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Text edition: VK7 REGIONAL NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 13 January 2019
(Note.. please remove spaces in email addresses before using)
VK7 REGIONAL NEWS BROADCAST FOR SUNDAY 13 January 2019
-------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to the VK7 Amateur Radio News for 2019 on the 13th of January. This broadcast is brought to you by VK7WI, and read toda
y by Justin, VK7TW.
This broadcast utilises repeaters around VK7 and the following HF rebroadcast stations:
On 3.670 MHz by Garry, VK7JGD
On 7.140 MHz by Ross, VK7ALH
On 14.130 MHz by Mike, VK7FB
On 28.525 MHz by Tony, VK7VKT
Australia wide on Talk Group 3809, user activated, VK7 News only from 0930 - 1000 by Clayton, VK7ZCR
This broadcast is repeated on Tuesday night at 8:00pm on repeaters VK7RTC in the South and VK7RAA in the North.
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Silent Key
David Hubert Johns VK7DJ
It is with sadness that we inform you of the passing of David Johns VK7DJ on the seventh of January 2019 aged 89.
David was born on the 29th of August 1929 and was well known to many as the gentleman engineer.
After Graduating from the University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Science. David wintered at Macquarie Island in 1954 and Maw
son in 1957.
He always attended the ANARE Club Tasmanian Mid-Winter dinner and in 2018 was the last person to stand in the count back of “
Calling the Years”.
It was while he was at Macquarie Island he obtained his first callsign - VK1DJ, as VK1 was allocated to stations from the Austr
alian Antarctic Territory. On the 1st June 1956, VK1 was reallocated to the ACT, and VK0 replaced VK1 in the Australian Antarct
ic Territory. David used VK1DJ for is Mawson Visit in 1957. His trip to Mawson left Australia on 22nd November 1956, when he fl
ew to New Zealand and travelled down on the USCG Glacier. This was a momentous day for Broadcasting, as it was the advent of TV
in Australia with the broadcasting of the Melbourne Olympic Games which started on that day. 1957 was also the International G
eophysical Year, and David was award the Polar Medal for his time, as well as having Mt Johns named after him.
David worked for many years in the PMG and Telecom and struck up many friendships through this workplace. He won a scholarship
with the Confederation of British Industry to study broadband radio bearers with the General Electric Company and the British P
ost Office. This took him to Coventry in England for 12 months in 1966 - 67. While he was in England he had a British Amateur R
adio Callsign G5VKS. David retired in 1989 and often said he did not know how he had time to work.
David joined the CMF (todays Army Reserve), and spent time in 1969 in Vietnam during the war with the Royal Australian Engin
eers. He rose to the Rank of Lt Colonel, and was Colonel Commandant of the Engineers Corps in Tasmania on his retirement from t
he Army in 1979. David has had a long association with the Anglesea Barracks Military Museum. David was regularly seen marching
in ANZAC day parades under the Royal Australian Engineers banner.
A service to celebrate his life will be held at the Hobart North Uniting Church, 2 Swan St North Hobart on Monday 14 January 20
19 at 11:00am.
Vale David.
(Andrew Johns VK7AJ - Davids Son)
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Microwave DXpedition
Bass Strait Crossing with Microwaves
Last Monday, Hayden VK7HH arrived at the lookout tower on Mt George overlooking George Town and the Tamar Heads in Northern VK7
. He took with him radio equipment for the following bands: 432MHz, 1296MHz and 2.4GHz.
He was assisted on this DXpedition by Peter VK7ZPE and Peter VK7PD who brought equipment to operate on 3.4GHz.
The exercise had been planned to coincide with promising conditions of tropospheric propagation according to the Hepburn Charts
and cooperation of several VK3s who had set up similar portable stations atop hills from southern Victoria to Mt Buninyong nea
r Ballarat.
A major objective was to test Haydens recently acquired 2.4GHz Bulgarian transverter and power amplifier.
The first contact was made at about 2:30pm local on 70cm, then 23cm then, with some readjustment of the gridpack antenna, an R5
signal was exchanged in both directions on the 13cm.
VK7PD eventually exchanged signal reports with a very patient VK3PY on 3.4GHz. This would have been easier had Peters 20W li
near amplifier not failed but thats another story.
Last of all, the 23cm Yagi was turned south and an SSB contact was made with VK7MO in Hobart.
In all, 5 contacts were made on 70cm, 2 on 23cm, 2 on 13cm and 1 on 9cm. One or 2 were digital contacts, the rest were SSB. The
location proved worth the effort except for interference on the 13cm band from what appeared to be a WIFI installation on a ne
arby tower.
Hayden said the days effort could be considered a rehearsal for the Summer VHF/UHF Field Day the following weekend.
Photos have been posted on the VHF/UHF Microwave Facebook page and the VK7 Amateur Radio Facebook page.
(73, Peter VK7PD)
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Contest News
Summer VHF/UHF Field Day
Thats right its still running until midday. Following the post-broadcast call backs today (if youre listening on Sunda
y), operators in the Launceston and Hobart areas and possibly elsewhere are asked to QSY to 146.5MHz FM then other bands to exc
hange numbers with Field Day participants. All are encouraged to submit a log, even if its only for one contact. Rules can b
e found on the WIA website.
If, like me, you find the electronic log a challenge, there are willing hands available to help convert paper logs into the req
uired VKCL format. Just inquire through any of the VK7 AR clubs or contact me and Ill help find someone.
(73, Peter VK7PD)
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Event News
Australian Jamboree Amateur Radio Station
Hi all,
This is a reminder that VI25AJ is planning to be active at the upcoming Scout Jamboree at Tailem Bend in South Australia.
HF SSB and digital, satellite, IRLP and Echolink modes should be available for contacts.
Station operating times until the 11th and 13th January 09:30 to 12:30 and 14:30 to 17:30 Tasmanian time for scout activity ses
sions and for most of the day on Sat 12th Jan.
Station will be available for licensed amateurs to operate outside the above activity hours.
More info should be available shortly via VI25AJ page on QRZ.COM website
If you hear the station please give them a call.
Thanks
(73, Peter, VK7KPC, Project Commissioner Radio and Electronics Scouts Tasmania)
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NEWS FROM THE NORTH
SOTA and WWFF Parks and Reserves Group
Meeting times are from 10:30am on Monday and Friday At Glebe Gardens Cafe, 166 Henry St, Launceston.
For more details contact Al on Mobile: 0417 354 410.
73, Al, VK7AN
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Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club Incorporated
This weeks segment is again being prepared in Newlands Arm, Victoria in the East Gippsland region but this is my final effor
t from this area, at least for this visit. Tomorrow, I will be on the ferry for my return back from one paradise to another.
As the news has been prepared before our January meeting, I will provide an update in next weeks news and hopefully a report
in relation to the Field Day and the use of the club call sign VK7TAZ in that event.
Last Monday saw the club reopened for 2019 with the first of the New Years weekly coffee get-together sessions. I have been
advised that considering many are still away on holidays, whether on the mainland, overseas or just relaxing in the State, we h
ad a good attendance and things quickly got away in full swing.
Repeater news – It appears our 70 cms repeater VK7RJG has been having interference problems. The problem has been traced back
to the repeater itself on Mt Arthur. Tony VK7YBG and Brian VK7RR have been investigating. We will keep you informed as we rece
ive updates.
2019 Membership fees – just a further reminder that your 2018 membership expired on 31 December and if you hadnt renewed b
y that date, you are now listed on the membership register as an unfinancial member. Your status will stay that way until you h
ave renewed your membership or until 30 June when your name will be removed permanently from the membership register.
In case you have forgotten, NTARCs 2019 membership fees are just $30.00 for a Full voting member and $5 additional for each
Family member that the voting member wishes to add to his or her primary membership.
As all listeners must be aware, the replacement of aging legacy equipment along with other ongoing care and maintenance of our
repeater systems does not come cheap. For you to be able to continue to enjoy this aspect of your hobby and for NTARC to contin
ue to provide this great network, we need your support now.
If you are not a member of NTARC please consider joining. If you have been a member in the past but have let that membership la
pse for any reason, please consider rejoining. In either case, an application form can be found on our website
www.ntarc.net
or why not pop into the clubroom on a Monday or Friday, during coffee hours and collect an application. You will be made most w
elcome.
If club membership is not your cup of tea, we fully understand. In those circumstances, perhaps you might care to make a direct
donation to our repeater fund, rather than pay a yearly subscription. If so, we would be happy to receive your contribution, e
ither in person at a club meeting or coffee morning, or by post to PO BOX 275 Launceston 7250. Any donation will gladly be acce
pted. All donations will be officially receipted and noted accordingly against the repeater project.
WIA 2019 Callbook -With the announcement by the WIA of the availability of the 2019 callbook, NTARC will again be arranging bul
k buys for members.
We received one order of Call Books on the Friday before Christmas and we will place another order once the WIA Office opens in
late January. In the interim therefore, if you are interested in taking part in this purchase, could you please let the Treasu
rer André VK7ZAB know either at coffee on a Monday or Friday or email him at the following treasurer@ntarc.net so that we can
gauge interest and order the appropriate number as soon as possible
The cost for the 2019 Call Book will be $35, the same as last year. This is still a significant saving on the cost of a WIA mem
ber ordering directly from the WIA Bookshop, once postage is added on and is significantly cheaper than the price available to
non-WIA members.
Now on to Coming events
Technical sessions –The first Technical session for 2019 will be Wednesday 6th February. Thats right, the Tech nights are
in recess throughout January. Come February 6th, it will all start again, with a meet time from 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm, at the Clu
b room Archer Street, Rocherlea. Please also note that there will be no Technical session on Wednesday 13 February due to our A
GM being held that evening.
I hope you can all survive a few more weeks without getting your weekly technical fix. If you feel that you are weakening, plea
se bear up, as you are almost half way through the recess period and will now be on the homeward leg. Meanwhile, wield that sol
dering iron with a flourish and actually have something to show your colleagues by way of progress on the night.
February Annual General meeting – the Annual General Meeting of NTARC will take place on Wednesday 13 February 2019 at the NT
ARC Club Rooms, Rocherlea Scout Hall, Archer Street Rocherlea commencing at 19:30 hours (7.30 pm).
Business at the AGM will consist of confirmation of the Minutes of the 2018 AGM, then reception and consideration of reports fr
om the Committee, including the Treasurers report and reports from our various managers and coordinators. This will be follo
wed by the election of officer bearers and committee person for 2019. The meeting will then consider any item of special busine
ss for which the requisite notice has been received by the closing date.
All current office holder and committee positions fall vacant at the AGM. Nominations for each office bearer and the Committee
member are invited and should be made in writing to the Secretary, along with the signatures of the Nominator, Seconder and tha
t of the member nominated. Appointments will also be required to the positions of Internal Auditor and Public Officer.
Please note that for your convenience a nomination form is now available from the NTARC club room.
Members are reminded that they will need to have paid their 2019 renewal subscription before the meeting commences at 19:30 hou
rs (7.30 pm) to be able to vote at the Annual General meeting. Similarly, they will need to have paid their 2019 subscription b
efore they can be nominated or nominate or second someone for office, as only financial members can exercise those privileges.
The AGM will be followed by the February General meeting.
Coffee mornings – are normally held every Monday and Friday in the NTARC Club rooms. Catch up time is from 10.00 am to noon a
nd we look forward to seeing you all again in 2019.
Please remember that aside from the good company, freely offered philosophical views, maybe less than expert political analysis
, tall tales and genuinely good fare on offer, these coffee events are normally a good opportunity to collect your QSL cards. C
urrently though we do not have any cards awaiting collection.
Please demonstrate your appreciation of all the effort that goes into operating the club and its facilities and other services
we provide by joining us at these sessions, enjoying the company, coffee and the cake and leaving a gold coin or two, or even a
small bank note, in the jar to assist in our on-going operations.
Finally
As always I look forward to catching up with you all at Rocherlea from Friday 18 January, the first opportunity following my re
turn.
A reminder to all members that if you have any items of news you would like added to the weekly roundup, then please email me a
t the following address
ntarc.emails @ gmail.com
73, Yvonne VK7FYMX, Secretary NTARC Inc
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NEWS FROM THE SOUTH
Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania
Ross Hull Contest and 23 CM QSO Party in January
One more change to the frequency for January.
The planned change to 1296.16 for the Ross Hull contest during January, turned out to have problems for some FM transceivers th
at only tune in 25 KHz steps.
Accordingly, we changed to 1296.175 and will stay on this frequency FM for the rest of January. Digital operations to Launcesto
n continue on 1296.2 with QRA64-C.
(73 Rex VK7MO)
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Membership Update
Id like to thank all members who have paid so far along with their co-operation in filling out renewal forms. It has really
made the process much easier. Over 75% of the membership have now renewed.
Membership for the 2018 year will expire on the 31st December and most notably for those who have not paid, this will mean no m
ore access to the members only section of the website and you will no longer receive newsletters or other email correspondence.
This year the annual fee remains at $35 and, as always, funds the bulk of REAST's yearly operations. Current accepted forms of
payment include Cash, Cheque or Direct Deposit. Credit card facilities are only available in person (i.e. with a card reader) b
ut not online this year.
Please be aware that only members who pay before January 31st 2019 will be getting a member pack in 2019 which will include a m
ember card and REAST sticker.
https://www.reast.asn.au/membership-login/renew-membership/
Ben, VK7BEN, REAST Secretary
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REAST Foundation Training and Assessment Days
Our dates for 2019 are 16th February, 20th April, 15th June, 17th August, 19th October and 21st December.
These dates are pending the transition to the new training and assessment arrangements with the WIA and will be fully confirmed
once we know what is happening.
So, the next Foundation training and assessment day is on 16th February from 9am.
Please contact Reg, VK7KK if you are interested in attending the day. Check out the REAST Website or Facebook page for events.
So, if interested please contact Reg on
email:assessor @ reast.asn.auor phone mobile:0417 391 607.
73, Reg, VK7KK
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Experimenter's Night Wrap-Up
Another huge night of experimentation. It was great to see a recent addition to the 1296MHz QSO group in Geoff VK7MHZ come alon
g.
We also welcomed Ken VK7DY who bought along Dave VK3KR from the Macedon Ranges Amateur Radio Club. Dave is familiar to people a
t REAST as he spent time down at Macquarie Island with the Antarctic Division and operated an amateur radio station from Macca.
Dave and Ken bought along a very nice FLIR camera and we went around the room looking at the hotspots and “bright-sparks”
in the room…HIHI. Ken donated some ex-hydro high power rheostats, thanks Ken.
Rex VK7MO and Richard VK7ZBX were using the differential GPS heading rigs that were put together by David VK3HZ for the recent
trip to ZL for the world record setting 10GHz EME contact. This consists of two units with differential GPS and these units are
placed 10m or so apart and they communicate with each other via the 900MHz ISM band and provide a bearing from one to the ot
her to within 0.1 of a degree. This test proved successful and Rex went home a happy man.
Richard and Murray VK7ZMS were also working on Murrays 3 band SOTA linked dipole and were using a great idea with a fibregla
ss telescoping cable grab pole. This extends like the squid poles up to 7.9m and has a handy heavy duty grab hook to connect
things to. Murray was using Ben VK7BENs new toy in a 0.1-600MHz antenna analyser fresh from China. This unit is full colour
touch screen with many functions. Thanks Ben.
Ron Cullen was building a 5.6GHz clover leaf antenna for his audio and video link on his Radio Controlled aircraft. This was a
delicate operation where Ron was very careful to cut lengths exactly and follow the form factor of each leaf of the clover leaf
and then solder them all together. Thanks Ron.
Sean VK7FAZE and Justin VK7TW were in the DATV studio and changed over to a very nice HP rack that Sean donated. This rack hous
es the DATV transmitter, power amplifier and other test equipment along with the IRLP node and radio. This tidies up the transm
ission side of the DATV studio very nicely. Justin then was able to get some video signals appearing via the mixer on the flat
screen TV in the studio. Progress is happening.
Mike VK7DMH left some very nicely made 2 and 70cm turnstile satellite antennas and these were admired by all who came through t
he experimenters night.
We get back underway next Wednesday night from 7:30pm in the Queens Domain clubrooms so, bring those projects along and make so
me progress or just bring yourself along and strike up a conversation.
See you there.
(73, Justin, VK7TW)
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Technology News
0.1 to 40MHz receiver now in space
There have been many news reports recently of the Chinese landing of lunar Change-4 on the dark side of the moon.
Before this landing the Chinese sent up a satellite called Queqiao to relay the signals from Change-4 on the side of moon th
at earth cannot see. On this satellite mission there was space for a MF/HF receiver and antennas.
The receiver and antennas were developed by astronomer Marc Klein Wolt's team at Radboud University in partnership with Dutch r
adio astronomy organization ASTRON and private company Innovative Solution in Space, the NCLE – Netherlands-China Low-Frequen
cy Explorer.
The NCLE consist of three, five-meter-long (16-ft) carbon fibre antennas and software defined radio and data processing electro
nics.
As amateurs we use the ionosphere to refract or bend MF and HF signals to facilitate long distance or DX contacts. The ionosphe
re also works in reverse blocking the reception of MF/HF signals from space and so we do not hear many extra-terrestrial source
s.
This receiver is capable of covering 0.1 to 40MHz and they are looking initially to detect bright emissions from the Sun and Ju
piter. It is mostly likely there are many other low frequency transmitters out there as well that will be heard.
https://newatlas.com/ncle-radio-astronomers-universe-moon/57929/
(Summarised from and article on the New Atlas Website)
--------------------------------------------------
Regular VK7 gatherings and events over the coming months:
Regular gatherings:
SOTA Group – Monday and Friday Coffee Sessions from 10:30am at Glebe Gardens Cafe 166 Henry St, Launceston
NTARC - Monday and Friday Coffee Sessions from 10am, Technical Sessions on Wednesdays from 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm in the clubrooms
Archer Street, Rocherlea, Launceston.
REAST – Wednesday Afternoon Group meets from Noon and the Experimenters Nights from 1930 in the Queens Domain clubrooms.
REAST – MICROWAVE QSO Party – following after the Sunday broadcast on 1296.16 MHz FM.
Events:
VK - 12/13th January – Summer VHF/UHF field day
NTARC – 13 February – Annual General Meeting of NTARC - Rocherlea Scout Hall, Archer Street Rocherlea from 7.30 pm
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A reminder to those people rostered for next weeks 2019 broadcasts:
Newsreader: VK7ZIR
Repeaters: REAST, NTARC and NWTR&TVG
80m: VK7TPE
40m: VK7JGD
20m: VK7ALH
10m: VK7VKT
DMR: Talk Group 3809 VK7ZCR
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This broadcast is repeated on Tuesday night at 8:00pm on repeaters VK7RTC in the South and VK7RAA in the North.
Thanks to all people and organisations that assisted with this broadcast.
-------------------------------------------------------------
That concludes our VK7 Amateur Radio News Broadcast for this week.
>From the VK7 Amateur Radio News Team we wish you all a safe, healthy and prosperous 2019.
Next week the National WIA news can be heard at 0900 followed by the VK7 Amateur Radio News at 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 Justin, VK7TW.
(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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