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VK7AX > BCAST 02.08.20 02:24z 448 Lines 23539 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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VK7 Amateur Radio News 02Aug20
Text edition: VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR AUGUST 2 2020
(Note.. please remove spaces in email addresses before using)
VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 2nd August 2020
---------------------------------
Welcome to the VK7 Amateur Radio News for the 2nd August 2020. This broadcast is brought to you by VK7WI, and read today by Mike, VK7FB.
This broadcast utilises repeaters around VK7 and the following HF rebroadcast stations:
On 3.670 MHz by Ross, VK7ALH
On 7.140 MHz by Justin, VK7TW
On 14.130 MHz by Garry, VK7JGD
On 28.525 MHz by Tony, VK7VKT
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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RAOTC BROADCAST FOR AUGUST
This is a reminder about the RAOTC broadcast for the 3rd of August 2020; that's tomorrow night for those listening on Sunday.
This month Bruce, VK3UV again calls for volunteers to assist with HF rebroadcasts.
Airings in digital modes DMR talk group 5 and Dstar reflector 91C are continuing.
Details of frequencies and times can be found on the RAOTC website as can an audio copy of the broadcast.
The first technical article gives details of World Metrology Day, that happened on 20 th May 2019; it saw the official definition of how various things are measured; this included the
Ampere, Kilogram and Kelvin. These are now derived from Constant Derived Metrology rather than physical properties.
A heritage radio receiving station in Queensland is saved: An encroaching housing estate was threatening to destroy the site from which Australia received first notification of the
end of WW2. As radio sites go, the Birkdale station has a long association with many events and people of renown.
The earth's magnetic field: according to scientific observation, the earth's north and south poles are overdue to undergo a reversal. The article looks at the implications of this on a
modern world, particularly what is likely to happen during the transition.
Solar Cycle 25 forecast: An article published by ARRL suggests this might be an event of major proportion with many more sunspots than previously expected. This is in contrast to
scientific prediction. Who will be right?
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 member's stream and in the Ulverstone area on 445.50MHz DATV.
The date this month is August 3rd. Call backs will follow on both networks. Please call in if you are able. Callback statistics are sent to RAOTC broadcast committee.
73, Peter VK7PD
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Miena Hamfest.
Hi all, this is Dani, VK7FREQ.
Given the global pandemic, and considering all the additional requirements when people are gathering as well as perceived risk, it has been decided to postpone the Hamfest for 12 months. It will now be held in November 2021.
Dani, VK7FREQ
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WANTED
Kenwood TS590S (Not the G Model)
Please contact Martin VK7GN on 0407 811 821
Thanks, VK7GN
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VK7 QSL NEWS
Report - from Herman VK7HW Manager of the WIA VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
The current list of Cards held as at 24 July, is in the email version of the broadcast.
The list includes a listing of callsigns for cards received 16 July. Some of these cards have already been mailed out and/or delivered on an opportunity basis.
If you received your callsign in recent years and see it in the list would you please email Herman advising him of the date you acquired the Call as I do have some cards from years back and Herman is finding some of those operators are new as the original owner is no longer active or Silent Key.
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
---------------------------------
All Cards held as at 24 July 2020
AA, AAA, AB, ACN, AD, AIR, AL, AM, AO, AP, AS, ATH, AU, AV
BA, BB, BBW, BM, BO, BP, BPV
CEJ, CH, CJ, CV, CX
DD, DG, DK, DO, DQ, DX, DZ
EG
FALX, FAZZ, FG, FGGT, FJFJ, FLAR, FOTR, FRJG, FTAS
GA, GC, GG, GH, GL, GM, GZ
HCH, HPD, HRS, HRW, HSJ, HVK, HZ
IK, IS
JA, JB, JP, JW
KBA, KD, KI, KJ, KL, KO, KRJ, KT, KX
LAZ, LCW, LDH, LM, LW
MAG, MBD, MBP, MC, ME, MHZ, MI, ML, MO
NA, NC, NMH, NRF, NSB, NSE, NTE, NWQ
OK, OR
PBD, PSJ, PW
RG, ROY
SN, SV
TCE, TED, TK, TS, TX
VAC, VAZ, VH, VKV, VR, VZ
WA, WC, WT, WX
XDM
YN
ZA, ZJJ, ZM, ZT
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NEWS FROM THE NORTH
SOTA/WWFF PARKS GROUP
The Summits On The Air /World Wide Flora and Fauna parks group at Glebe Gardens is now meeting twice weekly – Mondays and Fridays 10.30-12.00 midday at 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
I guess the big news item this week, at least amateur radio-wise, was the announcement by the ACMA of its changes to callsign policies. You will have heard all about this in the national news this morning but it is fair to say that reactions have been mixed. Many are welcoming the discontinuation of the four letter callsigns for Foundation licencees, the adoption of three letter calls for all classes of licences, for life, along with the dropping of the requirement to change the callsign number prefix upon moving interstate. Others are lamenting the demise of geographic identification that was part of the State or Territory numbering system. Others are also criticising the removal of licence class identifiers in the new callsign arrangements, although it needs to be pointed out that the issue of two-letter callsigns will remain restricted to holders of the Advanced licence.
No doubt there will be some devils among the details as this new arrangement is fleshed out, possibly including the mechanism through which callsign changes can be sought and the all-important cost of making such applications. No doubt about it though, we live in interesting times in terms of the amateur radio world's relationship with the ACMA. Maybe the writing has been on the wall for some time. After all, the USA licencing system has had elements of this new model for some decades and seems to have survived the ordeal.
If only the ACMA would now pick up some of the other features found increasingly in overseas licence models, particularly licences for life to accompany the new callsigns, instead of requiring annual renewals. Hey, while at it, how about immediately allowing at least the Advanced licencee to use 1 KW? Even our New Zealand cousins enjoy that privilege. Then there is the question of access to the 60 Meter band etc, etc. Who knows, now it is August we might yet see a real Spring for our hobby. Such additional changes to align with generally prevailing international standards would surely go a long way to smooth any ruffled feathers the current changes might have caused. How about it, ACMA?
Training
Meanwhile, life goes on. Here is a reminder from NTARC's Assistant Repeater Officer South, Michael VK7MRS
- Huon District Scout station VK7HSD is looking for some on air help. With six scouts studying hard for their "F" Call licences, the next big step of training will be an "On Air Contact".
We are seeking to make voice contacts on Tuesday the 18th of August between 1700 and 1830 hours local time. The preferred 80 metre frequency of 3610 kHZ is proposed to be used, along with the VK7RTC/VK7RAA repeater.
It would be greatly appreciated if YOU could answer "CQ" calls from VK7HSD, while also remembering the need for a little patience for the training operators. After all, it can be a very nervous occasion. Can you remember your first HF contact?
A QSL card will most definitely be sent in appreciation of your support.
Please email your intentions to help out to vk7mrs@gmail.com or check out our QRZ page.
73 from Dale VK7FNED and Michael VK7MRS, VK7HSD co-ordinatorsť
I'm sure all listeners will again join with me in thanking Michael and Dale for their ongoing efforts to attract new members to our radio hobby. The future undoubtedly depends on such recruitment. Please assist on-air on August 18th if you are able to do so.
Meanwhile, back at the Rocherlea clubrooms, NTARC's Friday morning coffee mornings continue, with a good roll-up again this week. Great to see many more slowly reappearing.
TechNet and Discord
In the absence of our weekly Tech Night sessions in the clubrooms, the focus very much continues to be on the NTARC 80 Meter net and its accompanying Discord on-line session. Let's hand over now to Nic VK7BEE, our NTARC Net Coordinator, to bring us all up to speed on happenings of last Wednesday night the 29th..
Before the TechNet, Nic VK7BEE hosted the usual "TestNet"ť on 3.580 MHz at 19:00. Four stations called in: Peter VK7KPC, Alan VK7AT, Phil VK7ZPD and Ross VK7ALH.
Today's TestNet tested CW decoder hardware and its ability to tune a range of audio frequencies from 500 to 900 Hz - the preferred audio range to listen to Morse Code signals - next week we hope to test an Active Audio Filter for CW.
The NTARC Tech Net commenced at 19:30 on 3.567 MHz with Nic VK7BEE as Net Control VK7TAZ, running 300 watts pep. There was QRM from VK3 stations that started a net on 3565.0 MHz a few minutes after the TechNet had started, so Nic changed frequency to 3567.8 which helped considerably. So if you are looking for the TechNet, always check +/- QRM!
The net had 11 stations. 80m conditions were GOOD - similar to last week, but with QSB on QRP signals.
Paul VK7KPA hosted our virtual meeting on Discord, with 14 members logged-in including Roger VK3KYY - a serious DMR coder and developer!
Photos on Discord included:
A SLY beam antenna (Super Long Yagi) for 1296 MHz.
VK7DW's satellite antenna array all mounted on the tower with elevation and azimuth control.
A circuit of a two IC active audio CW filter, using a 741 and LM386.
Multiple photos from Ross VK7ALH, showing blown up PA valves, burned chokes and transformers in an FT101 - this is what happens when the previous owner "got it all wrong on 27 MHz!"ť
Restoration photos of an FT101 and,
A snapshot of the control software from Phil VK7ZPD's TS590 G.
Alan VK7AT asked about the "transferability"ť of CW receive programs written in MMBasic onto other PCs.
Alvin VK7ADQ/P2 has a "One to Six"ť kit from the Waverley Amateur Radio Club he is assembling - basically a very neat power board splitter to use in his ex-Army Land Rover.
Peter VK7PD posted information on Discord about 1296 MHz and teased us with a story about Mt. Littlechild, to be “uncertain of our present position” when using a GPS to activate a new SOTA site on the Blue Tier with Rodney VK7HAM and Allen VK7AN.
Phil VK7ZPD, mentioned how he used his bandwidth control and notch filter to greatly improve the signal from interference.
Peter VK7KPC was using his FT200 with a digital readout and queried an issue with his "S"ť meter.
Ross VK7ALH said he will research Peter's FT200 "S" meter problem, as he recalled there was a bit involved to get it right.
Idris VK7ZIR, called in, and was operating on batteries to see if it helped to reduce any noise through the mains power supply - we've yet to hear it, but a great signal with beautiful audio.
Andrew VK7DW has almost completed his satellite antenna farm, and only has to finish off by running several lengths of LDF450 heliax.
VK7HKN Kevin loves his 49:1 balun on his end-fed long wire, no antenna matching unit and 50w!
VK7PAK Kerry also called-in giving very accurate signal reports to all stations. Thanks Kerry!
Once again, a wide variety of topics, enriched with further comments and photos on Discord. Thank you for all your input to this Club event, for NTARC - The Northern Tasmania Amateur Radio Club.
73 Nic VK7BEEť
Thanks once again for your report Nic. To our other listeners, if you have not yet taken part why not give it a try, either on 3.567 MHz (+/- QRM) next Wednesday evening at 7.30pm or on the Discord session. In fact, why not try both, as they complement each other very well, with additional coverage of items discussed on air being offered on the Discord session. As you have heard from Nic, Discord content can include circuit schematics, illustrations, photos and the like - not to mention the humour. I assure you that you won't be disappointed.
Story of Interest - NTARC member Alan VK7BO has obviously decided that the impending arrival of Spring is reason enough to add to the QTH décor. Regular listeners will be aware that Alan is a very enthusiastic DX contestant, with an impressive array of wallpaper as a result. He has been busy at it again and he tells us that he entered the Hungarian DX Contest a few months ago. He did very well in this contest, being awarded 1st Place in VK, 1st Place in Oceania and 114th Place world Wide in the CW section.
Congratulations Alan and the certificates you have been awarded are truly a work of art. We will have to see about getting some frames and put them up in the club room, at least temporarily, for all to see.
Future events
Equine Event - Saturday 22nd of August at Santarena Park, Scottsdale. NTARC Safety Comms Team has been asked to provide safety comms at this day ride. We will be providing Base Comms, checkpoint and RFID tracking at this event for the 80k and 40km ride. So if you can spare some time on that Saturday why not pop down to Scottsdale, a pleasant 1 hour or so drive from Launceston and utilise your radio skills. Our Safety Comms Coordinator Norm VK7KTN would appreciate hearing from you. Norm can be contacted by email at safetycomms.ntarc @ gmail.com or you can catch up with him at coffee session.
JOTA/JOTI 2020 - Scouts Tas JOTA/JOTI Coordinator, Peter VK7KPC advises that all things being equal, JOTA/JOTI will still be happening this year on weekend 17-18 Oct.
BUT this will still depend on progress made with COVID-19 situation here and worldwide.
Changes will probably include a social distancing around radio operating seating and other activities.
Rotations around activities will have to have cleaning operations taken into account, increasing turnaround time.
Larger stations may need to be in operation longer to take this into account.
Outside activities like fox hunting should be ok, again with cleaning time taken into account.
Hoping to have the Lea and Paton Park in operation again this year.
Hope I am not sounding too negative, just trying to be prepared for worsening situation.
Peter Dodd, Project Commissioner Radio and Electronics”
Thanks Peter, glad to hear planning is still proceeding and a case of waiting and seeing what happens around the world in relation to COVID-19.
Coffee mornings – currently every Friday in the NTARC Club rooms. Catch up time is from 10.00 am to noon and we look forward to seeing you all.
Please remember that aside from the good company, freely offered philosophical views, maybe less than expert political analysis, tall tales, funny stories and genuinely good fare on offer, these coffee events in the past have been normally a good opportunity to collect your QSL cards. Currently we have a few cards awaiting collection from past deliveries.
As I remind all each week, please demonstrate your appreciation of all the effort that goes into operating the club, its facilities and the other services we provide, especially in these abnormal and very trying times, enjoying the company, coffee, biscuits and cake and leaving a gold coin or two, or even a small bank note, in the jar to assist in our on-going operations.
Once again though, this must be all from NTARC for this week. Please bear with us as we attempt to bring club life back to normal, while balancing the need for continuing caution and with all complying with the social distancing requirements.
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 following address ntarc.emails@gmail.com Â
Please note that it would be appreciated if any items for the weekly news could be sent in Times New Roman, 12 pt Font format.
For some time to come, with the exception of the occasional club emailed newsletter, the weekly broadcast news segment will continue as 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.
We will bring you all such contributions next Sunday morning.
73, Yvonne VK7FYMX, Secretary NTARC Inc
---------------------------------
NEWS FROM THE SOUTH
Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania
https://www.reast.asn.au/
https://www.facebook.com/reasttas/Â Â
REAST August Antenna Forum Night
Following on from our successful forum nights we are running an antenna and antenna analyser forum night for our August presentation night.
The format of the night will be an open forum for anyone to bring along their experience of the antennas they are using, building and testing along with your antenna analysers as well.
It doesnâ€Öt have to be a huge in-depth analysis presentation just come along and share your experience with the antennas you are using. If you have some analysis data then certainly being it along. They can be permanent installations, mobile, satellite, microwave, LF, MF, HF, portable or handheld, in fact anything and everything is encouraged. Just come along and share your experience.
We will compile on the night a list of antennas and users and make it available so, if you are interested in a particular antenna you will know who to contact.
The night will be streamed and we will take questions and comments via R2, DMR 3807 and the YouTube Chat Channel. We will also broadcast the night on RF 445.5MHz DVB-T around Hobart.
https://www.reast.asn.au/news-events/live-stream/
https://www.facebook.com/reasttas/
It happens next Wednesday 5th August 2020 from 7:30pm in the Queenâ€Ös Domain Clubrooms.
Hope to see you there.
(REAST Committee)
------------------------------------------------
DATV Experimenter's Night
We started the night with a short tour of the renovated REAST clubrooms as an outside broadcast. This showed the main clubrooms and the new Audio Visual installations and the various features of the newly renovated rooms.
We outlined the first post-COVID amateur radio assessments that were undertaken last Saturday where three foundation and a standard licence assessments were held. We wish the candidates every success.
We then took the audience through the recent changes that the ACMA has undertaken in relation to callsigns. Now anyone can apply for a three letter callsign. The ACMA has removed the association between call sign suffix and qualification. Two letter callsigns remain only for advanced licencees. New callsigns will continue to be issues with the prefix aligned to the state in which the amateur resides. If you move interstate then
you can retain your original callsign.
The ACMA has released an RF Exclusion Zone calculator and the Syllabus Review Panel has been disbanded and the ACMA will undertake consultation and management process for syllabus reviews.
Alan VK7KAJ and Justin VK7TW went through the history and measurement of the Weston Standard Cell. There were some issues with the measurement, however this was traced down to the cell being stood up versus laid-down and this points to a lack of electrolyte which Justin will investigate.
We ran through the measurements undertaken by Alan earlier in the week.
A new cell should be 1.01859V @ 20degC. Alan with his Keysight U1241C at 19.5 C and the device was within calibration measured 1.0172V. With the Agilent 34410A which was out of calibration on the HiZ measured 1.018849
and 1.018635. Putting the Agilent 34410A on the 10Megohm input range measured 1.016898V. Thanks Alan.
We also promoted the resumption of the Working from the Shack series of interviews with notable VK7 amateurs - on August 12th the interviewee will be Cedric VK7CL.
We finished with some comments from the YouTube chat channel and played some interesting videos for our RF viewers from Peter Parker VK3YE and M0MCX from DX Commander about the G5RV.
We take a break for a fortnight and resume with our Working from the Shack interviews with well-known VK7 amateurs and on the 12 August 2020 the interview will be with Cedric VK7CL.
See you in a fortnight's time.
73, Justin, VK7TW
---------------------------------
Regular VK7 gatherings and events over the coming months:
Regular gatherings:
SOTA/WWFF Group - Meeting Mondays and Fridays 10.30-12.00 midday at Glebe Gardens Cafe, Henry St, Launceston.
NWTR&TVG - Club meetings cancelled till further notice.
NTARC - Coffee mornings - Fridays 1000 to 1200 NTARC Club Rooms.
NTARC - Technical Net - Wednesdays 3.567 MHz LSB at 7:30pm local time
REAST - MICROWAVE QSO Party - following after the Sunday broadcast on 1296.15 MHz FM.
REAST - DATV Experimenter's Nights from 7:30pm live in the club rooms on DVBT RF and YouTube Streaming
Sewing Circle Net - commences at 17:00 on 3.640 MHz.
Events:
REAST - 5 August - Antenna Sharing Forum - 7:30pm Queens Domain Clubrooms.
NTARC - 22 August - Equine State Championships - Santerena Park Scottdale.
---------------------------------
A reminder to those people rostered for next week's broadcast:
Newsreader: VK7ZIR
Repeaters: REAST, NTARC and NWTR&TVG
80m: VK7JGD
40m: VK7ALH
20m: VK7FB
10m: VK7VKT
DMR: Talk Group 5 and
D-Star: Reflector 091 VK7ZCR
---------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------
That concludes our VK7 Amateur Radio News Broadcast for this week. You have been listening to 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 Mike, VK7FB.
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(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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