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VK7AX > BCAST 23.11.20 11:45z 434 Lines 19983 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: VK7 Amateur Radio News 22Nov20
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VK7 Amateur Radio News 22Nov20
Text edition: VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR NOVEMBER 22 2020
(Note.. please remove spaces in email addresses before using)
VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 22nd November 2020
--------------------------------
Welcome to the VK7 Amateur Radio News for the 22nd November 2020. This broadcast is brought to you by VK7WI, and read today by
Justin, VK7TW.
This broadcast utilises repeaters around VK7 and the following HF rebroadcast stations:
On 3.670 MHz by Ross, VK7ALH
On 7.140 MHz by Dale, VK7DG
On 14.130 MHz by Peter, VK7TPE
On 28.525 MHz by Any Takers
On DMR Talk Group 5 and D-Star Reflector 91C by Clayton, VK7ZCR
This broadcast is repeated on Tuesday night at 8:00pm on
repeaters VK7RAA in the North and VK7RTC in the South.
--------------------------------
VLF Reception
SAQ to VK7 on 17.2 kHz
The following report comes to us from Richard VK7RZ.
On October 24th, United Nations Day, the World Heritage Radio Station SAQ at Grimeton, Sweden prepared to send a CW message of
encouragement to the World on the low frequency of 17.2kHz.
The signal was to be generated by an Alexanderson Alternator; a black electromechanical monstrosity driven by a substantial mot
or and hefty gear box in between, with the surrounding floor space filled with racks of meters and control equipment not dissim
ilar to what one might expect in a small power station. RF is generated by the alternator. There are no vacuum tubes at all. Th
e gear is certainly antiquated but operational and kept in readiness by a group of enthusiasts resolved to keep this station fu
nctional, not just as a heritage site but able to be brought up to speed to transmit a short message two or three times a year.
The station began life in 1924 to establish a radio link between Sweden and the United States. The transmitter is capable of 20
0kW and feeds an antenna consisting of eight parallel lines held aloft on spreaders at the tops of six towers each standing 127
metres high. The antenna length extends nearly two kilometres.
The station was used for naval communications until 1960. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2004.
I heard about SAQ about a year ago when Greg, VK3CN, alerted me to its existence and in particular to a forthcoming transmissio
n on Christmas Eve. Greg has an interest in hunting out VLF non-directional beacons and building hardware to optimise his stati
on. I have an interest in VLF too and various items of receiving equipment have evolved over quite a period.
It was the acquisition of an Airspy HF+ Discovery SDR combined with the SDR Sharp software which dramatically opened up these l
ower frequencies. The antenna I use is merely a 34 metre long wire, end fed, about six metres high lying along a roughly north-
south axis. But electrical interference is the thing that often intervenes to stymy oneâ€Ös enthusiasm.
So in the early evening of last Christmas Eve success was not anticipated and there was just nothing to see of SAQâ€Ös transmis
sion amid the QRM.
A few months ago I heard that there was to be another broadcast in October on United Nations Day BUT for us in Tasmania the sta
tion tune up was to be at 0130 on Sunday morning followed by a short meaningful message appropriate to the day.
So I was keen to check this out. I was ready in good time and fortunately the usual QRM was missing and QRN at a reasonably low
level. The 17.2kHz frequency was free of any confusing or bothersome artefacts. I was encouraged too that JXNâ€Ös FSK signal f
rom Norway was evident on 16.4kHz although at a very low level.
To make the occasion much more exciting I could tap into the live stream of the event from Grimeton and see the machinery turne
d on and being aware of the growing sound intensity as the alternator was brought up to speed. And so the tune up test tape was
sent for several minutes and the hand-sent United Nations Day message followed.
For me the CW was mostly in the noise floor and almost imperceptible but the real evidence was there in the waterfall and the t
raceline ended when the operator .. as seen on live stream .. ceased keying.
I emailed my report and screenshot a day or so later along with several hundred other listeners around the World and within hou
rs SAQ responded with a request asking to use my screenshot on their website. They were equally excited about their reach acros
s the Globe. I was very pleased too that Edgar Twining in West Moonah had success as well and lodged a reception report which e
ffectively confirmed each otherâ€Ös observations as being credible.
https://alexander.n.se/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OErGFaT1esI
73, Richard VK7RZ
--------------------------------
VK7 Amateur Radio Broadcasts
Welcome and 2021 Roster
We welcome Dale VK7DG who has volunteered to become a HF rebroadcast station and is transmitting on 40m today. If you heard Dal
eâ€Ös signal please go back to him and let him know.
Thanks Dale.
The 2021 Roster is also now available on the VK7 Amateur Radio Groups.IO group files area.
https://groups.io/g/vk7arnews/files
73, VK7 ARNews Team
--------------------------------
Digital News
DSTAR Reflector 91C Popularity Rising
The Tasmanian hosted DSTAR Reflector 91C has turned out to be the most successful in the Southern hemisphere.
Last Wednesday night following the broadcast of News Line and 91C Magazine there were 46 logins and two gateways with 13 callba
cks. This is a very strong response!
I thank everybody for calling back as it makes all the effort that goes into looking after Reflector 91C worthwhile.
73 Clayton VK7ZCR
--------------------------------
News from the northwest
N.W. Tassie 2m DX Net
In early October, 2020, we commenced a weekly net in the North West, known as the N.W. Tassie 2m DX Net. The net is aimed at en
couraging more activity on the 2m band from N.W. VK7 and to encourage stations located interstate to listen for Tasmania on the
band. The net controllers are located in the Burnie area and listen using both vertical and horizontal polarization. Our first
two nets in October, resulted in contacts made into VK3 and we were delighted.
The net is held every Thursday commencing at 09:00 UTC (20:00 local) on 146.550 FM. We then QSY at 09:30 UTC (20:30 local) to 1
44.120 USB.
We also have a Facebook group which can be found by searching the name of the net on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/nwtas2mnet
Please do not hesitate to Jon VK7JON for further information on 0497 610 498.
73, Jon, VK7JON
--------------------------------
NW Tassie Amateur Repeater Group Net
North West Amateurs have indicated they would like a local repeater net
So, on Wednesday nights at 2000hrs local, the NW Tassie Amateur Repeater Group, will conduct a net on VK7RMD 146.625, 141.3 ton
e.
This repeater is located on Mt Duncan behind Penguin and the repeater has a large coverage area from Smithton to Launceston and
into the back country.
We want it to be informal, but run by a net controller, so everyone can get a spot to chat about what they are up to, projects
they are working on, ideas, propagation, anything radio and electronic related and we will be staying away from politics, relig
ion and all the other no nos.
This is totally independent of any clubs and organisation, and its aim is to foster relations between amateurs, and keep the PA
s in the radios used and warm.
Anyone who can hear the net is welcome to join in
73, Eric, VK7EV
--------------------------------
NWTR&TV Group
Meetings to resume.
It is planned to have the first post-COVID meeting of the club on December 5th at the Scout Hall in Ulverstone which is our usu
al location, unless restrictions get reintroduced by a worsening situation in our state.
Meeting will start at 2PM and will be followed by afternoon tea and a cuppa. I am supplying disposable cups and I suggest inste
ad of cooking, to buy a packet of biscuits or some small cakes as I think it was recommended to go through official sources tha
t have COVID production regulations to follow, so as a precaution it would be appreciated, and any contribution for a snack als
o welcome.
We the committee strongly request the practice of all COVID government rules and requirements and wish our members to do the sa
me, and if you have any signs of being unwell please do not attend but follow member email messages that will give notification
of club progress.
As always visitors are welcome for the meeting and the following chatter that usually happens.
Looking forward to seeing everyone.
73, Shirl, VK7HSC, President
--------------------------------
NEws from the North
SOTA/WWFF PARKS GROUP
The Summits On The Air/World Wide Flora and Fauna parks group is now meeting 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
---------------------------------
Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club Incorporated
www.ntarc.net
As this news goes to air some NTARC members will be slowly recovering from a hard couple of days and nights providing Safety Co
mms at the Equine Endurance State Championships held at Santarena Park, Scottsdale. This event commenced at 00:00 hours, yes fo
lks, that is midnight Friday and continued well into Saturday evening.
Hopefully we may be able to provide you with a full report in next weekâ€Ös news.
In the interim though, we now hand over to Idris to give you an update on the happenings at the Technight session held on Wedne
sday 18th November in the NTARC clubrooms,
â€Once again we gathered for an evening of technical talk, radio ravings, and social soliloquising. (que? Ed)
• Doppler Shift on 23cm from Peter VK7PD
• A short video demonstrating the reception difference between a loop antenna and long wire - listening to the ABC on the MW;
with a picture of the small broadcast 10 turn loop; and,
• a short video on getting rid of adjacent station interference by using the IF Shift control.
• An â€Understanding Engineersâ€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 opportu
nity 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 facili
ties and the other services we provide, especially in these abnormal and very trying times, enjoying the company, coffee, biscu
its 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 come along to the December General Meeting, so we can real
ly celebrate bringing club life back to normal, while still balancing the need for continuing caution and with all complying wi
th 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 me at the following address ntarc.emails @ gmail.com Please note that it would be appreciated if any items fo
r the weekly news could be sent in Times New Roman, 12 pt Font format.
It would be appreciated if any news, no matter how insignificant, could be sent no later than 17:00 hours on the Friday prior t
o 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
WICEN Tas (Sth)
WICEN will be holding their 2020 Christmas BYO BBQ Meeting on December 13th from Noon.
Please BYO your meat, beverage of choice and Christmas dessert and spirit to share! The BBQ plates will be hot!
This will be held at the QTH of Peter VK7TPE and Maureen at 340 Old Station Road Snug.
We extend this invitation to partners and anyone who has or hasnâ€Öt been involved with WICEN during 2020 – you will be made
most welcome.
73, WICEN Tas (Sth) Committee
---------------------------------
Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania
https://www.reast.asn.au/
https://www.facebook.com/reasttas/
https://www.youtube.com/reasthobart/
REAST November Presentation Night
This Wednesday night 25 November will be a fascinating presentation by new REAST member Graeme Wilson VK7RE titled "The Four Si
des of a Triangle."
The basis of the presentation is that Graeme worked for a company as a Drive Trial Technician and drove 521,000 km in 6 and a h
alf years around Australia checking mobile phone coverage.
Because there was no "book" on how to do this, Graeme had to figure out what he called "Efficient Driving" and he became pretty
good at it!
This will take place in the Queen's Domain clubrooms from 7:30pm on 25th November 2020.
We will be streaming the session and will be transmitting on RF - DVB-T 445.5MHz Standard Definition 7MHz BW from the Queens Do
main.
See you there
73, REAST Committee
---------------------------------
REAST Open Day - Save the Date - December 5th
REAST will be holding an open day on Saturday December 5th up on the Queenâ€Ös Domain.
There will be lots going on in and around the REAST clubrooms and we will be showcasing amateur radio and radio in general and
many of the interesting and fascinating things that amateurs get up to.
There will also be a BBQ and Coffee and Cake available on the day.
More to come in future broadcasts and keep an eye out on the REAST Facebook page for the event details.
73, REAST Committee
---------------------------------
DATV Experimenter's Night
Last Wednesday night we started the night with Ron Cullen describing the experiments he has been doing with his homebrew Trombe
Walls. Ron has built the box, used recycled glass and beer cans with a speed variable fan to draw the warm air through the bla
ck painted cans. Initial experiments has seen temperatures up to 74 degree c. This is excellent passive solar heating and we lo
ok forward to Ron's future experiments. Thanks Ron.
Rex VK7MO then took the audience through his and Richard VK7ZBX's experiments with the Luxeon, Rebel and new Cree LEDs, and the
preliminary results. Thanks Rex.
Our next segment came from Richard VK7RZ who recently received the SAQ 17.2kHz signal in VK7. Richard outlined an interesting s
tory about musician Mike Oldfield and his Tubular Bells album. Recorded in the UK in 1973, the recording unknowingly contains a
16kHz VLF transmission from GBR, Rugby, that was captured onto the production as well. Richard supplied a image and recording
of the 16kHz signal he found on the recording.
The second story also comes from Richard and Winston VK7EM, which is a true story about early Bass Strait communications called
- The Green House, Early telephonic communications across Bass Strait.
"One Saturday evening, the Senior Technician on duty at the Launceston Telephone Exchange received a call from a telephonist, w
ho noted a strange ‘racketâ€Ö on one of the lines. On investigation, he found it was perfect high speed Morse code on a line
to Victoria. He read the messages, found they were from a US Navy operator and reported it to a Navy Department Office in Hobar
t. As his investigations continued, he traced the interference to the King Island repeater station at Naracoopa. It then became
clear. The US Navy had several ships in the area - one was a submarine and its usual frequency was around 17KHz. The vesselâ€Ö
s transmissions had found their way into the cable or the cable station equipment, as one of the voice channels was also 17KHz.
The American Naval officer was quite puzzled as to how his messages could possibly be received in this way."
Thanks to Richard VK7RZ for the above stories.
Justin then covered some of the projects happening for the DATV Studio and Club. The first are new PTZ cameras with Arduino RS4
85 Controllers and the second are PCBs being developed to repurpose high current server SMPSUs. Justin finished with an innovat
ive use for radio in Uganda and South Sudan for teaching students through distance education.
Questions and callbacks were taken through the Youtube Chat Channel.
The video is available in the REAST Youtube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lroIJnC3wAQ
We go into recess for a fortnight as this week is Presentation night – see you back in the studio on Dec 3rd.
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.
NTARC - Coffee mornings - Fridays 1000 to 1200 NTARC Club Rooms.
NTARC – Technical Sessions and Tech Net on alternate Wednesdays. Next Tech Net on will be 25th November and next Technical se
ssion at the Clubrooms on 2nd December.
NW VK7 – Wednesday from 2000 local – NW Tassie Amateur Repeater Group Net on VK7RMD - 146.625, 141.3 tone.
NW VK7 - Thursday commencing at 09:00 UTC (20:00 local) - N.W. Tassie 2m DX Net starting on 146.550 FM then from 09:30 UTC (20:
30 local) to 144.120 USB.
REAST – MICROWAVE QSO Party – following after the Sunday broadcast on 1296.15 MHz FM.
REAST – WAGS – Wednesday Afternoon Group meet in the Queens Domain Clubrooms from 12 noon.
REAST – DATV Experimenterâ€Ös Nights from 7:30pm live in the club rooms on DVBT RF and YouTube Streaming
Sewing Circle Net – Daily commences at 18:00 on 3.640 MHz.
Events:
REAST - 25 November – Four sides to a Triangle Presentation by Graham VK7RE from 7:30pm in Queenâ€Ös Domain Clubrooms
NWTR&TVG – 5 December - First meeting since COVID - on from 2pm at the Leven District Scout Headquarters, 73 Alexander Road,
Ulverstone.
NTARC – 5 December - First general meeting Rocherlea clubrooms from 2.00 pm.
REAST – 5 December – Open Day - Queens Domain Clubrooms
WICEN Tas (Sth) – 13 December – Christmas BYO BBQ Meeting – QTH of VK7TPE from Noon.
---------------------------------
A reminder to those people rostered for next weekâ€Ös broadcast:
Newsreader: VK7ZIR
Repeaters: REAST, NTARC and NWTR&TVG
80m: Any Takers
40m: Any Takers
20m: VK7ALH
10m: VK7TPE
DMR: Talk Group 5 and
D-Star: Reflector 91C 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 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 Justin, VK7TW
--------------------------------------------------------------
(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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