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ZL2TZE > QNEWS 17.10.03 11:19l 1184 Lines 42667 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : QNEWS1019D
Read: DB0FHN GUEST DK3EL
Subj: QNEWS - OCT 19 - COMPLETE
Path: DB0FHN<DB0RGB<OK0PPL<DB0RES<ON0AR<7M3TJZ<
Sent: 031pared for this very same event. It emphasised to me the
really international nature of JOTA and JOTI, with sharing and new
friendships being formed across most countries in the World! People using
technology to spread knowledge, ideas and helping to increase friendship
between countries!
This year really enjoy JOTA and JOTI".
ACA TO CHARGE FOR USE OF CALLSIGNS IN "SCOUT BLOCK".
ACA's Graeme Hunt of the Customer Access Team has advised instead of the
long standing (and appreciated) no charge for Scouting Callsign use at JOTA
in future 2 methods of obtaining a call from the reserved block will apply.
1.. Apply for a new short term Amateur licence with the special callsign
they require with payment of the minimum licence fee of $35.70.
2.. Request the ACA to temporarily vary their existing callsign.
This option requires payment of a fee of $38.50 to change the
existing callsign to the requested special event callsign for the
duration of JOTA and a further fee of $38.50 to restore the original
callsign.
The Scouts may apply for a new licence on behalf of the Amateur provided
appropriate written authorisation has been given by the affected Amateur.
Obviously after all the good will built up by Mark and Christine on behalf
of the ACA during their open discussions across the Country this has come
as somewhat of a nasty blow! Particularly the ACA's 2nd option, some
$77:00 each call for the two days of JOTA!
Steve Watson the National Scouting Coordinator for JOTA is working towards
a return to "previous years".
PLT/BPL/PLC--THE WORLD MAKES A NOISE!
A PLC trial in Karaka Street, Takapuna, ZL, is known to have taken place in
June. Reports are that it had "mixed results". The problem found is that
the HF modulation will not pass through the pole-mounted step-down
transformers but it worked fine on the low voltage side.
Tests over the 400V and 1100V lines gave the same problem. It is understood
that development work is being done on a "bypass" to allow PLC data
to get around the pole transformers and to use PLC over the high voltage
network.
No information has been obtained on whether or not the tests considered
the level of HF radiation from the lines.
Broadcasters themselves also have exhibited increased concern about
the potential of PLT/BPL to prevent their signals from reaching
listeners. The Research and Development branch of the highly regarded
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has released a White Paper
reporting on a brief trial in Scotland. The two competing PLT/BPL
systems in operation in the town of Crieff both interfered with HF
reception. Tests were conducted at four locations.
The BBC engineers described the interference as varying
between "'annoying' and a level sufficient to make the broadcast
completely unintelligible."
(nzart info line and VK7WI)
EDUCATION YOUTH AND ADVANCEMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO PRESENTED BY VK4CO
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 Transmissions:-
3699 kHz DAILY 24/7 Yearly
3555 kHz TUESDAY 0930 UTC VK8CAW
3545 kHz WEDNESDAY 0930 UTC VK3FGE -Dave- FISTS #9088
3535 kHz SUNDAY 0930 UTC Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio Club VK4
What's on around the Northern Territory ..
Fred will be running a Novice Theory Course on Tuesday nights
from 7-9pm at the Darwin Club Rooms for those interested in doing the Novice
Theory
If your interested in the course or helping out as a study buddy please
email the VK8GROUP or better yet, call in during the Darwin QNEWS callbacks.
From time to time we hear "water cooler" gossip that the WIA exam service
is dragging the chain in posting results etc etc.
More often the case is the examining body or candidate have "mucked up" the
paper work somehow.
Well, no matter your thoughts, spare one for our friends in EI land!
In their news service they say "The IRTS Committee is very concerned that
it has not been possible to arrange Theory Tests for some considerable time.
Following discussions with ComReg, (Ireland's ACA) agreement in principle
has been reached to hold a Theory Test in Dublin "later in the year".
And you thought WE were hard done by!
Good Luck Lyn !
Lyn Battle was in Townsville Thursday October 16th to do some morse exams.
We wish Lyn all the best for a positive result in the exams and hope that
the trip all the way from Sweers Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria pays off!
Owen Duffy on QNEWS.
We spoke last week of the CQVK team's work on a public response the
ACA's discussion paper.
CQVK published for comment, a draft response to the ACA discussion paper
addressing all the issues raised in the paper. The response contained
detailed proposals on:
a recommendation for an early interim arrangement for the removal of the
Morse code qualification requirement;
an integrated licence grade structure, including the alternative entry
level Discovery Licence;
transitional arrangements for Novices;
interference management; and
class licensing.
Thanks to all those who commented on the draft, comments have been
considered and the draft amended as appropriate. The final document was
submitted to the ACA on Friday 17th of October. The final document is
available now on the CQVK website, I will give the URL in a moment...
get your pencil ready.
Now, that's the document finalised, but there is still an opportunity to
join the supporters.
Lets talk for a moment on the value of supporting a popular model.
When the ACA receives all the submissions, they must summarise them, noting
the distribution of responses to each of the issues raised, and trying to
recognise common themes in the submissions. There is a risk that all these
uncoordinated responses might just provide a smorgasbord of options without
any clear, dominant themes, and as such they are not nearly as persuasive
as a strongly supported theme.
There is clearly majority support for change. We, the amateur fraternity,
have to translate that into majority support for a complete and well
integrated package. So I urge you to get behind a common response and be
counted.
If you have read and agree with the CQVK package overall, then be counted.
You can:
register your support online on the CQVK website; or
write, fax or email the ACA and tell them that you have read the CQVK
submission and support it overall.
Got your pencil ready? To read the final version of the CQVK submission,
go to http://www.cqvk.net/
You will also see prominent links from the home page to the submission and
to the online registration facility.
If you previously registered support for the Discovery Licence, that's not
the same thing, it is just part of the whole submission, you should go
back and read the full submission and if you agree with it overall, register
your support.
Let me take this opportunity to thank everyone who participated in the CQVK
studies, and provided us with such valuable feedback.
This has been Owen Duffy for the CQVK team on QNEWS.
Thanks Owen, yes time is running out, CQVK will cutoff on 28 October,
and the ACA cutoff is 31 October.
INTRUDER WATCH - ENFORCEMENT ZONE - PRESENTED BY VK2UW CHRIS WRIGHT
Len Martinson, ZL1BYA, is Monitoring Service co-ordinator
for the NZART. Lenmart@clear.net.nz
VK Federal Coordinator.
VK8HA Henry Andersson vk8ha@octa4.net.au
P.O. Box 619
HUMPTY DOO N.T. 0836
IARUMS NETS
Friday 0730 UTC 7.065.5 with VK4CEU David.
Amateur exclusive frequencies where any non-amateur signal is definitely an
intruder, This listing by P29KFS.
Exclusive amateur only spectrum world wide
7.050 to 7.100
14.000 to 14.250
14.250 to 14.350 No broadcasters
21.000 to 21.450
28.000 to 29.700
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 18 Oct North East Rally Wangaratta (tbc)
VK2 8- 9 Nov Hawkesbury River Canoe Classic (Mark VK2XGK/Neil VK2XNF)
VK7 15-16 Nov SUBARU SAFARI organiser Gavin VK7HGO
*VK7 ? Nov Classic Car Rally VK7 NW Branch for further details
VK6 ? Nov OXFAM staging a walking event in the Busselton area
VK4 ? Nov Cardwell Forest Rally (TARC)
VK4 ? Nov Eco Adventure 24 Hour Sprint (TREC - CARC)
VK3 ? Nov Blue Light Motorcycle Rally - Noojee.
VK5 20-23 Nov Classic Adelaide Rally - Adelaide region
VK1 22 National Capital Rally - Canberra region
VK2 30 Nov RTA Cycle Ride.
VK1 6 Dec Rallye des Femmes
VK4 1-03 May eco adventure race
* 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.)
The Hawkesbury Canoe Classic is on again this year on the weekend of the 8th
and 9th of November. This is a large event and many operators are needed to
enable WICEN to provide a comprehensive safety network along the course,
which runs along the Hawkesbury River from Windsor to Brooklyn.
This event is a good opportunity to test out your field operating gear for
voice as well as packet if you have the capability, while enjoying the
picturesque Hawkesbury valley.
The event commander this year is Neil Fallshaw VK2XNF, assisted again by
Mark Cheeseman VK2XGK. Anybody that is able to assist should contact Neil or
Mark directly, via the WICEN operations number 04 0839 7217, or by sending
an email to operations@nsw.wicen.org.au.
(Pat Leeper VK2JPA - Publicity Officer, WICEN (NSW) Inc. via vk2wi)
WICEN VK7
North West News reminds all that the Classic Challenge car rally on the
November long weekend is nearly on us and Mal, VK7CA is looking for
volunteers again to man the communications.
If you can help give VK7CA a call on 6424 2921.
HAM RADIO AT THE NYC MARATHON
For this weeks WICEN final story we turn the ham radio sports page and one
of the biggest events of the year that's about to take place. And its
Amateur Radio that makes it happen. We have the details in this
report:
If you want to see a shining example of how valuable amateur radio
can be as a public service, look no further than New York City the
first week in November. Providing communications for the marathon is
no small job. Just ask Communications Director Steve Mendelsohn,
W2ML. When the marathon was run back in 1976, 26 hams provided
communications assistance. This year, 425 hams will help, and they'll
do it using 9 repeaters on 2 meters and 440. Mendelson says it's a
source of pride for the ham volunteers who come from across the
country:
Mendelsohn: "Just like Disney's fantasy land, once you have been
there you want to come back over, over and over again."
New York's boroughs will be flooded with over 30-thousand runners
this year. The hams helping will be part of more than 9-thousand
people volunteering.
From Birmingham Alabama, I'm David Black, KB4KCH, for the Amateur
Radio Newsline.
SPECIAL EVENT STATION GB50RAEN
Celebrating the formation of RAYNET, the UK's Amateur Radio
Emergency Communications Network 50 years ago this Autumn by RSGB, special
event station GB50RAEN - Radio Amateur Emergency Network -
is on from 20th till the 31st October.
(SARLNEWS)
QNEWS "States of our Nation."
VK1
http://www.wia.org.au/vk1
President is Alan Hawes alan@wic.net.au
October
27th General Meeting
28th COT and Farrer Open Night meetings
VK2
http://www.wiansw.org.au
President Brian Kelly VK2WBK
Saturday 25th October has been suggested for the assembly day for the
latest Westlakes club project The CTCSS encoder.
As suggested previously take your blow torch, board and components and
take part in this exercise.
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club is located in York Street Teralba and is
open for business on Saturday afternoons and TUESDAY evenings.
Call in and say hello - tea and coffee are always on.
To find out more about the Westlakes Club, or Amateur Radio in general,
leave a message on 24-hour Voice Mailbox 02 4958 1588.
(Frank VK2FJL.)
VK3
PRESIDENT JIM LINTON
http://www.wiavic.org.au
wiavic@wiavic.org.au
2 November - Ballarat Hamfest and Lake Wendouree Spring Festival.
28 November start of 5th IARU Region 3 ARDF championships in Ballarat
until 3rd December.
20 Mar 2004 - WHITE ELEPHANT SALE!!
VK8
http://www.wia.org.au/vk5
JOTA stations are asked to actively look out
for VK8AW Alan and Nhulunbuy Scout Group
operating from Gove NT
Also look out for VK8DA operating as a JOTA/JOTI
station out of Darwin
INTERNATIONAL
WIA FEDERAL IARU OFFICER is VK6NE Neil Penfold
12th Region 3 Conference has been provisionally scheduled for
Monday 16 to Friday 20 February 2004.
A formal announcement will be sent out 4 months in advance of a firm date.
(iaru newsletter)
ZS IARU FUND
In response to the request for contributions to the IARU Fund, Lawry Lauf,
ZS5HV, and the Highway ARC have made a joint donation of R500,00
towards this fund. The donation is highly appreciated and the
SARL President, Graham Hartlett, ZS6GJH, has expressed his
thanks for this support to amateur radio.
(sarl)
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
The Papua New Guinea Telecommunications Administration, PANGTEL, has
deleted Morse Code from the qualifications necessary to access HF bands
in PNG.
Rick Warnett, P29KFS the IARU representative for PNGARS told QNEWS this
was decided on 6/10/2003 and will be advised formally in the next few
days.
Some 30-40 new "full calls" will now have access to HF radio and the
international communication possible.
We wish them every enjoyment and hope you will hear them "on air" soon.
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.
VK4EHT WIAQ ALTERNATE FEDERAL COUNCILLOR BRUCE JONES
A General Meeting of the Wireless Institute of Australia, Qld Division
will be held at 10AM on 25th October 2003. All members are entitled to
and are encouraged to attend.
The main business will be setting of fees for 2004. To add any other
business to the agenda contact the Secretary WIAQ.
The meeting will be hosted by the Sunshine Coast ARC and will be held at
their clubrooms.
Directions to the General Meeting
The club rooms are at the old toll plaza on the North of the Maroochy River
at Bli Bli. To get there from the South, take the motorway exit north of the
Ettamoggah pub and follow the signs as if you were heading to Noosa heads.
Once you have crossed the Maroochy River you will pass the club rooms on the
left. Continue north to the next roundabout and turn left.
Follow the road and turn left into Godfreys Rd and the club room is the
first building on your left, right on the bend. The Sunshine coast 2 meter
repeater on 146.850 MHz would be a good source for directions if you have
trouble finding the site.
See you there on Saturday 25th October at 10AM and enjoy the hospitality of
the Sunshine Coast ARC.
This is Bruce Jones VK4EHT for the WIAQ.
Recently I was shocked to be informed, incorrectly it turned out, that'
the QNEWS audio files on the net were costing us some $165 per month
from ISP host "powerup/webcentral"..
Now after a lot of sleuthing, was discovered that was an annual figure,
which the WIAQ had paid monthly for several months, now in credit to about
the year 2005!
Also the figure turned out to be for the QSL bureau not QNEWS. Also seems
the sleuthing has had another upside, some 1750 emails discovered on
this site... what wasn't junk mail turned out to be council business..
Dave Gulley says "not 1 item of QSL business!"
Official Opening of theTARCinc Repeaters
The official opening of the refurbished VK4RAT VHF Repeater
and the TAC08 UHF CB Repeater, owned and operated by
The Townsville Amateur Radio Club Inc
will be happening around 12pm Friday 14th November 2003
at theTARCinc repeater complex on top of Mount Stuart.
Performing the official opening will be Les Tyrell,
Mayor of the City of Thuringowa and co-chairman
of the Townsville-Thuringowa Counter Disaster Committee.
Those available are invited to attend this momentous occasion,
arriving from 11-30pm and parking in the main lower car park
near the entry to the National Broadcast centre.
(Gavin/VK4ZZ with info from Ian/VK4ZT)
CLUB ACTIVITY WITH BRIAN COLEMAN VK4LH IN MACKAY
DARLING DOWNS
e-mail matthew@t130.aone.net.au
The theme of the next "Social & technical" meeting on Monday 27th. October
at the SES Headquarters, 172 Stephen Street, Toowoomba at 7:30pm, will be
"IRLP - to be or not to be", led by John VK4ZJE.
The email address, matthew@t130.aone.net.au
is the quickest way to contact the "Darling Downs Radio Club" with the
Management Committee's permission.
GLADSTONE AR CLUB "Radio_Active".
President Wayne VK4ZRT, vk4zrt@wia.org.au
Gladstone Amateur Radio Club Tannum Sands Get-Together is November Sat
1st & Sun 2nd 2003.
GOLD COAST AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY
(In the audio edition you will hear a comprehensive report, I do take this
opportunity to ask those filing audio to also send the script!)
The Gold Coast Club are also making arrangements for the Hamfest on
8th November at the Albert Waterways Hall at Broadbeach.
Of course today, the Jota weekend when grounds look like tent city
and with the club radios and equipment being put to good use by young
enthusiasts.
For further information contact President Roy on 5539 3530
HERVEY BAY
President is Wade Millwood VK4ACB, Vice President is Ritsie Zeeman VK4RZ
and to keep the boys in line the club for the first time has two YL office
bearers, Secretary, Nan Bannister, who only needs a pass in the Novice CW
test to get her novice license and Sue Stephenson VK4LSS who is the
clubs able Treasurer.
The club holds it's monthly meeting on the third Saturday of every month
at 9.30 am, however there is usually always someone at the Clubrooms in
Dayman Park at the Urangan end of Hervey Bay, it is not hard to find,
just call on the clubs repeater 146.650 MHz for assistance.
Club members activated the Sandy Cape Lighthouse on Fraser Island, IOTA
Island OC-142, using the club's callsign VK4CHB over the lighthouse
weekend, as you know the lighthouse weekend coincided with the
Remembrance Day Contest and the Sandy Cape light is very close to where
Radio Officer N Gunter (VK3NG) lost his life when the SS Kowarra was
torpedoed off the Cape with the loss of 35 lives during the Second World War.
Anyone in the Wide Bay area wanting to sit an exam for any Amateur
license, please contact the club's Lead Invigilator Wade VK4ACB on
4124 6253.
Thursday night at 0930 zulu on 3.615 please participate in Hervey Bay Clubs
weekly net.
REDCLIFFE
I wish to advise you that the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club Inc are
holding examinations on the 2nd of November 2003 and on the 7th of
December 2003.
December exams will ensure that all results are recieved prior
Christmas.
Anyone wishing to sit any of these examination dates or wish to sit in
January can book there exam now, so we can order them prior to the
closer of the Examination Service in December.
The Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club Inc can order examinations on
request with 2 weeks notice.
For more details contact Laurie Pritchard VK4BLE on 07 3284 8859 ah or
the via the clubs email address rdrc4@hotmail.com
Thanks again for the service.
Laurie
SUMMERLAND AR CLUB (VK2)
30 Nov SARC - GCARS Kortz Kup Kontest, Picnic, Murwillumbah
SUNSHINE COAST
President Harvey Wickes VK4AHW
23rd November for Redsun Rally.
09:00 start at the Ettamogah pub and 12:00 finish at the clubrooms,
for a sausage sizzle.
TOWNSVILLE
TeleText page 919
vk4wit@wia.org.au
http://www.vk4tub.org/tarc/
theTARCinc Annual General Meeting 2003
Pursuant to the Constitution of The Townsville
Amateur Radio Club Inc. and the requirements of the
Queensland Incorporated Associations Act,
members are advised that the 2003 Annual General
Meeting of the Club be held as follows :
Royal Hotel Cnr Stagpole St and Sidney St
West End, roll up from 7pm for a 7-30pm start
on Saturday November 22nd 2003.
Dinner will be served from 7-30pm and costs
$25 per head. AGM will start at 8-30pm.
Please advise attendance numbers ASAP to
TARC Secretary Don Bryant for catering purposes.
email tarc.secretary@bigpond.com or vk4wit@wia.org.au
TARC WIA Exams Information (perennial)
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
along with contact information can be found at
theTARCinc web site http://www.vk4tub.org/tarc/
(Wally/VK4DO, theTARCinc Exams Group Leader)
Note too that theTARCinc conducts radio theory classes
most Thursday evenings at SES HQ, Green Street West End,
class manager Iain/VK4IGM.
XTRA-TARCadian date claimers...
8th Nov theTARCinc visits the Theatre Restaurant
14th Dec theTARCinc Xmas Party - Sid DeGraaf Memorial Pool
Aitkenvale State School from 2pm
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
Greetings everyone
As of 16th October 2003
the following Queensland JOTA temporary callsigns have been approved
by ACA Brisbane office for 46th Jamboree On The Air
This is confirmed by National JOTA/JOTI Co-ordinator Steve/VK4SGW
and Queensland JOTA/JOTI Co-ordinator Ian Lightbody.
Ian is now endeavouring to advise all Scout groups concerned by
email and letter.
Ian also confirms that those groups in Queensland applying for a temporary
Guide callsign have also got approval. Carol Dunkerton will be advising
Guide groups by email and letter.
Some group locations and operators may vary in this list from actually
what may be happening this weekend. If you find this so with your
own group then you need to update operator particulars with your group.
Any groups not listed either failed to have their applications in before
the cut-off date or didn't bother to apply for a temporary callsign
Alice River Scout Group VK4SAL
Alligator Creek Camsite Mt Elliot
Les/VK4ALS and Phil/VK4HSV
Beaver Masters Scout District VK4SAS
Rocky Creek Scout Group Landsborough
David/VK4KDL
Biloela Scout Group VK4SBG
Camp Illawong, Lake Callide
Jim/VK4OK
Blackwater Scout Group VK4SBL
Cherry Street Blackwater
Jim/VK4AVS
Boondall Scout Group VK4SDB
Main Range Scout Hall, Kondillia Falls
Montville
John/VK4CJO
Bowen Scout Group VK4SAB
Cnr Brisbane and Powell St Bowen
Eric/VK4EDN
Bundaberg District Scouts VK4SBD
Wyper Park, Burnett River
Ross/VK4JRO, Ron/VK4FVC, Julie/VK4JJB
Ingham Scout Group VK4SBI
Broadwater State Forest
Mario/VK4MS
Kirwan Scout Group VK4SCK
Camp Tarmaroo, Bluewater
Gavin/VK4ZZ & Lyndall/VK4ZM
Laidley Scout Group VK4SAD
Laidley Scout Den
Warren VK4FJ
Lowood Scout Group VK4SAD
Scout Den Lowood
Licence No. 1405369
Mackay Central & Coastal Region Scouts VK4SBM
Rowallan Park Campsite, Farleigh
Wal/VK4AIV
Malanda Scout Group
Scout Den Ann Street Malanda
Peter/VK4BUG & Aub/VK4AFO
Moreton Region Scouts VK4SAI
Allawah Scout Camp Mt Crosby
Gary/VK4KNE and Ken/VK4AKP
Millchester Scout Group VK4SCT
Bivouac Junction via Charters Towers
Bob/VK4WJ
Mulgrave District Scouts VK4SAM
Bentley Park College
Adrian/VK4NAL
Pimlico Mundingburra Scout Group VK4SBP
Strand Park Townsville
Steve/VK4SGW
Port Curtis Scout District VK4SBA
Lake Awoonga near Gladstone
Ron/VK4AGS and John/VK4JWH
Queensland Branch (Scouts) VK4SAA
Baden Powell Park, Samford
Licence No. 146658
Roma Scout Group VK4SAR
Phillip Street Roma
Licence No. 1412520
St Lucia Scout Group VK4SAT
Acacia Park St Lucia
Allan/VK4KRP
Taringa-Milton-Toowong Scout Group VK4SBQ
Tyamolum Scout Campsite Mt Crosby
Kazufumi/VK4GX
(Gavin/VK4ZZ)
VK4 AREA SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- VHF
Just what can you and I do about interference to many 2 metre radios
caused by pager transmitters just above 148MHz?
This coming Wednesday 22nd of October is another Brisbane VHF Group meeting
and we'll be carrying forward the issue started at last month's
meeting. Should be interesting!
That'll be at Rob Bathgate's place (VK4ZDX) at 53 Arrol Street, Camp Hill
starting around 7:30 pm. All are welcome!
MAJOR GATHERINGS IN VK4 FOOTPRINT
OCTOBER 25
Sunshine Coast AR Club host WIAQ General Meeting.
NOVEMBER 1- 2
Gladstone Amateur Radio Club Tannum Sands Get-Together is November Sat
1st & Sun 2nd 2003.
Contact the club via E-mail vk4zrt@wia.org.au or
P.O. Box 1030 Gladstone 4680.
NOVEMBER 8
GOLD COAST HAMFEST
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)...
Sep SUNFEST, already the dates set for next year, Saturday September 11
WIA EXAMINATIONS IN VK4
Nov. 02 Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club Inc are holding examinations
Details, contact Laurie Pritchard VK4BLE on 3284 8859 ah or
via the clubs email address rdrc4@hotmail.com
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.
Dec. 07 Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club Inc are holding examinations
Details, contact Laurie Pritchard VK4BLE on 3284 8859 ah or
via the clubs email address rdrc4@hotmail.com
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
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
DARLING DOWNS
Toowoomba area, contact Mathew VK4HWM on 4698 7775 or email him on
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
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
SUNSHINE COAST
Geoff Sanders, VK4KEL is registered as a Justice of the Peace
(Qualified) and is on telephone 5445 0280
HERVEY BAY
Geoff Stephenson, VK4OT 4124 4764
Albert Woodward, VK4IK 4124 4863
GLADSTONE
Rick WRIGHT, VK4HWN Justice of the peace QUALIFIED 4972 7147
BAMAGA
Amanda Winchester, VK4HIP is registered as a Justice of the Peace
(Qualified) and is on mobile: 04 2936 8907
*************************************************************************
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.
To avoid confusion QNEWS only lists contests from:-
Contest Managers themselves, the WIA and Radio Amateurs of Canada
and does not necessarily endorse, support or vouch for the accuracy
of the information provided.
WIA FEDERAL CONTEST EMAIL= contests@wia.org.au
Chris VK4AA reads each weeks contest time table for 2003-4
===========================================================
* denotes new addition to calendar
Date Contest
---- -------
2003
Nov 1 -2 SPRING VHF-UHF Field Day
2 NZART STRAIGHT KEY NIGHT
Dec 26 ROSS HULL VHF CONTEST
2004
Aug 21-22 Lighthouse Activation Weekend.
Check the OFFICIAL VK Contest Site, www.vkham.com/contests/index.html
G'Day all, and here we go again. Even though the year is in its last
quarter, there are some great contests still in store for us, and one
of these is now only a fortnight away. Look out on November 1 and 2
for the Spring VHF-UHF Field Day.
And on the Sunday of that weekend, November 2, we have the NZART Straight
Key Night.
And, of course, as soon as we sweep the acres of Christmas wrapping to
one side, December 26 brings us the Ross Hull VHF Contest, a sort of
slow-motion sit and pounce operation which extends right through to
January 11, 2004.
Seeing it's only two weeks away, let's look more closely at the Spring
VHF-UHF Field Day. The regular VHF Field Days provide great challenges
and impetus to VHFers, and particularly at this time of year when
propagation is poised to produce some surprising tropospheric openings.
Scoring in the Field Days is greatly boosted by working on more bands, and
the more grid squares you work boosts it further. It's really great fun
going out portable to work even a few contacts!
Published rules are widely accessible from such places as the official
VKHAM contests site, and will be also be available at the Brisbane VHF
Group's meeting this coming Wednesday.
You should already be preparing and checking your equipment ready for the
1st and 2nd of November... how about you join in the fun and challenge of
a portable mountain-top entry in the Spring Field Day two weeks from now?
We've received a message from Mal Johnson, VK6LC, on the Federal Awards
Desk, and it's addressed to all local and international amateur radio
operators who exchange postage return by the use of IRCs, International
Reply Coupons.
Australia Post, in common with virtually all international post offices,
will only accept IRCs that are legally Post Office stamped. If not stamped
with a post office stamp they are actually considered `illegal tender' or
may even be counterfeit or stolen government material. This warning applies
to both new and old series of IRC's. If you receive a IRC that has not been
Post Office stamped then, put simply, it's worthless.
Time to consider awards, and here's a newbie we've not mentioned before.
This one is really clever, as you'll see. Not only that, but it's an
excellent chance for radio amateurs to help the work of the Royal Flying
Doctor Service, now in its 75th year of continuous operation.
To qualify for this award, go through your log books or QSL collection and,
using as many letters as you wish from the prefixes and/or suffixes of the
station callsigns on the cards or in the logs, worked or heard from anywhere
in the world, juggle them until they make up the words:
ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE.
Yep, it's simple isn't it!
The RFDS award is available to any radio amateur or short wave listener
anywhere in the world, and is available on an annual basis, with a new
certificate being introduced each year.
Eligible contacts are on any band and any mode with stations from any
country, but each callsign may only be used once each year.
The cost of the certificate is $5. So how does it benefit the RFDS? Easy.
Of your $5, about $1 is set aside for the return postage ONLY, and all of
the remainder will be sent to the RFDS.
The goal is to raise $28,000 in 10 years. Let's see if we can do even better.
The full rules are available from Dave, VK6ATE on (08) 9305 7295, or
simply get out your log or cards, make up the words ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR
SERVICE, and post off the list with your $5 to Dave, the Awards Manager,
at PO Box 39, Quinn's Rocks, Western Australia 6030
And now it's back to Graham with the words 73 from Chris, VK4AA.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ARDF
WIA ARDF COORDINATOR VK3WWW Jack vk3www@alphalink.com.au
http://users.mackay.net.au/~ron/
http://www.homingin.com
http://www.ardf.org.au
Here is an update of the 5th Region 3 ARDF Championships to be conducted in
Ballarat from November 28th until December 3. We currently have teams coming
from Japan, Korea, Kazakhstan, USA, Ukraine, China and Australia, at present
the total of International competitors and officials is 82. This number will
swell when the Australian contingent is added, unfortunately most of the VK3
amateurs interested in ARDF for one reason or another not able to compete so
we are looking for more Australian competitors. The only condition is that
you must me a member of the WIA "aren't we all".
Age categories are Junior, under 19, Open, any age, Senior, over 40,
35 for the ladies, Veteran, over 50 and Super Veteran over 60, as you can
see we cater for all ages. For Australian Competitors who do not require
transport or accommodation can you contact the event organiser me VK3WWW
for special event fee costing and my E-mail address is:
vk3www@alphalink.com.au
or just look me up on the official website, the address for this site is:
www.ardf.org.au
We would like to see as many Australian Amateurs, Friends and Family at the
opening ceremony, 26 October at Melrose Arch.
Hans will be exhibiting 5 frames of South African Airmails 1911 - 1940 at
this National Stamp Exhibition.
(sarl)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- SOTA
www.sota.org.uk
John Linford g3wgv@aol.com
RADIO TRAGEDY: HAM KILLED TRYING TO ACTIVATE DX STATION
A ham radio operator has died while trying to put a rare location on
the air. RSGB News Reader Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, has the tragic details:
We are sad to have to report the death of Richard Baker, M3RWB, who
died as the result of injuries sustained while climbing Aran Fawddwy
in North Wales. He was intending to activate the summit for the
Summits on the Air, or SOTA, award program.
The Summits on the Air management team has released a statement which
says, "Richard was an experienced hillwalker who saw SOTA as a good
opportunity to
re-ascend many summits that he had climbed in the past. His death is
an untimely reminder that while accidents can happen anywhere, the
mountains can present special dangers to those who are experienced as
well as those new to mountain travel."
Jeremy Boot, G4NJH
The Summits on the Air management team went on to stress that in all
cases, the safety of those travelling must come above the desire to
ascend to the mountain. (GB2RSO)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- WINLINK
QNEWS has interviewed the founder of AussieWinlink, Tony (VK1VM-KN4VM),
who as most would know, is lobbying for the introduction of Winlink in
Australia.
The following questions were posed and the replies are given below:
Q1... Why the push for WinLink to become a "mode" in VK.
A1... WinLink is of tremendous value to people in extremely remote
locations without access to other communication facilities. Apart from
Australia's outback, there are huge isolated areas on the Indian and Pacific
oceans and Tasman Sea that lap on Australia's shores. There are also many
isolated regions to Australia's north. WinLink already operates around the
world but is not well represented in this part of the world. New Zealand
already has two WinLink radio stations but they are heavily overloaded and
not always accessible. What you should also keep in mind is that WinLink
operates in digital mode; therefore, apart from email, it can send and
receive weather charts and other graphics like photos and maps. It supports
also an Automatic Position Reporting System that allows people to check on
the traveller's location and also whether other WinLink users are in the
immediate vicinity. These are all great safety features. The motivation for
the "push", as you put it, is for Australian radio amateurs to have the
same opportunities for using WinLink as have hams in North America, Europe,
the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
Q2... Is it legally permissible for VK hams to operate WinLink right now?
A2... As ACA put it succinctly, although a little ambiguously in part, all
Amateur Internet Linking Systems, like IRLP and WinLink, are legal as long
as they don't break any rules. The AILS Paper clearly states that
interconnection to the Internet is regarded as a private line and therefore
legal. VK hams can participate in WinLink in two ways: (a) as a User; and,
(b) as a Mail Box Office. There are no-restrictions whatsoever to access
WinLink as a User. Over four hundred VK's have already done so. Operating as
a Winlink Mail Box Office is a little bit more complex because these could,
inadvertently, pass-on third party traffic. There has been some concern
about that. For example, the MBO could receive a message from a cruising ham
that includes a request to someone at home (a non-ham) to order medicines
for a non-ham crewmember. Or an aged parent at home (a non-ham) sends a
message via the Internet to find out about an overdue vessel in transit
between ports. The mitigating point is that the bulk of users in or near
Australia would be Australian, American or Canadian hams. With these we are
allowed to pass third party traffic. It would, of course, be possible that
there could be third party messages passed on by hams from other countries.
These, however, if any at all, would be very few. The pragmatic question is
whether a few of these messages are of such serious disadvantage to
Australia's national interest that, ipso facto, WinLink should be outlawed
for all Australians and visitors to Australia? We argue that this is not the
case.
Q3... Given that ACA eventually will open up the way for 3rd party traffic,
as the recent WRC03 conference points to, is there a method to prohibit non
amateur to amateur and vice versa occurring and what would such a method be?
A4.... It's a mute point discussing the past. ACA has already indicated that
it proposes to lift the restriction on third party traffic. As soon as this
is in place any remaining doubt about WinLink has been cleared up. What is
more, ACA has indicated that it would be prepared to lift certain
requirements or prohibitions during the interim period leading up to the
promulgation of the new rules in early-2005.
Q4... What are the stumbling blocks for the "non approval" of WinLink?
A3... As indicated above, there are no "stumbling blocks" to WinLink use in
Australia. However, it is known that some are waiting for ACA's "Good
Housekeeping"stamp of approval. This, as indicated in the AILS Paper, ACA
will not do for any system. Given its resource constraints it argues that it
is up to hams to know what the rules are and as long as these are not in a
significant way breached ACA will continue its benevolent administration of
amateur radio.
Q5... How does a vk ham go about downloading the software in preparation?
A6... That depends on the role that a VK ham likes to play. It is very simple
for potential Users. The end-user software package, called AirMail, can be
downloaded for free from the Internet at www.airmail2000.com That site also
has free software for capturing and reading weather facsimiles. The site
also leads to an official site that has the propagation prediction software
that fully integrates with AirMail and the WinLink system.
The easiest way to get to know WinLink is, after having loaded the AirMail
software, to access the system from home via the Internet using the Telnet
module included in the software. It gives access to most of the features
that WinLink offers.
Setting up as a WinLink MBO is a little more complicated. All the required
software can be obtained for free via the www.winlink.org website. However,
there is a screening of potential MBO operators. They and there equipment
must pass certain tests and they must accept to abide by the Winlink
operating principles, that is, they must ensure that there equipment meets
local specifications and they must operate as amateurs. Detailed information
about setting up as a User is available on www.aussiewinlink.org as are
many stories about WinLink use during emergencies aroundexp@egroups
Rick P29KFS has managed to get five operators in P2 interested in 160M
and we all tried to get into the Brisbane net on Monday night this week.
It's on air from 1930 on 1848 LSB and they've heard a couple of stations
VK4KAD was 10/9 here and VK4AIF was a bit over S9. Noise was around the S7
mark so they were easy enough to copy.
P29's NW, NB, KPH and TC on here as well as KFS, so there are a few
calls that can be worked.
At least two of the Monday nite VK4's said Rick was first P29 ever heard on
160M!
***************************
QNEWS - we've reported...YOU decide.
Compiled by VK4BB /
Packet: qnews@vk4wie.#bne.qld.aus.oc
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