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ZL2TZE > QNEWS 20.02.04 09:01l 1250 Lines 42303 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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THE BEST QNEWS YOU'LL GET ALL WEEK
---------------------------------
QNEWS 24/7 with the following bulletin in Audio Segment One
when you visit the QNEWS NEWSROOM on www.wia.org.au/vk4
QNEWS available in Audio after 1400hrs utc Friday.
NATIONAL NEWS
FEDERAL WIA PRESIDENT IS ERNEST HOCKING VK1LK
IARU REGION 3 MEETING IN TAIPEI HEATS UP
Pitcairn Island have lodged a protest against what they allege has been
irregular and unfair actions by the Directors and Secretary of IARU region 3.
That story a little later, but right now, some 15 radio societies have
been attending this the 13th triennial meeting, and hosted by Taiwan's
society CTARL.
During the opening ceremony, Tim Chen BV2A briefly explained the growth of
amateur radio that began in 1983 with his callsign being the first and only
for some time, now some 72k are registered.
The Director of the Taiwanese Dedicated Telecommunications Department,
Kuo-Jen Tsai in a speech to officially open the conference praised the
contributions being made by the CTARL, and amateur radio generally.
In particular, he said the provision of emergency communications by radio
amateurs "helped save lives during Taiwan's Typhoon Herb in 1996 and the
earthquake of 1999".
Our 3 WIA Delegates VK6NE/VK3KT/VK3PC have been presenting papers which
included a brief look at the Australian BPL experience.
In that the WIA spoke of how they are "watching developments in other
countries" and of the Sydney BPL promotion seminar held last November
where it was noted those promoting PLC/BPL were not including anything
of note in their promotional material re suggested interference problems.
Considerable time was taken in discussing the issue of PLC/BPL with WG2
producing a recommendation of suggested actions that all radio societies
consider taking in opposing the introduction of this technology.
The European, US and Australian experiences in responding to this threat to
HF amateur radio resulted in the sharing of knowledge and greater
understanding.
WIA team members Neil Penfold VK6NE and Brenda Edmonds VK3KT are attending
the Policy WG and Jim Linton VK3PC the Technical WG.
Brenda VK3KT is also chairing the conference's Editorial Committee, assisted
by Jim VK3PC and Paul Anderson VR2BBC of HARTS.
(various sources including IARUMS R3/ VK4DU/ VK3PC)
NATIONAL NEWS - YOU HAVE MAIL
WIA news available by private e-mail.
Receive the latest bulletins and releases of news from the WIA via
Internet e-mail.
Several ways, easiest for you and the Q is to click onto:-
http://groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/QNEWS-VK
OR simply send an e-mail message to the following
NotE THEY ARE CasE sENsItiVE :
[1] QNEWS-VK-subscribe@yahoogroups.com vk4
[2] QNEWS-VK-TEXT-subscribe@yahoogroups.com vk4
[1] weekly HTML copy QNEWS
[2] Text rather than HTML copy of QNEWS
Wireless Institute of Australia - The World's oldest AR Society (est 1910)
is on the web at http://www.wia.org.au
The various divisions (call areas) can be accessed direct from here.
ACA NEWS
www.aca.gov.au
WIA ACA LIAISON OFFICERS are VK1GH, VK1ZKM, VK2BPN, VK4DU
The Australian Communications Authority (ACA) may now elect to impose
financial penalties for certain breaches of the Telecommunications Act 1997
under a new scheme designed to simplify regulation of the industry.
The new penalty provisions, give the ACA the power to issue infringement
notices for breaches of technical regulations, instead of having to
prosecute offenders through the court system.
ACA Acting Chairman Dr Bob Horton said the scheme should reduce costs for
both the ACA and industry, and enabled the regulator to act more swiftly
in cases of non-compliance.
Under the new scheme, the ACA can issue infringement notices for offences
mentioned in section 453 (penalties payable instead of prosecution) of the
Telecommunications Act.
Dr Horton said a similar penalty infringement notice system, introduced
under the Radiocommunications Act 1992, had increased industry compliance
with regulations and created a cost-effective alternative to prosecution.
(sourced to media release No. 09 - 17 February 2004)
GENERAL INTEREST NEWS FROM 'DOWNUNDER'.
New International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Chief to visits Australia
The new Secretary General of the IMO - the UN-affiliated body responsible
for global ship safety and security addressed Australia's fourth
National Shipping Industry Conference this week.
The conference provided the first opportunity for the Australian maritime
sector to hear Admiral Efthimios Mitropoulos as he outlined the challenges
ahead for global shipping and the IMO.
The Federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services John Anderson
also delivered a keynote address on the future of shipping operations
at the conference held in Melbourne.
(Further information: Media - David Gray 04 1848 7794)
WICEN/RESCUE RADIO INTERNATIONAL
WITH ROBERT VK3KRB
WIA WICEN CHAIRMAN IS VK3ZRV
WICEN 'TYPE' EVENT CALENDAR...
Check with YOUR WICEN coordinator to confirm dates etc
Additions to qnews@wia.org.au and/or vk4zz@smartchat.net.au
VK3 29 Feb WICEN Field Day Mt. Disappointment (Chris VK3KME 5127 5656)
VK3 27 March Blue Rock Classic (Chris VK3KME 5127 5656)
VK2 20-21 March Eden Creek Horse Enduro.
VK2 4 April Northern Rivers AGM
VK2 24-26 April CANOE PADDLE FOR LIFE - LISMORE TO BALLINA.
VK7 27 April - Until May 2nd is TARGA TASMANIA
*VK4 30 April - Until May 3RD Quoll Adventure Race Atherton Tablelands
VK4 1-03 May Quoll adventure race
*VK4 1-03 May TARC Mt Pleasant Horse Endurance Ride - near Collinsville
VK5 13 May WICEN (SA) AGM
VK5 July 31 - Aug 1 ROSA 2004
VK4 21 Aug TOWNSVILLE TO MAGNETIC ISLAND SWIM.
*VK4 22 Aug 50th Anniversary Maggie Island Swim Brunch
* new to calender
WICEN VK2
WICEN can be contacted by phone on 04 0839 7217
operations@nsw.wicen.org.au.
(Mark Cheeseman VK2XGK, is President, WICEN (NSW) Inc.)
Andrew VK2UAI advises members of WICEN's' Hunter region have resumed
regular monthly meetings at the Emergency Operations Centre,
Don Geddes Memorial building, corner of Hannell & Elizabeth Street,
Tighes Hill.
(sourced to westlakes news)
WICEN VK3
http://www.wicen.vic.au
State Coordinator: John Kerr VK3BAF
Secretary VK3XMU secretary@vic.wicen.org.au
March 27 The Blue Rock Classic event will be held in the Willow Grove area,
the event? a five discipline marathon involving cycling, running,
equestrian, swimming and paddling.
WICEN provides communication for the various leg directors and
liaises with the SES and St John using 2 metre voice.
(contact Chris VK3KME on 5127 5656 (H))
EDUCATION YOUTH AND ADVANCEMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO
PRESENTED BY VK4CO RONNEE MEACHEN.
VK2DQ Ron Bertrands Internet course is on the web at
http://www.radioelectronicschool.com
TARC WIA Exam sessions are held several times during the year and
can also be held on demand provided adequate notice is given.
Information and application pack in PDF format along with contact
information can be found at theTARCinc exams web page
http://www.vk4tub.org/tarc/exam.htm
(Wally/VK4DO, theTARCinc Exams Group Leader)
The VK7 brochure "Our Hobby of Amateur Radio" has been upgraded.
This is the document given to all new Tassie WIA members and now
includes our code-free licensing changes and a variety of other
sections have also been updated. Check it out at the 7 web site.
http://www.tased.edu.au/tasonline/vk7wia/Ourhobby.htm
(Justin, VK7TW, Southern Branch President via vk7wi)
Israel's Eshel Ha Nassi high school radio club is home of
"Radio Eshel" on 106 MHz FM, one of the few educational network
broadcast stations in the world authorised for the training of
high-school students in the craft of broadcasting.
(Hagal International via ARNewsLine)
New WIA Members include
Stephen Morton VK2TTG of Belrose
Victor Stallan VK4WST of Cleveland QLD
Associate Member Robert Ritchie of Colyton
(Submitted by Terry Davies, VK2KDK, Membership Secretary)
INTRUDER WATCH - ENFORCEMENT ZONE - PRESENTED BY VK2UW CHRIS WRIGHT
From the excellent log prepared each month by Federal coordinator VK8HA
from the divisional coordinators comes this news this week...
14.250 North Korean Broadcast Station is still active.
7.1 Another Broadcast Station, possibly African, S9 + 40dB in VK4...
A2 and A7 Digital USA Stations with S9 Signal, or are they from Europe?
On 28MHz 7 unidentified Asian SSB Stations logged, most likely Chinese.
In Humpty Doo the Chinese Packet is very strong on 14015 and 14260.
Sometimes Idling with a very NOISY Carrier, on 14260 it also sends some
other bursts of Digital Info.
QNEWS "States of our Nation."
VK1
http://www.wia.org.au/vk1
President is Alan Hawes alan@wic.net.au
The VK1 annual general meeting falls on the 23rd February this year.
VK2
http://www.wiansw.org.au
President Brian Kelly VK2WBK
February
24 Hornsby and District Amateur Radio Club Inc, Monthly Meeting
27 Wagga Amateur Radio Club Monthly Meeting
29 Central Coast Field Day at Wyong New South Wales
The Central Coast Amateur Radio Club will be holding it's annual Field Day
on Sunday 29th of February 2004, at Wyong Racecourse, Howarth St., Wyong,
New South Wales. The Central Coast ARC is host to the largest gathering of
Radio Amateurs, Radio Communications Enthusiasts, Computer and Electronic
Hobbyists in the Southern Hemisphere.
More than 2000 people from 40 clubs and organisation from all over Australia
and the Pacific will converge on Wyong Racecourse, next to the F3 freeway
halfway between Sydney and Newcastle, to display and trade the latest radio
communications equipment. Again this year there is a full program of
lectures including ECHOirlp by Tony VK3JED and Peter VK2YX, Repairing
Unusual Valve Radios by Ray VK2ILV, Unravel Mysteries of connecting
Transmitters to Antennas by VK2GCE Brian, GPS Tracking - Amateur and
Commercial by Darryl VK2TDS, New MakeNOS & MakeBBS by Rod VK2DOT and
The future of Amateur Radio by Roger VK2ZRH.
For more information contact The Central Coast Amateur Radio Club, phone
02 4340 2500 or visit their home page www.ccarc.org.au
Admission is Adults $10, Seniors Card, pensioner concession, students $5.00
Children Under 12 free.
(Audio Submitted by CCARC Field Day committee).
VK3
PRESIDENT JIM LINTON
http://www.wiavic.org.au
wiavic@wiavic.org.au
Feb 24 NERG Morning Tea Group at Alan VK3JPK's QTH.
Feb 29 HEALESVILLE AMATEUR RADIO GROUP - Hamfest and "White Elephants."
The next NERG morning tea will be on Tuesday 24th Feb
at the home of Alan VK3JPK at 10.00am. (Listen out
for Alan or Jim VK3DBQ on the NERG net 146.575 MHz FM
for further details or call Jim on 9467 1253).
Healesville VH3GHA "White Elephant"
Sunday 29th February, 2004
1000 till 1400hrs
Held in the "Healesville Memorial Hall" Maroondah Highway, Healesville
Open to traders at 0830hrs
Open to buyers at 1000hrs
Hire of tables
$12.00 for a 6ft table
$15.00 for a 8ft table
Entry fee for buyers $4.00
Bookings,
Gavin - 5968 8482
Carol - 5778 7518
or email vk3gpt@dodo.com.au
(Carol Tremellen via vk3krb)
VK4
PRESIDENT VK4ERM EWAN McLEOD
http://www.wia.org.au/vk4
"How's your understanding of phase locked loops?
Would you like to improve what you know about them?
"Well, at the forthcoming meeting of the Brisbane VHF Group there'll be an
opportunity to resolve these shortcomings. And if you are familiar with
the technology, you'll still be welcome to come and contribute to the
discussion! The technical part of the evening will be led by Graham
Fletcher VK4ZLH and will be a useful look at some of the theory and
practice of phase locked loops as they may be applied to amateur radio
experimentation.
The meeting will be on Wednesday evening the 25th of February starting
around 7:30 PM. The place is the QTH of Rob Bathgate VK4ZDX at 53 Arrol
Street, Camp Hill. All interested are welcome!"
(Doug Friend)
This is VK4WIA... give us 40 minutes, we'll give you the world.
INTERNATIONAL
IARU
http://www.jarl.or.jp/iaru-r3/
WIA FEDERAL IARU OFFICER is VK6NE Neil Penfold
IARU REGION 3 MEETING IN TAIPEI HEATS UP
Pitcairn Island have lodged a protest against what they allege has been
irregular and unfair actions by the Directors and Secretary of
IARU region 3.
The Member-Society Pitcairn Island Amateur Radio Association (PIARA), in
accordance with the Constitution of IARU Region 3, proposed an Amendment
to be discussed and voted on at the Twelfth Regional Conference.
Pitcairn Society claim "The Directors and Secretary obtained a biased
opinion from a NON DELEGATE and circulated it widely in advance of the
Conference.
This unfair and one sided attempt to influence the votes of the Delegates
to the Conference" they say "should be punished or censured by the
Conference".
They allege "use of a General Circular to influence the vote of the
Delegates before the Conference is an ABUSE OF DIRECTOR'S AUTHORITY".
(IARU R3 WEB)
UNITED STATES
BPL A STEP CLOSER IN THE USA
AE5DW Don Wilbanks from Amateur Radio Newsline joins us.
The FCC says that the rollout of Broadband over Powerline should
continue, but certain safeguards are needed to prevent interference
from the system causing destructive interference to existing spectrum
users. This, as the FCC announces rules changes on Thursday,
February 12th that the agency claims will foster broadband deployment
using the significantly untapped capabilities of the nation's power
grid.
The Part 15 rule changes, proposed in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
adopted by the Commission proposes rules requiring B-P-L devices to
employ adaptive interference mitigation techniques to prevent harmful
interference to existing users, such as public safety and amateur
radio operators.
(various sources including ARNewsLine/ARRL/VK4KSS/VK7WI)
THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD IN SEGMENT TWO (2) OF OUR AUDIO SERVICES
QNEWS -- ALL OF THE NEWS ALL OF THE TIME at www.wia.org.au/vk4
QNEWS available in Audio after 1400hrs utc Friday.
CLUB ACTIVITY WITH BRIAN COLEMAN VK4LH IN MACKAY
BAYSIDE
Net 3.567 Wed 1930
Sunday the 15th of February, saw 3 Amateur's, 2 from the Bayside Club and
one from the Caboolture Club turn out to help take down a Kilo Romeo
CB operators aerials that were damaged by the recent storms.
Baysides President Paddy says it shows that there is no line in the sand
when it comes to helping another radio enthusiast.
BUNDABERG
The next general meeting of the Bundy Amateur Radio Club
will be held on Saturday 28th of February at the
SES Building Kendall's Road at 1400hrs,
all members and visitors are welcome.
DARLING DOWNS
vk4tj@hotmail.com
Yesterday, Sat 21st was the DDRC's Social Luncheon arranged in fine fashion
by VK4ZJE John Mondientz.
Regular evening meetings of the Darling Downs Radio Club are held
7:30 at SES Headquarters, 172 Stephen Street, Toowoomba.
Monday, ie 23rd Feb the DDRC Feb meeting will look at Care and Maintenance
of Airport Beacons.
(VK4TJ Vice President Darling Downs Radio Club, Inc.)
LOGAN WEST
IRLP node 6402
Today Sunday Feb 22 the Logan West Amateur radio & Electronics club
will hold a CAR BOOT sale at the rear of the GREENBANK COMMUNITY CENTRE
That's TODAY Feb 22 and President VK4JPH Peter 3800 3305 is your contact.
or contact the site on 438.500
The Greenbank scouts will have a food stand with hot food and drinks for
sale.
Exhibitors need to be setup up by 9:30 general entry gates open at 10:00.
UBD Map 278 reference P, 7.
Sellers fee $5:00, buyers free.
Be sure to bring SHORT Pockets, and Long Arms, support the club and the
Greenbank Scouts TODAY.
MACKAY
irlp node 6450
The Mackay Amateur Radio Association is having its monthly Executive Meeting
and Bar-b- que on Sunday the 22nd February at Ron VK4EN's QTH at 3.00PM.
All welcome and bring your own food , drink, and chair.
(Bruce Lenahan President Mackay Amateur Radio Association)
REDCLIFFE
http://www.qsl.net/vk4iz
The Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club Inc meet every Monday night at
7.30pm. The clubhouse is located in Macfarline Park, Klinger Road, Kippa
Ring across the road from the Redcliffe PCYC.
Also, the REDSUN Rally Fox Hunt with the Sunshine Coast Club is being held
Sunday 29th of February, 11am at the Ewen Maddock Dam for an early Lunch
and then the fox hunt.
SUMMERLAND AR CLUB (VK2)
http://www.sarc.org.au/sarc1/sarc.htm
SARC AGM last weekend saw 35 in attendance!
A quick look at this years lineup sees
President Eric Baker VK2TRD
Vice Pres Bruce Smith VK2KAP
Secretary David Robinson SARC63
Treasurer Ian Gray VK2IGS
TOWNSVILLE
vk4wit@wia.org.au
http://www.vk4tub.org/tarc/
Ham n Eggs on the Strand
Next Sunday February 29th sees the first Ham n Eggs on the Strand for
2004,7-30am near the Waterpark (towards the southern end).
BYO seating tables food drinks and appetite !
Bring your cozzies too, as it is planned by the big kids to take over
the Waterpark and the Big Bucket from 9-45am.
QNEWS out of Townsville will be a delayed lunchtime transmission from
midday so you can have fun and catch the news too !
Northern Auction Action
Many bargains were had at the Out of the Trailer Treasure Auction held
last Sunday, an FT480 for 45 dollars a highlight!
If you missed out on this one, don't despair - there is another treasure
trove with your name on it just around the corner.
Sunday March 7th 11am at the QTH of Alan/VK4PS at Little Street
Belgian Gardens.
Dating TARC style:
29 Feb Ham n Eggs on the Strand - Waterpark end - from 7-30am
7 Mar Out of the House Auction - VK4PS - from 11am
2 Apr Pot Luck Dinner at QTH of VK4TJS - from 6-30pm - BYO everything
VK4 SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- "MATTERS DIGITAL"
Members friends and users of the packet systems in SE Qld , particularly
those coordinated by the QDG group are invited to attend the
General Meetings of the Queensland Digital Group commencing 7.30 PM on
the 3rd Fridays of the month at Wavell Height State Primary School, Minore
Street in the STAFF ROOM.
QDG = http://www.qdg.org.au
President: Alan Wills VK4YAR
The annual general meeting of the QDG Inc will be held on March 19 in the
Staff Room of the WAVELL HEIGHTS STATE SCHOOL in MINORE STREET, CHERMSIDE
commencing at 7.30 pm.
As always, up to date information is available from the groups Web site:
www.qdg.org.au
New services
2004 QDG members receive a membership card that can be used
to obtain discounts at an Australia wide electronic supplier.
Details available at QDG meetings.
2.4GHz wireless LAN
After you check out the www.qdg.org.au wireless LAN pages you
will notice a link to Brismesh http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~mesh/
Their next meeting is Saturday 28th February, 4pm. Venue TBA.
The QDG is working with this group to build a high speed network.
VK4 AREA SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- VHF
VHF meeting will be on Wednesday evening the 25th of February starting
around 7:30 p.m. The place is the QTH of Rob Bathgate VK4ZDX at 53 Arrol
Street, Camp Hill. All interested are welcome!"
(Doug Friend)
MAJOR GATHERINGS IN VK4 FOOTPRINT
2004
TODAY LOGAN WEST AMATEUR RADIO & ELECTRONICS CLUB BOOT SALE
Feb 22 President VK4JPH Peter 3800 3305 is your contact.
Boot sale is in the Car Park behind the Greenbank Community centre
adjacent to the Scout den, exhibitors will need to register at
the gate and setup before 10:00.
Entry free except for exhibitors (small fee)...
April 2 - 4
Federal convention for 2004 will be held at the Virginia Palms
Conference Centre Boondall, in Brisbane from Friday 2nd April
to Sunday 4th April.
April 18 WIAQ AGM is 10AM 18th April at Rockhampton Leagues Club corner
George & Cambridge Sts Rockhampton.
May 1/2/3
Clairview Get Together (located between Mackay and Rockhampton)
May 8 BARCFEST at Holland Park in Brisbane.
June 11/14
FNNQARG ! South Mission Beach
Aug 8 SARCFEST date confirmed as Sunday, 8 August Lismore clubrooms
Sep 11 SUNFEST, already the dates set for next year on Sunshine Coast,
Saturday September 11
WIA EXAMINATIONS IN VK4
March 7 Redcliffe.
Saturday the 7th of March 2004, starting at 9am.
Everyone wishing to sit any examination subject should contact
Laurie Pritchard VK4BLE on 3284 8859 (ah) or via e-mail on
rdrc4@hotmail.com
March 27 Sunshine Coast
Exams may be conducted at other times by special arrangement.
Intending candidates should contact
Ron VK4GZ telephone 5448 4063, or
Dave VK4KDL telephone 5448 7649.
May 29 SUNSHINE COAST
Exams may be conducted at other times by special arrangement.
Intending candidates should contact
Ron VK4GZ telephone 5448 4063, or
Dave VK4KDL telephone 5448 7649.
July 31 SUNSHINE COAST
Exams may be conducted at other times by special arrangement.
Intending candidates should contact
Ron VK4GZ telephone 5448 4063, or
Dave VK4KDL telephone 5448 7649.
Sept 25 SUNSHINE COAST
Exams may be conducted at other times by special arrangement.
Intending candidates should contact
Ron VK4GZ telephone 5448 4063, or
Dave VK4KDL telephone 5448 7649.
Nov 27 SUNSHINE COAST
Exams may be conducted at other times by special arrangement.
Intending candidates should contact
Ron VK4GZ telephone 5448 4063, or
Dave VK4KDL telephone 5448 7649.
ATHERTON TABLELANDS
Tablelands Radio and Electronics Club conducts examinations on
request for the Atherton Tablelands area.
Contact the Secretary, Dave West - VK4ADW at trec@austarnet.com.au
BRISBANE NORTH REGION
Now exams are available ANY TIME on just 2 weeks notice!
Just ring Redcliffe Clubs Laurie VK4BLE on 3284 8859.
Remember exams any time on two week notice.
BRISBANE SOUTH - LOGAN AREA
The Logan West Amateur Radio & Electronics Club.
If you wish to sit for any subject please contact.
Peter Harding 3800 3305
briscal@optusnet.com.au
BRISBANE WEST - LOCKYER REGION
The Lockyer Valley is located between Ipswich and Toowoomba and
examination services are available with 2 weeks notice required.
Arrangements for any examination can be made by contacting
Alan VK4SN alz@austarnet.com.au 04 1137 3679 VK4SN @ VK4WIL
Warren VK4FJ vk4fj@uq.net.au 04 2120 9536 VK4FJ @ VK4WIL
BUNDABERG
Examinations on request.
Contact Rusty VK4JM on 4159 6224.
e-mail rustymcg@dodo.com.au
DARLING DOWNS - TOOWOOMBA - HIGHFIELDS - WARWICK
Only two weeks notice is required for those wishing to sit for any subject.
Contact Matthew Weatherley VK4HWM 4698 7775 or email
matthew@t130.aone.net.au
GOLD COAST
The club holds any exams at anytime for students who wish to do so!
Just contact Kath VK4KU on 5539 3530
SUNSHINE COAST
Saturday 31 January, 27 March, 29 May, 31 July, 25 September and 27
November.
Exams may be conducted at other times by special arrangement.
Intending candidates should contact
Ron VK4GZ telephone 5448 4063, or
Dave VK4KDL telephone 5448 7649.
MACKAY AREA
Examinations conducted on request to the Mackay Club
Also instruction on a 1 to 1 basis contact
Contact George VK4AJL
vk4ajl@wia.org.au
ROCKHAMPTON
For all information exams etc: contact Clive VK4ACC
4928 1173 or e-mail
vk4acc@wia.org.au
TOWNSVILLE
Exam sessions are held several times during the year and
can also be held on demand provided adequate notice is given.
Exams information and application pack in PDF format from
theTARCinc web site
http://www.vk4tub.org/tarc/
SOUTH OF THE BORDER... DOWN SUMMERLAND WAY
SUMMERLAND AR CLUB in VK2
http://www.sarc.org.au/sarc1/sarc.htm
EXAM DETAILS RING Dave VK2CB 6625 1281, Mob 04 2991 0982.
vk2cb@nnsw.quik.com.au
VK4 AMATEURS WHO ARE JP's
GLADSTONE
Rick WRIGHT, VK4HWN Justice of the peace QUALIFIED 4972 7147
HERVEY BAY
Geoff Stephenson, VK4OT 4124 4764
Albert Woodward, VK4IK 4124 4863
SUNSHINE COAST
Amanda Winchester, VK4HIP is registered as a Justice of the Peace
3/148 Maroochydore Rd, Maroochydore 4558
Phone 5443 5708 (Outside school hours please)
Geoff Sanders, VK4KEL is registered as a Justice of the Peace
(Qualified) and is on telephone 5445 0280
QNEWS - ALL OF THE NEWS ALL OF THE TIME LISTEN TO IT ON SEG 3
on the WIA WEB PAGE on wia.org.au/vk4
QNEWS available in Audio after 1400hrs utc Friday.
CONTESTS AWARDS and SPECIAL EVENTS
WITH CHRIS EDMONDSON VK4AA/VK3CE
WIA FEDERAL CONTEST EMAIL= contests@wia.org.au
OFFICIAL VK Contest Site = www.vkham.com/contests/index.html
Hey, here we go again. G'Day to all, and I hope stations in VK4 haven't
been too hot over the past couple of days. It's been sweltering!
Okay, let's look at the Contest Calender, starting with news of a new one
on our calender from Israel, in awards, we have news of the VK1 Award
and news of three unloved ARRL awards ceasing.
Date Event/Contest
---- -------------
Feb
22 - 28 2004 Antarctica Activity Week (A.A.W.)
28 - 29 NZART's Jock White Memorial Field Day Contest
Mar
* 10 Westlakes Simplex Contest
19 - 21 John Moyle Field Day
Apr
17 AUSTRALIAN POSTCODE CONTEST
17 SKIMISH - TARA
* 17 Holy Land Contest
25 Harry Angel Memorial Sprint.
(Honours WWI Veteran VK4HA who until becoming SK
WAS WORLD OLDEST AMATEUR AT AGE 106!)
May 1 - 7 WESTLAKES CQ REPEATER CONTEST (WW)
8 - 8 WW MILLS WEEKEND
22 VK-TRANS TASMAN 80m Phone
Jun 5 VK-TRANS TASMAN 80m CW
12-13 ANARTS RTTY CONTEST 2004
19 KIDS DAY USA 2004
Jul 17 160M VK/ trans-Tasman Contest
Aug 21-22 Lighthouse Activation Weekend.
We mentioned a newbie to our calender, so let's look more closely.
April 17 sees the Holy Land Contest. In 4 X land (ah, that's number four
then letter X-ray, not the bottled Fourex sold in VK4-land) anyway, from
4 X land comes word that the 2004 Holy Land Contest, which is sponsored by
the Israel Amateur Radio Club, will be held on Saturday, April 17.
This one runs from zero hours through 2359 hours UTC. The complete rules
are floating in cyberspace at www.iarc.org
and I hope you can read Hebrew or Yiddish headlines or whatever they are.
Now let's switch hats to look at awards and, as threatened earlier,
the VK1 AWARD.
This award is issued by the WIA's ACT Division upon receipt of a
correctly-presented application from any licensed amateur operator or
short wave listener.
The certificate displays one of Canberra's more distinctive landmarks,
the Telstra Tower, although I have heard it referred to by some far more
colourful names than that.
The tower, Canberra's rather bold prophylactic symbol, is situated on
Black Mountain in the heart of Australia's capital city. The tower is
depicted in light blue on a white background with award information in
black lettering.
To earn your slice of the nation's capital, you'll need to provide a log
extract showing date and time in UTC, mode, the callsign of each VK1 station
worked, and whatever ciphers were exchanged. Short wave listeners should
also include in their logs both callsigns in the QSO, not just the
VK1 station being claimed.
Now, each VK1 callsign worked counts as one point, and each callsign may
only be claimed once for award purposes. The award's requirements are
determined by your location. For HF contacts within VK, for instance, but
excluding VK9 and VK_, you'll need just 20 points to qualify you for the
basic award. Stations outside VK, including those from VK9 and VK_, or
anyone, anywhere using VHF, qualify for the basic award with just
10 contacts, for points.
Again, each VK1 callsign worked counts as one point.
Each callsign may only be claimed once.
Award requirements
HF within VK, excluding VK9 and VK0: Basic award 20 points
HF outside VK, and VHF anywhere includes VK9 and VK0: Basic award 10 points
Cost of the basic award is $3.00 (Australian) or 5 IRC's.
Now we can make it really easy for you. The VK1 Award Net, of all things,
operates each Sunday evening on 3590 kHz, and generally commences at
2100 hours local Eastern time, which is currently UTC minus 11 hours.
Word from the USA tells us that three ARRL awards have been discontinued.
Effective immediately, the ARRL Awards Branch has discontinued the
Rag Chewer's Club Award, the Old Timer's Club Award, and the
Friendship Award.
One might think they no longer chew the rag, have old timers or even all
that many friends.
ARRL Membership Services Manager Wayne Mills, N7NG, says the number of
amateurs applying for awards in general has declined significantly over the
years, and interest in those three awards had slowed to a trickle.
The DXCC and WAS (Worked All States, that is) remain the most popular of
ARRL Awards, he said, but the eliminated awards had, quote, outlived
their interest level.
For more information on ARRL awards, visit The ARRL Awards Program
http://www.arrl.org/awards/
Don't go away, because here's Graham with more news.
Cheers from Chris Edmondson, VK4AA and VK3CE.
=======================================================================
MEDIA WATCH and PR OPPORTUNITIES
QNEWS IN THE VALLEY
Latrobe Valley run QNEWS Sundays and Wednesdays, coordinated by Denis
VK3ZUX.
They also cover East Gippsland. Bob VK3ZAN in the absence of Rob VK3EK
used a co-channel transfer from VK3RLV 146.800 to VK3REB on 146.900.
This signal is also linked to the Mt Cann repeater at Mallacoota.
They cover from the South Eastern suburbs of Melbourne through Western,
Central, Southern and Eastern Gippsland to the Southern Borders of
New South Wales and beyond as they get check-ins from Eden and Bega).
The rebroadcast of QNEWS is a work in progress and the scheme is
developing as capability and facility increases.
In addition they sensibly include 5 to 10 minutes of local news items
broadcast immediately after QNEWS.
(Denis Johnstone (VK3ZUX) (Local QNEWS Coordinator))
ARNewsline is now a feature broadcast on the ARRL's W1AW repeater in
Newington CT.
The club sponsor is the Newington Amateur Radio League and taking
control of the program, KB1KIX Jonathan.
DX EDGE, with BEACON and NET ADVICE
The deadline to appear in the next DXCC Honour Roll listing is March 31.
At present there are 335 entities on the DXCC List, and you must be within
the numerical top 10 DXCC entities to qualify.
The minimum requirement for Honour Roll now is 326 current entities.
(arrl letter)
MARCH 3, 2004.
In DX, the FMRE Sunday bulletin has announced that the X-F4
DXpedition to Socorro Island will begin March 3rd, and run for two
weeks. The call sign to be used is X-F-4-I-H. 8 operators from
Mexico will be active all bands and modes including VHF, UHF and
satellite.
No QSL information is available at this time.
(XE1KK, N4GN via ARNewsLine)
MARCH 15
Fraser Island.
Call sign VK4FRI operated by Lockyer Valley Radio & Electronic Club
website www.lvrclub.org
Fraser Island bears IOTA codex of OC-142 and is grid square QF61na
DX Pedition from Fraser Island will run from 0001 UTC 15th March until
1400 UTC 19th March, just the 5 days and will be operating on HF bands
using voice, CW, RTTY, PSK31, PSK63 and SSTV.
Again call sign will be VK4FRI.
Fraser Island is World Heritage listed and is the Earth's largest
sand island.
QSL direct
PO Box 101,
Laidley 4341 QLD
Australia
You MUST QSL direct and MUST include SASE + 1 IRC or US $ 2.00
Further information from President John VK4MJC.
MARCH - APRIL 2004 DXpedition
The Five Star DXers Association, or FSDXA, has announced plans for a very
large-scale DXpedition to Rodrigues Island in March and April 2004.
The callsign will be 3B9C.
An international team of nearly 30 will operate no fewer than 15 separate
stations on virtually every band and mode possible.
FSDXA is the group which organised the very successful 9M0C DXpedition to
the Spratly Islands in 1998 and the subsequent record breaking D68C
DXpedition to the Comoros in February 2001.
(IRTS)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ALARA
ALARA Net is held each Mondays on 3.588 MHz, commencing at 1000 UTC.
geencee@picknowl.com.au
ALARAMEET 2005 to be held in Mildura.
http://homepages.tig.com.au/~bishops/alara/
(ALARA PRESIDENT VK7LUV SUSAN JOINS US ON AUDIO EDITIONS...NO SCRIPT AVAIL.)
ALARA ON THE NORTH COAST OF VK2 - ALIVE AND WELL
Sandy, SARC70 keeps this area in touch with our 'ladies on the air'.
Already an ALARA member Sandy is studying for the Novice Course,
hopes to have her call soon.
(summerland)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- DIGITAL
We recently told you of the new character in the morse code for the
at symbol as used in email address. This new sign, known as the
"commat," consists of the signals for "A" (dot-dash) and "C"
(dash-dot-dash-dot), with no space between them.
Seems this new sign is the first in at least several decades, and possibly
much longer. Among ITU officials and Morse code aficionados, no one could
remember any other addition.
Some operators wouldn't mind more changes to spice up the language.
Although Morse code has a period, a question mark and even a semicolon,
it offers no simple way to articulate excitement.
Now the 'push' is on to add a character for the exclamation point,
to expresses an emotion that's difficult to get across any other way.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FINAL FRONTIER
VK5AGR is the AMSAT National Coordinator, vk5agr@amsat.org
VK5ZAI is the Australian Co-ordinator for ARISS.
AMSAT-VK HF Net.
2nd Sunday each month.
November through March 0900 UTC 7.068 MHz
April through October 1000 UTC 3.685 MHz
AO-40 RESCUE EFFORT CONTINUES
Controllers have established a routine of trying to cycle the main battery
off and the auxiliary battery on during every orbit. Following this, the
sequence to disconnect all transmitters is sent.
The theory here is that with approximately 10 volts on the main power buss,
these commands should be making it through.
But.. the S2 transmitter was not designed to run below 20 volts and is not
coming on.
(AMSAT via ARNewsLine)
UoSat Twenty Years in Space
On 1 Mar 2004, UO-11 (aka UoSat-2) will have been in space for 20 years!
To mark the event, AMSAT-UK will be issuing a commemorative QSL card in
exchange for listener reports from stations hearing the signals during the
month of March 2004.
The reports MUST be made by way of the reporting page on the web site and
the QSL card will be in the form of a downloadable "E-QSL".
AMSAT-UK website http://www.uk.amsat.org/
UO-11 was the second satellite to be launched by Martin Sweeting G3YJO's
group at the University of Surrey, and its telemetry beacon can be heard
on 145.825 MHz FM using just a handheld rig. There is also a 2401.5 MHz
beacon.
For further information please post on the UO-11 Forum on the
AMSAT-UK web site at http://www.uk.amsat.org/aukbb/index.php
or contact the AMSAT-UK secretary Jim Heck G3WGM
E-mail: g3wgm@amsat.org
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- Internet Linking of Repeaters
Cairns Amateur Radio Club President John, VK4JKL, reports that the
IRLP node is on air again via the Cairns repeater on 146.950 MHz.
The node ID is 6480 and the node controller is Gary, VK4XGS.
(VK4DMC)
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO SCOUTING
TeleText page 958
http://www.scouts.com.au/discover/index.html
http://www.scout.org/jota
JOTA HF Voice Calling Frequencies
3590, 7090, 14190, 21190, 28590 kHz
14290, 18140, 21360, 24960, 28390 kHz (DX)
Tuned to us in India this week? The HAL Scouts Amateur Radio Club, VU2LKO
will be conducting lectures on Ham Radio to popularise our HAM Radio
activity among students attending their National Science Day.
Council for Science & Technology in U.P. State has organised this function
at end of February, 26/27th in Lucknow.
(PANDIT, VU2DCT Secretary HAL Scouts Amateur Radio Club, VU2LKO)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- VHF AND ABOVE (the plumbers delight)
RECORDS SMASHED IN VK
The very extensive tropo opening to ZL in early January resulted in
seven new distance records. All of the distances have now been verified
and the details are:
144 MHz Digital Modes
VK7MO/3 / ZL3TY 09/07/02 2142.5 km previous record
VK3KAQ / ZL3TY 02/01/04 2247.4 km
VK3HZ / ZL3TY 03/01/04 2275.5 km current record
432 MHz Digital Modes
VK2KU / ZL3TY 30/12/02 2055.0 km previous record
VK2TK / ZL3TY 31/12/03 2062.1 km
VK3HZ / ZL3TY 03/01/04 2275.5 km current record
1296 MHz Home/Portable - VK2
VK2KU / ZL1AVZ 03/03/00 2195.0 km previous record
VK2KU / ZL1AOX 01/01/04 2255.3 km
VK2KU/2 & VK2TK/2 / ZL1AOX 02/01/04 2269.6 km
VK2KU/2 & VK2TK/2 / ZL1BK/p 02/01/04 2277.3 km current record
Record Listings
The latest version of the full records list (dated 11/02/04) should be
available within days on WIA web sites you'll see posted an updated
list of all Australian VHF-UHF records from 1947 to the present.
Record Claim Conditions
There have been some minor wording changes to the rules for VHF-UHF record
claims. The latest version applies to record claims received from
01/02/04 and has also been posted to all WIA web sites.
(John VK3KWA)
As recorded by the VK-VHF-FM-DX Group, a new VK5, Long Distance to Repeater
Record was made on Sunday morning the 8th of February 2004 by Brian VK5UBC
at Gawler some 2102 km to the Mandurah repeater on 146.900, VK6RMW, south of
Perth.
On the same morning Brian was also able to work other repeaters in VK6.
Katanning 147.000, VK6RAW 1950 km and Boddington 147.250, VK6RMS 2062 km.
(sourced to Leigh Rainbird VK2KRR For VK-VHF-FM-DX-Group)
FEEDBACK TO THE Q
Ahhhh Graham just before we close this weeks QNEWS this is Peter VK4JPH,
and I have some news from the Logan West Amateur Radio & Electronics
club.
For those Amateurs within the general area of Brisbane and upper Gold Coast
regions.
Today at the close of QNEWS commencing at 10:00, the BOOT SALE will get
underway in the grounds of the Greenbank Community Centre, adjacent to the Scout
den come along with your Car/ Trailer / Truck, with your preloved gear,
Jill from the scouts will be running a snack bar for the hungry and
thirsty.
The next meeting of the club will meet on the first Monday in March, which
just happens
to be the 1st of March, commencing at 19:30, where expect to have a talk
with Ron Bertrand and Adam Jaroszuk on the range of courses we would
like to run.
IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK:-
NATIONAL NEWS
IARU REGION 3 MEETING IN TAIPEI
ACA NEWS
GENERAL INTEREST NEWS FROM 'DOWNUNDER'.
New International Maritime Organisation
WICEN/RESCUE RADIO INTERNATIONAL WITH ROBERT VK3KRB
WICEN 'TYPE' EVENT CALENDAR...
WICEN VK2
WICEN VK3
WICEN VK4
EDUCATION YOUTH AND ADVANCEMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO
PRESENTED BY VK4CO RONNEE MEACHEN.
TARC WIA Exam sessions
VK7 brochure "Our Hobby of Amateur Radio".
Israel's Eshel Ha Nassi high school radio club.
New WIA Members.
INTRUDER WATCH - ENFORCEMENT ZONE - PRESENTED BY VK2UW CHRIS WRIGHT
QNEWS "States of our Nation."
VK1
VK2
VK3
VK4
INTERNATIONAL
IARU
UNITED STATES
BPL A STEP CLOSER IN THE USA
WIAQ COUNCIL NEWS
VK4 Membership Statistics
Membership for students of Amateur Radio
CLUB ACTIVITY WITH BRIAN COLEMAN VK4LH IN MACKAY
BAYSIDE
BUNDABERG
DARLING DOWNS
LOGAN WEST
MACKAY
REDCLIFFE
SUMMERLAND AR CLUB (VK2)
TOWNSVILLE
VK4 SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- "MATTERS DIGITAL"
VK4 AREA SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- VHF
MAJOR GATHERINGS IN VK4 FOOTPRINT
WIA EXAMINATIONS IN VK4
VK4 AMATEURS WHO ARE JP's
CONTESTS AWARDS and SPECIAL EVENTS WITH CHRIS EDMONDSON VK4AA/VK3CE
MEDIA WATCH and PR OPPORTUNITIES
QNEWS IN THE VALLEY
ARNewsline is now a feature broadcast on the ARRL's W1AW repeater.
DX EDGE, with BEACON and NET ADVICE
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ALARA
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- DIGITAL
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FINAL FRONTIER
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- Internet Linking of Repeaters
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO SCOUTING
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- VHF AND ABOVE
***************************
QNEWS - we've reported...YOU decide.
QNEWS thanks YOU for entrusting us to bring you VK's authoritative Ham News
QNEWS thanks Amateur Radio Newsline, ARRL, ARRL Letter,
FISTS down under, IARU r3, NERG News,
RAC, and RSGB.
for source material for this weeks edition.
Societies and Club News Letter Editors can EXCHANGE a feed prior to
the actual broadcast date, e-mail qnews@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 /
Special Interest Group news read by VK4FUQ, VK4AA presents Contests
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