WIANEWS for week commencing May 03 2009
 

attached is news for week commencing May 3 2009
SB NEWS @ WW $VK1WIA090503
WIANEWS - May 03 - VK NATIONAL NEWS

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Packet uploads with thanks to vk7ax Tony



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THE BEST NEWS YOU'LL GET ALL WEEK

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If It Matters To You It Matters To Us!

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This is WIANEWS for week commencing May 03 2009

WIA AGM HELD YESTERDAY SATURDAY MAY 2 2009

A LITTLE DAB 'LL DO YA.

USE IT OR LOSE IT - YOUR STOCKPILE OF IRC'S THAT IS

GEOFF VK4ZPP WITH DISCUSSION POINT

GOOGLE HONOURS "SAM THE MAN"

NEW HAM RADIO ORGANISATION BORN IN EUROPE

YOUR LOCAL REPEATER IS PART OF A GREAT CONTEST ON NOW!

THANKS TO TOM POTTER VK3UBS WE REVIEW THIS MONTHS AR MAGAZINE

AND THE BOB BRISTOW BADGE!

All up and coming in

WIANEWS for week commencing May 3 2009



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IT'S RADIO AS YOU KNOW IT, PLUS

Word in from Perth and Daniel Ennis Senior Engineer from NOVA that at
8am Monday Commercial Radio Australia will be turning on the first permanent
DAB + transmitter for Australia, and Perth is the first city to have it!

Radio's are being sold in dick smiths, his fun little DAB USB stick has
received the first transmissions (Be it from a dummy load)

(vk6kad)



New International Reply Coupons

Just a reminder for those who like to stockpile International
Reply Coupons (IRCs) - the current IRC will expire at the end of year.

Unlike the old style coupons, the current types all have an expiry date,
giving them a maximum life of 3 years. If you purchased a current IRC today,
they will still expire on December 31, 2009.

Ken, ZL2HU, advises us on the following information from the International
Postal Union in Geneva:

"The current issue (Beijing 2) IRC may be exchanged up to 31 December 2009
(date printed on coupon). In principle, Beijing 2 coupons will no longer be
sold from 31 August 2009.

"The new international reply coupon (Nairobi model) is due to go on sale
from 1 July 2009, and will be valid for exchange until 31 December 2013."

Ken states, "So make sure you aren't holding any of the Beijing 2 coupons
at the end of this year."

To see what the new IRC looks like, go to:
http://www.upu.int/news_centre/2008/...8-08_irc.shtml


HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.

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

Since we are now in a National Body - the WIA - it is disappointing to see
we are still Parochial in out outlook. My recent query to other amateurs on
the question of physical repeater access brought one - count em - one reply.

The only reply came from VK2 and revealed similar problems to VK6.

No replies were received from any other call area.

Which can only mean that 2 of 10 call areas are having problems, and the rest
of you are sweet. Good luck to the rest of you for the future from VK6KAd.



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

Tasmanian First With Amateur Radio in a Men's Shed

introducing VK7SMS "Sorell Men's Shed"

Sorell Men's Shed and Heritage Museum inc. Sorell Tasmania.

A Men's Shed....

Men's Sheds are fast being recognized as vital, viable places to accommodate
these needs and provide relaxed, happy creative spaces for men of all ages to
enjoy.

The common theme in all Sheds is about men feeling useful and contributing
again to their communities, learning or sharing their skills and making
friends.

The Growing Problems with men's health, isolation loneliness and depression
are looming as major health issues. Men's Sheds can play a significant and
practical role in addressing these.

Activities within the Men's Shed are many and varied:

Woodwork, Metalwork, Restoration of old cars, machinery and relics from the
past for placement in the Museum, Electronics, Amateur Radio, Alterative
energy, & Gardening to name a few.

(Ken, VK7DY, SMS Coordinator)



DISCUSSION POINT

As the year progresses, more clubs are having annual general meetings and
election of office bearers and so I start with a discussion point, today.

One of the problems that any club must overcome is finding the willing souls
to form the executive or working committee that takes care of the mundane
things that makes the club run. As has been well emphasised since well before
the introduction of the Foundation Licence, the average age of the Amateur
Radio community is increasing.

Within the community people live with a range of different conditions that
make life a bit different for each of us.
As most people age, they find that the changes that life brings may not, in
fact, promote their personal lifestyle. Other people come with different
programming and whether we call it disability or difference makes little
difference except that within a club we need to cater for all members. It is
not only the obvious things like having buildings that are wheelchair
accessible but also being able to understand that certain noises, types of
lighting and irritants like pollens and paints may cause some of our members
to suffer, nausea, headache and other reactions, for instance.

As people's lives go on, the ability to deal with different factors can
change. How many members of your club, for instance, suffer deafness as a
result of their work environment? How many people in your club may have to
take medications which can effect their alertness and ability to participate
in animated discussions in a noisy environment?
How many people are just uncomfortable during meetings because bits of them
just hurt?

But just as there are points to consider as far as life effects the
individual, the club committee must think about being able to fill the normal
gaps that occur. Not only holidays from the salt mines but the need to meet
other family or personal commitments may take people away, for periods, from
close involvement in club activities. It is for this reason that we should
give consideration in having a training program where other club members get
to know the tasks that need to be done by sharing the work. Call it on the
job training, if you like.

Should it be necessary, having people able to fill in a role in your club can
ensure that projects, meetings and training can all continue when a regular
member is absent.

This is important, particularly in the smaller groups, to ensure continuity
but also to prevent individual burn out or if the same members always do the
same jobs, a sense of clique-iness being felt by the other club members.

After all, we take up a recreation, a hobby, because of the enjoyment that we
can get from it. Our participation in a radio club should be an extension of
that enjoyment through the sharing of ideas and experience and the fact that
a club that is working well will provide that sense of belonging as well as
broadening our personal horizons. It is by taking care of the practical, but
at times not so obvious areas of membership support, that can build the
spirit of any organisation.

When we think about these things what it comes down to is really the
application of the Amateurs Creed within our club structure as well as in
our personal on air activities.

Geoff VK4ZPP



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


Malaysia's Star On Line newspaper has just published a story on how students
"Improved their English the Ham Radio way."

Students were introduced to the world of ham radio and its potential of
helping them to improve their spoken English when they were given the
opportunity to listen to a live conversation between astronauts from the
International Space Satellite and the base centre.

And they had their English teacher, who is a ham radio member, to thank for
finding a novel way to help his students learn the English language.

"The mechanics of the ham radio is also related to Science and Mathematics,"
said School Teacher Yong, and one Student, aged 15, said she was amazed to
hear the astronauts talking to each other through such a small radio.

Another said he is a member of the Red Crescent and knew a lot about ham
radio, adding he was also aware that ham radio was the only communication
available during the Indian Ocean tsunami tragedy.



The Transvaal Voortrekkers has held a Field Activity Camp training in radio
speech procedure as part of the preparedness course.
About 35 Grade 10 learners received training under the supervision of ZS3G/6.



ARRL RELEASES FD VIDEOS

New videos promoting Field Day and amateur radio technology are now available
from the ARRL. Both are short Public Service Announcements better known as
PSA's.

According to the League's Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, the
Field Day PSA is meant to be posted on Web sites, added to e-mails and shared
via the Internet. . The other, which spotlights amateur radio technology, is
meant for broadcast and cable TV.

The two spots were an all-volunteer effort on the part of ARRL's national
Public Relations Committee. This included Newsline's Don Carlson, KQ6FM, who
is the voice heard on the Field Day PSA. It's available for download from the
ARRL's Field Day Web page.

The technology PSA is targeted for commercial TV uses. As such, it is a high
resolution, 43 megabyte MOV type file that can also be downloaded from the
ARRL. Because this version is meant for professional use, it has a formal 60
second lead-in followed by the 30 second PSA. A very low resolution preview
version not meant for distribution is also available.



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

SOUTH AFRICA - EXPANSION OF THE 40 METRE BAND STILL IN THE DOLDRUMS

The draft for the Government Gazette for the changes to the 40 metre band is
still doing the rounds in the ICASA machinery and was not tabled at Tuesday's
I.C.A.S.A. Council meeting. A Dumisa Ngwenya, Senior Manager Engineering at
I.C.A.S.A. said he expects the publication of the changes to the regulation
to facilitate the new 40 metre band spectrum to be soon.



Google Celebrates The Birthday Of Samuel Morse.

Monday the 27th of April, Google celebrated the birthday of Samuel Morse
through a custom Google Banner on the Google home page with the word GOOGLE
displayed in Morse Code.
Samuel F.B. Morse was born on April 27, 1791 in Charlestown, Massachusetts.



COLLEGE RADIO TUNER FOR IPHONE

Now here's a new toy that might quickly be adapted for use in ham radio.
Backbone Networks, a Web radio service provider, has developed software
called the College Radio Tuner for use with the Apple iPhone and the
iPod Touch. This is an application for streaming college-based radio
stations that works in coordination with Backbone Networks and its
partner, the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System and its IBS Student
Radio Network.

The College Radio Tuner software is available for free from the Apple
Store. The Intercollegiate Broadcasting System maintains the constantly
updated station database. The player can provide information and art for
currently playing stations, songs and provide a purchase link for the
Apple iTunes store.

Now, if some enterprising ham could find a way to adapt this technology
to monitor repeaters in a geographic area they too might be available to
monitor from anywhere without the need to carry a separate H-T.

(arnewsline)



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

NEWS FROM SOUTHGATE

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

The European Radio Amateurs' Organization is born!

A new organisation has been formed that seeks to unite all amateur radio
associations in Europe.. and beyond.

According to their website, EURAO - the European Radio Amateurs'
Organization aims to "group all those associations in the old continent
and even around the world, which can not belong to IARU (because of its own
limitation of only one association per country)".

The website page continues:
"The original idea, proposed by F5RCS in 2005, is simple and clear:
to provide an opportunity to unite efforts of all those radio amateurs'
associations that IARU does not support, due to its rigid structure that
prevents admitting more than one association per country and in practice has
become a true monopoly, more concerned with their own income than promoting
the interests of Amateur Radio."

You can read more about EURAO on their website at:

www.eurao.org/en/node/54



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

NEWS FROM ARNEWSLINE

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: OLED BLUE IMPROVED BY 25%

A promising technology called organic light-emitting diodes, or OLEDs has just
seen a major breakthrough. Researchers at the Pacific Northwest National
Laboratory have successfully synthesized and tested new materials that improve
the power efficiency of blue OLEDs by at least 25 percent. They note that
lighting consumes one-fifth of the electricity generated in the United States.

They say that solid-state lighting offers tremendous potential to improve the
situation - once major research challenges are overcome.

OLEDs are a multi-layered device that produce light by running an electrical
current through a specially engineered host material into which
light-producing phosphorescent molecules are embedded. The Department of
Energy's solid state lighting program is funding the OLED research.



MPEG SURROUND DESIGNATED INTERNATIONAL STANDARD

Proponents say MPEG Surround is now an international standard, ready for
deployment. Agere Systems, Coding Technologies, Fraunhofer and Philips said
the Moving Pictures Expert Group has finalized the standardization process at
the 79th MPEG meeting in Marrakech, Morocco. The document is MPEG-D standard
document IS 23003-1.



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

WEIRD N WONDERFUL

VK4BCM-Bevan from Fists Club Downunder #9053 sent us this gem:


It has been calculated that a Morse operator carries a daily workload
which is quite remarkable!

A Morse key requires 4 ounces of pressure to operate (approx).

Each letter necessitates approx 4 upward plus 4 downward movements,

8x4 oz = 32 oz. On average there are approx 6 letters to each word,

6x32 (2lb) = 192oz = 12 lb. Each minute a good operator sends at

27 wpm = 27x12 lb = 324 lb. Each hour = 60 x 324 lb = 19,440 lb.

For a six hour day = 6x 19,440 lb = 116,640 lb.

Dividing 116,640 by 2,240 (lbs in a ton) = 52 tons 160 lb each day.

A great accomplishment with one hand - whilst in a sitting position!

(FISTS)



OPERATIONAL NEWS -

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



MAY 01 - 08 VK CQ REPEATER CONTEST (Westlake's 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



SPECIAL EVENTS AND ON AIR CONTEST COLUMN - D A T E L I N E 2010

March 21-22 John Moyle Field Day



On the local scene.

Westlakes FM CQ repeater contest started Friday at a stroke past midnight and
continues until Midnight Friday May 8th.

Open to all Amateurs.

As the name implies all contacts are to made via a repeater. Full details are
on the Westlakes clubs webpage under contests.

In brief put out a CQ on any repeater you can access.

Log the callsign of the station's contacted along with the time and repeater
frequency.

A point to remember only log a station once on any repeater on any one day.

Do take part as the aim of the contest is to activate normally quite repeaters.



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/



2008 CQ WORLD WIDE DX CONTESTS

Even with the poor propagation, more than 10,000 logs have been
submitted for the 2008 running CQ World Wide DX Contest. This,
according to Contest Director Bob Cox, K3EST, who says that's a
new record for the event.

But here's the real surprise for those who think that Morse is dead or
dying. Cox reports that the number of CW logs have exceeded the number
of phone logs for the first time in more than 20 years. A total of 5013
SSB logs and 5272 CW logs submitted.

SSB results of the 2008 CQWW Contest will be published in the August
2009 issue of CQ magazine with the CW results in the September issue.

(arnewsline)



Comments on John Moyle Memorial National Field Day 2009

This year's entries came from every Australian mainland call areas, as well
as from Tasmania and New Zealand.

The number of logs submitted was a significant increase from logs received
last year.

Twelve Foundation Licensed operators also took part by submitting logs.

Contest Manager Denis VK4AE said in his summary "It was good to see several
ZL stations take part this year. For the first time in a number of years a
shortwave listener - from over the pond in NZ - made the effort of setting
up a portable station and logged contacts. Well Done ZL!"
Based upon submitted logs, there were some 20,773 contacts, amounting to some
71,041 points claimed, this was pretty heavy contesting!

Major winners included VK3CNE in the 24 Hour Portable Operation - Multiple
Operator slot and VK4OE in the 24 Hour Portable Operation - Single Operator
section.

Complete report is at wia.org.au under contests.



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


HG 160 FNY Commemorates 1848 attack on Hungary
that prompted their independence. until July 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


CANADA, VE. In celebration of the 50 years since the opening of the
St. Lawrence Seaway, Canadian amateurs can use special callsign
prefixes XL, XM, XN, and XO until May 31


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



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

Technology News

USB 3 - 10 times the speed USB 2.0.

With more than 2 billion legacy wired USB connections in the world today,
Universal Serial Bus (USB) is the de facto standard in the personal computing
industry.

On the horizon is the next revision of the USB has been released - and it's
10 times as fast as the last one. Specifications for the 'SuperSpeed' USB 3.0
were published shortly before the first of this year, allowing manufacturers
to start bringing next generation USB devices to market. Consumer products are
likely to hit shelves by 2010.

The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) claimed the third edition of the data
transfer system would be 10 times as fast as version 2.0, and feature improved
power efficiency. It will also be backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1
devices



MEDIA WATCH
http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/WorldRadio.html

Amateur Radio Previews
May 2009

Now, a reminder about Amateur Radio magazine. The next issue will be at your
newsagents in the first week of May. Don't forget to drop in and collect a
copy of your favourite magazine. And don't leave it too long, or they will
be all sold out.


You can't miss the front cover, bright red and dominated by a photo of the
Icom IC-7200 transceiver. That's because Amateur Radio has done a review of
the IC-7200, which can be found on page 22. Bill Roper VK3BR and Ron Fisher
VK3OM, who have chalked up over 75 years of amateur radio operating between
them, have done it again. This is a thorough assessment of the radio,
covering both its technical and performance aspects, which brings it to you
warts and all.


The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) is now a vastly different body
compared with a few years ago. But President Michael Owen VK3KI (and the WIA
Board) are acutely conscious that an organization that is not continuing to
grow is really declining. Read Michael's thoughtful "WIA Comment" on page 3
to learn what the Board is doing about all this. And how you can help, either
as an individual, or through your radio Club.


Emergency communications are very much in focus just now, as the response
to the recent bushfire disasters is analyzed by a Royal Commission. Radio
amateurs have traditionally done more than their bit to help out, and WICEN
(that's Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network) has existed for many
years in each State. Jim Linton VK3PC presents an informative and analytical
article on page 14, which looks at recent past WICEN activities in VK3, as
well as its future, both immediate and longer term.


The WIA is holding its 2009 AGM over this first weekend in May, so make
sure you get the June issue of Amateur Radio magazine to
"read all about it"! Find out who received the Higginbotham Award, the
Al Shawsmith Award and the Amateur Radio Best Technical Article Award.


(sOURCED TO: Tom Potter VK3UBS)



WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ATV (Every pixel tells a story)

North West Tasmania Amateur Television Group

Propagation testing for proposed ATV Repeater.

http://www2.vk7ax.id.au/atvgroup

Testing will be undertaken during coming weeks to establish possible paths
for ATV signals from the Club's repeater site at Gawler to individual
amateur's QTHs.

The bands used for these tests will be 70cm, 23cm and 13cm.

Club members wishing to be included in these tests should advise the Club
Secretary, ensuring you will not be left out.

Note it will not be necessary for those interested, to have any ATV equipment
for the testing, this being provided by those performing the tests.

The idea is to establish a list of potential paths to individual QTH's.

Again, members interested in these tests, please advise the Secretary
Steve VK7EQ or Tony VK7AX.

People interested in general information about The North West Tasmania Amateur
Television Group, are invited to visit the Club's WIA web Page under VK7 Clubs

http://www.wia.org/clubs/vk7/NorthWe...elevisionGroup


73's until next time

(Tony VK7AX, President & News Officer NWT-ATV Group)



WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO AMATEUR OLD-TIMERS
http://www.raotc.org.au

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 the Month.

using the RAOTC callsign of VK3OTN.

10.00 am Victorian time on 7.060 and 3.650 MHz plus 1.843 MHz AM, and
145.700.

On 14.150 MHz at 01.00 UTC beaming north and 02:00 UTC west from Melbourne

For those not yet retired, 8.30 PM Victorian time tune 80 mtrs 3.650 MHz

With the objective to maintain interest and good fellowship among those who
qualify for membership, full membership of the RAOTC is available to any
person who has held, or has been qualified to hold, an Amateur Licence for
a minimum of 25 years.

Associate membership is available to any person who has held, or has been
qualified to hold, an Amateur Licence for a minimum of 10 years.

Associate members are entitled to all the privileges of Full Membership
except the right to vote or to hold office.

Radio Amateurs Old Timers Club
P.O. Box 107
Mentone Vic 3194
www.raotc.org.au

Phone : 03 9579 5600



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


Bob Bristow the JOTA Coordinator here in VK is after some design ideas for
the badge for this year. He expects the World 2009 JOTA-JOTI logo to be
launched at the European Radio Scouting and Internet Scouting Seminar in
Iceland the end of May, and if it's suitable he could use it as a basis for
the badge.

Meanwhile He'd appreciate any suggestions and offers of help.

He'd especially like to find a graphic artist who is prepared to do the
artwork in a timely manner.
Ideally Bob would like to be able to get the artwork back within 2-3 weeks,
complete with a list of the pantone colours used.

So.. in summary, he's after badge design ideas, and a graphic artist to do
the artwork.

This year the National News of the JOTA weekend will be read by Scouts from
each VK call area, Bob is organising these readers so maybe if you are
interested you might again contact Bob in case he is short a call area or 2.





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



NORTHERN VK2 WICEN OPERATOR ACCREDITATION COURSE 13-14 June.

In Summerland? Well you are invited to attend, even if done before, as a
refresher. Please advise John Alcorn, VK2JWA if interested in attending.



BBC reports on amateur radio & emergency communications

The Radio Society of Great Britain issued a media release about World Amateur
Radio Day the 18th of April and a major media hit was the BBC World Service's
'New Hour' program.

The RSGB highlighted that the recent Italian earthquake, Australian bushfires
and floods in the United Kingdom had demonstrated the vulnerability of today's
infrastructure-dependant communication systems when disaster strikes.

RSGB General Manager Peter Kirby G0TWW said, "When disasters occur in regions
where the communications infrastructure has been destroyed, Amateur Radio
comes to the rescue."

The BBC followed up by interviewing both the ARRL Media and Public Relations
Manager Allen Pitts W1AGP and Alberto Barbera IK1YLO, the IARU National
Emergency Communications Coordinator for Italy.

Allen W1AGP explained concisely the nature of amateur radio, and in simple
terms the technology chain used for mobile phones systems.
Allen W1AGO said, "Any weak link in that whole chain and you cannot talk."
He added that radio amateur does not use that "intervening infrastructure",
because we can talk "ham radio operator to ham radio operator with nothing
between us but air."

Alberto Barbera IK1YLO told the BBC that while the L'Aquila earthquake
emergency is finished, it is now in the post-emergency phase and amateur radio
is still assisting in that effort.

Alberto said, "Primarily amateur radio is connecting areas and providing
assistance to the Red Cross and others helping the 15,000 people left homeless
by the earthquake.

There are now 68 villages under radio control from the radio amateur."

The BBC coverage of World Amateur Radio Day also occurred while radio amateurs
around the world were taking part in the latest Global Simulated Emergency
Test - with initial reports of that exercise being another success.

(Jim Linton VK3PC)



WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- SOTA
www.sota.org.uk
John Linford

SOTA Amateur Radio and Hillclimbing

With a view to encouraging more SOTA activity, the International SOTA Weekend
is being held this weekend, 2nd and 3rd May 2009d. It is hoped that this
event will see many summit-to-summit contacts between different SOTA
associations, and give chasers the chance to work activators from several
different DXCC entities.


Those who want to combine amateur radio with hillclimbing can get involved in
the Summits On The Air ("SOTA") programme.

SOTA is a bit like IOTA, with hills and mountains replacing islands. It is
designed to encourage portable operation in mountainous areas, and there are
awards for activators, who ascend to the summits, and chasers, who either
operate from home, a local hilltop or are activators on other summits.

More than 20 countries are currently involved in the SOTA programme.

More details, including a list of eligible summits and a lot more,
can be found at
www.qsl.net/sotaei and at
www.sota.org.uk

(sourced to irts)



SOCIAL SCENE

2009

International Telecommunication Union's Telecom World 2009.



May 1-3 vk3
WIA AGM Churchill Victoria


May 9 vk3
Moorabbin and District Radio Club Hamfest 10AM Brentwood Secondary College,
Watsons Road Glen Waverley, Melways reference 71 D7, enter via Heath street.


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


May 18 WW
World Telecom Day



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


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/



SOCIAL SCENE 2010

JAN 24 VK2
Mid North Coast Amateur Radio Group's Radio Expo 2010 8.30am St Johns Church
Hall, Mc Lean Street Coffs Harbour.
(The largest Amateur Radio Event on the Mid North Coast of NSW. 20 plus
exhibitors, Trade tables, Major brands, Home brew, Historic radio display,
ATV display, WIA, ALARA, WICEN, Volunteer Coastal Patrol, Club Displays,
WIA Book Sales, Disposals tables, Lucky door prizes on the hour, Hot and cold
food, Free tea, coffee. Fee Parking, Disable access, Clean amenities,
www.mncarg.org on rain, hail or shine )


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


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


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SB QNEWS @ WW $QNEWS090503
QNEWS - May 03 - VK4 ON AIR
--------------------------------------------------
DID YOU TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK?
--------------------------------------------------

THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICES
QNEWS -- ALL OF THE NEWS ALL OF THE TIME at www.wiaq.com

QNEWS available in Audio by 0400Hrs UTC Saturday.
http://www.wiaq.com/ftp/vk4_qnews_64.mp3



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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


QNEWS BROADCAST May 03 2009



GYMPIE
www.gceginc.org.au
Geoff Emery vk4zpp

As I caught the morning news, one story leapt into my mind. About 3 a.m. a
freight train transporting explosives caught fire within a few kilometres of
this QTH. Fortunately the fire was restricted to the locomotive and no one
was injured in the event. The ramifications of this re-inforced the need for
preparation in the amateur shack. It is not only the storm and rain events or
the raging bush fires that have the possibility of devastating local areas.

An explosion within a population centre, from whatever cause, could disrupt
services such as telephone and electricity supply. Being able to get one's
station on air either for personal safety or supporting community efforts
seems all the more important with such a forceful reminder in one's own
backyard.

One snippet of interest comes from the recent travels of VK4KEV through
outback Queensland and South Australia. This sounds like the proverbial life
of Riley, in Amateur Radio terms. At one overnight rest stop, Kevin had the
vehicle under the shade of the Coolabah tree, with a line dangling in the
water tempting the yellow belly and a cool beer at hand....sounds good you
say but there is more. Running a magnificent 30W into a whip on the bull bar,
he made contact with R1ANC, officially at the South Pole.

Now back home, Kevin has been following the ISS and advises that packet is
currently being run on the normal ARISS voice frequency. He is trialing a
satgate allowing eastern VK and SA amateurs to gateway to the internet with
aprs style messages and Kevin's station icon can be seen on web sites
reporting ARISS activity.

The EasyPal SSTV Repeater is running at the QTH of Roger, VK4BNQ on test .
Erik, VK4AES is refurbishing a computer for the permanent installation and
he's just replaced the power supply for it. It looks like Erik's going to
succeed in fixing it and it will be powerful enough for this application.
It will then be installed at VK4BNQ's for testing before being transferrred
to Chatsworth.

Remember that GCEG conducts it's 2m net each Monday at 7.30 p.m. on
146.725MHz, VK4RCM.

A visitor to the next monthly meeting of the group will be Jeff Johnson,
VK4XJJ. Jeff will be delivering signed copies of his book outlining the

adventures of his fund raising walk around VK. The meeting, as usual will
be held at the basement rooms of Leading Edge Electronics, Reef Street,
Gympie at 7.30 p.m. next Thursday, 7th May.



Redcliffe and District Radio Club
www.redclifferadioclub.org.au/
Redcliffe and District Radio Club


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

A surprise visitor to the club last Monday night was WIA Vice President,
Ewan McLeod VK4ERM.

Ewan presented to Redcliffe Club President David, VK4DC, a cheque for $600
as part of the WIA's 2008 Club Grants. The Redcliffe & District Radio Club
applied for a grant for a Mobile Emergency Communication Centre.

Ewan said that he was pleased to provide the funds to a club that is becoming
fully involved in the role of emergency communication in south-east
Queensland. David, in reply, thanked the WIA for its generous grant and
assured Ewan that the money would be well spent to upgrade the interior of
the caravan which is to become the Mobile Emergency Communication Centre.

The club also received about 30 2V, 500Ah deep cycle batteries that were to
be discarded. Many thanks to Roger, VK4UPS, for the provision of the
batteries. Each battery weighs about 35kg and have been in service for
about 7 years with a working life of about 10 years. Also made available
were a number of the interconnecting straps so with only 2 batteries you can
easily make up a substantial home 12VDC system.

These batteries will provide a good back-up power supply in case of emergency
They are available for purchase to club members at a very cheap price, so
contact club secretary Peter, VK4TAA for further information.

The club has also accepted an invitation to provide an information stand
and display during the forth coming Warbirds Aircraft Museum open day to be
held at Caboolture Air Field on 2nd August 2009. With some 10,000 people
expected to attend, the display will provide a good introduction about our
hobby of amateur radio.

A further reminder of the Working bee on Sat 30th May. On the afternoon of
Friday 29th starting at 2.30pm, the site will be prepared, ready for the
arrival of the concrete early Saturday morning. Members available should
contact club secretary Peter, VK4TAA as soon as possible.

There will be a large contingent of club members attending the Brisbane
Hamfest on 9 th May at the Mt. Gravatt Show grounds, so club members will
catch up with many friends next weekend.

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

TARC Management Meeting this Tuesday - plus Raffle Launch

The Management Meeting of the Townsville Amateur Radio Club
Inc happens this Tuesday 5th of May from 7-30pm at the Club Rooms
perched atop the SES HQ Green Street West End.

Make sure you bring along an item for Show and Tell and heaps of
small change to be first to get tickets when the TARC Raffle Number 2 -
You Choose The Prize - is launched.

All Welcome.




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



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

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



PAGE_END
/EX