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VK7AX > BCAST 06.03.21 00:52z 461 Lines 23820 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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From: VK7AX@VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC
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VK7 Amateur Radio News 07Mar21
Text edition:
VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 7TH MARCH 2021
--------------------------------
Welcome to the VK7 Amateur Radio News for the 7th of March 2021. At the mike of VK7WI this week is Peter, VK7PD.
This broadcast goes out on repeaters all over VK7 and on digital radio - DMR Talk Group 5 and D-Star Reflector 91C by Clayton, VK7ZCR.
We also go out on Medium and High Frequency courtesy of the following HF rebroadcast stations:
On 3.670 MHz by Ross, VK7ALH
On 7.140 MHz by Garry, VK7JGD
On 14.130 MHz by Dale, VK7DG and
On 28.525 MHz by Tony, VK7VKT
You can hear this broadcast again on Tuesday night at 8:00pm on repeaters VK7RAA in Northern VK7, VK7RTC in Southern VK7 and at 8:30pm in NW VK7 on VK7RTV and VK7RDR.
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VK7 Event News
Meet The Voice 2021
Please note that the Meet the Voice will be going ahead this year on the weekend of the 20-21 March 2021 with the main event happening on the Sunday the 21 March from 11am.
It will be happening at the Ross Caravan Park on the banks of the picturesque Macquarie River.
As in past years attendees are welcome to make a weekend of it and stay at the Caravan Park. The BBQs will be fired up on the Sunday for lunch and the presentation of the Meet The Voice Sewing Circle Trophy will be made around 11:00am.
The Weekend coincides with the John Moyle Memorial Field Day contest where the focus is on portable operation, so why not bring your portable station along and operate in the John Moyle as well.
http://meetthevoice.org/
73, Sewing Circle Net
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Contest News
John Moyle Memorial Field Day
Just to remind everybody that the John Moyle field day is coming up soon. The next Field Day will be held over the weekend of the 20th-21st March 2021 and will run from UTC 0100 on the Saturday to 0059 on the Sunday. The contest is open to all VK, ZL and P2 stations. All other stations are welcome to participate, but can only claim points for contacts with VK, ZL and P2 stations. All VK, ZL and P2 stations can claim points for all contacts, with any station in the world, as long as valid serial numbers are exchanged.
The contest rules ensure more logs are submitted, by requiring that if any station works the same station a total of more than 10 times on any band or on any mode then the logs from both stations should be submitted to verify those contacts.
There are a number of categories and they cover portable stations and home stations with the following options.
a) 24 or 6 hour;
b) Phone, CW, Digital or All modes;
c) HF, VHF/UHF or All Bands.
For instance, you can operate for 6 hours, Phone and HF, as an example.
As the points are calculated on distance it is important that you have your 6 digit maidenhead grid locator available for exchange. This can be obtained a number of ways such as app on a smartphone or via the web. https://www.levinecentral.com/ham/grid_square.php
Why not set aside some time to exchange some numbers with those that will be out and about, even if you stay home. The John Moyle field day is a little different than other field days as you can operate on HF is thatâÖs your interest. Suitable logging software makes the task of keeping track of rework times and point score. Here are a few options such as VKCL, VK5DJ and many others. This also makes the job of sending your log in an easy task. On VHF / UHF a good spot to checkout will be the usual simplex channels on 6M, 2M, 70cm and 23cm. For those with SSB try the usual XX.150 on USB.
Hope to hear you out and about!
https://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/johnmoyle/
73 Richard VK7ZBX
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QSL NEWS
Report - from Herman VK7HW Manager of the WIA VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
The current list of Cards held as at 5 March 2021, is in the email version of the broadcast.
If you would like your cards to be delivered to your Radio Club or you have any questions re QSL cards, please contact Herman by email vk7bureau(at)wia.org.au.
73, Herman, VK7HW, WIA Manager VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
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VK7 Inwards QSL Cards held as at 1 March 2021
AAA, AB, ACN, AIR, AL, AM, AO, AP, AS, ATH, AU, AV
BA, BB, BBW, BO, BPV
CEJ, CH, CJ, CL, CMV, CV, CX
DG, DN, DO, DQ, DT, DX, DZ
EG
FALX, FAZZ, FG, FGGT, FJFJ, FLAR, FOTR, FRJG, FTAS
GA, GC, GG, GM, GZ
HCH, HDM, HPD, HRS, HRW, HSJ, HVK, HZ
IK, IS
JA, JB, JGD, JP, JW
KBA, KD, KI, KJ, KL, KO, KRJ, KX
LAZ, LCW, LDH, LM, LW
MAG, MAT, MBD, MBP, MC, ME, MHZ, MI, MK, ML, MS
NA, NC, NMH, NRF, NSB, NSE, NTE, NWQ
OK, OR
PBD, PSJ, PW
RG, ROY, RR/4
SN, SV
TCE, TED, TK, TS
VAC, VAZ, VH, VKV, VR, VZ
WA, WC, WT, WX
XDM
YN
ZA, ZM, ZT, ZZ
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NEWS FROM THE NORTH
New Northern Repeater
Greg VK7YAD advises that VK7RUN channel 3 is currently active [431.850 input/438.850 output] in the Launceston CBD.
Intended for the support of small form factor low power FM handhelds using shortened antenna, offering unsurpassed penetration into buildings and alleyways, it is within 2km of the CBD and serves to facilitate message passing between HAMs out and about during these socially distant times ... but without the social distractions of equipment drawing attention perhaps for the wrong reasons.
For the present time it may also be found on occasion passing Brandmeister Talk Group 91 [Worldwide ENGLISH] traffic as FM {not DMR} during testing, however this is a one way process, RUN-3 does not pass the FM traffic back to the DMR network.
It has been operational for sometime however a faulty power supply caused some early teething problems which now seem to have been overcome ... put it in your receive scan group, give it a try and see what it offers.
VK7RUN-2 [438.825MHz out] continues, as it has for many months now, to broadcast Brandmeister DMR traffic, Talk Group 91 Time Slot 2 Color Code 1, but at low level for continued site testing.
VK7RUN is actually a set of 3 different repeaters, RUN-3 and RUN-2 are active presently in different ways, RUN-1 is under test presently but there may be a shuffle of services between them as time progresses.
Reception reports, questions or comments to VK7RUN(at)yahoo.com.
73, Greg, VK7YAD
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SOTA/WWFF PARKS GROUP
The Summits On The Air/World Wide Flora and Fauna parks group is now meeting twice weekly â 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
Here we are, already in early March, and with life finally appearing at least to approximate pre-2020 conditions. COVID now seems to be fairly much under control in all States, with vaccines finally being administered, so hereâÖs hoping that we can soon put all that terrible virus behind us.
As mentioned last week, a number of NTARC members attended an Equine Endurance event at Sassafras on Saturday 27th February, so we now hand over to Norm VK7KTN to provide all with an update:
âThe Jill Sheean Memorial ride on Saturday 27th February was the first for us this year, and was held at our regular Sassafras site.
The advance party arrived Friday morning with Idris VK7ZIR pulling the Communications trailer and passengers AndrĂŠ VK7ZAB and Stefan VK7ZSB. Norm VK7KTN and Loraine followed on behind, with Roger VK7ARN arrived soon after. Very quickly the antenna mast was extended, the radios turned on and then off to setup the repeaters at a nearby farm.
After consultation with ride organises the final course and checkpoint allocation were confirmed. Crews then went out to find the locations and check out the communications. The course originally planned had to be changed at the last minute as some of the Forestry roads had been closed with the use of a bulldozer.
At the ride base there is no mains power infrastructure so the trailer ran all the equipment on the 12V battery system. The Honda generator was started Saturday morning to recharge the batteries and ran on a single tank for the rest of the day.
It was an early start on Saturday with the first ride, an 80 km event starting at 06:30 hours with 26 riders. The 40 km didnâÖt start till 08:00 hours and it had 30 riders.
For the 1st leg of 80 km ride Idris and Stefan were at the Franklin road checkpoint which was used twice as riders went via a 10 km loop. After the last rider went through they moved to Wurra Wurra road and setup as the 2nd checkpoint for the 40 km ride. Just as they finished setting up, the first of the riders appeared. This checkpoint was also used for the 80 km leg 2.
Roger and Rick VK7RI were at Caesar Road which was used as the 1st checkpoint on the 40 km & leg 2 of 80 km rides. The radio path was a bit scratchy but all the riderâÖs RFID tag data was received at base.
Apart from some difficulty decoding the local TEERA web pages, all our operations went well. The information we were missing was provided by Lorraine, who volunteered to sit out in the sun light and note the bib numbers of the 80 km riders leaving base for leg 2.
We had a few visitors during Saturday. Bernie VK7BR came along to give us a hand. Also Ian Gillespie and partner Shirley, followed by Lewis Snare and Sam. Ian and Lewis became members of NTARC in late 2020, great to see them get involved in this activity. After being shown around base they all went to the Wurra Wurra road Checkpoint to see what happens. Shirley, having an equestrian background, was able to converse with some of the riders on their level.
Our next ride is at Santarena Park, Scottsdale on the 3rd of April, Easter Saturday. The first ride is 120 km and starts at 04:00 hours. Luckily we will be able to get extra sleep the next day, as Day Light Savings ends.
Thank you to all the NTARC Safety Communications Crew.â
Cheers, Norm Thorley VK7KTN, NTARC Safety Comms Coordinatorâ
Thanks Norm, glad it all went well for the crew.
We now hand over to Nic VK7WW to give you an update in relation to the Testnet and Technet session held on Wednesday 3rd March.
The TestNet on 3580 at 7pm - Five stations on the TestNet,
⢠Phil VK7ZPD, testing his remote control software.
⢠Rick VK7HBR, for audio and signal reports.
⢠Peter VK7KPC, with 5w AM from his Clansman Radio.
⢠Peter VK7ZPE, for reports for more changes in his antenna, and
⢠Nic VK7WW as net control, is conducting more circuit tests for AM modulation.
Conditions were good and slowly improved throughout the evening.
The TechNet as VK7TAZ followed at 7:30pm local time on 3.567 with 10 stations for the Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club (NTARC)
⢠VK7ALB Peter, using a home-brew rig 10w pep from a mosfet IRF510
⢠VK7ZPD Phil, successfully operating remotely from AnsonâÖs Bay using VOIP and a questionable 3G link.
⢠VK7HBR Rick, tells us of how he had an impromptu net of stations from VK2, 3, 4 and 7 on 80m the other night conducting tests till 11pm - all as a result of him telling about his results on this TechNet! Well done Rick!
⢠VK7BR Bernie âbunny rabbitsâÖ gave detailed signal strength reports.
⢠VK7DW Andrew, has successfully replaced the broken encoder on his 857D. He also told us the AO7 satellite is still âalive and wellâ Wow! Launched in 1974!
By way of brief history, after some 7 years operation, AO-7 became non-operational in mid-1981 due to battery failure. In 2002 one of the shorted batteries became an open and now the spacecraft is able to run off solar panels. For this reason it is not usable in eclipse and may not be able to supply enough power to the transmitter to keep from frequency modulating the signal. When continuously illuminated, the mode will alternate between A and B every 24 hours.
⢠VK7KPA Paul, is hoping to start on his two-valve QRP rig.
⢠VK7PD Peter, congratulated Ian Gillespie, soon to have the call VK7IG, for going for the full call licence, first off. Excellent effort Ian! Peter also mentioned the importance of ALL amateurs taking part in the current WIA ACMA survey, to determine the future of Amateur Radio.
⢠VK7ALH Rosco, âthe railway media tartâ and Conductor will be working at the Sheffield âSteamfestâ operating a pair of hand-helds .....and
⢠VK3EWF Ernie, a novice station from Geelong had a good signal running 10w pep from an FT891 into a Butternut vertical.
Nic, VK7WW, as net control, seems to have fixed the frequency âjumpingâ problem, having disassembled his IC751A by removing and replacing the frequency synthesis and memory board a few times â and having carefully sprayed âDeoxitâ onto the pins.
Thanks Paul VK7KPA for hosting Discord - with 9 stations logged-in
On line topics and photos included:
⢠Transistor bias calculations.
⢠Satellite view of AnsonâÖs Bay.
⢠Software needed for remote operation back to your home station.
⢠Photo of NicâÖs prototype boards and DE-OXIT contact cleaner.
⢠Link to the WIA ACMA Survey;....and
⢠Bill 7MX posted a link to Glenn VK3PEâÖs website on the integrated running of an IC705 with the Russian designed and cheap AT-100 atu kit, using the IC705âÖs âtuneâ button.
Thank you to all who joined the Nets and, those who listen to us on HF, Discord ...and SDRs around the world via the Internet, wherever you may be!
This is Nic VK7 Whisky Whisky aka âDouble Scotchâ, on behalf of the Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club, now Signing Clear.â
FUTURE EVENTS
Tech Night â Wednesday 10th March at the NTARC Club rooms 19:30 hours until whenever. Continuous tea and coffee will be available, although a gold coin donation for the evening, to help defray expenses, would be appreciated. The Discord on-line session that normally accompanies the TechNet 80 meter event will also be alive, to allow members who cannot be present in person to continue their participation via that medium.
TestNet and TechNet session â Wednesday 17th March, there will again be a TestNet, hosted by Nic VK7WW, at 1900 hrs (7.00) on 3.580 MHz for any stations wishing to test their homebrew transmitters, repaired equipment, new acquisitions etc. Nic is able to accommodate SSB, AM and CW transmissions and is always happy to hear from any station wishing to utilise the net. Nic VK7WW also hosts the TechNet session which follows on at 1930 hrs, (7.30 pm) on 3.567MHz.
Tech Night â Wednesday 24th March at the NTARC Club rooms 19:30 hours until whenever. Continuous tea and coffee will be available, although a gold coin donation for the evening would be appreciated. The Discord on-line session that normally accompanies the TechNet 80 meter event will also be alive, to allow members who cannot be present in person to continue their participation via that medium.
April General Meeting â Saturday 10th April. Meeting commences 14:00 hours (2.00pm). Afternoon tea will follow.
Coffee mornings â currently held 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.
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.
Finally â 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(at)gmail.com , all items to be received no later than 17:00 on the Friday prior to the Broadcast.
Your continued cooperation in this regard will be greatly appreciated.
We will bring you all such contributions next Sunday morning.
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/
https://www.facebook.com/reasttas/
https://www.youtube.com/reasthobart/
REAST Q&A Session
ACMA Proposed Changes
Our March events night was a presentation and questions and answer session on the proposed ACMA licence changes.
Presentation given by Justin VK7TW using (with permission) the Canberra Region Amateur Radio Club (CRARC) presentation written by Dale VK1DSH and Gilbert VK1GH.
Justin introduced the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) Spectrum Strategy Committee who were tasked by the WIA Board to create a document that analysed ACMA's proposed amateur licence changes for a survey of amateurs. This formed the basis of the presentation.
Justin then went through the CRARC presentation that started by posing some questions to get people thinking about ACMA tenets for change along with the good and bad elements. Thinking then about what is best for amateur radio in the long term and hoping that we can positively engage with ACMA to reach a mutually acceptable outcome.
The presentation encouraged every amateur to make submission by 2/4/21, responding to the WIA poll and being polite, well-informed and keeping the submission within scope of what ACMA is asking for.
The presentation then compared the current apparatus licence and the proposed class licence - element by element.
This included - Licence Renewal, Register of licences, the Class licence instrument, Interference and devices, Home Brew Equipment, Electro Magnetic Radiation & ARPANSA, 50-52MHz Coexistence, 2200 & 630m band power levels, Operational guidelines and the preliminary WIA view.
The presentation then covered what to do next and finished with a questions and answers session with many great questions from the audience.
The session was recorded and is available from the REAST Youtube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0DNwD1ybVE
Thanks to CRARC for allowing the use of their presentation.
ACMA Licence Change Proposals - https://www.acma.gov.au/consultations/2021-01/review-non-assigned-amateur-and-outpost-regulatory-arrangements-consultation-012021
Apparatus Licence - https://www.acma.gov.au/apparatus-licences
Class Licence - https://www.acma.gov.au/class-licences
WIA Information Paper -
https://www.wia.org.au/newsevents/news/2021/20210224-1/index.php
73, REAST Committee
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Save the Date
Our April presentation night on April 7, 2021 will be a fascinating presentation on the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre and the work they do with a focus on the processing from the Radio Astronomy Square Kilometre Array telescope.
This presentation will be given by REAST member Andrew Elwell who works at the Pawsey Centre.
This is one not to be missed.
https://pawsey.org.au/
73, REAST Committee
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Save Another Date
Our May presentation night on May 5, 2021 will be a wonderful presentation on lightning, whistlers and other phenomena by none other than Dr. Mike Groth VK7MJ.
Another one not to be missed.
73, REAST Committee
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Training and Assessments
REASTâÖs next Foundation Training and all licence assessment day on Saturday 27th March 2021 from 9am to 3pm.
If you are thinking of coming along then grab your copy of the Foundation Licence Manual from the Caltex Service Station on the corner of Amy St and Main Rd, Moonah for $35 cash and please let Reg Emmett VK7KK REAST Learning Organiser know ASAP that you will be coming along by phoning 0417 391 607 or email assessor(at)reast.asn.au.
Checkout the REAST Facebook page events for further details.
https://www.facebook.com/events/718404075716863/
73, Reg, VK7KK
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DATV Experimenter's Night
This coming Wednesday will continue our DATV ExperimenterâÖs Night with antennas, satellites, magazine reviews, projects and much much more. We get underway from 7:30pm in the QueenâÖs Domain clubrooms.
Keep an eye on the REAST Facebook Events for more details. Why not come up to the Queens Domain COVID-safe clubrooms and see what we get up to.
And a reminder that we go out on RF on 445.5MHz DVB-T 7MHz Standard Definition. So, if you have a TV, Set-top box or USB DTV Dongle that you can tune and scan 445.5MHz and you can see the Queens Domain, then you have a good chance of receiving the DATV Experimenter's Night Signal.
Look out for VK7OTC. We also stream the nights on the REAST YouTube channel.
https://www.reast.asn.au/news-events/live-stream/
https://www.reast.asn.au/special-interest-groups/amateur-tv/
73, Justin, VK7TW
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Regular VK7 gatherings and events over the coming months:
Regular gatherings:
SOTA/WWFF Group â Meeting Mondays and Fridays 10.30-12.00 midday at Glebe Gardens Cafe, Henry St, Launceston.
NTARC â Friday coffee session â Rocherlea clubrooms Launceston from 10:00am
NTARC - Tech Night sessions Wednesday 10th & 24th March - Rocherlea clubrooms Launceston
NTARC - Tech Net session - Wednesday 17th & 31st March
NW VK7 â Wednesday from 2000 local â NW Tassie Amateur Repeater Group Net on VK7RMD - 146.625, 141.3 tone.
NW VK7 - Thursday commencing at 09:30 UTC (20:30 local) - N.W. Tassie 2m DX Net 144.120 USB (upper sideband).
REAST â MICROWAVE QSO Party â following after the Sunday broadcast on 1296.15 MHz FM.
REAST â WAGS â Wednesday Afternoon Group meet in the Queens Domain Clubrooms from 12 noon.
REAST â DATV ExperimenterâÖs Nights from 7:30pm live in the club rooms also on DVBT RF and YouTube Streaming
Sewing Circle Net â Daily commences at 18:00 on 3.640 MHz.
Events:
VK7 - 21 March - Meet The Voice 2021 at Ross Caravan Park - main event starts from 11am - BYO BBQ.
VK - 20-21 March - John Moyle Memorial Field Day
REAST - 7 April - Pawsey Supercomputing Centre and the SKA Presentation by Andrew Elwell from 7:30pm
NTARC - 10 April - General Meeting from 2.00pm
REAST - 5 May - Lightning, whistlers and other phenomena with Dr. Mike Groth VK7MJ from 7:30pm
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A reminder to those people rostered for next weekâÖs broadcast:
Newsreader: VK7RI
Repeaters: REAST, NTARC and in the NW thanks to NWTR&TVG, West Coast Radio Group, Cradle Coast Radio Amateur Radio Club, VK7AX, and VK7DC
160m: VK7GS
80m: VK7JGD
40m: VK7DG
20m: VK7TPE
10m: VK7VKT
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 VK7RTC in Southern VK7. In the NW it can be heard at 8:30pm on repeaters VK7RTV and VK7RDR, Digital ATV on 445.5MHz in the Ulverstone area, and via the BATC VK7AX Video Stream.
A huge thank you 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(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. 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 itâÖs 73 from Peter, VK7PD.
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(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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