| |
ZL2TZE > QNEWS 07.11.03 10:20l 1113 Lines 40223 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : QNEWS1109D
Read: DB0FHN GUEST DK3UD DK3EL
Subj: QNEWS - NOV 09 - COMPLETE
Path: DB0FHN<DB0RGB<OK0PPL<DB0RES<ON0AR<7M3TJZ<ZL2TZE
Sent: 031107/0833Z 32826@ZL2TZE.#73.MLB.NZL.OC $:QNEWS1109D
From: ZL2TZE@ZL2TZE.#73.MLB.NZL.OC
To : QNEWS@WW
---------------------------------
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
First it was the ACA and restructuring of Amateur Licences, now
it looks like our own WIA is closer than it's been in years with the
amalgamation of the separate divisions into one truly National entity.
Joining us with some of the detail, VK4ERM Ewan McLeod President of the VK4
Division.
PROJECT X
WIA Restructuring with VK4 President Ewan McLeod .
By the time this broadcast goes to air there will have been a
meeting held in the VK2 Division last Friday to discus the
restructuring of the WIA into a single National WIA.
This meeting has been spearheaded by Chris Jones VK2 ZDD
with the support of several other long term amateurs well
experienced in the affairs of the WIA. Considerable
correspondence has taken place over the past couple of months
between a diverse range of amateurs Australia wide and VK2 radio clubs.
Before the meeting I distributed three background documents to
individuals and groups within VK4 to canvas amateurs, both
WIA members and non-members, to measure the level of
support or otherwise for restructuring. At this time I have
received very constructive observations and historical
information from several amateurs. Some have been supportive
and others cautionary. All have been appreciated. A
consolidated response will have been forwarded to the VK2
Division and our Federal President Ernie Hocking VK1LK.
The initiative is, or was, with the VK2 Division and I do not
wish at this early stage to pre-empt the outcome of the meeting.
However, all involved recognise the plethora of legal, financial,
structural, change and management implications associated with
any change to the Federal WIA and the relationship to the Divisions.
Any undertaking to restructure the WIA is not to be treated
lightly and I urge all VK amateurs, both members and non-
members of the WIA, to monitor the future proceedings with
interest and provide constructive input at the appropriate time.
There may be a late breaking news item with this broadcast. If
not, please listen in to next week's broadcast of QNEWS for the
outcomes of the Friday meeting in VK2.
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
[3] qnews-vk-reminder-subscribe@yahoogroups.com vk4
[1] weekly HTML copy QNEWS
[2] Text rather than HTML copy of QNEWS
[3] A reminder sent as soon as QNEWS becomes available on the web.
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.
AUDIO NEWS SERVICES:-
NATIONAL QNEWS http://www.wia.org.au/vk4 in Segments 1 and 3 in
streaming audio and downloadable MP3 files from the FTP site.
VK4 QNEWS Divisional News http://www.wia.org.au/vk4 in streaming audio
and QNEWS may be downloaded in MP3 for rebroadcast from the FTP site.
EDUCATION YOUTH AND ADVANCEMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO PRESENTED BY VK4CO
RONNEE MEACHEN
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
Peter Tally, a student of the Radio & Electronics School spotted a story
in the Gold Coast Bulletin, a large centre spread with half a dozen
folk nominated for a Gold Coast Honours award for services to the
community. Pried of place, Ron Bertrand of the Radio & Electronics School.
As Peter rightly states "I think it is great that someone outside
of amateur radio is recognising someone for the commitment and work to
helping others in the amateur radio community through education".
Regards Peter VK4SOON
ZS NATIONAL RADIO AMATEUR'S EXAMINATION WORKSHOP
South African Amateurs are being urged to start planning for the next
Radio Amateur's Examination to be held in May and say courses leading
to this examination should start in February 2004.
Saturday 15th November will see a workshop which will provide many ideas
and answers.
SARL will cover subjects such as:-
How formal does the course have to be?
Planning your course;
Finding a suitable venue;
Advertising your course;
Training materials available;
Content of the syllabus;
Finding and developing lecturers;
Possible changes in the future;
Attracting younger people and making contact with schools;
Assisting people with sight, hearing and other impediments.
ZS listeners of QNEWS should contact Peter Hers, ZS6PHD,
as soon as possible via email to zs6phd@mweb.co.za or on
his cell phone at 083 445 4634.
(sarl)
INTRUDER WATCH - ENFORCEMENT ZONE -
Get Ready For Book RFI
Remember those Radio Frequency I-D tags that are of such concern to
ham radio? Well you will never guess where they are about to show
up. Ken Butler, W1NNR, tells us:
The San Francisco Public Library's plans to track books by inserting
an RFID tag to each one. These are the same radio tags that hams
tried to get the FCC to not deploy earlier this year.
Now, library officials in the Bay area say that they will install the
RFID's, into the roughly two million books, CDs and audio visual
materials patrons can borrow. The system still needs funding and
probably will not be ready for deployment until at least 2005.
So in a few years when you receive QRM to your ham radio operations,
you might find that its coming from that novel you are reading late
at night.
(Science Today via ARNewsLine to qnews from vk7wi)
STILL WITH ARNewsLine; A FLORIDA MAN CONVICTED OF VIOLATING DMCA
A Boca Raton Florida man has been convicted of selling hardware to
illegally tap into DirecTV satellite broadcasts. Following a four-
day trial in federal court, a jury has found that Thomas Michael
Whitehead guilty of one count of conspiracy, two counts of selling
devices designed to unlawfully decrypt satellite television
programming and three counts of violating the Digital Millennium
Copyright Act.
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act is a 1998 federal law that makes
it illegal to make or sell any technology designed to get around copy
protection measures such as the electronic cards used by DirecTV to
give consumers access to its programming. With his conviction,
Whitehead becomes the first person to be found guilty by a jury under
it. He faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison and up
to up to $2.75 million in fines.
DITTER TWO -- THE RETURN OF THE DITTER
Some solid teamwork between the FCC and the ARRL and accurate
direction-finding led some Amateur Radio volunteers to the source of an
unidentified and continuous string of dits being transmitted without
identification on 14.024.8 MHz. The situation last week was eerily similar
to one more than three years ago, when another volunteer eventually
tracked down another "ditter"
The FCC's HFDF facility was able to localise the signal's source to
vicinity of Houston, Texas. ARRL South Texas Official Observer
Coordinator Carl Griffin, KA5KQZ, was asked to see if any of his volunteers
had direction-finding equipment that could pin it down.
Two of them took on the challenge. Their DFing led to a location in a
Houston suburb that was within three miles of where the FCC's HFDF
facility said it would be.
As in the earlier case, "Ditter II" apparently had no idea his station was
transmitting. "I called him on the phone, and he went and checked the
station and it had something up against the keyer," one of the volunteers
said in his report to Griffin. "He was embarrassed." Left unanswered was
why the unidentified amateur's transmitter was powered up and ready to
transmit in the first place.
(ARRL LETTER)
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
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 23 Nov Bridge to Bridge Ski Run
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.)
A reminder that the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic is on again this weekend,
8th and 9th of November. This is a large event and many operators are
providing a comprehensive safety network along the course, which runs
along the Hawkesbury River from Windsor to Brooklyn.
Two more events coming up in November are the Bridge to Bridge Ski Race on
Sunday the 23rd and the RTA Cycle Sydney bike ride on the 30th. Operators
are required for both events and interested members should contact
WICEN Operations.
WICEN operators in the Sydney region are reminded that the WICEN VHF net is
held on the first Thursday of every month at 2100 local time, on the linked
repeaters VK2RAT and VK2RWK (both 70cm) and VK2RWS (on 2m - 147.175) Prior
to this, the WICEN state-wide HF net is held at 2030 local time on 3.60MHz.
RESCUE RADIO INTERNATIONAL
AMATEUR RADIO SUPPORT CONTINUES IN CALIFORNIA FIRE DISASTER
Ham radio volunteers continue to play a role, supplementing communication
at two of nine shelters in the area.
It's estimated that approximately 200 Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) volunteers have
participated so far in the fire emergency with about 100 in the field
at any given time.
Amateur Radio SSTV equipment was being used to assist firefighters in San
Bernardino. The radio equipment and operators go out on the fire trucks
and video what they see back to the command centre.
KCOP REPORTS ON HAMS DOING FIRE DUTY
Los Angeles television station KCOP appears to be the only one so far
to mention the role the role ham radio operators are playing in
fighting the Southern California wildfires.
On Monday night October 27th, the stations 11 P.M. newscast showed
video of a group of unidentified hams at their radios in the Los
Angeles western suburb of Simi Valley. At the same time anchorman
Rick Garcia read a brief synopsis of what the radio amateurs were
doing. It explained how the hams could provide communications
between the various relief agencies that could not speak directly
with one another.
While short and simple, the report was well written, accurate and
nicely done. KCOP is one of two Fox owned stations serving the Los
Angeles area. (ARNewsline(tm) and ARRL Letter)
QNEWS "States of our Nation."
VK3
PRESIDENT JIM LINTON
http://www.wiavic.org.au
wiavic@wiavic.org.au
Radio hams bouncing off the moon
ABC Presenter, Steve Martin has covered the annual Ballarat Hamfest,
speaking with Hamfest organiser Ian McDonald who has been involved in
'ham' radio for 35 years.
Steve covered such topics as "how a licence is obtained", how one
starts a conversation with someone the other side of the globe they've
never met
Ian told of how the internet now plays a significant role in the
enhancement of our hobby and singled out the IRLP in particular,
and Satellites and Moon bounce in general.
(Ron Bertrand)
VK4
PRESIDENT VK4ERM EWAN McLEOD
http://www.wia.org.au/vk4
Fees for WIAQ for next year will range from $95 to $32, check out the
wia.org.au/vk4 site for full details
VK4TTT Samantha has let us know She is successfully replaying QNEWS
audio files over the vk4rft repeater.
RX Frequency 147.975 MHz
Tx Frequency 147.375 MHz
CTCSS Tone 107.2
These broadcasts are DAILY at 1.00PM. Samantha hopes very soon to be able to
bring to the Gold Coast a replay of VK7WIA News on Sunday and Mondays, She
is still awaiting approval from VK7 Council for this.
Commands can be found at http://www.vk4rft.id.au
Also streaming at http://streaming.vk4rft.id.au:8000
(Samantha Scafe, Female Technologies 04 1375 5884)
VK7
PRESIDENT:- Phil Corby (VK7ZAX)
http://www.wia.org.au/vk7
NORTHERN BRANCH NEWS
Success, at the October Northern Branch Meeting a record 70 members and
guests, attended a gala night and display by Strong Australia. The evening
culminated in a visual display of the many facets of Digital and
Satellite TV.
Northern Branch November meeting shall be in Block -B Alanvale TAFE College,
12th November, time 7-30 PM.
VK8
http://www.wia.org.au/vk5
Amateur Radio in the NT news :
VK8NSB, Darwin AR Club President Stuie has had an article on himself
and Amateur Radio published in the NT News. Great publicity for AR
in the top end!
INTERNATIONAL
WEIRD AND WONDERFUL
NO MORE USE OF THE WORD E-MAIL IN FRANCE
A letter from France says their government has said goodbye to the term
e-mail in favour of the native language term courriel. A word that
linguistically sensitive France is now using to refer to electronic mail
in all official documents and hopes that the public will adopt as well.
Frances' Culture Ministry announced a ban on the use of e-mail in all
government ministries, documents, publications or Web sites on July
18th. This, as the latest step to stem what it sees as an incursion
of English words into the French language.
Courriel is a contraction of the two words and is a term that has
often been used in French speaking Quebec Canada. The ministry's
General Commission on Terminology and Neology insists Internet
surfers in France are broadly using the term "courrier electronique''
instead of e-mail - a claim some industry experts dispute.
And we thought that you would like to know!
(Published reports 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
QNEWS available in Audio after 1400hrs utc Friday.
Fees for WIAQ for next year will be:-
Grade Fee Description of Grade
F $95 Full member receiving AR
A $95 Associate member receiving AR
W $69 Member , QTC posted
X $63 Member, QTC emailed
G $81 Concession(Pensioner) receiving AR
Z $60 Pensioner, QTC posted
Y $54 Pensioner, QTC emailed
T $59 Student receiving AR
V $38 Student, QTC posted
U $32 Student, QTC emailed
M $32 Family member (no AR or QTC)
CLUB ACTIVITY WITH BRIAN COLEMAN VK4LH IN MACKAY
CITY OF BRISBANE RADIO SOCIETY
PRESIDENT Mick VK4NE
Moreton College of TAFE off Cavendish road Mt Gravatt.
on the 4th floor in Block B 7.30pm Tuesday 11th is next club meet.
GOLD COAST AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY
Vice President Kaye reminds us of activity, and thanks all who
visited HAMFEST Saturday.
---------- kayes audio in here -----------
Remember the 30th November as this is the day we defend the Kortz Cup
with the Lismore Group and the picnic will take place at 10.30am at
Bicentennial Park, Pottsville. This is a more suitable venue as it is
flat, plenty of room and bush trails for fox hunting and also shelter
should the day turn bad.
Wicen members call in every Tuesday evening at 20.00hrs on 146.950 for
exercises and call ins.
The club House is open every Saturday at 85 Harper Street Nerang at 1pm
and amateurs are welcome to come on in and say Hi.
On the 6th December at 10.00am will be our last General Meeting for the year
and look forward to meeting members and then on the 13th December will be
the Club Christmas Party, everything will be supplied by the club so we
will be looking forward to catching up with friends we haven't seen for a
while.
Remember exams can be held at the clubhouse at any time to suit the
candidate just contact our Education Officer Kath vk4ku on 3339-3530
Fast track and AOCP courses will be held in the new year and once again
please contact Kath for more information.
That's all for now Kaye vk4hka Vice President/Publicity Officer
Thanks Kaye, now up the road apiece to LOGAN WEST where President Pete
says the November meeting has been cancelled.
ROCKHAMPTON
19th November the RADAR Club meets at Charles St SES building Rockhampton
7.30 pm
The Rockhampton Club Annual Dinner will be held on Tuesday the 2nd December
at the Rockhampton Leagues Club. 6.30pm. $20 covers buffet meal and
limited drinks.
Attendees are asked to bring along a small Xmas wrapped present to be
auctioned on the night.
SUMMERLAND AR CLUB (VK2)
COLLINEAR ANTENNA MAKE DAY, Sun. 16 Nov.
70cm and UHF CB antenna day, $12 for bits.
Names to Ian VK2IGS if not already listed.
Also the next Committee Meeting this day.
KORTZ KUP KONTEST, Sun, 30 Nov.
Tweed Bicentennial Environmental Park, Pottsville.
Summerland area members are encouraged to get along,
beat the banana benders of GCARS.
Fox Hunts, other things, BBQ etc, great spot.
From about 1000L onwards, fun and yarn.
SARC CHRISTMAS BBQ DAY. Sun 7 Dec.
At the Clubrooms, Richmond Hill.
Usual arrangements from about 1000L to BBQ Lunch and afternoon.
SUNSHINE COAST CAR RALLY
Finish will now be at a park with barbeques and kids play equipment,
so the sausage sizzle will be a BYO turn out.
Gordon VK4VP reminds us of the 9:00am start 23rd of November at the
Ettamoggah Pub, southern end of the car park near the tourist information
sign.
TABLELANDS RADIO AND ELECTRONICS CLUB'S XMAS PARTY AND SIT DOWN MEAL
HAPPENS THIS MONTH, THAT'S ON NOVEMBER 29.
TOWNSVILLE
TeleText page 919
vk4wit@wia.org.au
http://www.vk4tub.org/tarc/
Regional News :
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 midday 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 11-30am and parking in the main lower car park
near the entry to the National Broadcast centre.
(Gavin/VK4ZZ with info from Ian/VK4ZT)
theTARCinc AGM 2003
theTARCinc AGM 2003 is on
at the Royal Hotel Bistro Garden
cnr Stagpole St and Sidney St West End
22nd November 2003 start rolling up 7pm for a 7-30pm start
for dinner. AGM starting at 8-30pm
Sumptuous meal at 25dB per head.
Attendance numbers to MATMAN ASAP for catering
purposes no later than by the November management meeting.
email tarc.secretary@bigpond.com or
vk4wit@wia.org.au
October Backscatter carries the AGM agenda,
previous AGM minutes and proxy form.
(Gavin/VK4ZZ)
theTARCinc XMAS Party , Monster Kilometre of Treasure & XMAS Parcel Auction
It's that time again! Hasn't it rolled around quickly!
The Townsville Amateur Radio Club (Inc) will be holding its 2003
Christmas Party and End of Year breakup at the following venue:
Aitkenvale State School
Sid DeGraaff Memorial Swimming Pool Complex
Nathan Street Aitkenvale (opposite K-Mart).
Sunday December 14th, 2pm to 7pm EST.
The Monster Kilometre of Treasure Auction (this year at least
100 metres long) starts at 2pm EST on the dot, presiding will be
the auctioneer of renown, Wally/VK4DO and each item of monster
treasure in turn will be held at eye level by that monstrous barrel girl,
Gavin/VK4ZZ.
The Sumptuous BBQ gets underway from 5pm EST.
Bring your own drinks. Due to a strict safety rule
NO GLASS CONTAINERS/BOTTLES FOR BEVERAGES ARE PERMITTED
WITHIN THE POOL COMPLEX.
Bring your cozzie as the Olympic-sized pool with its sun shade
overhead is a delight to swim in during the hot afternoon.
Bring a wrapped mystery present of small value for the traditional
XMAS Parcel Auction which will be held after the BBQ!
Bring any stuff you need to shift from the shack to make room for all
the stuff you will take back home after the Monster Kilometre of
Treasure Auction!
and of course Bring your Moolah with you! Treasury Hour will commence
after the BBQ so you can pay your 2004 Club Dues and also for the
heaps of treasures you successfully collected at the 2 auctions.
Hope to see you there!
MXLT - The Monster Xmas Lights Tour
(MXLT - unpronounceable but true!)
The TARC Monster Xmas Lights Tour will be happening in 2003 !
The tour mobiles will assemble from Friday 19th December at 6pm at the
Garbutt Shopping Centre Carpark, entry via Gorden Street
(yep the street that Gorden Tallis is named after ! )
BYO gastronomic delights and drinkies for dinner in a commercial sunset
setting.
After consuming the delights wander over to the displays across the road and
see if you can correctly count the number of Steve Prices in each display!
Once darkness falls the XMAS Lights Display group mobiles will proceed in
tag-a-long fashion under the guidance of Wallaby Bob and Jeanette.
The TARC Monster Xmas Lights Tour will be joined by Mr and Mrs Santa
and will tour all the best light displays in the Townsville / Thuringowa area
until late in the evening with lots of stops along the way to allow the group
to get out and appreciate the larger displays and talk
to the people who have laboured long and hard to put the displays together.
Tour participants are asked to be self sufficient with seating, tables,
drinkies
and nibblies and dress up for the occasion!
A running commentary of the light displays plus positional information for
any stragglers will take place on 146.500MHz simplex.
Not used to driving at night or without wheels for the tour?
Let theTARCinc know so one of the tour participants can pick you up!
Got any questions? Contact your MXLT organiser of renown - Wallaby Bob.
More Regional Activities Calendar :
8th Nov theTARCinc visits the Theatre Restaurant
14th Nov Official opening of theTARCinc VHF repeater - Mt Stuart midday
27th Nov TREC Mighty Xtal Set Contest - judged by Felix/VK4FUQ
29th Nov TREC Christmas Party - sitting down to a meal at the Atherton
RSL - All welcome !
MAJOR GATHERINGS IN VK4 FOOTPRINT
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. 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
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
HERVEY BAY
Geoff Stephenson, VK4OT 4124 4764
Albert Woodward, VK4IK 4124 4863
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
QNEWS available in Audio after 1400hrs utc Friday.
Chris VK4AA reads each weeks contest time table for 2003-4
===========================================================
* denotes new addition to calendar
Date Contest
---- -------
2003
Nov
15 - 16 ARRL International EME Competition
15 - 17 ARRL November Sweepstakes (Phone)
Dec
5 - 7 ARRL 160 Meter Contest
13 - 14 ARRL 10 Meter Contest
26 ROSS HULL VHF CONTEST
2004
Aug 21-22 Lighthouse Activation Weekend.
==============================================================
G'Day all once again. I've been growling of late that not much has
been happening on the Contests scene over the past few weeks, so if you
have a good idea for a contest theme, perhaps you could put it in an
E-mail and whack it off to contests@wia.org.au
And yes, that's the E-mail address for the WIA's Federal Contests Manager.
However, before you send us lengthy details of contests you've heard or
read about, we should again explain that QNEWS only lists contests whose
details are supplied to us by the Contest Managers themselves, or by the
WIA and other national bodies.
We should also mention that discussing any specific contests on QNEWS
doesn't mean that QNEWS or the WIA Queensland Division in any way endorses,
supports or vouches for the accuracy of the information provided.
Okay, so what's coming up in the next few weeks?
Next weekend should put a smile on some dials, with two contests going to
air. November 15 and 16 sees the ARRL International EME Competition, which
should see the likes of VK3UM and VK3AAU kept very busy. I wonder how many
operators in this part of the world are actively engaged in Moonbounce?
November 15 to 17 also sees the ARRL November Sweepstakes for Phone, but a
quick check with the ARRL reveals this one to be only for stations in the
United States and Canada to work as many other US and Canadian stations as
possible on 160 to 10 metres.
That rules out most of our audience, I'm afraid.
But if the HF bands have sufficiently recovered from their joust with that
whopper sunspot, you should hear additional traffic on 160 to 10 metres
next weekend.
But that's really about the end of Contesting for this year in the Antipodes,
save for the challenging Ross Hull Contest, which starts on Boxing Day,
December 26 and runs for a gruelling 11 days.
Now here's one for those of you with an IBM-compatible personal computer.
It's a great new 'freeware' program called GEO 2005 ES, an HF Distance and
Bearing Finder which sounds almost too good to be true. In short, you tell
the program where you are using your Locator, then the Locator of other
stations you hear in contests, and right away you have the position of the
other station in Degrees, Minutes and Seconds, the distance to the station
in both Kilometres and Nautical Miles, plus the station's bearing in degrees.
Could be very handy indeed in your amateur shack, and it's absolutely free.
The program can be downloaded from http://home19.inet.tele.dk/oz1jm
The page you'll wind up on is in the Danish language, but thankfully,
keywords like Download are in English, and the program itself is
available in an English language version. We're told that other amateur
programs are also available on site.
We have to thank EI9CSB and his Irish Ham News Service for the news on
GEO2005ES.
Now, turning to operating news, members of the Stu Rockers group are on air
until November 10 for an event called Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Look for the call N8F on 40 through 10 metres and QSL to Richard W8VS.
A group of ZS Division 1 amateurs, all members of the Boland Amateur Radio
Club, will operate a Special Event Station over the weekend November 21 to 23,
from the Sutherland Observatory in the Northern Cape Province of South
Africa. The purpose is to make amateurs around the world aware of the
largest telescope in the Southern Hemisphere.
The station will be identified by the callsign ZS1SALT (the acronym for
South African Large Telescope, of course). All HF frequencies will be used
and the station can be worked on phone, CW and digital modes.
Please note, however, that the only QSL route is direct. To get your special
event card, write to PO Box 273, Strand 7140, South Africa.
For additional information on the project, please visit the website:
www.salt.ac.za
as well as the Boland Amateurradioklub website at:
www.qsl.net/zs1bak
(SARL)
From Vietnam, 3W, we learn that Eddy is QRV as 3W-22-S until December 31 to
celebrate the 22nd South East Asian Games hosted in Vietnam.
QSL via operator's instructions.
We'll close off this part of QNEWS this week with a quick recap of a few
other special event stations on the air as we speak. Station VI8NT is being
aired by the Darwin Amateur Radio Club. VI8NT should remain active until
the 31st of December.
QSL direct to VK6NE or go via the Bureau.
And from Brazil, listen out for ZW-90-S, on air to celebrate the oldest
Scout Group in Brazil. If you catch ZW90S, QSL via PY3ARD.
Finally, station ZS-90-S-A-P is on the air now to celebrate the 90th
anniversary of the founding of the South African Police Service.
QSL Manager for ZW90SAP is ZS-6-ZYM
That's my lot, so I'll catch you next time around.
Cheers all from Chris, VK3CE / VK4AA
DX EDGE, with BEACON and NET ADVICE
An update to the plight of the plight of the Dxpedition group forced
to flea Annabon Island a few weeks ago. Jeramy Boot, G4NJH, is in
Nottingham England with the rest of the story.
We reported two weeks ago that the 3C0V DXpedition to Annobon Island -
off the west coast of Africa - had been forced to close down but at
that time the reason for the enforced closure was not known. A press
release has now been issued by the 3C0V team which says that all
four operators - DJ9ZB, EA5YN, EA5FO and EA5BYP - are now back home
safe and sound.
The press release says that each operator had proper individual
licences and the group had written authorisation to import and
operate amateur radio equipment on the island. However, on the 4th of
October the military authorities there demanded that the group should
dismantle the stations and leave for the Equatorial Guinea capital.
Two days later DJ9ZB and EA5FO were allowed to leave the country but
the other two team members remained in the capital until the 10th,
when they were eventually able to return to Spain.
Jeramy Boot, G4NJH.
The complete press release is in cyberspace at www.tabarca.es.mn
(gb2rs via arnewsline)
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/
For those seeking DX YL contacts, try 14.222 MHz at 0530 UTC Mondays.
There are also YL activity days on the sixth of each month -
call CQ YL on the hour on 14.188, 21.188 or 28.588 MHz.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FIFTY AND OVER
(the plumbers delight)
FCC Opens 70, 80, and 90 GHz bands for broadband commercial use in the USA
To promote the development of an additional competitive broadband deployment
platform, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted service
rules for the commercial use of spectrum in the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz, and
92-95 GHz bands.
The amateur 75 GHz band was relocated by WRC-03 to the frequency range
76-81.5 GHz with the sub band 77.5 to 78 GHz being a primary allocation.
Except for the secondary segment between 80 and 80.5 GHz, the new FCC
allocations will not overlap the amateur radio bands in the USA.
(Radio Amateurs of Canada news site)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FISTS CLUB DOWN UNDER
http://fistsdownunder.morsekeys.com
Editor & QSL Manager for ZL is Nigel Hardy, ZL2TX,
20 Greenwood Boulevard, R D 1, Otaki 5560, New Zealand
Newsletter Distributor/QSL Manager for VK:
Chris Thompson, VK2MQX, 350a, Old Windsor Road,
Old Toongabbie, N.S.W. 2146, Australia.
Tel: 02 9636 7730
vk2mqx@wia.org.au
FISTS Chat Net times
0930 UTC CW & 1030 UTC SSB 3545 kHz, Thursdays.
CW Practice Net run by VK3FGE-Dave-#9088
0930 UTC 3545 kHz, Wednesdays (Check in on SSB)
Suggested FISTS calling frequencies:-
(160M) 1.808 MHz,
(80M) 3.528 MHz,
(40M) 7.028 MHz,
(30M) 10.118 MHz,
(20M) 14.058 MHz,
(17M) 18.085 MHz,
(15M) 21.058 MHz, 21.158 MHz
(12M) 24.918 MHz,
(10M) 28.058 MHz. 28.158 MHz
Fists extend a very warm welcome to the following new members:
VK4KSS - Adam # 9619, lives in Browns Plains, Queensland,
VK2UK - Ted # 9620, is from Heckenberg, New South Wales,
VK8CAW - Karl # 9621, is FISTS only VK8 member, since the departure of
VK8JC to the U.S.A. sometime ago.
He lives in Darwin.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- Internet Linking of Repeaters
LISTEN ONLY to IRLP reflector 2
http://www.kwarc.org/listen
NEW DARWIN IRLP BROADCAST
After some teething problems with the 7000 repeater Mike has
now got the IRLP system up and running at 100% on the Repeater
Mike VK8ZMA will be starting a new Broadcast called TWIAR -
THIS WEEK IN AMATEUR RADIO - This broadcast is from the U.S.A and
will run at 2pm Local Darwin time Sunday afternoons on 147.000.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO SCOUTING
TeleText page 958
http://www.scouts.com.au/discover/index.html
http://www.scout.org/jota
All Units and Groups participating in JOTA are asked to submit reports
to their respective National JOTA organisers, here in VK that's
Steve Watson our National Coordinator.
These will be used in the National Reports to the W.O.S.M. in Geneva.
Also helps speed up badges awards certificates for YOUR kids who operated.
Reports should if possible include photographs and press cuttings, also short
file length MP3's of more memorable contacts.
(sourced to irts)
REWIND
WIA FEDERAL HISTORIAN IS VK3AFU
HOME HILL POWER MUSEUM SWITCHES 'ON'
North Queensland has turned the spotlight on its historic electricity
and irrigation linkages, with Energy Minister Paul Lucas officially
opening the new Home Hill Power Station Museum.
This as part of the Home Hill Harvest Festival celebrations.
The history of the Home Hill Power Station is fascinating, as it was built
in 1922 to power the Inkerman Irrigation Scheme, which was the second
State operated irrigation scheme.
The power station brought electricity to the district before it arrived in
Townsville, and played a crucial role in Home Hill's development.
The original red brick power station building still stands, and is the
most significant historical structure in the district, yet many people
don't know it was ever a power station.
By locating this museum in the main street, just down from the power
station, it's now highly visible to the travelling public.
(Media Contact: Alison Smith 04 0716 6084)
IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK:-
NATIONAL NEWS
PROJECT X
WIA Restructuring with VK4 President Ewan McLeod .
NATIONAL NEWS - YOU HAVE MAIL
WIA news available by private e-mail.
AUDIO NEWS SERVICES:-
EDUCATION YOUTH AND ADVANCEMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO PRESENTED BY VK4CO
Ron Bertrand of the Radio & Electronics School.
ZS NATIONAL RADIO AMATEUR'S EXAMINATION WORKSHOP
INTRUDER WATCH - ENFORCEMENT ZONE -
Get Ready For Book RFI
MAN CONVICTED OF VIOLATING DMCA
DITTER TWO -- THE RETURN OF THE DITTER
WICEN/RESCUE RADIO INTERNATIONAL WITH ROBERT VK3KRB
WICEN VK2
RESCUE RADIO INTERNATIONAL
AMATEUR RADIO SUPPORT CONTINUES IN CALIFORNIA FIRE DISASTER
KCOP REPORTS ON HAMS DOING FIRE DUTY
QNEWS "States of our Nation."
VK3
VK4
VK7
VK8
WEIRD AND WONDERFUL
NO MORE USE OF THE WORD E-MAIL IN FRANCE
Fees for WIAQ for next year will be:-
CLUB ACTIVITY WITH BRIAN COLEMAN VK4LH IN MACKAY
CITY OF BRISBANE RADIO SOCIETY
GOLD COAST AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY
LOGAN WEST where President Pete
ROCKHAMPTON
SUMMERLAND AR CLUB (VK2)
SUNSHINE COAST CAR RALLY
TABLELANDS RADIO AND ELECTRONICS CLUB'S XMAS PARTY AND SIT DOWN MEAL
TOWNSVILLE
MAJOR GATHERINGS IN VK4 FOOTPRINT
WIA EXAMINATIONS IN VK4
VK4 AMATEURS WHO ARE JP's
Chris VK4AA reads each weeks contest time table for 2003-4
DX EDGE, with BEACON and NET ADVICE
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ALARA
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FIFTY AND OVER
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FISTS CLUB DOWN UNDER
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- Internet Linking of Repeaters
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO SCOUTING
REWIND
HOME HILL POWER MUSEUM SWITCHES 'ON'
***************************
QNEWS - we've reported...YOU decide.
Compiled by VK4BB /
Special Interest Group news read by VK4FUQ, VK4AA presents Contests
Packet: qnews@vk4wie.#bne.qld.aus.oc
Read previous mail | Read next mail
| |
