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VK7AX > QNEWS 09.05.03 05:14l 1193 Lines 43663 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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THE BEST QNEWS YOU'LL GET ALL WEEK
---------------------------------
IF RE-POSTING ALWAYS ENSURE ORIGINAL BID # AND TITLE ARE USED.
QNEWS can be accessed on the www in both text and MP3 audio.
http://www.wia.org.au/vk4
Packet uploads, vk4zz Gavin, vk7ax Tony,
zl2bau Peter, zl2tze Phillip
THE FOLLOWING BULLETIN CAN BE HEARD IN THIS PREAMBLE
When communication counts, count on QNEWS..
PREAMBLE -
June Fox in our Federal office received a phone call from VK3KT
Brenda Edmonds daughter Vicki, letting us know that Brenda was involved
in a car accident last Saturday night.
She is in Box Hill hospital and will be there until the end of this week.
At the moment it looks as if she will be 'out of action' for 3-4 months!
Brenda, our thoughts are with you for a speedy recovery...
the QNEWS team and listeners.
QNEWS 24/7 with the following bulletin in Audio Segment One
when you visit the QNEWS NEWSROOM on www.wia.org.au/vk4
NATIONAL NEWS
WIA FEDERAL PRESIDENT IS ERNEST HOCKING VK1LK
president@wia.org.au
WIA President VK1LK speaks to the Amateurs of VK through QNEWS:-
"From my perspective the single theme throughout the AGM was the need to
revitalise the hobby in order to ensure that it has a successful future.
This theme has an impact upon membership, finances, and the ability of the
WIA to continue to provide a high standard of service to amateurs here in
Australia.
In what follows I will set out what I see as the next steps that will
unfold as we move to the introduction of an entry level licence aimed
at encouraging new interest in the hobby.
In trying to predict the future I will however sound a note of caution
since in practice the exact sequence of events and the final outcome will
be driven by a number of factors outside of our control. The approach I
have adopted is to look back as if I was writing in May 2004.
Looking back at the implementation of the Australian Foundation Licence.
"The extensive consultation with the amateur radio community indicated a
very high level of support for a licence closely aligned with the UK model.
Based on the consultations, the WIA developed a comprehensive proposal
outlining the full business case for the introduction of an entry level
licence which was presented to the ACA in June 2003.
Included in the proposal were suggestions that:
a radical new approach using a Project Based Learning and assessment
process to gain certification of the achievement of proficiency be adopted
and that the new licence be known as the "Communicator Licence" in order
to reflect the nature of the licence (noting that access to a full
experimentation licence was reserved for the existing full call licence).
The timing of the proposal was important since it clearly demonstrated to
the ACA the intention of the WIA to seek the new licence before the start
of the 2003 World Radio Conference. In June 2003 the ACA also decided to
fully devolve all aspects of the examination and education system for
amateur radio to the WIA.
Upon returning from WRC 2003 the ACA was faced with a need to implement a
number of outcomes. These outcomes included:
1 the removal of Morse code testing requirements for the amateur radio
licence,
2 the adoption of the recommendation to allocate 300kHz to all amateurs
in the 7MHz band, and
3 a variation to the callsign allocations to permit 4 letter callsigns.
Aware of the WIA proposal for a new entry licence the ACA called a meeting
in order to discuss the best approach to resolving all of the issues with
a single revision to the legislation.
By late August 2003, "in principle" agreement had been reached on the
form of the new licence, the new LCD, and changes to the existing amateur
radio licences to make them consistent with the outcomes of WRC2003.
Based on this agreement the WIA executive undertook a major letter writing
campaign to Government and Industry seeking support for the implementation
process. As a result of the campaign significant funding along with
practical support was forthcoming. This permitted a number of amateurs to
participate on a full time basis in the development of the material and
processes required to make the new licence operational in time for the
2004 AGM.
Although a major task, the WIA team brought to bear the considerable
experience and skill available to it and decided to make the 2004 AGM a
flagship event timed to coincide with the launch of the first
"Communicator Licence" course.
In order to recognise the valuable contributions of Government and Industry
it was also decided to link the event to a major amateur radio conference
and exhibition. To top the events off the Minister for Communications was
invited to attend the final day of the conference in order to present the
newly qualified amateurs with their licences. The WIA President when
interviewed at the conclusion of the conference was heard to say
"Wouldn't it be wonderful to look back in 10 years and see one of these
new amateurs receive the award of `Young Australian of the Year' and in
her acceptance speech publicly credit amateur radio with having provided
the incentive to move into a science career."
So that is the vision.
It is ambitious but achievable.
It will be very interesting to look back in 12 months and ask to
what extent the vision was achieved.
In the meantime I would urge all of you to provide your input into the
consultative process that is being conducted over the next month.
So I'll wish you all 73 and look forward to hearing your comments,
either directly or via the divisions. All the best in amateur radio
Ernie Hocking VK1LK
Email: president@wia.org.au
BROADCAST BAND NEWS
When Radio Ruled The Waves
There is currently an exhibition of early broadcasting memorabilia at
the Canberra Museum & Gallery.
The Museum is in Civic Square London Circuit, Opening times are
10-5 PM Tuesday to Thursday, 10 -7 PM Friday, Noon- 4 PM weekends and
closed Mondays.
If you haven't seen it yet, it really worth the visit.
The best part admission is free.
(vk1 news)
GENERAL INTEREST NEWS FROM 'DOWNUNDER'.
VK4's Emergency Services Minister Mike Reynolds has announced a major boost
for Emergency Services in regional Queensland, some $628,000 has been
approved for the purchase and installation of 35 UHF repeater towers for
the north-west of the state.
Mr Reynolds said the Department's Wide Area Network contract with
Telstra provided email and other essential services to remote
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, Rural Fire Service and Counter Disaster
and Rescue Service offices.
"The radio repeater towers will enhance public safety by improving radio
communication in remote areas.
"The expansion of the Wide Area Network will also ensure that all district
offices of the Rural Fire Service and Counter Disaster and Rescue Service,
plus a further 10 Queensland Fire and Rescue Service stations, are linked
into the system."
The new sites include:
Cairns, Innisfail, Charters Towers, Cloncurry, Menzies, Cremorne,
Emerald, Barcaldine, and Longreach.
For more information contact Justin Coomber on 04 0713 0287
QLD MINISTER LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE WIRELESS PRODUCT
In Sydney for the international ICT conference CeBIT, State MP Mr Lucas
launched a Queensland company's new wireless SMS product from the
Gold Coast City Council trade stand.
Gold Coast company Bond Wireless has developed a SMS Print product,
which enables people to send documents from a computer to a mobile phone.
For example if you were working on your PC and needed to relay some
information to someone, rather than stop what you were doing and make a
phonecall, you could simply hit 'print SMS' and the information will appear
as an SMS on their mobile phone's LED screen."
Media Contact: Alison Smith 04 0716 6084.
EDUCATION AND YOUTH
THE WIA FEDERAL EDUCATION OFFICER IS RON SMITH VK4AGS.
VK2DQ Ron Bertrands Internet course is on the web at
http://www.radioelectronicschool.com
Morse Training Transmission 3699 kHz on air 24 hours a day.
The Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio Club broadcast CW every Sunday night
from 7:30pm QLD time on 3.535MHZ.
Ron VK2DQ will visit the Darling Downs Radio Club May 26 to discuss
the Radio-Electronics school.
REGIONAL VK4 STUDENTS GET FUTURISTIC
Queensland students are getting the chance to go sci-fi this month with
a range of workshops and competitions in robotics in a number of regions.
Innovation Minister Paul Lucas said students in Rockhampton, Tully and
Cairns would get the opportunity to learn how to build a robot, and
program it to perform tasks such as kicking a soccer ball.
"Robotics is used in all sorts of industries these days, and these
workshops are one way that we can show students how high-technology
careers can be exciting and rewarding", he said.
"Our SmartFuture website www.smartfuture.qld.gov.au is aimed for 13-18 year
olds and is designed to encourage them to consider a career in science and
technology," Mr Lucas said.
(For further information on the Robocup workshops: phone
Paul Whittem in Tully on 4068 4555).
INTRUDER WATCH - ENFORCEMENT ZONE - WITH CHRIS VK2UW
Imagine the following:
You walk over to your HF and turn it on.
On 80 meters, there is static interference kind of like spark plug RFI.
So you go to 40 meters. It's still there.
On to 20.
Still there, too. And 10 meters is noisy as well. So you turn the radio off
and decide to wait until the noise level drops. You come back in a few
hours, but it's still there. It's there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You can't hear anything on any band except for the ratt-a-tatt-tat-
ratt-tatt of some sort of signal.
You decide to get in the car and try to DF it.
No luck, it's everywhere.
Congratulations (or condolences)... you have found PLC.
PLC is short for Power Line Communications... a new way to provide
broadband internet over the existing power lines. Unfortunately, it also
has the potential to render wide swaths of HF spectrum useless due to
RFI. It poses perhaps more of a threat to the future of ham radio
communications than any other in recent memory. Basically, it
superimposes a broadband (up to 80 MHz) signal along side the standard
50 Hz power line signal.
Now think about it... how many times have you looked up thought
"If I could only use the power company's line as an antenna" and you can
see the possibilities that emerge. Antennas that are miles long, mounted
high in the air, radiating RF all the way up to 80 MHz.
Not a fun possibility for ham operators, is it?
One would think that other users of the HF spectrum (the US government
in particular) would object to such interference and that saner heads
would prevail. However, in a recent ARRL article it was reported:
"The FCC has declared BPL [FCC shorthand for PLC] as a top priority for
its Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) in 2003. [Michael]
Powell, who recently witnessed a BPL demonstration, calls its potential
"immense." As the [FCC] chairman sees it, BPL "can offer consumers
freedom to access broadband services from any room in their home without
need to pay for additional wiring, by simply plugging an adaptor into an
existing electrical outlet."
Currently, the FCC is investigating the feasibility of PLC in the US,
but the aforementioned quote leads one to believe the FCC is more
attuned to the PLC companies than they are to the incumbent users of the
spectrum. In Japan, where PLC systems have been in operation, amateurs
complained so much about the RFI that the PLC companies were forced to
place 30 dB notches in the PLC frequencies to protect the amateur
allocations. Perhaps this is an avenue that bears investigation in the
US. When (and if) a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is issued by the FCC,
I would urge all amateurs on HF to make their voices heard... before
ours are silenced by PLC.
More is at the FCC's website at:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-233537A1.doc
and http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-03-100A1.doc
Regards
Chris Wright vk2uw
WICEN/RESCUE RADIO INTERNATIONAL
WIA WICEN CHAIRMAN IS VK3ZRV
WICEN EVENT CALENDAR... Check with YOUR WICEN coordinator to confirm.
VK4 area from club bulletins forwarded to QNEWS.
* new to calender
VK4 10-11 May - Wandoo Station Horse Enduro - Mackay Wicen
VK4 11 May - Between the Weirs Swim - Townsville environs
VK7 13-18 May - Targa Tasmania 2003
VK4 1 Jun - Strand Mini Swim Heat 1 - Townsville environs
VK4 7 Jun - Strand Mini Swim Heat 2 - Townsville environs
VK4 13-15 Jun - Falken Tyres Rally Queensland - Caloundra environs
part of the Australian Rally Championship and Queensland
Rally Championship for Brisbane Sporting Car Club Ltd.
VK4 14-15 Jun - TERA Mt Pleasant Endurance Ride (tarc)
VK4 21 Jun - Strand Mini Swim Heat 3 - Townsville environs
VK2 21-22 Jun - Bonalbo Bash - Horse Enduro.
VK4 6 Jul - Magnetic Island to Townsville swim.
*VK4 18-20 Jul - Eco Adventure Race - Atherton Tablelands environs
VK4 26-27 Jul - North Queensland Forrest Rally (tarc)
*VK5 8-10 Aug - Coopers Rally of South Australia - Adelaide environs
*VK4 30-31 Aug - Wandoo Station Horse Endurance Ride - Sarina environs
for Mackay Breakaway Endurance Riders
VK2 3- 7 Sep - East Coast Rally
VK2 3- 5 Oct - Eden Creek - Horse Enduro
VK2 18-19 Oct - JOTA WICEN VK2 involvement.
VK2 8- 9 Nov - Hawkesbury Canoe Classic (Mark VK2XGK/Neil VK2XNF)
*VK6 Nov - OXFAM staging a walking event in the Busselton area
over 2-3 days and about 9 operators were required.
*VK5 20-23 Nov - Classic Adelaide Rally - Adelaide environs
*VK1 22 Nov - National Capital Rally - Canberra environs
* new to calender
WICEN VK1
Phil Longworth VK1ZPL, State Co-ordinator, WICEN ACT
plongw@optusnet.com.au
RALLY OF CANBERRA
This rally has proved that Amateurs are if nothing else are versatile
and able to overcome equipment problems.
This year a new tracking system was introduced by the organisers, SKYNET.
It consisted of "the box" a node with an input from a receiver sensing
"433 MHz" transponders fitted to the cars and a data transmitter in "the
box" on 500MHZ.
As each car passes the sensor it is registered and the date transmitted
to a Cessna circling over the rally area, this data is transmitted to HQ
where it is displayed on a central computer.
Alan, VK1WX President of WIA ACT sends a huge thankyou to all who assisted.
WICEN VK4
(State Coordinator, Ewen McLeod VK4ERM)
Mackay Endurance Riders Association
Horse Endurance Ride Saturday 10TH May and Sunday 11TH May 2003
Wandoo Cattle Station, southwest of Sarina on Marlborough - Sarina Road
Mackay Amateur Radio Society members attending as Radio Support Group
- camp overnight.
Logistic communications support for competitor progress and needs on
80km and 40km endurance ride courses.
Checkpoint access by conventional and four wheel drive vehicles.
Contact Wal/VK4AIV 4954 4046
VK6
OXFAM is staging a walking event in the Busselton area over 2-3 days
in November and about 9 operators are required. Listening in VK6 and
can help? Contact your local WICEN Coordinator.
QNEWS "States of our Nation."
VK1
http://www.wia.org.au/vk1
President is Alan Hawes alan@wic.net.au
Phil VK1ZPL the WIA ACT Division Webmaster advise their "Events" page
has been updated. If you wish to go to DIRECT to the website Events page
it is at http://vk1.wia.ampr.org/events.html
VK2
http://www.wiansw.org.au
President Brian Kelly VK2WBK
WESTLAKES
The Clubs AGM has been set down for 17th May 2003, 1.30pm
To find out more about the Westlakes Club, or amateur radio in general,
leave a message on their 24-hour Voice Mailbox on 02 4958 1588.
VK3
PRESIDENT JIM LINTON
http://www.wiavic.org.au
wiavic@wiavic.org.au
Good News in from WIAVictoria as mast case ends.
The Banyule City Council in Melbourne's north-east has finally withdrawn
its demand that a small amateur radio mast be removed from the backyard of
a home in suburban Bundoora.
The local council engaged in a very hard fight against the radio mast
claiming it was a Telecommunications Facility and therefore required a
planning permit.
Mark Stephenson VK3PI said he was delighted to learn that Banyule Council
was not going to prosecute its case against him by seeking an enforcement
order in the Victorian Administration Appeals Tribunal (VCAT).
Mark VK3PI thanked WIA Victoria and its President Jim Linton VK3PC, who
provided constant support and advice through every step of the process
over the past four months.
In January, WIA Victoria made a detailed submission to the Banyule Council
explaining how it was in error by describing the radio mast as a
Telecommunications Facility.
(WIA Victoria)
WIA Victoria holds its Annual General Meeting on Thursday May 22nd.
Gippsland Technical Conference is July 5th and 6th.
5th IARU Region 3 ARDF championships in Ballarat 28 Nov - 3rd December 2003.
INTERNATIONAL
UNITED KINGDOM - NEWS IN BRIEF THANKS TO RSGB AND G4NJH
It's National Mills Weekend this weekend and once again the Denby Dale
Amateur Radio Society is co-ordinating the amateur radio aspects of the
weekend on behalf of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.
Some stations known to be active for National Mills Weekend this
weekend include GB2BM from Bursledon Windmill, GB2PW from Polegate Windmill
and GB2WTM, which is on the air from Woodbridge Tide Mill.
The Cumbria, North Lancs Wing of the Air Cadets is holding a 'Wing
Training Day' today, Sunday the 11th of May, at Warbreck School in
Blackpool. The event features an amateur radio station, MX0KAC Portable,
manned by newly-licensed M3 cadets of 1127 (Kendal) Squadron and cadets
of the Preston Squadron.
Most activity will be on 7MHz SSB.
Wythall Radio Club will be operating GB2ME, standing for
'Middle Earth', next weekend, the 17th and 18th May. The event is part
of the 'Tolkien Weekend' celebrations taking place in Birmingham.
The Lord of the Rings author J R R Tolkien spent some of his
childhood in the area.
Next Sunday, the 18th of May, GB2WSM will be activated from the
Windermere Steamboat Museum at Bowness on Windermere.
Also next Sunday, the 18th of May, GB300WES will be on the air from the
Isle of Axholme, North Lincolnshire. The station commemorates the birth
in 1703 of John Wesley, who went on to found Methodism in 1739.
IRELAND
The IRTS Annual General Meeting has taken place in Dublin and outgoing
president, Dave Moore EI4BZ has handed over to Sean Donelan EI4GK.
CANADA
James R. Hay, VE2VE Chairman of the Board of Trustees representing
Radio Amateurs from all Canadian Provinces, has announced the
election of Thomas B. Atkins, VE3CDM to the Canadian Amateur Radio
Hall of Fame, for his extensive contribution over many years to
Canadian and International Amateur Radio activities.
Most recently, in 2001, Tom retired as President of IARU Region II
having served in all R2 Executive positions for eighteen years,
including the last six years as Region II President.
(Pedro Seidemann, YV5BPG President, IARU Region II Caracas, Venezuela)
More is at the FCC's website at:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-233537A1.doc
and http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-03-100A1.doc
(CGC Communicator via ARNewsLine)
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
VK4 COUNCIL
We welcome VK4EHT Councillor Bruce Jones:-
The first meeting of 2003-2004 WIAQ Council was on Tuesday 15th April.
Here is a summary:
We thank David Gulley VK4DCG for accepting the office of Treasurer.
David has been on Council for just one year and is also part of the
QSL Bureau team.
Our position of Membership Officer has been filled by our newest
Council officer Ken Fuller VK4KF. Ken has already begun some
research tasks in regard to membership recruiting issues.
Contest and awards officer John VK4AJS is working on the Worked
All Queensland Award. John would like to hear from all clubs
holding regular nets so that these can be publicised for the use
of entrants for the award. Send your information to WIAQ, Attn
Contest and award officer or put “Att Contests and awardsö in the
title of your email.
With the appointment of David Jones VK4OF as a WIA Federal Director
this leaves a vacancy in the position of VK4 Federal Councilor.
This position is the link between the WIA Federal body and the
members of this division.
Further discussion continued on the Foundation Licence issues.
All on council are still not agreed on all issues. This would also
reflect the thinking of the wider amateur community. At least now we
have a Federal policy on the matter for comment by all amateurs.
The QSL (Inwards) bureau needs updated information from clubs regarding
members who receive cards via their club.
Ron Smith VK4AGS reported to Council the following information.
At the Federal convention it was agreed that the official press
release about changes to AR licensing would come only from Ernie Hockings,
Fed President.
Ernie also agreed to conduct the official survey that would constitute
the official consultation with the membership.
73 from Bruce Jones VK4EHT
NQ MAN HONOURED FOR ELECTRICITY FORESIGHT
A man who was at the forefront of the expansion of electricity supply in
North Queensland has been honoured with a substation now bearing his name.
Alan Sherriff was an alderman for 18 years with the Townsville City Council
and spent 18 years on the Townsville Regional Electricity Board -
14 years as Chairman and oversaw the construction and commissioning of the
Collinsville Power Station.
Other significant power projects underway in Townsville
include the under-grounding of selected 11,000 volt power lines
to improve the reliability of power supply during the curly wind season.
CLUB ACTIVITY
CITY OF BRISBANE RADIO SOCIETY
PRESIDENT Mick VK4NE
TeleText page 903
POSTAL ADDRESS CBRS P.O.BOX 1235 Springwood Qld 4127.
OR P.O.BOX 5130 Manly QLD 4179
Next meeting is Tuesday May 13th.
Moreton College of TAFE off Cavendish road Mt Gravatt.
on the 4th floor in Block B 7.30pm.
CLAIRVIEW
Our Callback after the News this morning was record breaking stuff!
Today the News broadcast was done from Clairview, and, with the help
of a repeater on test, and linking back to Mackay's VK4RMK repeater on
147.000 MHz our Qnews broadcast was heard from Bowen in the North to
Marlborough in the south, some 432 kilometres by the Bruce Highway.
The team of technicians looking after our repeaters should feel very proud
of their efforts. Many thanks to Andrew and Doug for this achievement.
Must have been good, we had 16 callers report hearing the News, and
all had glowing reports.
The weekend at Clairview was also one to remember as a fund raising,
fun outing, for all those in attendance. Hope we can match this next year.
Regards, Brian VK4DFD MACKAY colem@orion-online.com.au
GOLD COAST AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY
President; Roy Cotterill VK4LPV
TeleText page 911
http://www.goldcoastamateurradio.com
IRLP NODE 640
Sunday the 18th May at 1.30pm at the Club House, 85 Harper Street Nerang
there will be a get together of all Hams who have been actively employed in
the theatre Industry be it Drive Ins or Picture Theatre.
contact John VK4AC on 5531-2454 or the Gold Coast Morning net on 146.700
at 8.00am.
LOCKYER VALLEY RADIO & ELECTRONICS CLUB INC
VK4WIL
The Lockyer Valley is located between Ipswich and Toowoomba and
examination services are now available.
Two weeks notice is all that is 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
REDCLIFFE
http://www.qsl.net/vk4iz
The Redcliffe and District Radio Club have been having some great
outings "away from" Ham Radio of late, example their tour of Energex,
Fire and Ambulance Communication Centers.
Next on their social calender a family Ten Pin Bowling Night, if you'd
like to "go bowling" please let Alison VK4HAD know.
Next General Meeting will be held on Monday the 12th of May, starting at
7.30pm.
The Clubhouse is located at Klinger Road, Kippa Ring. All are welcome.
Examinations will be held on Saturday the 24th of May 2003.
Nominations for this exam must be registered by 13th of May
For more information contact Laurie Pritchard on 3284 8859 ah.
Club nets are on Sunday night.
146.925Mhz at 7 Bob VK4TEN net control.
3.612 +/- QRM at 7.30pm,listen for John VK4WX or Alan VK4MAJ net control.
TOWNSVILLE
TeleText page 919
vk4wit@wia.org.au
http://www.vk4tub.org/tarc/
Radio Theory classes with iAiN/VK4IGM
SES HQ, 23-25 Green Street West End (via Sidney Street)
Thursday evenings starting 7pm and finishing 9-30pm.
Next Social and Backscatter meeting,
21st May 7-30pm
Next Management Meeting
3rd June 7-30pm
Project Nights
As with all thses meetings, at SES HQ 23-25 Green Street West End
12th May starting 7-30pm,
VK4 AREA SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO SCOUTING
JOTA 2003 - October 18 and 19 2003.
http://www.scouts.com.au/international/jotafront.html
VK4 enquiries to:-
Dr Paul Rollason, International Commissioner, QLD
bc.international@qldhq.scouts.com.au
The next meeting of the Logan West ARC, will be on Monday the 13th May
as many as possible MUST attend the next meeting as they have lots to
talk about, particularly for a COMBINED SCOUTS/ LWAREC activity in July.
Currently there is no-one appointed to the role of QLD JOTA/JOTI
Co-ordinator.
After Ross's resignation Ian Lightbody also resigned and the portfolio
is now the responsibility of the QLD International Commissioner,
in line with the National co-ordination structure.
The QLD JOTA/JOTI site has not been updated for 2003 and I ask that you
refer to the National site for accurate information.
Dr Paul Rollason, International Commissioner, QLD
bc.international@qldhq.scouts.com.au
http://www.scouts.com.au/international/jotafront.html
(Steve Watson VK4SGW National Co-ordinator JOTA/JOTI)
VK4 AREA SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- WICEN
(State Co-ordinator, Ewen McLeod VK4ERM)
A regular net exists Sunday mornings 7.075 at 0830k.
Between the Weirs Race Postponed
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water .....
News arrived this week from NQ WICEN Co-ordinator Steve/VK4JUS
that the Between the Weirs Race, scheduled for this Sunday morning
May 11th has been postponed.
So, if you are down at the event listening to QNEWS - go back home and
cook Mum some breakfast!
The event has been postponed to a later date due to prolific killer weed
which is currently choking the normally placid waters of Ross River.
Strand Mini Swim No.1 Sunday 1ST June and WICEN will provide
Logistic communications support for competitor progress on 2.5km along the
beach course between Tobruk Pool end of The Strand and Strand Pier.
More operators needed!
Contact - Steve/VK4JUS 04 1478 5443
(Gavin/VK4ZZ with info from Steve/VK4JUS)
MAJOR GATHERINGS IN VK4 FOOTPRINT
JUNE 6-9 FNNQARG! South Mission Beach
Bookings - Beachcomber Coconut Village 4068 8129
SEPTEMBER 19-21
16th North Queensland Amateur Radio Convention 2003. (in it's 30th Year!)
The date has been set for one of THE most popular conventions in
the Amateur Radio calendar world wide. In its 30th year,
the 16th North Queensland Amateur Radio Convention will be happening
at James Cook University from PM Friday 19th to PM Sunday 21st
Details vk4zz@wia.org.au
SEPTEMBER 26-28 Central Highlands AGM Weekend from 5-30pm
Attendance/Bunk Bookings - Gordon Loveday VK4KAL 4985 4168
2004
LOGAN WEST AMATEUR RADIO & ELECTRONICS CLUB BOOT SALE
Feb 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)...
WIA EXAMINATIONS IN VK4
May 24 BRISBANE NORTH / REDCLIFFE AREA
Examinations will be held on Saturday the 24th of May
at the Redcliffe Club Rooms, for more information contact
Laurie Pritchard 3284 8859 ah.
May 31 SUNSHINE COAST
Intending candidates should contact Gordon VK4VP on 5478 1439
by the first Tuesday in the month.
July 26 SUNSHINE COAST
Intending candidates should contact Ron VK4GZ on 5448 4063 or
Dave VK4KDL on 5448 7649 by the first Tuesday in the month.
Sept 28 SUNSHINE COAST
Intending candidates should contact Ron VK4GZ on 5448 4063 or
Dave VK4KDL on 5448 7649 by the first Tuesday in the month.
Nov. 29 SUNSHINE COAST
Intending candidates should contact Ron VK4GZ on 5448 4063 or
Dave VK4KDL on 5448 7649 by the first Tuesday in the month.
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
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.
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
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/
ATHERTON TABLELANDS
Tablelands Radio and Electronics Club conducts examinations on
request for the Atherton Tablelands area.
Contact the Secretary, Dale McCarthy - VK4DMC at trec@austarnet.com.au
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.
VK4 AMATEURS WHO ARE JP's
BAMAGA
Amanda Winchester, VK4HIP is registered as a Justice of the Peace
(Qualified) and is on mobile: 04 2936 8907
GLADSTONE
Rick WRIGHT, VK4HWN Justice of the peace QUALIFIED 4972 7147
SUNSHINE COAST
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
...Hey, here we go again with this week's look at the world of amater
contesting, awards and special event operations, and I'm Chris Edmondson,
VK4AA.
We start as usual by refreshing the contests time table for this
part of 2003:
* denotes new addition to calendar
Date Contest
---- -------
2003
May 17-18 ZL Sangster Shield 80mtr CW QRP contest
24 VK/trans-Tasman Contest SSB
31 QRP Day CW
June 7 VK/trans-Tasman Contest CW
* 14 Asia-Pacific Sprint
14-15 IMW International Museums Weekend.
21 Wadda Cup
* 21-22 All Asian DX CW
July 5 Jack Files
5- 6 Brass Monkey Contest - ZL VHF Contest:
* 5- 6 ORIGINAL QRP CONTEST CW
* 19 Pacific 160 Meters Contest CW/SSB
Check the OFFICIAL VK Contest Site, www.vkham.com/contests/index.html
Next weekend, May 17-18, will bring many out of the
woodwork for the ZL Sangster Shield, which is an 80m CW QRP contest.
The very next weekend, on May 24, is the hotly-contested VK/trans-Tasman
Contest for SSB, and this is another 80m exclsive contest. One further
week takes us to May 31 and the QRP Day for CW.
June is a busy month
for dedicagted contesters, too. On June 7 we retrn to the 80m band
for the second leg of the VK/trans-Tasman Contest, this time exclusively
for CW.
The following weekend, June 14-15, is the International Museums Weekend,
follwed another week later, on June 21, by the Wadda Cup, which we
outlined to you last week on QNEWS.
Okay, it's time for another Contesting Close-up, and this week we look at
the NZART's Sangster Shield for CW. Stan White, ZL2ST, explains that this
contest is for the 80 metre band only, and will be held on Saturday May 17
and Sunday May 18 from 0800-1100 UTC each day. That's 6 to 9pm on each day
for stations on the east coast of Australia, and two hours later in
New Zealand.
The Sangster is a friendly QRP event aimed equally at both novice and
experienced CW buffs. Why not give it a go? If nothing else, participating
in a CW-based contest must do a world of wonder for your CW skills,
offering any number of signals to practice with. Contest periods are short,
at half-hourly and the expected exchange isthe standard RST plus
Branch number and operating power. You can refer to the NZART website for
full rules.
And QNEWS acknowledges Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, who kindly forwarded the
details to us.
Right! Now on QNEWS we are joined by Bruce Renn, Contest Manager for the
2003 VK/trans-Tasman Contest. Take it away Bruce...
<Audio! Bruce starts by saying "thanks Chris"....>
Yes, thanks for that, Bruce. As usual the VK/trans-Tasman sounds like a
lot of fun for all.
Now here's a quick reminder about the forthcoming International Museums
Weekend, coming up on June 14 & 15 -- you must register first if you're
planning to put a museum station on the air!
As an aside, this year marks the third International Museums Weekend,
which has had very good support since its inception. Formal operations
start at midnight UTC on Friday and end at midnight UTC on Sunday.
Now, we have just a moment or two left to look at a couple of
SPECIAL EVENTS.
Here's one concluding on May 11, so don't dally for that is indeed today.
Members of the Crimea Contest Club have activated special event station,
EO-58-JM, from the Ukraine. Their operation celebrates the 58 years
since the cessation of hostilities in World War II. QSL via K-G-6-A-R.
Coming up next Saturday, May 17, special event station AX-3-ITU will be on
air, celebrating World Telecommunications Day, the 17th of May.
The callsign allocated to WIA Victoria will be activated on its behalf
by members of the Eastern and Mountain District Radio Club. This and
many other special event amateur radio stations with ITU in their callsign
around the globe will celebrate the formation of the
International Telecommunications Union on 17 May, 1865.
And in the final hurrah from me for this week, until September 11 look out
for V-I-4-B-R-C, a special event callsign issued to help celebrate
Brisbane's hosting of the 2003 Rotary World Conference. That's VI4BRC.
Check the ROAR frequency 14.293MHz Sundays around 0630 UTC starting mid May.
Remember, you can find loads of details about contesting on the internet.
OFFICIAL VK Contest Site, www.vkham.com/contests/index.html
MEDIA WATCHING WITH THE Q
MARYBOROUGH
Hi Graham
Just looking at Sundays callsigns I see some VK2 portable stations ,one
VK2 train mobile out of the Sunlander south of Bundy, one Vk5 portable
and quite a few new VK4 calls I havent heard before, as well as the
usual local ones. 42! Good roll up eh!!!
Cheers
de vk4zgf
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.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ARDF
WIA ARDF COORDINATOR VK3WW Jack vk3www@alphalink.com.au
http://users.mackay.net.au/~ron/
http://www.homingin.com
http://www.ardf.org.au
The Northern Ireland ARDF Championships will take place on Saturday the
14th of June in County Down, between Belfast and Bangor.
contact: David G-I-4-FUM gi4fum@qsl.net
5th IARU Region 3 ARDF championships in Ballarat 28 Nov - 3rd December 2003.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ATV (or Every pixel tells a story)
VK4ZU Trev is experimenting with SSTV on 10.138 MHz.
The SSTV USB transmissions are in accordance with the WIA 30 meter
band allocation and should have no/negligible interference with other
stations. His system will also act as a repeater at times during the
day to provide a facility to enable you to see a replay of your pictures.
An access tone of 1750 Hz is required.
Any expressions of interest or constructive comments are welcome, either on
the 10.138 MHz channel or the City of Brisbanes Major packet station
VK4WIE.
ie VK4ZU @ VK4WIE.#BNE.QLD.AUS.OC
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FIFTY AND OVER
(the plumbers delight)
VK4KHQ Steve says Randy WA5UF has worked W5SNX 813 miles away on
FSK441, JT6M and JT44.
What makes this special is on meteor scatter attempts with W5SNX this is
their 100th and 101st attempt. No, they didn't complete every time since
they started in July 2000.
The average completion time on two meters was 28 minutes
and 13 minutes on six.
Randy says it's now possible using JT44 at 813 miles almost any day of
the year using six meters.
WORLD WIDE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- HFPACK
http://www.hfpack.com
HFpack caters for portable type operations,
HFpack WORLDWIDE SATURDAY SUNDAY
UTC FREQ
16:30Z = 18157.5kHz USB (QSY=18152.5,18162.5)
17:00Z = 14342.5kHz USB (QSY=14339,14347)
22:30Z = 18157.5kHz USB (QSY=18152.5,18162.5)
23:00Z = 14342.5kHz USB (QSY=14339,14347)
CW is welcome on all HFpack SSB frequencies.
CW dial= up +700Hz on USB and down -700Hz on LSB.
Jonathan, MM0OKG, is on a trekking holiday in Peru and Bolivia until
25th of May and plans to be active on 20 metres SSB using an FT-817 and
dipole antenna from portable locations higher than 3500 metres asl.
Look for him calling on 14280kHz, plus or minus about 10kHz.
In Peru his callsign will be OA/MM0OKG/P and the Bolivian call is to be
arranged on his arrival in La Paz.
(RSGB)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP --- MILITARY
We have received a notification of a 101 Fd Wksp Reunion to be held at
the Auburn RSL, 33 Northumberland St, Auburn, NSW on the 19 July at 1800
hours for 1900 hours.
Please contact Mr Frank Vella, 870 Merrylands Rd, Greystanes, NSW 2145.
Frank's number is 02 9636 3259. RSVP 23 Jun 03.
The Cost id $35 per head and must be paid in advance.
(vk4bb ed and member 101 sth vietnam 66-67)
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO SCOUTING
TeleText page 958
http://jota.scouting.net.au
http://www.scouts.com.au/discover/index.html
http://www.scout.org/jota
JOTA 2003 - October 18 and 19 2003.
JOTA HF Voice Calling Frequencies
3590, 7090, 14190, 21190, 28590 kHz
14290, 18140, 21360, 24960, 28390 kHz (DX)
The 46th Jamboree on the Air will take place on the 18th and 19th of
October 2003. Anyone seeking information regarding JOTA can contact
Steve Watson the VK Cordinator via the jota/scouting/net/au site.
DX'ing the Scouting Way:-
BRAZIL, PY.
Club station PY3ARD is QRV as ZW-90-S during 2003 to celebrate the
90th anniversary of the Gerge Black Scout Group, the oldest Scout Group in
Brazil. This call will be aired for the first time during the CQ WPX
contest. QSL via PY3ARD.
Calling all Amateur Operators
Australian Scout Jamboree 2004 at Woodhouse, Adelaide.
5th - 15th January 2004.
If you are interested in being apart of the fun and excitement at the
Australian Jamboree 2004 and help out at the JOTA Station please contact
Lea Adcock, JOTA Manager, Australian Jamboree 2004
Ph: (08) 8381 5909
Lea.Adcock@senet.com.au
THE LOWDOWN COLUMN
Join the DownUnder LF Group's Mailing List:
http://www.egroups.com/list/lofexp/
lowexp@egroups
Ian Kyle, MI0AYZ and GI8AYZ, has contacted RSGB to say that he made the
first Northern Ireland to Russia QSO on 136kHz on the 19th of April.
MI0AYZ worked RU6LA using very slow CW at a distance of 3185 kilometres.
Ian was running 100 watts into a small antenna 10-metres high and
contained within an area approximately 40ft square.
IN THE GNUWS THIS WEEK
VK3KT Brenda Edmonds in car accident.
WIA President VK1LK speaks to the Amateurs of VK through QNEWS:-
BROADCAST BAND NEWS When Radio Ruled The Waves
There is currently an exhibition of early broadcasting memorabilia at
VK4's 35 UHF repeater towers for the north-west of the state.
QLD MINISTER LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE WIRELESS PRODUCT
REGIONAL VK4 STUDENTS GET FUTURISTIC
INTRUDER WATCH - ENFORCEMENT ZONE - WITH CHRIS VK2UW - PLT
WICEN/RESCUE RADIO INTERNATIONAL
RALLY OF CANBERRA
Mackay Endurance Riders Association
OXFAM is staging a walking event in the Busselton area over 2-3 days
QNEWS "States of our Nation."
VK1
VK2
VK3
INTERNATIONAL
UNITED KINGDOM - NEWS IN BRIEF THANKS TO RSGB AND G4NJH
IRELAND
CANADA
VK4 COUNCIL We welcome VK4EHT Councillor Bruce Jones:-
NQ MAN HONOURED FOR ELECTRICITY FORESIGHT
CLUB ACTIVITY
CITY OF BRISBANE RADIO SOCIETY
CLAIRVIEW
GOLD COAST AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY
LOCKYER VALLEY RADIO & ELECTRONICS CLUB INC
REDCLIFFE
TOWNSVILLE
VK4 AREA SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO SCOUTING
VK4 AREA SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- WICEN
MAJOR GATHERINGS IN VK4 FOOTPRINT
WIA EXAMINATIONS IN VK4
VK4 AMATEURS WHO ARE JP's
...This week's look at contesting, awards and special event operations.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ALARA
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ARDF
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ATV (or Every pixel tells a story)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FIFTY AND OVER
WORLD WIDE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- HFPACK
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO SCOUTING
THE LOWDOWN COLUMN
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, APCNews, ARRL, ARRL Letter,
FISTS down under, IARU r3, NERG News, Pelican Droppings,
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
Enjoy and LONG LIVE AR !!
GOOD ROWING!
Author VK4BB
Packet: qnews@vk4wie.#bne.qld.aus.oc
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