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VK7AX > BCAST 20.05.23 04:50l 552 Lines 24376 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: VK7 Amateur Radio News 21May23
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VK7 Amateur Radio News 21May23
Text edition:
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VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 21st May 2023
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Welcome to the VK7 Amateur Radio News and this was first broadcast on Sunday the 21st May 2023. At the mike of VK7WI this week is Rick, VK7RI.
On Sunday this broadcast goes out on repeaters all over VK7 and on digital radio - DMR Talk Group 5 and D-Star Reflector 91C by VK7ZCR.
We go out on medium and high frequency courtesy of the following rebroadcast stations:
On 1.862 MHz by Graham, VK7GS
On 3.670 MHz by Ross, VK7ALH
On 7.140 MHz by Garry, VK7JGD,
On 14.130 MHz by Justin, VK7TW and
On 28.525 MHz by Tony, VK7VKT.
We also go out on UHF CB Channel 15 thanks to Mark VK7FMAC in the Hobart area.
You can hear this broadcast again on Tuesday night at 8:00pm on repeaters VK7RAA in Northern VK7 and VK7RHT in Southern VK7.
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Silent Key
Norm Thorley VK7KTN SK
It is with deep sadness that NTARC reports the passing of Norm VK7KTN, who became a Silent Key on the 15th of May.
In the late 70s, Norm and his friend Gerry Sulzberger worked towards their Advanced Amateur Licenses via 'night school' at the Launceston Technical College. They were both successful and were issued with the call-signs VK7KTN and VK7ZA respectively. (now SK)
Norm and wife Lorraine joined NTARC in 2009. They have been long standing NTARC club members and have been very active in many club activities.
Norm was elected Committee Member in 2012 and a year later he took on the role of Treasurer which he held until 2015.
Also in 2013 he took on the newly created position of the NTARC Safety Communications Coordinator which he passionately held until 2022, when he reluctantly stepped down due to ill health. While in this position he became deeply involved in Tasmanian Equine Endurance riding events.
In 2018, it was Tasmanias turn to host the National Tom Quilty Gold Cup Endurance ride in Scottsdale, so Norm stepped up to the plate and took on the role of Safety Communications coordinator. Norm was in his element. Being a “people person” he was able to effectively liaise with organisers and provide leadership for the NTARC team, helping to make it an excellent and fun event.
NTARC has continued its communications support for local and state Equine rides ever since, thanks to the strong relationships with Equine clubs and organisations that Norm had built up.
We will miss his friendly banter at morning coffees and his sage advice. Our condolences to Lorraine, Simone and Steven.
Vale Norm VK7KTN (SK), we will miss you.
From the NTARC committee.
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WIA VK7 Centenary
Event News
As heard on the WIA National News the centenary of organised amateur radio in VK7 happens in June 2023 and we thank the WIA Board for their support of this event.
The VK7 Centenary committee is planning a host of events that will include:
For the month we will be operating special callsign - VK7WIA.
We are finalising the arrangements for callsign booking and logging system so VK7 amateurs will be able to book, operate and log contacts for their roster period.
AR Magazine for May-June will have a focus on VK7 history with a great article by Richard VK7RO on over a century of VK7 radio history. There will be a number of historical articles over the rest of 2023 AR Magazines.
There will be a special QSL card and award certificate for contacting VK7WIA during June.
There will be a WIA National News Broadcast run by VK7 on 18th June.
There will be Open Days around VK7 during June incorporating media opportunities, historical displays and special operating days;
In the North West there will be an Open Day on Saturday 24th June, in the North their Open Day will be on Saturday the 18th June and in the South their Open Day will be on Saturday 10th June, and,
There will be a focus on 100 years of VK7 Amateur Radio history and the standing up of a VK7 Amateur Radio News history web-based repository.
If you have an idea for the centenary month of June please let your club representative know - In the North - Peter VK7PD, in the North West - Eric VK7EV or in the South - Rod VK7TRF.
73, VK7 Centenary Committee
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QSL NEWS
Report - from Herman VK7HW Manager of the WIA VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
The updated list of QSL Cards held as at 19 May 2023 is in the email version of the broadcast.
If you have any questions re QSL cards, please contact Herman by email vk7bureau(at)wia.org.au
If you do not wish to receive QSL Cards please let me know as well as operators of the stations you work.
73, Herman, VK7HW, WIA Manager VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
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The following Cards have been left at REAST Club House in one envelope on Notice Board.
HSD, JB, SD, WN (0), XTC, ZBX
The following cards will be mailed this weekend for NTARC to DW
AT, BO, DW, GC, HBR, ZR
Usual cards will be mailed to AN and KT during next week as will others.
Cards held at 19 May 2023
A, AAA, AAD, AAE, AAH, AAP, AAR, AB, AC, AD, ACE, ACG, ACN, ADE, AED, AG(2014), AGC, AHT, AIR, AJC, AKK, AL, ALZ, AM, ANC, AO, AP, APZ, AR, AS, AT, ATH, AXZ, AY, AZ
BA, BB, BO, BPV, BT, BYE
CH/T, CJ, CL, CMV, CV, CX
DD, DM, DN, DO, DQ, DX, DW, DZ
EG, ER
FALX (alx), FAZZ, FCIA, FLAR, FLYN, FF, FG, FGGT, FPRN, FRJG(RG), FTAS
GA, GC, GGZ, GM, GR, GZ
HBR, HCH, HOB, HL, HPD, HRS, HSA, HSJ, HVK, HWW, HXT, HZ
IAN, IK, IS
JA, JAZ, JCR, JGD, JJ, JOK, JON, JP, JW
KAC, KBA, KD, KDO, KI, KJ, KKR, KL, KO
LAW, LDH, LJ, LLL, LM, LT, LVH, LW
MAG, MAT, MBD, MBP, MC, MD, MEL, MET, MR, MRS, MS
NA, NC, NET, NFI, NIK, NRF, NRT, NSE, NTE, NVH,NWQ
OB,OR
PAF, PBD, PM, PRN, PSJ, PSZ, PW
QK
ROY
SN, STO, SV
T/ch, TCE, TED, TK, TL, TO, TS, TX
VA, VAC, VAZ, VDC, VEK, VR, VTM, VZ
WA, WC, WIA, WL, WO, WT, WX
XDM, XV, XX
YN, YUM
ZJJ, ZK, ZM, ZR, ZT
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Statewide News
Thursday Night SSTV Nets
Another busy net night that saw the following participants, VK7s – KT, FGGT, BEN, PAK, PD,OO, ZAB, ZBX and ZCF all sharing forty photos via the link.
There were various subjects like:
A transport theme with prime movers, a Holden on exhibition and fighter jets at sea
Another ornithologist special which encompassed local murals
A radio activation at Gravelly Beach
Driftwood on a beach with a few reminders for the Winter Field Day
Transceiver setups
An interesting series of farm type windmills and
A fantastic series of "Ice flowers" on Heilong and Songhua rivers in China.
Remember to enable your FSK ID in the TX and RX setups.
Note, that Ken VK7KRJs and Steve VK7OOs fully automatic 24/7 monitoring sites allow anyone who has sent an SSTV picture the ability to check them on their pages almost immediately, any time, both South and North Tasmania.
Also if you missed the net, there are archives of all SSTV nights. These photos can be seen on Kens 2m SSTV website as an infinitely-scrolling web page or on NTARCs website under blogs and arranged as weekly nets.
https://vk7oo.tasme.com/vhfsstv
https://sstv.vk7krj.com/scrolling%20web%20gallery.html
https://www.ntarc.net/blogs
73 from Andre VK7ZAB
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NEWS FROM THE NORTH
SOTA/WWFF PARKS GROUP
The Summits On The Air/World Wide Flora and Fauna parks group meets twice weekly – Mondays and Fridays 10.30AM till 12.00 at the Glebe Gardens Cafe, Henry Street, Launceston.
For more information contact Al on 0417 354 410.
73, Al, VK7AN
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Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club Incorporated
www.ntarc.net
Many members of NTARC were present at the “Celebration of the Life” of Norm VK7KTN, which was held on Friday at Mersey Gardens Devonport. The NTARC tribute was presented by Peter VK7KPC.
Last Wednesday night Andrew VK7DW took us into the wonderful world of the GreenCube satellite, specifically Italy Oscar 117 or IO-117, which was launched from French Guiana in July 2022.
The spacecraft main payload is composed of a pressurized vessel of approximately 20cm x 10cm x 10cm.
Within the pressure vessel is the experiment with microgreens seeds which hopefully will grow into little green plants, like the ones you can grow on your window sill. It is currently the farthest experiment ever of plant cultivation in microgravity. The satellite has the ability to monitor air composition and pressure, humidity, air recirculation, lighting conditions and, ultimately, to optically monitor the plants growth through Visible and InfraRed cameras.
The secondary payload developed by University of Stuttgart is a PPT (Pulsed Plasma Thruster) motor that will be used as additional attitude control system.
The third payload contains telecommunication systems including a Digipeater. This is where things get really interesting!
Andrew covered the basics behind the third payload and its implementation.
It uses an AX100 transceiver from GomSpace with a transmit frequency of 435.310 MHz Upper Side Band using Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying more commonly known as GMSK modulation. This is the modulation scheme used in GSM/CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data) technologies.
Telemetry function sends data periodically every 45 seconds. The Digipeater is scheduled to operate during the weekends only (from Friday at 00:01 UTC to Sunday at 23:59 UTC), with possible future extensions.
The Digipeater antennas are omnidirectional and circular polarisation.
Andrew found that the initial co-ordinates of satellites path were incorrect as far as the information passed on to the public was concerned, this makes it a bit hard to point something somewhere at some time. He thought it might be worth trying a simple vertical antenna and just listen to the frequency. Eventually his perseverance payed off and he started receiving the telemetry signal.
Moving forward somewhat, the predictive flight path information is now available and Andrew has set up his tracking app and motorized azimuth and elevation hardware on his beam. One thing to note is there is no beacon on this CubeSat so listen for the telemetry down link which occurs every 45 seconds.
Andrew went on to discuss hardware and software required to successfully utilise the on-board Digipeater facility for this satellite.
A 70cm receiver to decode packet data, or a transceiver to also utilise the Digipeater function.
Directional antenna, 10dBi recommended but fixed antenna can work.
Windows PC (can use OSX with 3rd party software)
Audio connection between radio and computer (may require sound modem)
Satellite tracking (web or software)
Digipeater software (free)
Modem software (free)
Packet forward software (free)
Advanced software operation would include antenna control for azimuth and elevation
And finally VFO control software for Doppler correction
Andrew then went on to discuss the “nitty gritty” of conducting QSOs via the Digipeater in real-time and produced many screen shots of QSO messaging logs.
The other Digipeater mode is “store and forward”. This delaying option will allow him to send a message and have the broadcast delayed by a couple of hours by which time the satellite foot print could be on the other side of the world when the message is broadcast. Then wait for the delayed reply from another amateur.
Andrew was surprised by the flood of Japanese operators on his first CQ. The main take home from this when establishing a QSO was “Dont Panic” as the satellite footprint is very large and each ‘visible pass can last up to one hour, allowing plenty of time to think.
This was an excellent and informative presentation by Andrew.
The tracking information and software links are available in the text version of this broadcast.
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Websites
• N2YO http://www.n2yo.com/
• AMSAT-NA http://www.amsat.org/track/
Software
• Gpredict http://gpredict.oz9aec.net/
• MacDoppler https://www.dogparksoftware.com/
Apps
• GoSatWatch https://apps.apple.com/
• Heavens-Above https://play.google.com/store/apps/
Decoding
• S5Lab GreenCube team provide software: GNURadio, GreenCubeTNC and GreenCubeDigi
• UZ7HO created the digi app and custom sound modem after the S5Lab release, most everyone has migrated to UZ7HO now
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UPCOMING EVENTS
The TestNet and TechNet session - Wednesday the 24th of May. TestNet/CW course on 3.580MHz from 7pm till 7.30pm…. and a TechNet on 3.567MHz from 7.30pm till about 8.30pm. Your host for the evening will be Nic VK7WW.
Coffee Morning - held every Friday in the NTARC Club rooms. Time is from 10am to noon and we look forward to seeing you all there. Why not pop in and join us for a cuppa there is endless tea and coffee along with biscuits available for a donation.
The Club Technical night - The next session will be on Wednesday the 31st of May and will commence at the usual time of 7.30 pm, running through to about 10.30 pm, at the Club room Archer Street, Rocherlea.
FINALLY - A reminder to all members that if you have any items of news you would like added to our weekly roundup, no matter how trivial, then please email them to the Secretary at the following address news(at)ntarc.net all items to be received no later than 5pm on the Friday prior to the Broadcast.
Thats all folks,
73 from Stefan, VK7ZSB, Secretary NTARC.
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NEWS FROM THE SOUTH
Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania
https://www.reast.asn.au/
https://www.facebook.com/reasttas/
https://www.youtube.com/reasthobart/
June Presentation
We thank Tony VK7XTC who has agreed to give us a presentation and maybe demonstration of his weather satellite receiving station.
Tony has been posting some impressive single and composite pass weather satellite pictures and Tony will be showing the equipment and software he uses to create these fantastic pictures.
This should be a great Centenary Month presentation night from 7:30pm on Wednesday 7th June 2023.
See you there.
https://fb.me/e/4pR7j5yqw
73, REAST Committee
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Southern Centenary Open Day
The Southern Centenary Open day happens on June 10th, 2023 from around 10 am up at the Queens Domain clubrooms.
There will be amateur radio displays and demonstrations and we are working on including:
Historical Display
Amateur Radio Training display
ALARA
SOTA/WWFF/POTA
Morse Code
Slow Scan Television
HamRadio DX Channel
Optical Communications
VK7OTC / VK7WIA - Station HF and Digital modes
DMR/DSTAR Demo
DATV Studio
Tas Maritime Radio Museum and Operations Room
5.7GHz ATV Transceivers
WICEN Communications
Internet DMR/Echolink Radio
Scouting/Guiding/JOTA
ADSB - Flight Tracking
Earth / Moon / Earth - Moonbounce
And more.
We are currently working on arrangements for the day and are hoping for good weather. There will of course be a Sausage Sizzle on the day.
If you can help on the day then please contact Rod VK7TRF who is coordinator of the day. Rod can be contacted at email: roja3kel(at)yahoo.com.au.
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DATV Experimenter's Night
https://fb.me/e/2JoFedbKt
Our DATV Experimenters Night over the month of May are a little different.
We are encouraging members to to bring along and share projects that they are currently designing, building, fixing, upgrading and they do not have to be amateur radio related.
We will not be having a DATV broadcast throughout May as we will be updating our DATV Studio with upgraded equipment.
We look forward to seeing you at the clubroms on a Wednesday night from around 6:30pm.
73, Justin, VK7TW
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Training and Assessments
The next REAST Foundation Licence training and all licence assessment day is next Saturday July 22nd.
If you are thinking of coming along then please let Reg Emmett VK7KK REAST Learning Organiser know ASAP by phoning 0417 391 607 or via the REAST Website Contact Form.
https://www.reast.asn.au/contact/online-contact-form/
Check out the REAST Foundation Licence Training Videos that can be found on the REAST YouTube Training and Assessment playlist.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsnsP_zjw831mdC6sY4XqavRUY-53ZWUn
And checkout the REAST Facebook page events for further details.
https://fb.me/e/2lrgEJgfd
73, Reg, VK7KK
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Technology News
Researchers create the first wooden transistor
Researchers at Linköping University and the KTH Royal Institute of Technology have created what was previously considered impossible: a wooden transistor. The study is more than just an engineering tour de force: it paves the way for further development of plant-based electronics
A transistor is a semiconductor device that can amplify or switch electronic signals and electrical power. It has three terminals that carry electrical current and helps make a connection to external circuits. Conventionally, transistors are built from semiconductor materials like silicon or germanium. These materials have special electric properties that make them excellent at controlling the flow of electric current.
Wood is evidently not a semiconductor. Wood doesnt conduct current. But if you treat it in a special way, the researchers found, it can be used in a transistor.
“Weve come up with an unprecedented principle. Yes, the wood transistor is slow and bulky, but it does work, and has huge development potential,” says Isak Engquist, senior associate professor at the Laboratory for Organic Electronics at Linköping University.
The researchers used balsa wood, as this type of wood is evenly structured throughout. They then removed the lignin parts that lend rigidity to wood and bark. This left only the long cellulose fibers with hollow channels where the lignin had been. Then, they filled the channels with a conductive type of plastic. This resulted in a material that behaved similar to a semiconductor.
These channels were then filled with a conductive plastic, or polymer, called PEDOT:PSS, resulting in an electrically conductive wood material.
This resulting structure was able to regulate electric current, switch power on and off, and provide continuous power at the selected level. It was pretty slow (it took a second to switch it off and a few seconds to turn it on), but it worked.
“This has resulted in a transistor where all three terminals are made of conductive wood and which can be operated continuously at the selected conductivity without being limited by, e.g., saturation effects. We expect this device and concept will be a stepping stone for the development of wood-based electrical components,” the researchers explain.
The researchers didnt have one specific application in mind.
“We didnt create the wood transistor with any specific application in mind. We did it because we could. This is basic research, showing that its possible, and we hope it will inspire further research that can lead to applications in the future,” says Isak Engquist.
However, they explain this invention ties into the recently developed field of wood electronics. The nature of mass transport in plants has recently inspired the development of low-cost and sustainable wood-based electronics, but without transistors, this field cant really take off.
A wood transistor, even a bulky one, could help regulate plant-based electronics, especially as the wood transistor is large and could regulate a high current with ease.
“As we step into the era of green technologies, there will be an increasing distinction between complex, nanoscale electronics on one hand and simple, large-size or large-area electronics on the other hand, the latter with special functionalities like biosensing, biointegration, biodegradability, etc. Bio-based materials will be the underpinning for the development of these functionalities.”
https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/researchers-create-the-first-wooden-transistor/
Written by by Mihai Andrei and sourced from the ZME Web E-zine
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Regular VK7 gatherings and events over the coming months:
Regular gatherings:
Sewing Circle Net – Daily on 3.640 MHz commences at 6:00pm AEST.
Statewide SSTV Net - held every Thursday night via the North/South Link on VK7RAF/VK7RJG from 7:30pm. In the North and North West - VK7RJG on 438.55 -7MHz and in the South - VK7RAF (146.650 -600kHz) CTCSS tone 141.3Hz to link RAF North-South.
State-wide – MICROWAVE QSO Party – following the Sunday broadcast call-back on 1296.15 MHz FM. One group in the greater Hobart area and another in the greater Launceston area.
Then North-south digital contacts on 1296.2MHz using Q65-60B.
Stations in the Launceston area transmitting on the odd minute. Southern stations on the even minute.
SOTA/WWFF Group – Meeting Mondays and Fridays 10.30-12.00 midday at Glebe Gardens Cafe, Henry St, Launceston.
NTARC - Fridays - Coffee mornings in the NTARC Club rooms from 10am to noon.
NTARC - Wednesday 31st May - Club Technical night - from 7.30 to 10.30 pm in the club room Archer Street, Rocherlea.
NTARC - Wednesday 24th May - TestNet and TechNet - TestNet/CW course on 3.580MHz from 7pm till 7.30pm and a TechNet on 3.567MHz from 7.30pm till about 8.30pm.
NW VK7 – Wednesday from 8:00pm local – NW Tassie Amateur Repeater Group Net on VK7RMD
NW VK7 - Thursday commencing at 8:30pm local) - N.W. Tassie 2m DX Net 144.190 USB
REAST – WAGS – Wednesday Afternoon Group meet in the Queens Domain Clubrooms from 12 noon.
REAST – DATV Experimenters Nights from 7:30pm live in the club rooms also on DVBT RF and YouTube Streaming
NW SSTV Nights - 22 May 2023 - hosted by Eric VK7EV from 7:30pm using VK7RMD 2m repeater on Mt Duncan on the 4th Monday in the Month.
Events:
VK7 - June 2023 - VK7 Amateur Radio Centenary
REAST - June 7 - Weather Satellite Reception with Tony VK7XTC
REAST - June 10 - Centenary Open Day - Queens Domain Clubrooms
NTARC - June 17 - Centenary Open Day - Scout Hall Archer St Rocherlea
NWTARC - June 24 - Centenary Open Day - Scout Hall Alexandra Rd Ulverstone
ALARA - November 2023 - ALARAMeet 2023 - Hobart Tasmania
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A reminder to those people rostered for next weeks broadcast:
Newsreader: VK7TW
Repeaters: REAST, NTARC and in the NW thanks to N W T A R C, West Coast Radio Group, Cradle Coast Radio Amateur Radio Club, VK7AX, and VK7DC
160m: VK7GS
80m: VK7JGD
40m: VK7TW
20m: VK7TPE
10m: VK7VKT
UHFCB15: VK7FMAC
DMR: Talk Group 5 and D-Star: Reflector 91C VK7ZCR
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You can hear this broadcast again on Tuesday night at 8:00pm on repeaters VK7RAA in Northern VK7 and VK7RHT in the South.
A huge thank you to all people and organisations that assisted with this broadcast.
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That concludes our VK7 Amateur Radio News Broadcast for this week.
You have been listening to or have just missed VK7WI. Next week the National WIA news can be heard at 0900 followed by the VK7 Amateur Radio News around 0930 hours.
Items for the broadcast can be emailed to vk7arnews(at)gmail.com
Further information about the broadcast can be found at the VK7 Amateur Radio News Groups.IO Group.
https://groups.io/g/vk7arnews
The deadline for items is 21:00 on Friday prior to the Sunday of the broadcast.
VK7WI is now closing but will reopen shortly for callbacks and relay reports. PLEASE NOTE: given the number of potential statewide callbacks we will be taking and acknowledging callsign only. Once the callbacks are over, there will be plenty of time to chat statewide about other matters.
Callbacks will be taken on the frequency to which you are listening. Relay stations will use their own callsigns during the callback.
On behalf of the VK7 Amateur Radio News Team, 73, stay safe from Rick, VK7RI.
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(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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