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VK7AX > BCAST 03.05.20 04:40z 417 Lines 21897 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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VK7 Amateur Radio News 03May20
Text edition: VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR MAY 3 2020
(Note.. please remove spaces in email addresses before using)
VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 3RD MAY 2020
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Welcome to the VK7 Amateur Radio News for the 3rd May 2020. This broadcast is brought to you by VK7WI, and read today by Idris, VK7ZIR.
This broadcast utilises repeaters around VK7 and the following HF rebroadcast stations:
On 3.670 MHz by Garry, VK7JGD
On 7.140 MHz by Mike, VK7FB
On 14.130 MHz by Ross, VK7ALH
On 28.525 MHz by Peter, VK7TPE
On DMR Talk Group 5 and D-Star Reflector 091 by Clayton, VK7ZCR
This broadcast is repeated on Tuesday night at 8:00pm on
repeaters VK7RAA in the North and VK7RTC in the South.
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WIA NATIONAL NEWS
VK7 Stepping Up
Given the current situation with COVID-19 and the cancellation of the WIA Annual Conference that was to be held in VK7 over the weekend of 8-10 May 2020, VK7 has been asked to host the WIA National News over the next two weekends of the 10th and 17th of May 2020.
We are looking for people from all around VK7 to be involved in the reading and recording of segments for the WIA National News then please contact me at vk7tw @ wia.org.au and let me know what you would like to do.
Reading and recording takes place on the Wed-Thurs prior to the Sunday of the broadcast.
This will also give our hard working WIA National News team a well earned rest!
Look forward to hearing from you.
Justin, VK7TW
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RAOTC Broadcast for May 2020
Here is a reminder about the RAOTC broadcast for the 4th of May 2020; thatā€Ös tomorrow night for those listening on Sunday.
The terms "old man" and "old timer" sound repugnant to many and are often heard as a reason for not joining the RAOTC. We hear a contextual clarification of these terms and an assurance that they are not meant to be derogatory.
The first news item begins with the question: "What would happen if your GPS stops working"? Mention is made of just some of the huge number of services that rely on timing and positioning from the fleet of GPS satellites. Discussion ensues on how these signals might become unavailable or corrupted and the implications thereof.
Several countries are collaborating to launch their own satellite systems.
The second item features a story that was published in OTN Journal in 1988; it will be broadcast in 2 parts; it is a logical follow up to mention in the April bulletin about plans to recover radio gear from the Titanic.
This item tells the true story about the 2 radio operators, who they were, technical challenges they overcame on the day before the collision and the sequence of events that led up to and after it. We hear details of the radio equipment and content of the radio messages.
Finally, there is an item taken from one of the on-line forums dealing with automotive electrics, the history of battery voltages, the possibility of 48 volt systems and how radio amateurs might cope with this.
As usual this will all go to air in VK7 on the first Monday of the month at 7:30pm local time over the VK7RAA/RTC state-wide network and again at about 8:30pm as a telecast on VK7AX "Spectrum Tasmania" via the BATC members" stream and in the Ulverstone area on 445.50MHz DATV.
The date this month is May 4th. Call backs will follow on both networks. Please call in if you are able.
If you miss the broadcast airings it can be caught up with on the RAOTC website.
73, Peter VK7PD
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Reminder that the Sewing Circle Net is now on a frequency of 3.64MHz from 17:00 Local each night.
73, Gavin, VK7VTX
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ZL News
" WARO “ In Recess
After the Women Amateur Radio Operators (WARO) Executive meeting last month (April 2020) there was a motion passed that WARO goes into recess until we can meet at a full NZART AGM to discuss the future of WARO.
This was seconded and agreed by the Executive Committee.
Therefore, WARO is now in recess until the AGM being held in Napier 2021, where a Special General Meeting will be held not an AGM.
Executive Committee positions will remain the same until then.
Subs do not need to be paid this year.
Finances will be maintained and held by the Treasurer, until the meeting in Napier.
The reason behind the recess is self-explanatory, due to the lack or no support from our members this leaves us no alternative.
There will no longer be a WARO page in the Break-In Stay safe and take care.
WARO Executive Committee
Sourced from the NZART https://www.nzart.org.nz/activities/groups/waro
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QSL NEWS
Report - from Herman VK7HW Manager of the WIA VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
The WIA Head Office Bureau is now planning to forward QSL Cards to State managers on a quarterly basis.
Advice has also been received that due to the current situation with the Corona Virus, the office is not fully staffed and it may be some time before we receive any further deliveries.
The current list of Cards held as at 3 April, including the latest delivery on 12 March, is in the email version of the broadcast.
Please contact Herman if you can assist in delivery of any of the cards in your area.
Thank you those who have already advised him. He hopes to send a few more cards out in the next week or so.
If you have any questions re QSL cards, please contact Herman by email vk7bureau@wia.org.au
73, Herman, VK7HW, WIA Manager VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
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AA, AAA, AB, AC, AD, AE, AL, AM, AN, AO, AP, AS, ATH, AV
BA, BB, BBB, BBW, BM, BO, BP
CC, CH, CJ, CV, CX
DD, DG, DK, DO, DQ, DW, DX, DZ
FALX, FAZZ, FG, FGGT, FJFJ, FLAR, FOTR, FRJG, FTAS
GA, GC, GH, GL, GM, GW, GZ
HCH, HDX, HPD, HRS, HRW, HVK, HZ
IK, IS
JA, JB, JJ, JJJ, JON, JP, JW
KBA, KD, KJ, KRJ, KL, KR, KT, KX
LAZ, LCW, LDH, LF, LH, LM, LW
MAG, MBD, MBP, MC, MD(dm), ME, MHZ, MI, ML
NA, NC, NET, NMH, NRF, NSB, NSE, NTE, NWQ, NWT
OK, OR, OT
PAL, PBD, PSJ, PW
RG, RN, ROY
SM, SN, SV
TCE, TED, TK, TR, TS, TU, TX
VAC, VAZ, VH, VKV, VR, VZ
WA, WC, WH, WT, WX
XDM, XX
YAD, YUM
ZA, ZCK, ZE, ZJJ, ZM, ZMS, ZT, ZX, ZZ
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News from the North
SOTA/WWFF PARKS GROUP
The SOTA/WWFF parks group at Glebe Gardens shall be back on track with plans for future events as soon as government regulations change from the current situation.
Time to think and plan for future events.
73, Al, VK7AN
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Fox Hunts
Paul Blundell put the suggestion out there on the VK7 Facebook group about the FoxHunts that in the past were popular.
Once the current restrictions have passed, is anybody keen to look at running these in the North?
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Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club Incorporated
www.ntarc.net
Here we are, Friday again and if my memory is correct, we have reached the end of the 5th week of isolation and lock-down, so how are we all doing?
For my part, the cupboards are looking neat and tidy, although the windows are due for a clean next week. The big development is that the part for my embroidery machine has finally arrived. So that means I will need to put on my mechanic's cap this weekend, read the service manual, probably at least twice to get a good understanding of it all and then pull the beast apart, fit the new part and of course pray she works. Hopefully I don't find any bits remaining on the bench afterwards" that would be very annoying.
Sorry to have to burden you with news of the immediate domestic situation but hell, in these trying times of almost non-existent contact with the rest of society, I have to write about something!
Fortunately, some other members are better placed to keep their fingers on the pulse of northern amateur radio activity, so we will now hand over to Nic VK7BEE our Net Coordinator to give you a run down on last Wednesday Tech Net session:
"Before the Tech Net started, Nic VK7BEE located near Legana, monitored the QRP frequency of 3.580, and also sent some CW from a home brew two transistor transceiver running 100 milliwatts. Sending a string of Vs, the signal was heard by Tony VK7YBG and Paul VK7KPA, reported by both on Discord, and Kevin VK7HKN on LSB. Nic then had a chat with Kevin who was running 6 Watts. Nic was then called on CW by Bruce ZL1BWG from the North Island of New Zealand, running 10w. Nic was running 300w pep LSB. Although conditions were difficult with Bruce's low power, a voice to CW contact was made. A great start to the evening!
The NTARC Tech Net started at 7:30pm local time (19:30 AEST) (05:30 GMT)on 3.567 MHz LSB
The net had 8 stations. Conditions were very poor. Not all stations could hear each other. Some used SDRs via the internet to receive because of high local noise; using their rigs to transmit on.Ā
Signals improved slightly as the evening progressed, dramatically at about 8:15pm DISCORD online communications was also used simultaneously with Paul VK7KPA hosting the NTARC Tech Net Group. Several operators joined Discord, some also on the net monitoring at the same time, sharing pics and information whilst on-air.
Tech Net Controller was Nic VK7BEE using Club call sign VK7TAZ.
Kevin VK7HKN was QRP using 6w ā€“ he will build a 1 transistor CW transmitter for 3.580 for next week!
Ross VK7RC was making comparison of signals using an SDR vs his HF rig, Peter VK7KPC was making changes to his 6m setup adding a tone encoder.
Andrew VK7DW reported that his tower build has halted due to weather, and the concrete base had not cured.
Paul VK7KPA called in for a quick signal report. James VK7JAM was very low signal on 80m using 40wĀ into a dipole. Simon ZL1THH in Auckland using 100w and a dipole was 4/4. He gave VK7TAZ 5/9
Nic mentioned about the ANZAC Day and AM nets on 7.125, 3.686 and 1.825 MHz.
The simultaneous use of Discord was a great success, thanks to Paul who set up the meeting place. Bill VK7MX over in Gippsland along with 9 others joined in.]
Point of interest, as a result of the pandemic, a series of lessons on how to learn Morse code is available on YouTube. SEARCH FOR "LOCKDOWN MORSE"¯
73 Nic VK7BEE
Returning next Wednesday 6th May same times, Nic will kick off at 07:00, 3.58MHz.
See you there.
73 Nic VK7BEE¯
Thanks Nic it is really great to see that our members have taken to this format. Look forward to another update next week.
Mind you, suspect they also getting QTH fever and wishing for a night out at the clubrooms catching up with all, partying on sausage rolls, cakes and biscuits. Hopefully that is not that far off if we all behave.
Once again, this must be all from NTARC for this week. As we have been saying for the past month or more, take care and if you don't need to go out, stay home and read, listen to music, get on the radio and talk to the world or warm up that soldering iron and get on with those projects. Lord knows, here in VK7 and in the VK7RAA/VK7RJG listening area in particular, we should now know only too well the risks of spreading the virus inherent in needless close social gathering. Above all though, please keep well and keep as watchful an eye on the wellbeing of your immediate circle as is possible in the circumstances.
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 - it is always good to have something new with which to entertain the troops - then please email them to either of the following
addresses ntarc.emails @ gmail.com or ypmaxwell @ bigpond.com
For some time to come, the weekly news will become the medium for informing all about happenings, or lack thereof, in the local amateur radio world. It would be appreciated if any news, no matter how insignificant, could be sent no later than 17:00 hours on the Friday prior to broadcast, to allow its timely insertion into the NTARC segment.
That gives all a chance to get the NTARC segment together and off to Hobart in time for collation into the VK7 Broadcast. Your continued cooperation in this regard will be gratefully appreciated.
73, Yvonne VK7FYMX, Secretary NTARC Inc
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NEWS FROM THE SOUTH
Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania
https://www.reast.asn.au/
REAST Club Virtual Gathering
Digital Mobile Radio (DMR)
A huge thank you to Scott VK7HSE who is very knowledgeable on all things DMR. He has agreed to give us an online presentation on DMR for our whole of club Virtual Meeting THIS Wednesday 6th May 2020 from 7:30pm.
Scott will be focusing on the Radioddity GD77 handheld which are prevalent in Southern VK7.
There will be a short recap on DMR terminology including popular VK zones, talk groups and scan groups, etc.
Scott will also be exploring Roger Clarke's OpenGD77 firmware as it's much simpler to program and maintain future firmware updates etc.
The presentation is expected to run for about an hour.
Bring along your DMR questions and queries for Scott.
Details of the zoom session address will be emailed to club members shortly.
We hope to see you on the Zoom session.
73, REAST Committee.
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DATV Experimenter's Night
Working from the Shack #5 - VK7MO's Shack
We started the DATV Nights with a review of the Summer VHF/UHF Field Days and the great VK7 participation in the Field Day from around the state.
We then move to our feature which was an interview and shack tour with Rex Moncur VK7MO. Rex took the audience through his history and those that influenced him with amateur radio. His father Len VK7LN was licenced from the 1930's and was very involved in HF contacts around the world. Len was involved in early mechanical and electronic amateur television transmitters and receivers. Rex showed some great historical photos including a 1950's model exhibition in Melbourne at the Exhibition Hall which featured the WIA and amateur radio.
Rex then took the audience through getting his "z-call" amateur radio licence in 1960. Rex built early valve homebrew equipment and setting distance records on 432 & 1296MHz. Rex then had a rest from amateur radio during his working career in Canberra and then Hobart with the Antarctic Division. Rex retired and whilst attending a birthday in Adelaide was inspired to get back into amateur radio and well....the rest is history!
Rex was involved with Joe Taylor K1JT from the first development of what became WSJT and is still a beta tester for Joe. The focus has been VHF/UHF and microwaves including many EME and terrestrial microwave world records. Forays into optical and other areas were touched upon as well
Rex then gave the audience a shack tour of this back and front shack. Rex took questions and comments during the presentation. A huge thank you to Rex for sharing his amateur radio life.
This presentation is available on the REAST YouTube Channel at the link on email edition of this broadcast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e7yiDgZNIA
Our DATV Experimenter's Night go into recess for a fortnight as next week is our Whole of Club Virtual Presentation Night with Scott VK7HSE talking about DMR.
73, Justin, VK7TW
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DX News
VK & 8J Opportunities
The following are sourced from the ARRL DX News List:
ANTARCTICA, 8J. Members of the Japanese Antarctic Research
Expedition team (JARE) will be active as 8J1RL from Showa Research Station, Queen Maud Land (AN-015), until January 2021.
Listen for operators Take, JA1AGS and Hiro, JH7JCX. Ā Activity will be on various HF bands using CW and the digital modes. Ā QSL via JG2MLI or the JARL Bureau.
AUSTRALIA, VK. Station VI250COOK commemorates Captain James Cook's voyage on HMS Endeavour along Australia's east coast with activity from May 1 to August 31. For QSL information see qrz dot com.
Sourced from the ARRL DX News
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Technology News
Ultra-low power Wi-Fi connectivity for IoT devices
A new Wi-Fi device runs on extremely low power by utilising backscattering.
An ultra-low power Wi-Fi radio developed by electrical engineers at the University of California San Diego, housed in a chip smaller than a grain of rice, could enable Internet of Things devices to communicate with existing Wi-Fi networks using 5000 times less power than today's devices.
The radio consumes just 28 microwatts of power, and does so while transmitting data at a rate of 2 megabits per second over a range of up to 21 metres.
"You can connect your phone, your smart devices, even small cameras or various sensors to this chip, and it can directly send data from these devices to a Wi-Fi access point near you,"¯ said Dinesh Bharadia, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering.
"And it could last for years on a single coin cell battery."¯
Current commercial Wi-Fi radios typically consume hundreds of milliwatts to connect IoT devices with Wi-Fi transceivers.
"This Wi-Fi radio is low enough power that we can now start thinking about new application spaces where you no longer need to plug IoT devices into the wall. This could unleash smaller, fully wireless IoT set-ups,"¯ said UC San Diego electrical and computer engineering professor Patrick Mercier, who co-led the work with Bharadia.
"It could also allow you to connect devices that are not currently connectedö things that cannot meet the power demands of current Wi-Fi radios, like a smoke alarm ö and not have a huge burden on battery replacement,"¯ Mercier said.
The new device runs on extremely low power by transmitting using backscattering. It takes incoming Wi-Fi signals from a nearby device or Wi-Fi access point, modifies the signals and encodes its own data onto them, and then sends the new signals onto a different Wi-Fi channel to another device or access point.
The work builds on low-power Wi-Fi radio technology that Bharadia helped develop as a PhD student at Stanford. In this project, he teamed up with Mercier to develop an even lower-power Wi-Fi radio. They accomplished this by building in a component called a wake-up receiver. This "wakes up" the Wi-Fi radio only when it needs to communicate with Wi-Fi signals, so it can stay in low-power sleep mode the rest of the time, during which it consumes only 3 microwatts of power.
The UC San Diego team's improvements to the technology also feature a custom integrated circuit for backscattering data, which makes the whole system smaller and more efficient, and thus enables their Wi-Fi radio to operate over longer communication range (21 metres in this case). This is a practical distance for operating in a home or office environment, the researchers said.
"Here, we demonstrate the first pragmatic chip design that can actually be deployed in a small, low-power device,"¯ Mercier said.
http://criticalcomms.com.au/content/radio-systems/article/ultra-low-power-wi-fi-connectivity-for-iot-devices-1161374062
Sourced from the Critical Comms Web E-zine
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Regular VK7 gatherings and events over the coming months:
Regular gatherings:
NWTR&TVG - Club meetings cancelled till further notice.
NTARC - Club meetings cancelled till further notice.
REAST - Clubrooms are closed until further notice.
REAST - MICROWAVE QSO Party - following after the Sunday broadcast on 1296.15 MHz FM.
NTARC - Technical Net - Wednesdays 3.567 MHz LSB at 7:30pm local time
REAST - DATV Experimenter's Nights - Working from the Shack Series on RF and Streaming - Every Wednesday night except the first of the month from 7:30pm.
Events:
Sewing Circle Net - commences at 17:00 on 3.640 MHz.
RAOTC - 7 May - RAOTC broadcast VK7RAA/RTC & VK7AX BATC Stream from 7:30pm
REAST - 6 May - DMR Presentation VK7HSE - whole of club virtual Zoom gathering from 7:30pm
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A reminder to those people rostered for next week's broadcast:
Newsreader: VK7FB
Repeaters: REAST, NTARC and NWTR&TVG
80m: VK7ALH
40m: VK7TW
20m: Any takers
10m: VK7VKT
DMR: Talk Group 5 and
D-Star: Reflector 091 VK7ZCR
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This broadcast is repeated on Tuesday night at 8:00pm on repeaters VK7RAA in the North and VK7RTC in the South.
Thanks 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 @ 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. Callbacks will be taken on the frequency to which you are listening. Relay stations will use their own callsigns during the callback.
From the VK7 Amateur Radio News, it is 73 from Idris, VK7ZIR.
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(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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