust means such as
battery-operated stations operating in Morse code to links through amateur
radio satellites and interconnectivity with the Internet, in voice, text,
image and data modes. They range from local VHF networks of fixed, mobile and
portable stations to short-wave networks that span the globe. All these

networks are operated on a daily basis by men and women who are thoroughly
familiar with their technology and their intricacies.

Telecommunications have become a commodity that society takes for granted,
and the sudden loss of that service is often felt in a similar way to the
loss of shelter, food and medical support. When disasters occur in regions
that do not have good coverage by public networks, or when existing
communications infrastructures have just been disrupted or destroyed by such
events, the Amateur Radio Service comes to the rescue. Amateur Radio
operators provide communications for the rescuers and relief workers and
their organizations and they help to provide communications for those
affected by a disaster.

In fact, contributions to emergency and disaster relief are a major argument
for the preservation and the extension of the privileges the Amateur Radio
Service enjoys in international and national regulations. This is one of the
reasons why more and more Amateur Radio operators, through their clubs and
their national societies, prepare very seriously for their role in
emergencies. However, their skills can be put to use only if they are known
by other first responders. Effective response to emergencies can only occur
with the work of volunteers in all the various fields; from search and rescue
to medical assistance and those who can provide food and shelter.
Communication skills are a new, but equally vital commodity.

Activities on the occasion of World Amateur Radio Day 2009 can be a great
opportunity to spread the word about what the "hams" are doing.

(sourced to Hans Zimmermann, F5VKP / HB9AQS IARU International Coordinator
for Emergency Communications and read by the RSGB's G4NJH)


Jim VK3PC will join us later in this edition with more on the next Global
Simulated Emergency Test scheduled for this World Amateur Radio Day April 18.



Proposal for a QRP Rock Concert

Gerard Lawler has put this suggestion together and is seeking comment.

The QRP Rock Concert QSO Party is to be co-ordinated through the VKZLQRP
Yahoo group and aims to maximise contacts/signal reports for rock bound

stations by getting as many such stations on air at the same time as is

possible.

A contest or just a co-ordinated effort to get many stations on air?

Run it in the evening when the (now cancelled) 80m CW trans-tasman contest
would have been on, ie Saturday 23rd of May.

Gerard says that "If we get the balance right, the rock bound stations will
get a few good contacts each, and no one will get stomped on or discouraged".

So check out the yahoo group VKZLQRP.

( )



AMATEUR RADIO THE WIA MAGAZINE

2 or 3 items in this months issue caught our eye and probably the most
important is an item detailing a VK entry in the BERU or Commonwealth
Contest. That's on page 40 in the contest section.

In the VK4 club scene for our out of "staters" the item in the VK4 Club

section "QTC" under the heading of SCARG on page 38 actually is about
the South Coast AR Group and NOT the Sunshine Coast group as stated. So

don't despair if you are around Noosa and can not trigger VK4RBT as it is
actually on the South Coast come Gold Coast.

Page 55 under Hamads - Wanted in VK5 is a plea from a VK5 ham for
assistance in erecting a G5RV - hopefully a club in VK5 or a couple of
the "Good Guys" of ham radio will in fact be able to help - and GRATIS!!



Telstra has announced that its hybrid fibre coaxial cable broadband network
in Melbourne will be upgraded to 100Mbps - more than triple the current peak
speed - by Christmas. Using new technology already successfully deployed in
several cable networks overseas, they will immediately begin work to
turbo-charge its five-city cable network.



Around Australia
HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.

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

The Port Stephens A.R.C. has celebrated its 1st birthday. Richard VK2FRKO
says it has been hard 1st year drawing up the Constitution and making
everyone happy with it. With some 36 members da club dey proud to be
associated with Westlakes ARC. Anyone wishing to join em for next years

celebration?

They can be found on the waterfront at Lemon Tree Passage.

The club is taking part in the John Moyle Field day this weekend operating
out of Old Sydney Town.

(Richard Osborne. O.A.M. VK2FRKO Club President)



WESTLAKES 45th year is here!
The Back to Westlakes Field Day happens Sunday April 19 at 9am.

Free entry.

Monster BBQ, Auction , Stores and Boot sales as well as Commercial traders.

All roads lead to Teralba.



VK2RSC REPEATERS AT PARROTS NEST.

The VK standard access tone of 123Hz has been applied to the 2m repeater
146.8 MHz.

This will possibly minimise unwanted annoying triggering there.

A heavier power supply has been fitted to 70cm 439.950 MHz.
This can now handle more continuous traffic.



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

Amateur Radio Victoria advises that the upgrading of the VK3ROU 70cm
repeater on Mt Dandenong has now been completed and here is some important
information for its users.

The VK3ROU callsign has been discontinued as the 70cm repeater is now part
of the VK3RML site licence.

The VK3RML 70cm repeater is IRLP node 6360. It has been especially
engineered for IRLP including no CTCSS on its tail.

The VK3RML 2m repeater is also set for a substantial upgrading during autumn.

(Amateur Radio Victoria www.amateurradio.com.au)




VK3 Steamfest
Last weekend members of the EMDRC provided an Amateur Radio display and

information stand at the Melbourne Steam and Traction Engine Club's annual
Scoreseby Steamfest here's Ivy Gardner VK3IVY with that report.

The event over the long weekend was very enjoyable, what a great show it was
both with the many hundred steam exhibits. The EMDRC had an Amateur Radio
stand and we talked to the mnay people who visited the stand and handed out
many brochures and sold a number of foundation manuals were sold. Jo Lloyd
from the steamfest organising committee called to say that they had an
excellent turnout over the weekend and thanked EMDRC for the contribution to
the show. I would like to Encourage other clubs to take up the challenge and
consider participating in similar events to promote the hobby ... Lastly
Jack VK3WWW has posted on YouTube a video of the event.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxhxsRJRinM



Radio, Electronics & Astronomy Expo

Victoria's Midland Amateur Radio Club, in conjunction with the Bendigo
District Astronomical Society and the Historical Radio Society of Australia,
has planned an Expo for Easter Sunday and Monday.

The exhibits will include astrophotography of deep sky images taken with the
City of Greater Bendigo Telescope, Radio Astronomy and Solar Viewing - see
the sun as you have never seen it before.

On show will be a display of radios from the 1920s, 30s and 40s, all
marvellously restored and working, Amateur Radio from wireless telegraphy
deciphered on a computer screen, through to typical ham stations of today
that will be on air.

Plus Amateur Television - which is to be expected because Bendigo has always
been a hub for that activity.

The Radio, Electronics & Astronomy Expo is at the Old Fire Station in View St.
Bendigo, on Easter Sunday and Monday, the 12th and 13th of April.



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 QNEWS, GraHam VK4BB even though on holidays is still reading for VK4,
has been reading some of the "secret societies" the clubs he rarely if ever
hears from, well one who has now updated details on the local Hamfest is
barc will run on May 9, BARCFEST (the Brisbane HamFest) 9:30am
at the Mt Gravatt Showground.

Yes Brisbane Amateur Radio Club will be holding its annual BARCFEST on
May 9 at Mt Gravatt show grounds Logan Rd, starting time has been changed
and doors will now open at 9.30am

Get along and pick up a bargain or 2 and meet up with some old mates.

Refreshments will be available at the venue.

Further information and forms for booking tables at
www.qsl.net/vk4ba

(Les VK4SO barcfest co ordinator)



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

Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania

Elevation Device Found!

Thanks to Harvey VK7HK for his donation of a first class elevation device
to REAST.

It's on a "borrow back basis" if he needs it.

It's at the club in the back shed room on top of the shelving if you need it
for adjusting, maintaining or installing antennas and other things around the
clubrooms.

A big thank you to Harvey.

Oh you are asking "an elevation device"?...A LADDER!

(Dave, VK7DM)



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

New hams in Northern NSW include Cameron Smith of Tintenbar who has passed
his Foundation exam.

Do you live in the region and have a hankerin' to become a Ham?

Summerland in VK2's next FOUNDATION COURSE will be 4-5 April.

Anyone interested in getting the Foundation Licence contact -
Ian Gray, VK2IGS, ph 6629 8583


The Coffs Harbour area is a bit short of WIA assessors at the moment so

Summerland's Bernie VK2BLW & Duncan VK2DLR travelled down to help out.
During the busy but enjoyable day, six candidates sat for a total of
3 Advanced theory, 2 Standard theory, 3 Regulations, 1 Practical and
1 Foundation Theory/Regs & Practical.

The Coffs Harbour trained candidates passed all but one assessment.

We can look forward to a handful of new callsigns over that way in the
near future.

(Duncan VK2DLR)



In Westarn Australia if you want to attend the next Ham College open exam day
scheduled for Saturday the 28th of March please select the "contact Ham
College" menu button from the Ham college website which is
www.hamcollege.com.au
or you can ring Kylea on 0412 704 226 to register.



Science and Technology Week in Sheffield

Sheffield Amateur Radio Club arranged a full day demonstration of amateur
radio at Sheffield Schools as part of the UK's Science and Technology Week.
Members on the 11th of March demonstrated HF, VHF and UHF,
digital communications repeaters and D-Star as well as computer based modes
such as EchoLink and IRLP.



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

RSGB AGM to be streamed via the BATC website

The 2009 RSGB AGM is to be held in Newcastle upon Tyne at the Hotel
Novotel, Newcastle Airport on 18th April.

Proceedings start with registration from 11.00 and the formal part of
the AGM at 12.00. For the first time, it is planned to live webcast
the RSGB AGM over the internet via the BATC Streamer website. For
those unable to travel to the venue, you will be able to watch the
proceedings via the live streams by going to the BATC website,
clicking on Live Events and choosing the correct stream.

Check out www.batc.org.uk



MURDERER OF TWO NEBRASKA HAMS SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON

The man who murdered two Nebraska hams last summer will never again see

freedom. This, as Brandon Crago is sentenced to two terms of life in
prison without the possibility of parole for the killings of Steve Baily,
N0US and his wife Carolyn, N0LAL, in their rural Lincoln home on August

10th 2008.



THE HAWKES CASE: THIRD CONSPIRATOR WILL FACE DEATH PENALTY

John Fitzgerald Kennedy will be put to death for his part in the murders at
sea of Thomas and Jackie Hawks, KD7VWJ and KD7VWK.

The same jury that convicted John Fitzgerald Kennedy of two counts of
first-degree murder with special circumstances in the killings took only
7 hours to decide that the 43 year old former gang member should be
condemned to death. This, for his part in the gruesome Hawkes killings
at sea in November of 2004.



THAT'S NOT A BOMB IT'S AN ANTENNA

A sad yet funny story out of Omaha.

That's where Police and a Bomb Squad have blown up a trap from a ham radio
antenna because nobody could figure out what it was.

Both agencies were called out following the discovery by a cleaning crew of
a device that they thought looked like a PVC pipe bomb.

Amateur Radio Newsline said that the house in question belonged to
Bob Rennolet, W0AEX. There had been an electrical fire in the house 2 weeks
ago and he had hired the clean-up crew but it had no idea as to what it had
found. So, rather than take chances, the Bomb Squad decided to blow it up.

That's when they realized it was not a bomb but a piece of W0AEX's ham radio
gear.

Ironically, W0AEX lives next door to a fire station, so they didn't have
far to go to put out the fire or blow up the trap.

(K0NEB, W0HXL)



R.N.W. ESTABLISHES RESCUE RADIO INFO SERVICE

In case of an international disaster, a short-wave broadcaster in Holland
will be there to bring you the latest news and information. Randy Ross,

KI4ZJI speaking on ARNewsLine said that Radio Netherlands Worldwide has a
new international disaster information system set to launch shortly.

Using a combination of special broadcasts, a separate Web site and mobile
phone alerts, the international service will report on events and provide
complete information for any Dutch victims and their relatives.

A specially trained Radio Netherlands team will answer questions via phone,
radio, the Internet and the Dutch BVN television network. It will cover

incidents such as natural disasters, social conflicts or any terrorist
attacks that may occur. The news and information stream will be kept up to
date from minute to minute.


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

NEWS FROM SOUTHGATE

(read by Southgate Amateur Radio Club's Richard G4TUT)


Mellish Reef DXpedition

Operators George AA7JV and Tomi HA7RY will be active as VK9GMW in what they
call 'another low-key, simple DXpedition', from Mellish Reef between
March 22nd and April 6th.

Please note that the dates are approximate and may change due to weather.

The operation will have a strong low-band focus, although VK9WMW will operate
on all HF bands.

QSL will be via HA7RY, by the Bureau or LoTW or direct to:
Tamas Pekarik, Alagi ut 15, H-2151 Fot, HUNGARY.

After VK9GMW has gone QRT, they will launch an "Online QSL Request Service"
(OQRS) on their Web site. If you want to receive your QSL via the Bureau,
please use that form to request the card. They will check your QSOs against
the log and send your card to you via the Bureau. This method will allow them
faster processing, helps them protect the environment, and you will receive
your VK9GMW card faster.

For more information, please visit the VK9GMW Web page at:
www.vk9gmw.com


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

NEWS FROM ARNEWSLINE

EMCOMM HAMSTER POWER

Hams involved in future emergency communications set-ups where no form of
power is available might want to plan on bringing some hamsters along.
Yes, we said hamsters. Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz, NT3V,
has the rest of the story:

Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology are, indeed, looking at
hamsters as subjects capable of producing electricity by wearing a
power-generating jacket - if you will - that responds to the animal's
movements.

Wait! Don't tune us out yet.

This is real.

And, in fact, it's research supported by your tax dollars courtesy of the
Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency - also known as DARPA, the
Department of Energy, and the Air Force.

According to the online news service, Science Daily, at the heart of the
experiment is use of nanotechnology to harness this new source of energy.

The researchers claim that they can convert any mechanical disturbance or
even irregular biomechanical energy into electricity.

Let's see, so that means a little hamster, fitted with one of those special
jackets (wonder how they keep the darn things on) runs on a wheel in his
cage and produces small amounts of electricity. Maybe enough to spark
something.. hmm.

Well, that's as far as I'm going to go as far on this science lesson.

Oh, wait, there's more!

The researchers say that even tapping on your Blackberry or cell phone key
pad can produce small amounts of electricity.

Does that mean I have to put one of those funny nano jackets on my finger?

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in Philadelphia.

The bottom line: Those furry little creatures that some kids have as pets
may one day be the answer to all of our emergency communications power
needs. Then again maybe not.

(Adapted from Science Daily and taken from ARNewsLine)



OPERATIONAL NEWS -

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


MAR 14 - 15 JOHN MOYLE FIELD DAY
MAR 14 - 15 BERU
MAR 28 - 29 WPX SSB (Worked All Prefixes)

MAY 01 - 08 VK CQ REPEATER CONTEST (Westlakes Club)

JUN 6 - 8 WORKED ALL VK SHIRES LONG WEEKEND CONTEST
JUN 20 - 21 MUSEUMS WEEKEND PART a
JUN 27 - 28 MUSEUMS WEEKEND PART b

AUG 15 - 16 WIA Remembrance Day Contest
AUG 15 - 16 ILLW

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



Just a reminder that the ILLW is on again this year on the 3rd full
weekend in August, unfortunately the same weekend as our very own RD
Contest, ie, the 15th-16th August.

Dey already have nearly 100 entrants listed at illw.net so if you
haven't done so already, now is the time to start organising a lighthouse
to activate and a group to help you do it.

The Ayr Amateur Radio Group, Scotland is the sole organizer and sponsor

for the event which is now in its eleventh year. The popularity of the
event is that it is NOT a contest, just a fun weekend to give
lighthouses and amateur radio some well deserved publicity.

And being the RD a good opportunity to mix n match and play lighthouses

whilst giving out the all important RD contact numbers.

So come and join em. The event guidelines and online entry form as well

as a list of entrants are on the web site. See you there.

(sourced to Kevin, vk2ce)



SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS - 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

HA 130 HALLO Hungary 130 yrs of Telephone Until March 31

International Museums Weekend(s) 20 and 21 plus 27 and June 28

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

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

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



NETHERLANDS, PA.

Special event call PA75ØASN is active until April 15 to commemorate the
750 years of the town of Assen. Activity is on all bands and modes.
QSL via PI4ASN



Special Event Station GB5SPD St. Patrick's Day

The Foyle & District Amateur Radio Club have been issued a
Special Event Callsign - GB5SPD - to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day 2009.

The Club will be on the air to celebrate this event from Saturday until

Tuesday this week.



SYDNEY TWO METRE BEACON BACK IN SERVICE.

On Saturday the 28 th February VK2RSY became operational again on 2 metres
after an extended absence. It is located at the VK2WI Dural site along with
others currently in operation. Station Engineer Mark VK2XOF had constructed
the new transmitter which replaced a transmitter constructed in the early
1970's.

The new transmitter, now in the CW mode - formally FSK - has 20 watts output
into the old 2 bay horizontal crossed dipoles, currently mounted on the roof
of the VK2WI building. In the first day of operation reports had been
received from places like Taree and Port Macquarie to the north and VK1 and
Wagga Wagga to the south.

The frequency is 144.420 MHz.

Other reports are welcomed.

At the same time a replacement transmitter was put in service on 6 metres
50.289 MHz to free up the transceiver that had been providing the service.
It is in the CW mode with 20 watts to a dipole.

Also operational is 10 metres on 28.262 MHz and 23 cm on 1296.420 MHz.

Later in the year a 70 cm beacon will constructed to replace the former

system, currently off air.

All beacons are keyed by a common keyer sending VK2RSY and the maidenhead
location - QF 56 MH. about twice a minute.



C9, MOZAMBIQUE.

Philip, ON4AEO, will lead a team of operators on a DXpedition to Mozambique
and sign C91FC from April 9-13th.

You may remember that Philip lead a team of operators last year to Lesotho
for the highly successful 7P8FC DXpedition.

They hope to activate all bands including WARC, using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK.

The QSL Manager is ON4CJK either by the Bureau or direct.



The Henry Fullford and Tom Debel memorial net.

Our Thursday night net on 3588 KHz has been running for about 5 years.

It started as a Tableland Radio and Electronics Club project and the name,
Henry Fullford Memorial net was adopted. VK4TL has been net controller except
when away on holiday. The name was later changed to include Tom Debel.

The net is open to all comers from far and wide. A strict procedure is
adopted where everyone takes their turn from the list compiled at the
call in. All get two turns. All matter of topic is discussed and surprising
knowledge comes forward from the least expected sources. We encourage new
Queensland shires to come aboard so that netees can bag their contact.
Foundation hams have an important place in the net. Getting coverage from
Weipa VK4GUS new call, Julaaten Brendon VK4FBJK new call and David VK4NDX
new call Townsville is important as we try to be forward looking.

Look for VK4WAT/P at 7:30pm on 3588Khz on Thursday nights.

This has been the Henry Fullford and Tom Debel Memorial net VK4WAT with

John VK4TL



WIRELESS WEATHER

The Science of Space Weather

The Royal Society has made available a paper that describes the significant
impact Space Weather can have on human activities, both on Earth, as well as
in space.

The influence of space weather on HF radio communications is well known

but it can also cause failures in the electricity supply grid,
increase corrosion in pipelines, degrade GPS signals and present a hazard
for human space flight.

You can download this fascinating paper The Science of Space Weather by

Jonathan P Eastwood from the Royal Society Publishing website

http://rsta.royalsocietypublishing.org/

(southgate)



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

Redcliffe Club's Roger, VK4ZLQ, provided an informed technical talk about
his recent experiences with a lightning strike at his QTH. Roger said that
after his research, the average lightning bolt travels about 1.5 km, with a
wave front between 10 - 30 MHz, and with each lightning bolt between
40,000 to 120,000 amps. With a good earth at of about 0.5 ohms, and say

100,000 amps, the voltage potential at the lightning site is about
10 million volts.

With this large voltage the skin effect now applies and Roger said that at
10 MHz, the skin effect is about 21 micrometres deep or equivalent to a

copper tube 21 micrometre thick with a diameter of 3.5 km!

Roger's advice to all is simple, unplug all equipment from mains power and
power supplies, disconnect patch leads and earth the antenna to an outside
earth and if all else fails, hope that it hits somewhere else!

(voiced by Ray vk4cf from redcliffe club)



Worldwide Special Interest Group News
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ATV (Every pixel tells a story)

The VK4RMG Ocean View ATV repeater antennas have been moved !

Viewers are reporting a 6dB (4 times) received signal increase in the
Brisbane area so even if you have never seen a signal on 444.25 MHz, please
have a look now.

The local 2m liaison frequency is 145.700 MHz simplex.

And what about HD TV? tune in next week right here for an update!

Details can be found at http://qdg.sorbs.net/seqatv.htm

(Alan VK4YAR)



WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- DIGITAL
Australian Coordinator for TCPIP domains is Indy

AMTOR-mailbox DA5TOR

The AMTOR-mailbox DA5TOR will move its 40m access frequency in order
to comply with the new band plan of 29th March.

The new frequencies are 7,047, 7,049 and 7,051kHz. All frequencies
and technical details of the mailbox can be found on www.amtor.de.
The new activity-centre of AMTOR is 7,042kHz for direct connections

(sourced to rsgb)



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

SUMBANDILASAT LAUNCH DELAYED AGAIN

The launch of SumbandilaSat has been delayed again, this time due to a
technical hiccup at the Russian launch site, Baikonur. The Director-General
of the Department of Science and Technology, Dr Phil Mjwara, told SA AMSAT
that the launch agency in Russia had sent a message that the launch would
probably be at some time in May this year. He said that as the launch agency
had not been specific in their communication he will not make a public
announcement until DST had received full details about the reasons for the
delay and a new confirmed date.

It is speculated that the delay is caused by problems of delivering one of
the other payloads on time. Currently SumbandilaSat is still safely at the
test range near Bredasdorp.

(sarl)



KiwiSat satellite - transponder on test

The KiwiSAT linear flight transponder is now 'on air' from the Whangaparaoa
area with beam antennas pointing south.

* Transponder: Inverting type (Orbital Doppler shift compensation)

* Transmit Power: 2 Watts PEP.

* Beacon frequency: 145.885 MHz

* Uplink: 435.265 to 435.235 MHZ LSB

* Down link: 145.850 to 145.880 MHz USB

Note: A trial transmission on 435.2544 LSB comes out at 145.860 USB

Being a linear transponder 30kHz wide, any mode can be used. FM is
discouraged (but not banned).

Amateur stations are encouraged to try out the transponder. Try to better
the previous distance record of 292 km achieved with the prototype
transponder (same location / antenna).

Information:
http://www.kiwisat.org.nz

(PS8RF via SouthGate)



A thorough review of space shuttle Discovery's readiness for flight,
has seen NASA managers decide that more data and possible testing are
required before launching the STS-119 mission to the International Space
Station.

Engineering teams have been working to identify what caused damage to a

flow control valve on shuttle Endeavour during its November 2008 flight.

Teams also have tried to determine the consequences if a valve piece were to
break off and strike part of the shuttle and external fuel tank.



WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO SCOUTING
http://www.scouts.com.au
http://www.scout.org/jota
http://www.international.scouts.com.au


CALLING FREQUENCIES
Please QSY off the calling frequency after establishing communication.

Australian voice calling frequencies:
3.650, 7.090, 14.190, 21.190, 28.590, 52.160

World CW calling frequencies:
3.570, 7.030, 14.060, 18.080, 21.140, 24.910, 28.180, 50.160

World voice calling frequencies:
3.690 & 3.940 MHz, 7.090 & 7.190, 14.290, 18.140, 21.360,
24.960, 28.390, 50.160


Calling frequencies for Slow Scan TV (SSTV):
3.630, 7.033, 14.227

Calling Frequencies for PSK31
14.070


Cub Scout's radio interest leads to company, success.

Tim Pratt the Starkville Bureau Reporter for The Commercial Dispatch paper
has written an article on a scout that is worth a "google".

One Martin Jue can trace the entire course of his life back to one day when,
as an 8-year-old Cub Scout, living in the Mississippi Delta, took part in a
group activity where he learned how to build a radio.

Martin loved the way the device functioned and went on to become a ham radio
operator in high school, talking with other "hams" around the world and

perfecting his knowledge of Morse code.

He went off to college and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in
electrical engineering and eventually began his own ham radio manufacturing
operation.

These days, his business is the largest ham radio manufacturing operation in
the U.S., and he traces all of his success back to that one day as a member
of the Cub Scouts.



BSA UPDATES RADIO MERIT BADGE REQUIREMENTS

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has updated the requirements needed to earn
the Radio merit badge. The new requirements became effective with publication
of Boy Scout Requirements 2009. While no new content has been added to the
program, the new merit badge pamphlet features lots of new information,

including colour pictures and updated charts and text that reflects changes
in the Amateur Radio Service since the last pamphlet update in 2002.
Approximately 4000 Radio merit badges are earned each year in the USA.

(arrl letter)



WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RESCUE RADIO

EMERGENCY FREQUENCIES ALL REGIONS
21.360 - 18.160 - 14.300 - 7.060 - 3.760 MHz.
REGION 2 TRY ALSO 3.985 - 7.240 - 7.290

HORSE ENDURO, EDEN CREEK, GOOD WEEKEND.

Seven members of the Summerland Amateur Radio Club enjoyed a great weekend
operating at Eden Creek.

Hot, humid weather except for heavy rain at dawn Sunday.

Short of operators we were kept busy moving to cover all Checkpoints.

Three rides were run, 40 Kms Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.

They logged about 280 messages of 674 horse moves plus logistics
of farrier and other support and search activities.

The next one is in May, if you are listening in northern VK2 time YOU
stuck your hand up and let Summerland know you can help out!



GlobalSET change of date

The next scheduled Global Simulated Emergency Test (GlobalSET) was to be in
May but has now been brought forward to coincide with World Amateur Radio Day
the 18th of April.

GlobalSET is sponsored by the IARU Region 1 and helps the amateur service to
globally prepare for emergencies.

Obviously World Amateur Radio Day with the theme this year being 'Amateur
Radio: Your Resource in Disaster and Emergency Communication' is an ideal
opportunity to showcase the work of emergency communications groups around
the world.

The focus of this GlobalSET is on generating and relaying messages in a

common format across country borders.

GlobalSET will occur on or near the designated centre of activities
frequencies for emergency communications on the HF ham bands, from 1100 to
1500 UTC on the 18th of April. More details will be released closer to the
day (including via www.iaru-r1.org and www.raynet-hf.net)




SOCIAL SCENE 2009

International Telecommunication Union's Telecom World 2009.

March 14 vk6
Hills Amateur Radio group swap meet Lesmurdie, 2pm for buyers.

March 22 vk3
EMDRC Annual White Elephant Sale, 10am-4pm.Great Ryrie School, Heathmont.

March 22 vk7
MEET THE VOICE SEWING CIRCLE BBQ Held at Ross in Tasmania



April 4-5 vk4
Bunya Mts & District Amcom weekend get together at Somerset Dam
Details Contact Neil VK4NF 07 4662 4950 Email

April 11-12 vk2
Urunga Radio Convention held at the Senior Citizens hall Bowra street Urunga.


April 12 - 13 vk3
Radio, Electronics & Astronomy Expo, Old Fire Station View St. Bendigo.

April 18 WW
World Amateur Radio Day

April 19 vk2
Westlake clubs Mini Field Day.



May 1-3 vk3
WIA AGM Churchill Victoria

May 9 VK4
BARCFEST (the Brisbane HamFest) 9:30am Mt Gravatt Showground.



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


June 6-7
South East Radio Group Convention
Margret Street Scout Hall in Mount Gambier behind the Police Station.



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


July 18 VK3
Gippsland Gate Radio & Electronics Club Hamfest 10.00 am
Cranbourne Public Hall



August 2 vk6
Northern Corridor Radio Group's WA Hamfest. Cyril Jackson Rec Centre
Fisher st Ashfield, WA email



SEP 13
Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society Hamfest 9:30am.
Goodwood Community Centre, Rosa St Goodwood.



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/



The Final Final
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...




--kkk---