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THE BEST NEWS YOU'LL GET ALL WEEK
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This is WIANEWS for week commencing JUNE 17 2007
Mal VK4MAL is currently working with the Red Cross Counter-Disaster
division in the flooded areas of the New South Wales Central Coast
and Hunter Region.
Mal VK4MAL is Counter-Disaster Co-ordinator for Red Cross in
North Queensland and he and hundreds of other volunteers were
shipped in from across VK to provide some help for flood weary local
volunteers and residents of the disaster zone.
VK2ATZ/portable the Westlakes AR Club were in the thick of things,
but were still able, somehow, to score a vantage point to see the
container ship which was washed ashore at Nobby's Beach on the Friday
morning.
Saturday Westlakes Amateur Radio Club was open....But not for usual business.
It was open to the few that braved the weather and answered the calls for
help to clean up the debris from the horrible weather suffered the previous
night.
Some helping included VK2YPW, VK2AFZ, VK2ZM and Keith VK2PKT, Paul VK2BPL,
and Richard VK2FRKO also John VK2FJKG
Then when the Hunter River in Maitland looked like breaking its banks on
Sunday, the Volunteer Rescue Association wasted no time in securing the
specialist communications skills of WICEN (NSW).
Eight operators from the Hunter Region were deployed at Rutherford, and
they were tasked with passing intelligence reports to the services
involved, along with monitoring and reporting the river levels at 15
minute intervals. This involved three teams, two at the gauges and one at
the control centre; all were alert and busy throughout the night and into
the next morning.
As well as this, teams were on stand-by in both the Sydney North and
Central Coast Regions, but as the floods abated they were not required; it
is worth noting that although members in the Central Coast Region also
suffered from the storm, some were still able to respond.
Other VRA squads such as CREST and Cave Rescue were also involved.
The President of the Volunteer Rescue Association, Ray Gill ESM[*],
thanked WICEN for their prompt response.
(sourced to TARC Westlakes and Dave Horsfall VK2KFU WICEN (NSW))
[*]
Note: "ESM" is not a callsign, but refers to "Emergency Service Medal".
As shown in this recent Hunter Emergency, we amateur radio operators are
community minded and are often keen to benefit our community and others
with our equipment and skills. The development of the Wireless Institute of
Australia National Network of Emergency Communications is a case in point.
Here is the Vice President of the WIA, Ewan McLeod VK4ERM.
The establishment of the Wireless Institute of Australia National Network
of Emergency Communications or WIANNEC is progressing. This is the result
of the IARU requirement to be able to provide initial emergency
HF communications when required until government and other communications
assets are operational and able to take over.
WIANNEC does not usurp the established role and capabilities of WICEN.
However, it is anticipated there are WICEN operators and stations capable
of satisfying the needs of WIANNEC as are well established stations and
contest stations.
What can you do to assist in the planning, establishment and operation of
this network in the unfortunate situation where our HF communications
capability is required? Well, you must consider these five primary
questions:
One. Are you in regular contact with Amateur Radio Stations in the
Australasian region that is, is your station's capability proven?
Two. Are you able to support 24 hour operations with our neighbouring
countries and nations?
Three. Is there a pool of experienced operators you can call on at short
notice to assist in maintaining the 24 hour operation of your
station?
Four. Do you have broadband and permanently on internet access?
Five. Are you prepared and able to make your station available for
emergency communications in our region?
If you can answer in the affirmative for those five questions then I would
appreciate hearing from you. My email address is vk4erm@wia.org.au
This is Ewan VK4ERM looking forward to your communication.
WIA PRESIDENT MICHAEL OWEN VK3KI
I would like to announce some changes that will take effect from 1 July.
From 1 July 2007 the cost of Family Membership will drop from $40 to $30
per year.
A Family Member does not receive Amateur Radio and is a second or further
person living at the same address as a Member or Concession Member
receiving Amateur Radio.
The WIA Board hopes that this will encourage more people living at the same
address to all become members of the WIA, particularly in this year of high
expense associated with the ITU World Radiocommunication Conference next
November in Geneva.
Also from 1 July 2007 the WIA will no longer offer membership without the
magazine, Amateur Radio. Existing Non-AR memberships will continue.
The Board believes that while the WIA communicates in a number of ways,
including broadcasts and the WIA website, the magazine is the only way that
the WIA can directly communicate with all members who receive it, and so
the non-AR membership is no longer appropriate.
The WIA has been forced to increase the cost of assessments.
Currently all assessment packs are $25. From 1 July 2007 the cost of packs
used on or after that date will increase to $35 per pack, irrespective of
when the pack was produced.
The assessment packs are for the Foundation qualification (which includes
theory, regulations and a practical assessment), the Standard and Advanced
Regulations and the Standard Theory and Advanced Theory. Each will cost
$35, payable when the pack is used.
The only exception will be a practical assessment taken alone which will
remain at $25.
A detailed cost review has revealed that the cost of producing and
processing each pack is more than the amount we have been charging, and so
other WIA income has been subsidising assessments.
Two reminders:
Please don't forget that the last date for nominations to be received for
the Advisory Committees is 22nd June.
Currently we are reviewing the WIA's 'Assessment Instructions'.
That is, how we conduct the whole assessment process.
We have asked each Assessor to identify (with particularity) each part of
the Instructions (including the forms) that have caused any difficulty or
uncertainty or could be either clarified or simplified, and to make a
precise suggestion as to change.
We remind the Assessors to respond and invite any one else who is
interested to send your suggestions by post to Dianne Aston,
WIA Examinations Officer, PO Box 2175, Caulfield Junction, VIC, 3161, or by
email to nationaloffice@wia.org.au, marking your email Assessment
Instructions Revision.
We have asked that all suggestions be at the office no later than tomorrow,
18 June 2007.
THE WIA NATIONAL QSL COLLECTION
The WIA QSL card collection contains cards donated by radio amateurs and
Short-Wave Listeners from both Australia and overseas, the aim of which is
to save 'something for the future'. We are all aware of the great interest
shown in such items as vintage cars, antique furniture and heritage
buildings. QSL cards also have an archival value in that old QSLs,
through their description of radio equipment and comments made by our radio
'old timers', can depict the fascinating world of amateur radio in its
early days.
Members of the WIA have reason to be proud of their WIA QSL Collection, for
it contains some of the most valuable archival material in the world. The
QSL of Reinhartz 1XAM of the USA De Loy of France are here. It was the
amateur radio transmission between these two experimenters in November 1923
that bridged the Atlantic for the first time. The QSLs of Frank Bell Z4AA
and Cecil Goyder G2SZ are here. It was these experimenters who made the
first two-way amateur radio contact between New Zealand and England in 1924.
The Collection has also an excellent range of post war QSLs such as rare
DX, IOTA, DOK, Prefix and USA County QSLs, in addition to a thematic
collection and a pictorial collection containing some of the world's most
attractively designed QSLs.
The WIA appeals to all amateur radio operators and executors of
'silent key' estates to donate QSLs to the Collection. Such donations are
acknowledged in the WIA's Amateur Radio magazine, and postage is fully
refunded.
Both radio clubs and individuals have the opportunity of purchasing at cost
price a DVD portraying a wide range of both pre-war and post-war QSLs.
These have proved very popular at Club evenings.
Would you care to help by becoming one of our QSL contributors or a QSL
Curator Enquiries should be directed to:
Ken Matchett VK3TL Hon. Curator
Tel: (03 9728 5350
Email: wiaqslcollection@wia.org.au
Thanks Robert, now we have received a letter from Ken, in the letter Ken
tells us the he has undergone major surgery and undergoes a period of
Radio and Chemo therapy. Ken is urgently appealing to all radio Amateurs
particularly those in VK3 to consider become involved in the QSL collection
and to help maintain what is probably one of the most valuable QSL
collections in the world.
Ken says that even a few hours a week would be helpful. Again the email
address to contact Ken is wiaqslcollection@wia.org.au
Following the outstanding success of the Parkes AGM weekend in May and
continuing requests for copies of the reports presented at the open forum,
WIA Director Robert Broomhead has announced that copies of the bound
Open Forum Report Booklet would be available to members and affiliated
clubs for $10 per copy including Postage..
This booklet of some 66 pages with glossy front cover pictorial of the
'Dish" will give members who were not at Parkes a good idea of the range
of activities that are encompassed within the work of the Wireless Institute
on behalf of members and all amateurs", said Robert, "It gives a good
overview of the when, where and why of current WIA act ivies"
Appointment of Karl Hennig VK6XW as Intruder Watch Coordinator
Karl Hennig VK6 XW has been appointed by the WIA Board to replace
Glenn Dunstan VK4DU who retired at the recent WIA AGM.
The WIA has accepted responsibility as a central clearing house for
reports on intrusions from non amateur activities. The WIA Intruder
Watch Service is an agreed mechanism with the Australian
Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). The Service also links to
the international intruder watch for amateur radio, specifically by
linkages to the International Amateur Radio Union Region 3 covering
our part of the world..
Full details of the WIA Intruder Watch system are available here on
the WIA Web site.
The success of the Service in protecting the access of Australian
amateurs to the HF depends heavily on the support of active amateurs
willing to go that extra mile and submit formal reports about
interference
Michael Owen VK3KI, President of the WIA and Phil Wait VK2DKN made
special presentations at the NZART AGM June 2.
Michael spoke to the changes in the WIA since his visit two years ago at
the New Plymouth Conference in 2005, whilst Phil spoke to Broadband over
Power Line issue with a well presented and received presentation.
This text edition is only authorised for re-publication in full on
www.wia.org.au on the ax25 ww packet radio bulletin board system and
in the early email editions sent from the vk1wia server at national office.
Any subsequent copying on newsgroups is a blatant pirated activity.
AROUND VK in 80 Seconds.
(4vks)
VK2
School radio club calling CQ IRLP
The Bishop Druit College Radio Club at Coffs Harbour on the mid-north coast
of New South Wales is looking VK, ZL or Asia-Pacific contacts on IRLP.
The students who have been experimenting with building simple FM radio
receivers are also keen to have some on air operating experiences.
IRLP contacts with interested parties or similar school electronic/radio
groups would be great - but the club only has limited time during the local
lunchtime period.
The station equipment has been provided by Peter McAdam VK2EVB - and the
club is QRV Fridays 0315 - 0345 UTC, on the IRLP node 6625 which is via its
local repeater VK2RDO.
(VK3PC)
VK4
FNNQARG was great !
The weather was beautiful during the day but a bit brisk at night,
65 hams and support crews attended, many experiments with canvas
palaces and rapid deployment field poles and towers were undertaken
and a heap of fun was had.
Oh, and some were lucky enough to purchase new transceivers and
antennae and play with them in a tropical paradise PLUS sample
some gastronomic resort delights.
This sums up the 2007 Far North and North Queensland Amateur Radio Get
Together held over the Queens Birthday long weekend in June.
VK5
SERG have had a busy time, not only another successful Mt Gambier weekend,
but would seem the hub of their extensive repeater network (VK5RNC) at
Naracoorte received what seems to have been a direct lightning strike.
Took it all out; from antennae right through to UHF linking gear, meaning
a complete rebuild.
Murphy lurking just before their convention again!!!
VK6
HAMFEST 2007 happens in Ashfield Sunday August 5 at 9am.
Northern Corridor Radio Group will even have interstate traders on the day
with impressive specials!
Along with the usual features one experiences at hamfests, this "biggie" in
Perth will feature 109 Signals Squadron and the Tesla Society.
Cyril Jackson Recreation Centre
Fisher Street
Ashfield.
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 received.
EDUCATION YOUTH AND ADVANCEMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO
PRESENTED BY KYLEA VK6FXYL
YOUTHDAY 2007
June 16 in ZS land saw many young people experience amateur radio by
operating an amateur radio station under supervision and talking to other
young people on the air.
The emphasis was on operating an amateur station, not on just handing the
microphone to the young guest to say a few words.
More on the web
www.sarl.org.za
FUTURE EXAMS
To find out when a club in YOUR area is hosting assessments and/or
training in Amateur Radio go to wia.org.au and check out the club pages.
Next Foundation Licence course, and Standard / Advanced assessments .....
NEW SOUTH WALES
ARNSW regularly holds Foundation Licence Assessments as well as Exams for
Standard and Advanced Licences.
Held on the last weekend of each EVEN numbered month.
The next Assessment will be 30th June & 1st of July.
The Hunter Radio Group
They'll hold their next licence assessments on Saturday 23rd & Sunday the
24th of June at 9.00 am at the Print Makers Workshop, 27 Popran St
Adamstown.
For further information, please contact the Examination Group Leader,
Grahame O'Brien VK2FA on 02- 49548688. It is important that Foundation
candidates have a copy of the foundation manual and have studied it before
attempting an assessment.
Manuals are available from the Hunter Radio Group.
Some places will be available for candidates wanting to upgrade from
foundation licences to standard or advanced licences and the Hunter Radio
Group will be having a sausage sizzle on both days for lunch.
VICTORIA
Amateur Radio Victoria has announced its next two Foundation Licence
training and assessment weekends - 23rd and 24th of June and the 21st and
22nd of July.
Held at Box Hill North these classes attracting candidates from Greater
Melbourne and Victorian regional areas.
For inquiries or to enrol please contact Barry Robinson VK3JBR 0428 516
001 or arv@amateurradio.com.au
(Amateur Radio Victoria amateurradio.com.au)
ACMA NEWS
The Australian Communications and Media Authority is seeking public
comment on proposed variations to the schemes that regulate the conversion
of broadcast television from analogue to digital mode.
The full release can found at
www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD//pc=PC_310295
INTERNATIONAL NEWS READ BY Rob VK5MM
ARRL/IARU TEAM TO REPRESENT AMATEUR RADIO AT ITU MEETING IN GENEVA
ARRL Chief Executive Officer and IARU Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ, have
been representing the IARU at a meeting of ITU-R Working Party 1A in
Geneva, Switzerland.
Working Party 1A is responsible for spectrum engineering techniques within
Study Group 1 (spectrum management) and has been working on a document that
may eventually become what's called a "preliminary draft new report" on the
impact of power line telecommunications (PLT, what we call BPL on this side
of the Pacific) on radiocommunication systems operating below 80 MHz.
Of course, the IARU's interest is in ensuring that the report accurately
reflects the sensitivity of the amateur services to interference from this
source.
Also meeting at about the same time (June 12-20), ITU-R Working Party
8A, which is responsible for most of the land mobile services, plus the
amateur and amateur-satellite services. WP 8A hopes to complete work on
a "draft new handbook for the amateur and amateur-satellite services" to
be published by the ITU.
(arrl letter)
OPERATIONAL NEWS - CONTEST COLUMN - D A T E L I N E
VK/TRANSTASMAN CONTEST
160M Phone 7 July 2007
160M CW 21 July 2007
The Hunter Radio Group Contesters will be operating in the Trans Tasman 160
meter phone event on July 7th this year at Luskintyre Tiger Moth Airport
There will be some fun type foxhunt also held round the airport.
The group extends a cordial welcome to all operators.
This will be an ideal training event for the up coming RD contest at the
same location.
Food, drinks and accommodation will be available.
Accommodation will be on a first to book basis
As in all Hunter Radio Group functions, having fun will be the main
objective
For further information, or to confirm your attendance please contact
Grahame VK2FA on 02 49-548-688 before June 24th 2007
NZART MEMORIAL CONTEST - 80M - SSB AND CW.
7 & 8 July 2007.
Times :- 2000 NZST - 2300 NZST, divided into 3 operating periods each
evening.
Band :- 80M SSB and CW.
Contest Rules NZART Website. http://www.nzart.org.nz
(John Powell. ZL1BHQ, NZART Contest Manager)
JULY 14-15
The annual IARU HF World Championship is held on the second full weekend of
July. This year it will be held during the 24-hour period from 1200 UTC
Saturday, 14 July to 1200 UTC Sunday, 15 July.
Rules are at www.iaru.org/contest.html
Because this is unusually late in the month for the event to occur, there
has been some confusion about the dates. The CORRECT dates are 14-15 July.
Any references to 7-8July are INCORRECT.
(David Sumner, K1ZZ Secretary, IARU)
14th of July the Jack Files Contest.
0800 UTC - 1400 UTC
80 metres only.
Use 3.5MHZ - 3.7MHz
CW; SSB; or All Modes
Boat Anchor Sprints:
August (11), October (13).
Local ZL time: 2000 to 2100 hrs
Section 1: Old radios - all valves - i.e. ZC1, 19 set, Heathkits, any
home brew set, but must have all valves.
Section 2: Any Hybrid transceiver (must have valve finals i.e. FT200,
FTDX400/401, Drake, FT 101s, etc..
Amplitude Modulated signals only.
The overall winner shall be the entrant having the highest points score
which will be published in the following New Zealand "Break-in".
(Jamie Pye ZL2NN, Editor NZART's InfoLine)
AUGUST 11/12 Remembrance Day Contest (The RD) wia.org.au
Today marks only 56 days to the 2007 RD contest.
Last years Audited results are now posted on the WIA website.
In the July issue of your AR magazine we will publish this years Rules
(with some minor adjustments from the previous years).
On the WIA Website the rules are available along with associated documents.
Last year we saw a great rollup from all states including several of the
then, newly licensed Foundation calls, we look forward to seeing and
working many more of the F calls in this years contest.
For those using some of the computer logging programs PLEASE check that you
have the current version, as many last year were using outdated programs
which caused several headaches when checking the logs, and having to adjust
the scores.
7th World HST Championship will be held in Belgrade Serbia September
19-23rd.
www.hst2007.org
NOVEMBER 17/18
Spring VHF-UHF Field Day - November 2007
For everyone who likes to plan ahead - please note the dates for this
year's Spring VHF-UHF Field Day. It will be held on November 17/18, a
week later than usual. This will prevent a clash with club activities
in two states.
SPECIAL EVENTS, BEACON AND NET ADVICE
VK's longest continual net;
The Southern Cross DX Net has been running for 43 years, operates
7 days a week - propagation permitting - on a frequency
of 14.238.5MHz at 1215 zulu.
Boat Anchor Net
A regular on air gathering of people interested in old commercial amateur
transceivers takes place Sunday afternoons.
The VK5 Boat Anchor Net can be heard at 3.30pm Adelaide time or 4pm
Australian Eastern Standard Time on 7.064MHz plus or minus QRM.
Get their old radio out of the cupboard, tune it up and give net
controller Mark Kilmier VK5EME a call.
80 metres 3.645 The Odd Night Net.
This to assist new Foundation members get used to their equipment by
talking about various issues which they have and would like to discuss.
You might wonder about the name but it means they meet on the odd nights of
the calendar i.e. 1,3,5,7,9. Hence the name Odd Night Net.
It is open to all classes of licences but mainly aimed at the new comers.
(Richard Osborne)
Special Event Stations
GB25FC is the special event call sign that will be active until
18th June to commemorate 25 years since the end of the Falklands
conflict. Up to four independent stations will be working from the
Wyke Regis Amateur Radio Training Centre.
They will be using Morse, SSB, digital modes, RTTY, SSTV and UI-View,
and there will also be a station working through the local radio internet
links.
More info from gb25fc@wykeradio.org
(rsgb)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FINAL FRONTIER
VK5ZAI is the Australian Co-ordinator for ARISS.
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
ARISS MILESTONE: 300TH CONTACT
On Thursday, May 31, Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
(ARISS) made its 300th contact since its inception back in December
2000. This milestone QSO was to the NASA Teacher Conference in Houston,
Texas. The first contact was on December 21, 2000 to Burbank School in
Burbank, Illinois.
The United States leads in the number of ARISS contacts with 153. Japan
is next with 25; Australia has 18, Canada has 16, Belgium has 10, the
United Kingdom and Germany have 8 and France has 7 contacts. A total of
28 countries have made contact with the ISS through ARISS.
(ARRL LETTER)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO AMATEUR YOUNG TIMERS
A Youth Net meets Saturdays at 0100 UTC on IRLP Reflector #2.
Don't forget the Young Hams Net on 80 meters! It's on 3.590
This is the net with Cohen, VK3FCLL at the helm.
This is a net for both new hams in the hobby or just a weekly catch up
and chat.
Now details for the net are - 7:30pm until 8:30pm Victoria time, on
3.590mhz.
For more information e-mail vk3fcll@hotmail.com
SOCIAL SCENE
July 7+8 - GippsTech
Conference for VHF, UHF & SHF enthusiasts in Australia.
Held at the Gippsland Campus of Monash University in Churchill, about
two hours drive east of Melbourne.
www.qsl.net\vk3bez\index.htm
August 5 - HAMFEST 2007 happens in Perth at 9am.
Cyril Jackson Recreation Centre
Fisher Street
Ashfield.
SEPTEMBER 21-23
North Queensland Amateur Radio Convention
Happening in twin cities of Thuringowa and Townsville.
JANUARY 20 2008
The Mid North Coast Amateur Radio Group invite all amateurs to attend the
2008 Mid North Coast Radio Expo to be held in Coffs Harbour on Sunday 20th
January.
The Expo is held at the St Johns Church Hall, Mc Lean Street, Coffs Harbour.
Gary VK2ZKT is the Radio Expo Coordinator on 02 66 55 2 990 or visit the
Groups comprehensive web site at www.mncarg.org
THE FINAL FINAL
WALKS
Jeff VK4XJJ is still going strong on his walk across Australia.
Every Day, from 5:30pm Eastern on 40 meters, 7045 put out a call to
VK4XJJ
Jeff, VK4XJJ walking Gulf to Gulf, is doing fine, his position on Wednesday
evening, 13th June, was 112 km northeast of Innamincka on the way to
Birdsville.
For position and details see website - www.jeffswalk.com
=========================================================================
WIANews 24/7 with the following bulletin in Audio
when you visit the NEWSROOM on www.wia.org.au
This is WIANEWS for week commencing JUNE 10 2007, I'M GRANT VK3VIM
NATIONAL WIA STORIES
ROBERT BROOMHEAD AND SILENT KEY
It is with sadness that the WIA advises the passing of Bill Rice VK3ABP,
who at age 80 became a silent key whilst sitting in his favourite chair
in his home in Altona.
It is a sad yet reflective occasion on which to remember a unique character.
Bill was the longest serving editor of the Wireless Institute of Australia's
journal Amateur Radio magazine. He joined its Publications Committee in 1972,
became Editor in July 1984 and continued in the position until December 1999.
It was a role in which he relished and able to contribute in so many ways.
As Editor he was also a member of the WIA Federal Executive for a number of
years.
Bill was a quietly spoken gentleman, with the persona not unlike that of a
yester-year stereotypical bearded scientist, with a brilliant mind.
He had been an active radio amateur for 60 years, first as VK5BP at
Murray Bridge South Australia moving in 1948 to Adelaide to attend
university.
On relocating to Melbourne in 1960 be became VK3ABP. He was from the era
when radio amateurs built their own equipment. Synonymous with the callsign
VK3ABP was his valve two-metre converter that featured in AR magazine and
became a very popular project enabling many to get on to that band.
While a good listener and being very personable, Bill talked little about
his occupation in the defence research and development field and the
leading edge technology that it involved.
Retirement from work gave Bill extra time for amateur radio projects
Bill had many friends and I have on the line Ron Fisher VK3OM ...
(Ron Fisher online recording)
Some of Bill's other activities included history and sailing. He often
sailed in Gippsland - a personal achievement was to sail on the rarely
filled inland salt Lake Eyre in South Australia.
In 2001 he was awarded honorary life membership of the WIA for his long and
meritorious service, which he accepted with genuine humility.
One of Bills other close friends was Bill Roper VK3BR and I have Bill on
line to share a few words....
(Bill Roper online recording)
A service was held Tuesday at St Eanswythe's Church, in Altona with about
200 people attending.
Bill will be sadly missed and his passing is a great loss to amateur radio.
ROBERT BROOMHEAD AND FRED SWAINSTON LISTEN TO THE AUDIO MP3
New National Standard Built Around Amateur Radio
The Commonwealth Department of Education Science and Technology has endorsed
a new competency standard, called:-
"Operate and maintain an amateur radio communication station".
The standard approximates the syllabus for a Standard amateur operators
certificate of proficiency.
This means the there is now a nationally recognised standard built around
amateur radio. This is a link between amateur radio and education and
industry. Competency to this standard can be an element in an
electro-technology qualification.
It certainly should make amateur radio as an activity much more attractive
to schools.
However, it is important to note that holding the competency will not
qualify the holder for an amateur licence which still requires WIA
certification to ACMA of competency in the theory, regulatory and
practical elements of the syllabus.
WIA President Michael Owen VK3KI welcomed the Departments endorsement,
saying he hoped that schools would be encouraged to support amateur radio
activities and also acknowledged the work of the WIA's Nominated RTO,
Fred Swainston VK3DAC in achieving this recognition of amateur radio.
P29 revival underway
A strong effort is being made to increase amateur radio activity in Papua
New Guinea and a recent P29 CQ Day is only just the beginning.
Wilfred Kilepak Amai P29PG/VK3DWA initiated the very successful special
activity day outside the Parliament Building in Port Moresby. There were
plenty of interested on-lookers.
The radio administration PANGTEL is supportive of any steps to achieve a
greater participation in amateur radio.
Wilfred says PANGTEL is aware of the Australian licence restructure that
occurred in October 2005 that includes the Foundation Licence, but has
not yet followed suit.
Traditionally P29 has mirrored the VK licence system, due to the strong
relationship between Papua New Guinea and Australia that was established
before it gained independence in 1975.
I'm Jim Linton VK3PC and you're listening to VK1WIA.
ROBERT BROOMHEAD AND WILFRED KILEPAK LISTEN TO THE AUDIO MP3
EDUCATION YOUTH AND ADVANCEMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO
PRESENTED BY KYLEA VK6FXYL
FUTURE EXAMS
To find out when a club in YOUR area is hosting assessments and/or
training in Amateur Radio go to wia.org.au and check out the club pages.
Help amateur radio continue to grow
Do you know someone who could be interested in joining our hobby? Then
encourage them to enrol in a Foundation Licence training course.
Next Foundation Licence course, and Standard / Advanced assessments .....
NEW SOUTH WALES
The Hunter Radio Group
They'll hold their next licence assessments on Saturday 23rd & Sunday the
24th of June at 9.00 am at the Print Makers Workshop, 27 Popran St
Adamstown.
For further information, please contact the Examination Group Leader,
Grahame O'Brien VK2FA on 02- 49548688. It is important that Foundation
candidates have a copy of the foundation manual and have studied it before
attempting an assessment.
Manuals are available from the Hunter Radio Group.
Some places will be available for candidates wanting to upgrade from
foundation licences to standard or advanced licences and the Hunter Radio
Group will be having a sausage sizzle on both days for lunch.
WEST AUSTRALIA
HANDS UP IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GO TO HAM COLLEGE?
Thought that would get your attention. In VK6 we now have HAM College
offering courses for the foundation, standard and advanced licences. The
next Foundation course is to be held on the 21st & 22nd of July - get your
name in early to secure a place in the classroom.
Is anyone interested in obtaining their Advanced licence - the next course
is scheduled to start in July/August.
How about Morse code.....yes there is even a course run for Morse - why not
stop procrastinating and sign up today.
The next date for those wishing to sit Exams is June 30th.
Go to www.warg.org.au under the foundation licence page to view additional
course and exam dates or you can contact VK6BDO Neil or myself for further
details.
CONGRATULATIONS - RESULTS
Congratulations go out to new Radio Amateur Robert Young VK4FRJY
who has recently received his new callsign from ACMA after successfully
completing Foundation Assessment with the WIA Exam Service in Townsville.
Congratulations to 10 new Ham College graduates who obtained their Foundation
licences over the past couple of weeks, as well as 1 standard and 1
Advanced.
Look forward to making contact with you all in the near future.
AROUND VK in 80 Seconds.
VK2
The Hunter Radio Group Contesters will be operating in the Trans Tasman 160
meter phone event on July 7th this year at Luskintyre Tiger Moth Airport.
As in all Hunter Radio Group functions, having fun will be the main objective
For further information, or to confirm your attendance please contact
Grahame VK2FA on 02 49-548-688 before June 24th.
VK3
Amateur Radio Victoria say that the Mt St Leonard 70cm repeater VK3RMU
north-east of Melbourne is now on its new frequency of 439.800MHz.
Amateur Radio Victoria made the very recent QSY was mainly due to
persistent interference from a suspected low interference potential device
(LIPD).
The Sunday VK1WIA broadcast will also adopt the new frequency later this
month.
In south-west Victoria at Warrnambool the VK3RWL repeaters on 2m
147.050MHz and 70cm 439.650MHz are getting plenty of use by locals.
Early indications are that the range of VK3RWL is excellent with reports
from Ballarat, Horsham, Hamilton and Portland being received.
While the repeaters are up and running there's still a little bit more
work to do before the project is complete.
With the arrival of the winter rains and cold weather access to the site
is becoming difficult.
Many thanks to Russell Lemke VK3ZQB who with others have worked to restore
the repeaters, that were required to meet rigid and costly commercial site
requirements, borne by Amateur Radio Victoria.
Early indications are that the range of VK3RWL is excellent with reports
form Ballarat, Horsham, Hamilton and Portland being received.
DISCUSSION POINT
Often around this time in the WIA National News we bring you
"Discussion Point",
Today we bring you BOILING POINT, thanks to Frank VK2FJL, Previous editor
of Westlakes Magazine.
It seems a person decided to have a cup of coffee. He took a cup of water
and put it in the microwave to heat it up (something that he had done
numerous times before).
I am not sure how long he set the timer for, but he wanted to bring the water
to a boil.
When the timer shut the oven off, he removed the cup from the oven. As he
looked into the cup, he noted that the water was not boiling, but instantly
the water in the cup "blew up" into his face.
The cup remained intact until he threw it out of his hand but all the water had
flown out into his face due to the build up of energy. His whole face blistered
and he suffered 1st and 2nd degree burns to his face.
Worse he may have lost partial sight in his left eye.
While at the hospital, the doctor who was attending to him stated that this
is a fairly common occurrence and water (alone) should never be heated in a
microwave oven.
If water is heated in this manner, something should be placed in the cup to
diffuse the energy such as: a wooden stir stick, tea bag, etc.
It is however a much safer choice to boil the water in a tea kettle.
WHY IS IT SO???
Micro waved water and other liquids do not always bubble when they reach
the boiling point.
They can actually get superheated and not bubble at all. The superheated
liquid will bubble up out of the cup when it is moved or when something
like a spoon or tea bag is put into it.
To prevent this from happening and causing injury, do not heat any liquid
for more than two minutes per cup. After heating, let the cup stand in the
microwave for thirty seconds before moving it or adding anything .
=======================================================================
NEWS FROM ARNEWSLINE
WORLDBEAT - GERMANY: THE DL 100 AWARD
In news from around the world, German hams are on the air throughout
June with a special celebration. This with members of the radio clubs
of Norddeich and Hage commemorating the 100th anniversary of the well
known coast station Norddeich Radio. Operations are planned for 160
through 10 meters on various modes. The special callsign, DL100DAN is
being used and a special D A N 100 award will be available. More
information can be found at http://norddeich-radio.de/ (OPDX)
WORLDBEAT - JAPAN: JARL TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL QRP DAY
The Japan Amateur Radio League's QRP Club will be running five special
event stations, 8J1P, 8J3P, 8J4P, 8J5P and 8J6P on June 17th to
celebrate the International QRP Day. International QRP Day was
designated by the IARU Region 1 Conference held in April 1984 in Italy
to stimulate QRP operation worldwide. It was reaffirmed by the IARU
Region 3 Conference in New Zealand in December of 1985 (JARL)
WORLDBEAT - UK: GB3RAL PROPOSED 40 AND 60 MHz BEACONS ON THEIR WAY
In VHF news, work from the United Kingdom that the new GB3RAL 40.05 and
60.05MHz beacons are due to receive government clearance in mid-June
but both have already cleared their key Primary User stages. Assuming
that regulatory clearance is also obtained the sponsors will go forward
to for final clearance and approval sometime this summer.
If approved, it brings ham radio in the UK closer to the prospect of a
unique 40, 50, 60 and 70 MHz co-located beacon system at the Rutherford
Appleton Labs location near Oxford. While not in amateur bands, the 40
and 60 MHz beacons should prove to be extremely useful propagation
study markers both in the UK and world wide. (GB2RS)
ON THE AIR: CELEBRATING IN INDY WITH HAM RADIO
Back in the United States, Indianapolis, Indiana has been a hotbed of
special event stations during May and it continues in June. Fire up
that new HF rig and get ready to copy. Jack Parker W8ISH has this
report from the Circle City.
If you have your HF rig fired up and your antenna pointed toward
Indianapolis you many score some great contacts in the next few weeks.
Beginning Friday evening June 8th the Indianapolis Radio Club will
begin making contacts from the site of the USS Indianapolis Memorial.
The USS Indianapolis was sunk during World War Two after delivering
atomic bomb components that were later used in the attack on Hiroshima.
Listen for the W9IND call sign during the 44 hour event or check the
Indianapolis Radio Club web page for more information.
The pace continues to quicken as the United States Grand Prix rolls
into town on Fathers Day weekend, June 17th. Special event station
W9IMS will be on the air, taking check-ins, during that weekend . This
world class special event station operates during each one of the major
races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. If you don't catch W9IMS
during the Formula One race you have another opportunity to snag a
special QSL card during the Brickyard 400 NASCAR race the weekend of
July 29th.
And last but not least, many central Indiana clubs report gearing up
for Field Day 2007 on June 23rd and 24th. Maybe we'll catch you on the
HF bands.
Reporting for Amateur Radio Newsline this is Jack Parker W8ISH.
The USS Indianapolis Memorial station will join nearly 70 other special
event stations around the world as part of the Museum Ships Weekend.
(W8ISH)
THE QNEWS WORK BENCH - the nuts and volts report -
Since Adelaide's South Coast Amateur Radio Club took over the distribution
of the VK5JST Antenna Analyser kits they have been receiving numerous orders
for the kits from right across Australia.
Just visit their website, www.scarc.org.au
MORSE ON YOUR iPoD - we are joined by VK1KEP Peter Ellis.
This interesting contribution from Mark Sullivan ZL3AB appeared
on the KiwiDX Group cluster.
In an attempt to improve CW comprehension and speed it was decided
to load some CW files onto an iPoD to listen to on the way to work.
To start you need to create a CW sound file in "wav" format.
To do this, look for a great little freeware program on the net
called WinMorse 2.0. Its a 482kb download and extremely easy to use.
http://winmorse. mark-bellamy.qarchive. org/
Once you open the software you can set the speed you want the CW
sent at and then type/paste some text into the window.
All you need to do then is choose the output as "wav" from a
drop down menu and the software does the rest.
Once you save the file you can then open it in the iTunes software
that will convert the file into AAC, the default format for the
iPoD and you can then copy it onto your iPoD and play it.
This process will also work for any MP3 player that has software that
can convert wav files into MP3. If your software does
not do that there are a number or wav to MP3 converters on the Net.
(fists club downunder)
MEDIA WATCH
TV SHOWS THE EARLY DAYS OF UK EMCOMMS
A television show about the early days of Amateur Radio emergency
communications in England was recently broadcast on the U-K TV station
Channel 4 . This, as a part of the stations ongoing '3 Minute Wonder' series.
The program was called "Preparing for the Worst" was hosted by Pat
Gowen G3IOR. It discussed one of the first ever mobile emergency
communications operations ever in the U-K. Also in the show is Terry
Owen, G4PSH and references are made to Rafars & Raynet of the city of Norfolk.
Preparing for the Worst can be seen on the YouTube video service.
=========================================================================
WIANews - we've reported...YOU decide.
Societies and Club News Letter Editors can EXCHANGE a feed prior to
the actual broadcast date, e-mail nationalnews@wia.org.au
Callbacks 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".
Compiled by VK4BB on behalf of the National WIA.
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