attached 73
graham vk4bb


SB QNEWS @ WW $QNEWS090329
QNEWS - MAR 29 - 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 0400Hrs UTC Saturday.



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QNEWS BROADCAST MARCH 29 2009


VK4 SILENT KEYS @ 2008 - 2009 QAC YEAR

VK4HEL 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)
VK4NBSt Vince Skinner March 24 (advised by vk4dmc)


Vince Skinner who held the call VK4NBS passed away Tuesday in Charters Towers
at 1700 hrs. Due to failing health Vince had not been active for some time.
Many of those, particularly in the North, will remember Vince's cheery voice
on the airwaves.

Vince Skinner was from Charters Towers, and had been a member of the
Townsville Amateur Radio Club for many years.

Vince's funeral will be held at the Eventide Chapel Charters Towers on
Tuesday 31th March then for internment at the Charters Towers Lawn Cemetery.

After the service a get together at the Charters Towers R.S.L.

Vale Vince Skinner VK4NBS SK.

(Dale - VK4DMC / VK4SIX and Gavin VK4ZZ)



GYMPIE
www.gceginc.org.au
Geoff Emery vk4zpp

Is it the change of season or has it been the reminders from VK4BB that has
prompted the increase in items for QNews? What ever the reason it is good to
hear that other clubs around the State are engaged in activities which bring
a greater meaning to their members.

All too often, the radio amateur seems to be a solitary figure surrounded by
weird bits of equipment apparently held together with "chewing gum and bits
of wire". The radio club brings people into contact to share those
interesting snippets of news, experimentation and conversation and provides
an avenue for developing friendships from contacts. Not only that but in its
own way the club develops its own sense of community whereby projects and
activities which are beyond the scope of an individual can be propelled to
fruition and the outcome proves that the club is greater than the sum of its
individual members.

This weekend sees a personal milestone for Kevin, VK4KEV and (X)YL Gudrun.
From Gympie Amateur Radio to the newly married couple, our heartiest
congratulations and warmest best wishes to you both for your life together.

How time has flown and it is time to remind members that the next meeting of
the Gympie Group will be held in the basement rooms of Leading Edge
Electronics, Reef Street, Gympie next Thursday 2nd April at 7.30 p.m.
To the visitors and SWL's in the region, you are invited to share in the
meeting and we look forward to seeing you there.

Remember, GCEG holds its weekly net on Monday evenings at 7.30 via the
Mt. Corella repeater, VK4RCM on 146.725MHz.



IPSWICH & DISTRICT RADIO CLUB

Ipswich was established in 1962 and operate a number of repeaters.

6m Repeater:- VK4RBX 53.925Mhz

2m Repeater:- VK4RAI 146.900Mhz

70cm Repeater:- VK4RWM 438.375Mhz
70cm IRLP :- VK4RBX 438.425Mhz
70cm Repeater:- VK4RWM 439.925Mhz


They meet at the Club House, 10 Deebing St, Ipswich
with Social Meetings every 2nd Monday night of each month from 7:30PM
and Business Meetings 4th Monday night each month also at 7:30PM .
Construction Nights are held every Wednesday Night each month from 7.30pm


Nets,
80m 3.585Mhz 8.00pm Tuesday Nights
2m 146.900Mhz 8.00am Mornings and at 7.30pm Tuesday nights

(SOURCED TO CLUB PAGES ON wia.org.au material provided by club itself)



MARYBOROUGH RADIO AND ELECTRONICS CLUB
For more info, call Secretary Kathy Johns 040-939-8853
Email:
Channel 14 UHF CB call "CQ MERG"

This is a fairly new club (2 yrs) with a membership including amateur
operators, c.b operators and electronic enthusiasts.

They are actively involved in amateur radio training.

Their premier event in the year is the provision of communications support
for the Holden Maryborough Technology Challenge, particularly the 24hr human
powered vehicle race. 2008 has seen third year of involvement, they are
inviting operators to join the fun in 2009.

Meetings are last Sunday of each month, 10:30 hrs, venue advised during club
news update prior to and following this WIA News broadcast - default venue
is always 9 Richmond Lane Maryborough

Club Activities & Events include a disaster scenario innovation and
experience day Sunday 5th April, 2009 in Anzac Park, Maryborough and the
afore mentioned Holden Maryborough Technology Challenge 11, 12 & 13
September 2009.


Foundation training courses conducted as needed and tutorials for candidates
enrolled with the Radio & Electronics School for other grades of license.

Training And Assessment Contact Learning Organiser Ray Stockdale VK4TPT
(LF-040) Phone : 4123 2958

Oh and President is Bob Shields VK4FNBL with Secretary Kathy Johns VK4YMS.

(SOURCED TO CLUB PAGES ON wia.org.au material provided by club itself)



REDCLIFFE
www.redclifferadioclub.org.au/

Hello I'm Ray VK4CF with news from Redcliffe Radio Club.

Last Monday night being the fourth Monday of the month, the monthly fox hunt
was conducted. This time after some consultation with the local police force
the fox hunt was conducted without interference from the boys in blue.
David, VK4ICE donated a new quarter wave antenna to be used with the fox and
the boost to the signal certainly made it easier to tune in on the signal.
If there are any other amateurs who would like to join in the Redcliffe's
club 4th Monday fox hunting, just contact Peter VK4TAA, the Club secretary.
Fox hunting starts about 8 pm and concludes by 9.30 pm. It's a great way to
see Redcliffe and surrounding areas by night!

In last week's QNEWS I told you about one excited 9 year old who undertook
his foundation licence exam at the John Moyle field day. Somehow the local
Channel 9 program "EXTRA" found out about this and Nicholas, his Mum, Janette
who also passed her foundation theory exam and Dad Shaun VK4FY are to
be interviewed by the program for an airing in the next 2 weeks.
Keep tuned for the airing date.

As Monday night is the 5th Monday of the month, the club will be discussing
the art of contesting from home & how to handle the unusual situation that
occur on air. With the Harry Angle Sprint competition & the Jack files
competition coming up in the next few weeks, these are great chances to get
your competition techniques up to speed and also to have a great deal of fun.

There are 2 movies of the Redcliffe John Moyle field day available on the
net for viewing at

www.youtube.com/user/vk4jgh

and the other is at

www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhkf44JyJu0

Until next week, this is Ray VK4CF.



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


High Octane Hams in Autosports Heaven

As the news goes to air this Sunday morning, some lucky
radio amateurs are helping out with time keeping and
logistic communications support for the Townsville City
Autosports Club King of the Hill Hill climb on the Mount Stuart Road.

The operators arrived at Start Line from 7-30am this morning,
signed on as volunteers to be covered by CAMS event
insurance, read the supplementary regs posted on the
bits o ply, attended the Officials Briefing before taking
up position at the Start Line and Flying Finish.

The event is expected to run until about 4pm this afternoon,
so if you want to go and see what it is all about, head up
the Mt Stuart Road, park in the pits to see what it's all about!


There are some more Communications Support events out
of Townsville that need operators, such as

Sunday May 7th - Townsville City Auto Sports Club
King of the Hill Hill climb Heat One on the Mt Stuart road

Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th May - TERAHA
Horse Endurance Ride Weekend in the Bluewater region.

If you can help out with any of these events please contact
Blue VK4FBLU on 4775 4184


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


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

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



PAGE_END
/EX




SB NEWS @ WW $VK1WIA090329
WIANEWS - Mar 29 - 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!

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This is WIANEWS for week commencing March 29 2009


In this weeks edition, a look at the oily beaches of VK4 and how Ham Radio
is helping in the clean up,

Kylea VK6XYL reports on many MANY new hams on air.

In our "Tip Of The Hat" or "Home of Goodguys segment Justin VK7TW has
a story on a very special presentation at REAST.

Michael Owen looks at the life and times of a silent Key.. Known to some as
"Spanner".

Thanks to VK3UBs Tom Potter we review Amateur Radio Magazine for April.

All up and coming in

WIANEWS for week commencing March 29



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Hams assist in oil spill clean-up

The Specialist Communications Group and the Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio
Club's emcomm caravan played an important role in supporting the clean-up
operation after a massive oil spill off the Queensland coast.

The cargo ship Pacific Adventurer hit very rough seas associated with
tropical cyclone Hamish.

Shipping containers were lost overboard during the storm. The ship hit one
these containers damaging its hull and resulted in 250 tonnes of heavy fuel
oil being spilt.

It fouled the eastern beaches of environmentally sensitive Moreton Island and
some Sunshine Coast beaches.

As part of Emergency Management Queensland's response through the State
Emergency Service, there were 12 members of the Specialist Communications
Group involved.

Its role is concerned with the communications needs of the more than 200
people who joined the clean-up.

The Specialist Communications Group used both SES and amateur radio repeaters
to ensure adequate coverage over the clean-up area, and it maintained
80 hand-held radios during the operation.

This group began nearly three years ago taking the involvement of radio
amateurs in emergency communication in Queensland in a new direction.

(Jim Linton VK3PC)



The WIA Annual General Meeting

GippsTech - Special Edition bringing together Australia's finest
technical speakers to the 2009 WIA AGM weekend of activities.

Phil Harman VK6APH, he'll be raising the roof on proceeding and taking
us to the next level with his presentation on the international High
Performance Software Defined Radio (HPSDR) project. Yes Phil has been a

key developer in the design, construction and testing of many of the key
modules for this state of the art software defined transceiver system
capable of 100 kHz to 55 MHz, if you think Picastar is good wait till
you hear about this project.

Come and hear Phil and our 10 key presenters at GippsTech - Special Edition
the 2009 WIA AGM weekend of activities.

Friday 1st till Sunday 3rd of May at the Gippsland Campus of Monash
University. Registrations are filling quickly, reserve you place today,

full details and secure online booking are available vi the WIA website

wia.org.au



Change of dates for Radio, Electronics & Astronomy Expo.

Please note that the Expo will now be on Easter Saturday and Sunday,
April 11th and 12th, 9 am to 4 pm on both days (not 12th and 13th).

Cost? $2.00 donation, under 15 free.

Where? Old Fire Station, View Street Bendigo.

Yes View Street will come alive with radio waves and galaxies during the
Easter weekend, with, for the first time, the 'Radio, Electronics & Astronomy
Expo'.

See how grandpa listened to the radio in the 1920's, 30's and 40's,
with an historical display of vintage radios, all marvellously restored
and working.

Try your hand at Morse Code and learn more about the history of
communications.
io licence!

Amazing images of the skies above Bendigo will be on display, taken with
the City of Greater Bendigo Telescope. See the Sun during the day with
a special solar filter. And what do radio astronomers do besides
searching for ET?

The expo is a joint project between the Midland Amateur Radio Club,
Bendigo District Astronomical Society and the Historical Radio Society
of Australia.

The Radio, Electronics & Astronomy Expo, Saturday and Sunday, Easter
weekend, at the Old Fire Station, View Street Bendigo.


For more information, contact Ray Tampion on 5439 3506.



NORTH WEST News

New Radio Club Formed

North West Tasmania Amateur Television Group
http://www2.vk7ax.id.au/atvgroup


The Club was established to cater for those amateurs and interested persons
wishing to be part of a proactive, progressive and happy Club.

Membership is growing at a fast rate.

The 5 Member Executive Committee elected to run the Club are

President: Tony Bedelph, VK7AX
Vice President: Jim Hiley, VK7JH
Secretary: Steve Bush, VK7EQ
Treasurer: Ivan Ling, VK7XL
Committee: Neil Southwell, VK7ZNX

The main objectives of the Club are to promote the hobby of Amateur Radio and
provide Training and Assessments particularly within the youth of North West
Communities.

To help achieve these goals, the Club has nominated an assessor and three
Learning Facilitators.

The Club has received affiliation with the National Body, The Wireless
Institute of Australia and thus receives the associated advantages from
WIA to Affiliated Clubs.

For those interested in general information about The North West Tasmania
Amateur Television Group, please visit the Club's WIA web Page under
VK7 Clubs.

or direct
http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk7/Nort...levisionGroup/

(Tony VK7AX, President NWT-ATV Group)



HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.

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

Tony Stone the President of the Illawarra Amateur Radio Society
and his members have sent congratulations to Brian "Golden Tonsils" Farrer
VK2AH, and Ted Thrift, VK2ARA, for taking out third and fourth place
respectively in the Ross Hull contest 2009.

Ted actually took out first place on 6 Metres.

Could Brian and Ted achieve an outright win for the very first time for VK2
next year?



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

The Eastern and Mountain District Radio Club (EMDRC) held it's annual
White Elephant Sale last Sunday the 22nd, this years event had
"the best turnout in many years".

Some 400 people swarmed into the hall to find the bargains.

WIA Directors Peter Young VK3MV and Robert Broomhead VK3DN manned the WIA
stand and welcomed eight people as new members of the WIA.



VK5
www.qsl.net/vk5bar/

Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society meet the third Thursday of each month,
commencing at 7:30 pm at the Belair Community Centre, corner of Sheoak and
Belair Roads, Belair.



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

A Great Southern winter Ham fest will be held at the Sorell Men's Shed,
Station lane, Sorell.

It will be on June 6th and 7th.

Saturday there will be workshops on antenna construction, tower and pole
erecting, wire antenna construction, ATV field testing, Antenna testing
and measuring RF patterns.

Sunday includes a show and tell day with trade and pre-loved tables, home
brew competition a BBQ lunch and raffle.

Please contact Ken VK7DY for more details.

www.sorellmensshed.org/page2.htm



SILENT KEYS

This is Michael Owen VK3KI

It is with great sadness that today I pay tribute to my very old friend,
David Rankin VK3QV, 9V1RH. David passed away in Singapore on 19 March.

He was first licensed as VK3ZAQ in 1954, becoming VK3QV in 1959.

David was always the enthusiastic amateur, originally involved with Victorian
Division, then in 1959 became a member the Federal Executive as the VHF
expert and Federal Activities Officer. He was Federal Vice President from
1969 to 1973, while I was President. As Vice President he could always think
of a difficulty or problem that no one else had thought of, and throw a
spanner in the works. That is why I called him "Spanner". And, David always
remembered that, often when offering helpful advice, reminding me that he was
"Spanner"!

He worked for Hy Q the crystal maker, originally in Frankston, Victoria and
went to Singapore when Hy Q established a factory there in 1972, met Adeline,
married and lived in Singapore ever afterwards.

Hi real interest was IARU Region 3. He was secretary of Region 3 from 1973
to 1982, Chairman of Region 3 from 1982 t0 1994, and a Director from 1994 to
1997. Living in Singapore he developed both a real interest in and
understanding of the growing amateur societies in these countries.

He actively participated in what had become his home society, Singapore
Amateur Radio Transmitting Society (SARTS). He was a great supporter of
SEANET.

He enthusiastically welcomed his many Australian friends, mainly amateur,
visiting Singapore.

He leaves Adeline and his two children, Sheila and Edward.

David enjoyed amateur radio and his many friends through amateur radio, but
gave an enormous amount to amateur radio, most particularly and over very
many years, through IARU Region 3.

Spanner, I miss yoU.



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

As expected following recent assessments carried out by Graham VK2FA and
company there are several new calls coming on air in the Westlakes area.
Listen out for
Michael VK2GMC (ex VK2MJC),
Melissa VK2FMAI,
Joshua VK2FJBC and
Michael VK2FADJ.

Congratulations to all FROM WESTLAKES



In South Australia and interested in gaining your Amateur Radio Licence?
Study Courses and Examinations for Foundation, Standard and Advanced Licences
are available from the Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society.
Sasi Nayar VK5SN is your contact,
0417 858 547 or email

The location is normally the SA Aviation Museum 56 Lipson St., Port Adelaide.



Congratulations also go to:-
Tony VK7VAC (formerly VK7FACC),
Ron VK7VUU (formerly VK7FEAA),
Gary VK7HAO and Corey VK7FCJC who all have their new callsigns.

We look forward to hearing you on air with your new callsigns.

If you would like to participate in a future training and/or assessment and
the assessment could be for any licence (foundation, standard, advanced or
practical) and you reside in "the Apple Isle" then let Reg VK7KK know on
mobile: 0417 391 607
email :

(Reg, VK7KK, REAST Education Officer and Assessor)



AMATEUR RADIO - HOME OF THE GOOD GUYS - OR "TIP OF THE HAT"

REAST in Tasmania say that back before Christmas, Silent Key VK7MAT, Matt
Whayman's Mum, Carol approached Brian VK7BW with a new-still in original
package 10-15m beam that Matt never got the chance to put up prior to his
untimely death in an accident on the Midlands Highway.

After much consideration about recent licensees the REAST Assessors and
Learning Facilitators agreed that it be presented to Thomas Karpiniec VK7NML
as a gift in memory of Matt Whayman.

Thomas is a struggling uni student studying electrical/electronic engineering
and is deeply involved in the club and promotion of the hobby of amateur
radio. He was recently involved with organising the National Linux conference
at UTAS and got together a group of amateurs from all over Australia during
the conference.

He has served as a member of the REAST Committee and is a great ambassador
for the hobby and has thrown himself into JOTA in the last two years manning
the Brighton and Howrah Guides and is very involved with the ATV nights.

Congratulations to Thomas.

(Justin, VK7TW)



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

AFRICAN RADIO ORGANIZATION APPLIES FOR IARU MEMBERSHIP

IARU Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ, has reported that the
Union des Radioamateurs du Congo (URAC) in the Republic of the Congo
has applied to become an IARU Member-Society.

The Republic of the Congo (whose capital is Brazzaville) is not to be
confused with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (capital Kinshasa).

URAC was formed in Brazzaville on October 8, 2008 and lists 15 members on
its roster, including three licensed radio amateurs.

Sumner said that the URAC has stated to the IARU that it has the ability
to meet its financial obligations as a member of the IARU through fees
from members; that it is legally able to act in the furtherance of IARU
objectives within the Republic of the Congo; that it will adequately
represent the interests of radio amateurs throughout the country, and
that it will adhere to the Constitutions of the IARU and of IARU Region 1.

The IARU Region 1 Executive Committee has examined URAC's application
and has found it to be in order.

In accordance with Bylaw 3 of the Bylaws of the International Amateur
Radio Union, it is proposed that Union des Radioamateurs du Congo be elected
to IARU membership.

A voting sheet for Proposal was sent to all IARU Member-Societies who need to
submit their votes no later than August 11 2009.

(sourced to ARRL)



WEBCAM WATCHES CONSTRUCTION OF 1049 FT MIAMI TOWER

A webcam in Florida is bringing the construction of WPLG-TV's new
1049 foot high candelabra tower in Miami, right to your computer screen.

Billed as one of the tallest such towers in the South-Eastern United
States, each individual section is thirty feet long with the heaviest
section weighing in at about 26,500 lbs. Its total weight of 1,013,450

pounds and it features a 12 foot wide face with a two person elevator to
take repair crews to the top.

Once completed it will permit 50 foot centre to centre separation between
antennas. Besides WPLG-TV, stations WSVN-TV and WLYF-FM will be moving to
the new tower.

Fabrication of the new tower began on March 12th.

Watch work in progress at
http://tinyurl.com/d9vw8l



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

WEIRD N WONDERFUL

Like yesteryear kings of the wild frontier - From the Weird 'n Wonderful
File, hello I'm Jim Linton VK3PC.

An amateur radio tower stood in the backyard of a suburban home long after the
resident radio amateur became a silent key.

His widow wanted it removed but with house extensions over the years it seemed
to be a very expensive proposition indeed.

It could lifted out by a crane that would require the cutting of power lines,
permits, insurance and other hassles, or maybe a helicopter was an option.
Either way it was going to be far too costly.

Along come a couple of radio amateurs who used their ingenuity to solve the
problem.

The tower was put on the ground, fitted with brackets on to which were mounted
empty 44-gallon drums, through an opening in the rear fence and then slid
into a creek.

Just like Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone the radio amateurs paddled the
floating tower downstream to a location accessible by vehicle and loaded it
onto a trailer.

A win-in situation for the widow who was pleased to see the tower gone and for
a ham who acquired it for transplanting in a new location.



OPERATIONAL NEWS -

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

MAR 28 - 29 WPX SSB (Worked All Prefixes)

APR 18 ZL/VK RTTY SPRINT (80M)
APR 25 ZL/VK RTTY SPRINT (40M)

MAY 01 - 08 VK CQ REPEATER CONTEST (Westlakes Club)
MAY 09 - 10 ZL SANGSTER SHIELD 80M CW

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

JUL 04 NZART MEMORIAL CONTEST 80M

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

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



2009 SANGSTER SHIELD QRP CW CONTEST

9 and 10 May 2009
2000 NZST until 2300 NZST
80m
CW Only

Please refer to the Contest Section of the NZART Callbook, or the NZART
Website:
www.nzart.org.nz/contests/



2009 NZART MEMORIAL CONTEST

4 July 2009
2000 NZST until 2300 NZST
80m
Phone, and CW

Please refer to the 2007/8 NZART Callbook, Contest Section for full details
of the Contest Rules and other operating Information., or the NZART Website:
www/nzart.org.nz/contests/



Whisky Galore -- Special Event:

Hilton MW 0 OPS has just returned home from Tasmania doing a circumnavigation
of VK7 on a friends yacht. "What a fantastic place" said Hilton "Great
people and great fishing. On the trip we did some HF reporting to
RCC Australia in the am and pm to help with their propagation research on
the marine bands."

Well now MW 0 OPS will be taking part in the "Classic Malts Cruise" in
Scotland organised by the World Cruising Club on his 39 foot sailing boat
Ocean Freedom.

The dates of the cruise are from the 11th July to 24th July.

At each of the distilleries the participants of the cruise enjoy the
hospitality of the distillery and have the opportunity of sampling three of
the finest Single Malt Whiskies. The distance travelled on the cruise is
about 200 miles so there is plenty of time to take in the spectacular scenery
of the West Coast of Scotland.

MW 0 OPS will be QRV from the yacht at each of the three locations from as
near the actual distillery as he can get.

We have asked Hilton up to bring us some actuality reports on this special
event in broadcasts to come.

( )



WIA John Moyle Field Day National Contest Manager Denis Johnstone VK4AE
advises that as of Tuesday March 24th he had received 66 logs from stations
that had participated in the John Moyle Field Day 2009.

18 of those are from portable stations and Denis sends thanks to those who
have already sent in logs.

For those who haven't yet sent in their logs, it's whip cracking time !

Although the deadline for log submissions is no later than 17th April those
who are tardy are holding up the massive amount of checking Denis has to do
to verify contest contacts.

So if you are thinking about getting the log finished and put in, do it!

(sourced to vk4zz gavin)



HONOURING TROOPS WITH ARMAD DAY 2009

Amateur Radio military Appreciation Day or ARMAD will be held this year on
May 23rd. Planners hope to encourage all radio clubs and their operators
to get on the air and show thanks, support, and appreciation to the troops,
military retired, and veterans. More is on-line at www.armad.net



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



In DX, some welcome news. Bill Moore, NC1L, ARRL Awards Branch Manager,
reports that the just completed K5D Desecheo Island 2009 has been approved
for DXCC Credit.
(arnewsline)



MEDIA WATCH - BY 'SPIN DOCTOR.'

Amateur Radio Previews
April 2009

Amateur Radio, your favourite magazine, will hit the newsstands next week.
Don't leave it too long, or they will be all sold out. And it's too good
to miss.

The front cover looks a bit surreal, with Joe VK7JG, standing there in the
blue glow from a high-power LED transmitter, all immersed in a luminous mist.
It is cutting-edge stuff and you can read all about it on page 22.
Rex Moncur VK7MO and Justin Giles-Clark VK7TW tell how they are using
cloud-bounce techniques and red LEDs to achieve optical communications over
distances up to 209 km.

WIA President Michael Owen VK3KI explores the exceedingly confused issue of
call-signs for VK9. It should be pretty straightforward but Michael will soon
convince you that it is not. He seeks inputs from anyone concerned, to help
achieve a logical and workable solution. Read the details on page 3.

Everyone has his or her special interests, and that is why Amateur Radio
magazine runs a number of regular columns.
AMSAT satellite scene from new correspondent David Giles VK5DG and contests
of all kinds are fully reported by Phil Smeaton VK4BAA.

So, welcome to another absorbing issue of Amateur Radio magazine, as always
with something for everyone. A hard-working little group of volunteers
called the WIA Publications Committee brings the magazine to you every month,
with the essential contribution of articles written by you, our readers.

(compiled by: Tom Potter VK3UBS)



WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FEMALES IN RADIO
ALARA - AUSTRALIAN LADIES AR ASSOCIATION
http://alara.org.au
Net is held each Mondays on 3.580 MHz, commencing at 1030 UTC.
(1000utc during daylight saving)



Encouraging women's interest and active participation in amateur radio, ALARA
was formed in 1975 by a small group of Australian ladies interested in
amateur radio.

Membership has now grown to over 200, with many Australian members sponsoring
overseas YLs into ALARA.

To our VK5 listeners, the SA group next meets at 12.00pm Friday April 3
in the South Australian Museum Cafeteria, North Terrace, Adelaide.



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



AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE released through the week ( and it was posted on the
WIA news page) that FRANK BAUER, KA3HDO, HAD STEPPED DOWN FROM AMSAT AND
ARISS POSITIONS

Bauer made the stunning announcement during an hour-long international
conference call and said a number of factors entered into his decision
including family health issues and increasing responsibilities in his job
at NASA related to the International Space Station and exploration.

Bauer said he simply had to step away completely, but has high hopes there
will be a seamless transition and announced that AMSAT's Will Marchant,
KC6ROL, will succeed him as the new AMSAT vice president for human space
flight. Marchant also will become the new AMSAT USA delegate for the ARISS
international working group.

(ARNewsline (tm))



Amateur Radio Satellite SwissCube Slide Show

A slide show of pictures taken at a presentation about SwissCube to the
EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) on 14 March, is now
available.

The SwissCube mission has a scientific and a technology objective.

It will observe and take measurements of the airglow phenomena.

It is planned that SwissCube will launch on the Polar Satellite Launch
Vehicle (PSLV) from India at the end of April along with BeeSat, UEW-2
and ITU-pSat.

An Amateur Radio downlink frequency of 437.505 MHz has been co-ordinated.

The slide show can be seen at
http://tinyurl.com



WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- IOTA
http://rsgbiota.org

The IARU member society for Indonesia, ORARI (Organisasi Amatir Radio
Indonesia) has announced plans to activate three remote Islands under the
Islands on The Air program.

These a

Miangas Island in North Sulawesi on the Indonesian-Philippine maritime
border area


Mapia Island on Papua's northern shores, which shares a border with the
Republic of Palau

Rondo Island off the northern tip of Weh Island in Aceh Province, close
to the maritime borders with India and Thailand.

ORARI members have activated 60 remote islands so far under the IOTA
program which is run by the Radio Society of Great Britain.

(Jim Linton VK3PC)



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


WICEN Tasmania (South)

Certificates Awarded for Tasmanian Fire Service Training

Certificates have been distributed to those who, in December last year,
successfully completed the Tasmanian Fire Service training for
Incident Management Centre radio operators.

The certificates are nationally recognised statements of attainment to
Operate Communications Systems and Equipment.

Those who completed the training are VK7s ARN, BDW, CSL, FCDW, FEET, HSB,
HSE, IR, JGD, MAX, NXX, TPE, TRF and Sarah Welch, harmonic of VK7BW.

(Roger, VK7ARN)



TARGA TASMANIA 2009

28 April to 3 May

Gavin VK7HGO lets us know that he is looking for people to help out in the
field of Communications with this event.

You could be manning a repeater, running a "Safety on Stage" (S.O.S.) or
"Radio Point" (RP).

This year, maybe other things too like Road Close Radio Points.

This is not a WICEN event and is open to any one hearing this broadcast.

If you would like more details please call Gavin VK7HGO on the
North / South link or 040 772 44 31
Email:

http://targatasmania.com.au/

(Gavin O'Shea, VK7HGO)



SOCIAL SCENE

2009

International Telecommunication Union's Telecom World 2009.



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 11 - 12 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/




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

The 'American boy' and ham radio.

The 3rd National Radio Conference was held in Washington DC in October 1924.

In the chair was Secretary of Commerce, Herbert Hoover who in his opening
address said, "Nor have we overlooked in these previous conferences the
voice or interest of the amateur, embracing as he does that most beloved
party in the United States - the American boy.

"He is represented at this conference, and we must have a peculiar affection
for his rights and interests.

"I know nothing that has contributed more to sane joy and definite
instruction than has radio.

"Through it the American boy to-day knows more about electricity and its
usefulness than all of the grown-ups of the last generation.

"I have during the past year somewhat extended this wave band. I hope that
this conference may dismiss the objections that have been raised to this
action."

A member of the conference coordinating committee was the ARRL's
Hiram Percy Maxim, the "Father of Organised Amateur Radio" in
the United States.

At the end of the conference amateurs substantially retained their frequency
bands - spectrum we know today as 160m, 80m, 40m, 20m and 6m.

The conference recognised that rapid changes were being imposed by
scientific discovery and invention.

It looked at the emerging trends in broadcasting that was making radio
available to every home in the country.

Interference was a hot topic with references to electrical devices and
methods to reduce their impact on radio reception.

http://earlyradiohistory.us/1924conf.htm

It makes interesting reading.

(Jim Linton VK3PC)



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

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Societies and Club News Letter Editors can EXCHANGE a feed prior to
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Thanks to to our dedicated band of broadcast volunteers who utilize
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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
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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


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/ex