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VK7AX > BCAST 15.05.21 07:12z 410 Lines 20393 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: VK7 Amateur Radio News 16May21
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VK7 Amateur Radio News 16May21
Text edition:
VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 16TH MAY 2021
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VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 16TH MAY 2021
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Welcome to the VK7 Amateur Radio News for the 16th of May 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 rebroadcast stations:
On 1.865 MHz by Graham VK7GS
On 3.670 MHz by Peter, VK7TPE
On 7.140 MHz by Ross, VK7ALH
On 14.130 MHz by Garry, VK7JGD and
On 28.525 MHz by Dale, VK7DG
You can hear this broadcast again on Tuesday night at 8:00pm on repeaters VK7RAA in Northern VK7 and VK7RTC in Southern VK7.
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Contest News
2021 WIA Winter VHF and Above Winter Field Day
Well, the weather has begun to chill off, so that means it must be getting close to time for the Winter VHF/UHF field day. This year the field day will be held from 01:00 UTC on June 27th through to 00:59 UTC on June 28th. Plenty of categories to participate in, no need to go portable although it's a great opportunity to get out and about and play radio, but you can still operate from your home station. The field day is aimed at VHF and up to the best places to listen for activity would be 52.525, 146.500, 439.000 and 1296.150 on FM, and of course the usual SSB frequencies of 50.150, 144.150, 432.150 are always worth a listen or a call. Knowing your current grid square is a requirement for logging, so perhaps do some google earthing or use one of the many apps that will let you know your 6 digit grid square.
There are a couple of logging programs, VKCL and RD Contest Logger. Both will talk to your radio making logging easier.
Why not introduce a new licence holder to the world of field days, you never know where it may take them.
Hear you on the bands
https://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/vhfuhf/
73 Richard VK7ZBX
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Contest News
2020 WIA Contest Champion Results
The 2020 WIA Contest Champion results have been released and it is great to see so many VK7s in the results.
Within the top 10 are two VK7s in Catherine VK7GH and Richard VK7ZBX in 7th and 9th respectively.
In the top 20 places we have two in Justin VK7TW and Murray VK7ZMS in 11th and 14th places.
There are many other VK7's in the list as well which is a fantastic change!
The Contests Champion list recognises those who have participated in multiple WIA contests and submitted log results.
The Contest Champion total score is the accumulation of the scores from seven popular WIA contests, these being the Ross Hull, John Moyle National Field Day, Harry Angel, Remembrance Day Contest, Oceania DX Contest Phone, Oceania DX Contest CW, and the VHF UHF Field Days.
Congratulations to all who participated.
https://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/contestchampion/
73, VK7 ARNews Team
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QSL NEWS
Report - from Herman VK7HW Manager of the WIA VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
Report - from Herman VK7HW Manager of the WIA VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
The current list of Cards held as at 9 May 2021, is in the email version of the broadcast.
If you have any questions re QSL cards, please contact Herman by email vk7bureau(at)wia.org.au
REAST members can collect their cards from the Domain Club rooms if they let Herman know to deliver them there. He can drop them off most Wednesdays at lunch time.
Thank you to those amateurs who have been in touch.
73, Herman, VK7HW, WIA Manager VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
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VK7 Inwards QSL Cards held as at 9 May 2021
AAA, AB, ACN, AD, AG, AIR, AL, AM, AO, AP, APZ, AS, ATH, AV
BA, BB, BBW, BPV
CH, CJ, CL, CMV, CV, CX
DG, DN, DO, DQ, DT, DX, DZ
EG
FALX, FAZZ, FCIA, FEDT, FG, FGGT, FJFJ, FLAR, FOTR, FTAS
GA, GC, GG, GM, GZ
HC, HCH, HDM, HPD, HRS, HRW, HSJ, HVK, HZ
IK, IS
JA, JB, JGD, JON, JP, JW
KBA, KD, KI, KJ, KL, KO, KR, KRJ, KT, KX
LAZ, LCW, LDH, LLL, LM, LVH
MAG, MAT, MBD, MBP, MC, MD, ME, MHZ, MI, MK, ML, MS
NA, NC, NET, NMH, NRF, NSB, NSE, NSS, NTE, NWQ, NWT
OK, OR
PBD, PRN, PSJ, PW
ROY, RR/4, RUM
SN, SV
TAS, TCE, TED, TK, TS
VAC, VAZ, VH, VKV, VR, VZ
WA, WC, WIA, WT
XDM
YN
ZA, ZM, ZT, ZZ
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NEWS FROM THE NORTH WEST
North West Tasmania Radio & TV Group Scout site upgrades
On Saturday the 8th May, Matt VK7ML, Ross VK7WP and Eric VK7EV, with the assistance of Stuart, the District Commissioner for the Scouts Leven District, had a productive day at the Scout HQs in Ulverstone, and the Paton Park Scout Camp at North Motton.
At the Scout Headquarters in Ulverstone, A Diamond X30 dual band antenna purchased by the club, was mounted on a Barge mount, and LMR400 cable was fed from the antenna into the radio room. A dual band radio 2m/70cm and power supply were tested on site, and all NW and North repeaters accessed with very strong signals.
The Barge mount, coax and the dual band radio and power supply, were all donated by members, the radio is programmed with all Tasmanian 2M and 70cm repeaters and some simplex frequencies. This will allow licenced Scouts and Scout leaders to operate the radio, whenever they are on site, the radio will only be moved to Paton Park, for the JOTA weekend, So VK7SDL is on the air!
At the Paton Park Scout Camp, Matt climbed the tower and repointed the 70cm beam to Dazzler Range, the 2m beam was flipped, and pointed to Mt Arthur.
The HF beam was tested and performed very well, with S9 plus 20 signals into VK4, and S9 contacts with amateurs in America on 20m, the beam also performed very well on 15M and 10M.
The Coaxes that were normally curled up under the eaves, as well as the new rotator cable, were fed through the roof, and into the Radio Room, to allow easy access to connect the radios.
Matt climbed to the top of the tower, to examine the 80/40m Fan dipole, and confirmed that one 80m leg had broken off, and we will need to replace the Fan dipole that has been up for over 20yrs.
We are contemplating testing some 2m and 70cm antennas, we have, to see if we can utilize them to improve communications on 2/70 bands or we mount commercial vertical antenna on the top of the tower.
73 Eric VK7EV
News Officer NWTR&TVG
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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
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Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club Incorporated
www.ntarc.net
A cold and damp morning saw a slow start to arrivals at coffee club on Friday. Ros had arrived early as usual and lit the fire and put on the urn. Thankfully members started to arrive and we had a good attendance, over 21 people. Lots of banter and chat as is the norm. Bernie arrived with a load of wood and ably assisted by Rosco it was unloaded and stored in the garage, Kevin arrived with more wood which also was put in the garage. Mind you the garage is looking rather crowded, so a working bee is in order at some point to clean out and toss stuff that has not moved in a long time. We suggest members pop into the garage and main hall on coffee days and check out the components, boards, computers, keyboards and other items on offer and consider placing a gold coin or note into the donation box.
A thank you to Ros for supplying the scrumptious cake, Lorraine the fresh platter of sandwiches. Yvonne brought along some party pies only to discover some sausage rolls in the fridge, so they went into the oven to be heated up and the pies put into the freezer for next week. Not a skerrick of food was left at the end of coffee. So all in all another great morning.
New Members - NTARC would like to welcome two new members to the Club, Lionel VK7ZLB and Rick VK7HBR. We look forward to seeing you at the club rooms.
Mug Order - yes, we are talking about the white mugs for drinking out of, those that have our club logo on one side, personalised with your name and call sign on the other. We are placing another order so if you would like one then please see André at coffee mornings or at the technical night. Those members who have already requested a mug, please email treasurer@ntarc.net to confirm order, and anyone else who wants one please specify what name is to be printed above the callsign.
UPCOMING EVENTS
TECH NIGHT – Wednesday 19th May 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.
SLOW MORSE COURSE – Wednesday 19th May, fourth session. Your host and teacher is Nic VK7WW. Frequencies and times are the same as were used by Nic for the previous TestNet and TechNet. And if you have forgotten what they were, here they are, 1900 hrs to 1930 hrs on 3.580 MHz and then at 1930hours through to about 2030 on 3.567MHz.
So why not tune in and give it a try. By the end of each week, between Morse Course Sessions, participants may have learned 12 characters. Then it’s time to practice them on air.
Nic will be explaining “how to have a contactö and the procedures and protocols. For those who may want some extra help, this website is reported as being very good. www.morsecodeclassnet.com/
JUNE GENERAL MEETING - Saturday 12th June commencing at 14:00 (2:00 pm). Further information on this meeting will be advised in forthcoming weekly broadcast news.
COFFEE MORNINGS – 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 – 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/
June Presentation Night
https://www.facebook.com/events/3709318659180091
Our June presentation night will be on 2nd June and will be given by Mike VK7DMH who will be describing his experiences receiving & decoding Weather, Commercial & Amateur satellite signals.
This will include the hardware, software & antennas that he used for this project will be discussed and used in this presentation.
This should be another fascinating presentation not to be missed. Starts 7:30pm in the Queen’s Domain clubrooms and will be streamed via the REAST YouTube channel.
See you there
73, REAST Committee
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Training and Assessments
REAST’s next Foundation Training and all licence assessment day is next Saturday the 29th May 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.
Check out the REAST Foundation Licence Training Videos that can be found on the REAST YouTube Training and Assessment playlist.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsnsP_zjw831mdC6sY4XqavRUY-53ZWUn
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
Last Wednesday night we welcomed Hayden VK7HH from HamRadio DX fame in the studio and started with an interesting submission by Bruce N7RR - the Monowalker Fatmate which is a non-motorised (SOTA friendly) platform to carry equipment much like a reverse wheel barrow.
https://monowalker.com/?lang=en&v=6cc98ba2045f
We then moved to OmniRig and DigiRig - DigiRig Creator - Denis Grisak K0TX passed on the following:
* in the windows sound settings you should move the "default" from digirig to the laptop's speakers and mic. This way the system's beeps and boops will not go on air.
* I also like to rename digirig recording/playback devices so it's easier to find them in the soundcards list later in digital modes apps:
* for RFI reasons I typically go with the shorter cables between the radio and digirig with all of the needed slack on USB side of things, though this shouldn't be an issue with shielded/choked cables
Kevin VK4UH has let us know that he is successfully using the PTT-Out line on the FT-817 for Transverters.
Justin then demonstrated the use of OmniRig to share the CAT control for multiple applications running on the PC with VKCL and WSJTX
We then moved to GNU Radio Session Workshop Two with a reminder that the source of these workshops comes from the Microwave Update MUD conference 2019 workshop
https://www.ntms.org/
We recapped the concepts from the first workshop including throttles, interface, flowgraph, sample rate, connector types, sinks and sources.
We then looked at the difference between a complex versus real streams.
Then showed the first and second exercises and the difference and output and the concept of positive and negative frequency generation.
We get back underway in workshop 3 on 26th May with noise sources, low pass filter + mixers, modifying blocks
We finished with a reminder of future presentation nights.
The presentation is available from the REAST YouTube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uylAHQVXdKg
Next week - May 19th DATV Experimenter's night will be a LCD Monitor Conversion to LED Light Panels workshop with Ron Cullen - bring along your old broken LCD monitors and we will help you convert them to lighting panels.
We get underway from 7:30pm in the Queen’s 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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Technology News
IBM creates first 2 nanometre chip
Early tests show it could be up to 45 percent faster.
For decades, each generation of computer chips got faster and more power-efficient because their most basic building blocks, called transistors, got smaller.
The pace of those improvements has slowed, but IBM on Thursday said that silicon has at least one more generational advance in store.
IBM introduced what it says is the world's first 2 nanometre (nm) chipmaking technology. The technology could be as much as 45 percent faster than the mainstream 7nm chips in many of today's laptops and phones and up to 75 percent more power efficient, the company said.
The technology likely will take several years to come to market. Once a major manufacturer of chips, IBM now outsources its high-volume chip production to Samsung but maintains a chip manufacturing research center in Albany, New York that produces test runs of chips and has joint technology development deals with Samsung and Intel to use IBM's chipmaking technology.
The 2nm chips will be smaller and faster than today's leading edge 5nm chips, which are just now showing up in premium smartphones like Apple's iPhone 12 models, and the 3-nanometer chips expected to come after 5-nanometer.
The technology IBM showed Thursday is the most basic building block of a chip: a transistor, which acts like an electrical on-off switch to form the 1s and 0s of binary digits at that foundation of all modern computing.
Making the switches very tiny makes them faster and more power efficient, but it also creates problems with electrons leaking when the switches are supposed to be off. Darío Gil, senior vice president and director of IBM Research, told Reuters in an interview that scientists were able to drape sheets of insulating material just a few nanometers thick to stop leaks.
"In the end, there's transistors, and everything else (in computing) relies on whether that transistor gets better or not. And it's not a guarantee that there will be a transistor advance generation to generation anymore. So it's a big deal every time we get a chance to say there will be another," Gil said.
https://www.itnews.com.au/news/ibm-creates-first-2-nanometre-chip-564237
(Sourced from the IT News Web E-zine)
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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 – Friday coffee session – Rocherlea clubrooms Launceston from 10:00am
NTARC - Tech Night sessions Wednesday 19th May - Rocherlea clubrooms Launceston
NTARC - Slow Morse Training Wednesday 19th May on Tech Net Frequencies
NW VK7 – Wednesday from 2000 local – NW Tassie Amateur Repeater Group Net on VK7RMD - 146.625, 141.3 tone.
NW VK7 - Thursday commencing at 10:30 UTC (20:30 local) - N.W. Tassie 2m DX Net 144.190 USB (upper sideband).
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 Experimenter’s Nights from 7:30pm live in the club rooms also on DVBT RF and YouTube Streaming
Sewing Circle Net – Daily on 3.640 MHz will commence at 5:00pm from Monday 19th April.
Events:
VK - 17 May - World Telecommunications Day - Use of AX instead of VK in your callsign
REAST - 2 June - Satellites & Satellite Antennas with Mike Hawkins VK7DMH from 7:30pm
NTARC - 12 June - Meeting from 2:00 pm
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A reminder to those people rostered for next week’s 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: VK7ALH
40m: VK7JGD
20m: Any takers
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.
A huge thank you 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(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 it’s 73 from Peter, VK7PD.
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(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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