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VK7AX > BCAST 24.05.21 02:37z 392 Lines 20919 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: VK7 Amateur Radio News 23May21
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From: VK7AX@VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC
To : BCAST@WW
VK7 Amateur Radio News 23May21
Text edition:
VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 23RD MAY 2021
--------------------------------
Welcome to the VK7 Amateur Radio News for the 23rd of May 2021. At the mike of VK7WI this week is Rick, VK7RI.
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 Ross, VK7ALH
On 7.140 MHz by Garry, VK7JGD
On 14.130 MHz by Justin, VK7TW 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 and VK7RTC in Southern VK7.
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Contest News
New Program - Silos on the Air (SiOTA)
We are proud to announce the impending release of a new portable activity program for Australian amateurs - SiOTA. Silos On The Air is a program that encourages people to visit the remnants of our Agricultural and Industrial heritage. There are 700+ silos currently identified and more will be added as we find them. They are all worth a visit. Roughly 48 have murals, but all the rest have an interesting history and nearby places of interest.
The focus is on the traditional cement tower silos. Modern trench, shed and bag silos have been excluded from the program. A few very historic ones not made of cement have also been included. Every reasonable sized town in the wheatbelt had their own silo. They are mostly situated along railway lines.
A silo is defined as a structure for storing solids, that is taller than it is wide, and is loaded from the top via an elevator.
It is a program for those who want an easy drive in the country, with a bit of radio thrown in. Activating is easy - you only need to be within 1km of the silo, and you only need 3 contacts, one of which must be HF, to qualify the silo. Activators upload their log, but chasers don't need to. There are no awards.
The SiOTA website can be found at the address found on the email version of this broadcast.
https://www.silosontheair.com/
Here you will find everything you need to enjoy a silo road trip. There are lists and maps of silos. There is also a way to upload your log.
There is also a facebook group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1103156276829934
Feel free to join the group to discuss silos. Be warned though, there are strict rules for the FB group, and the admins have zero tolerance for those not following the rules. Please read the rules on the Rules page. It's all about silos, and nothing else.
Logging support will be provided by VK port-a-log, and spotting and alerting will be supported by Parks&Peaks.
SiOTA is the idea of developer Megan Woods (VK3TIN) and is supported by the chief silo hunter Marc Hillman (VK3OHM). The system is still in Beta test, and we expect release in 2 +/- weeks. In the meantime, you are free to look around the site and start planning your roadtrip.
There will be a further announcement when the system goes live.
Marc Hillman VK3OHM and Megan Woods VK3TIN
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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 26th through to 00:59 UTC on June 27th. 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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QSL NEWS
Report - from Herman VK7HW Manager of the WIA VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
The current list of Cards held as at 23 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 23 May 2021
AAA, AB, ACN, AD, AG, AIR, AL, AM, AO, AP, APZ, AS, ATH, AV
BA, BB, BPV
CH, CJ, CL, CV, CX
DG, DN, DO, DQ, DT, DZ
EG
FALX, FAZZ, FCIA, FEDT, FG, FGGT, FJFJ, FLAR, FOTR, FTAS
GA, GC, GM, GZ
HCH, HDM, HRS, HRW, HSJ, HVK, HZ
IK, IS
JA, JB, JGD, JP, JW
KBA, KD, KI, KJ, KL, KO, KR, KRJ, KX
LAZ, LDH, LLL, LM, LVH
MAG, MAT, MBD, MBP, MC, ME, MHZ, MI, MK, ML, MS
NA, NC, NMH, NRF, NSB, NSE, NSS, NTE, NWQ
PBD, PRN, PSJ, PW
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
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
Winter is rapidly approaching, I know that by the fact that we had our first major power outage last Friday at our QTH. Thankfully its all back up and running; no power on a rural property reliant on pumps etc. is not a happy situation.
Will begin this news this week with an update on the Tech Night held at the Club room on Wednesday 19th May, so over to Idris VK7ZIR;
“Not much to report this week. We had a monstrous clean out of the garage area and spread all the goodies out on tables in the big hall. Most of the evening was spent by members “shopping” in this area, between cups of coffee and socialising. At the end of the session, there was still a large quantity of items, some of the boat anchor persuasion, too heavy to carry away. There was a lot of discussion about how they were going to get their treasures into the house without the XYL noticing!
I think everyone was happy with their acquisitions, some had a considerable amount to carry back to the car. We are having a working bee soon, date to be advised, and any remaining items will be consigned to e-waste for recycling.
All for now.
73 Idris VK7ZIR”
EQUINE ENDURANCE EVENT – our next equine endurance event sees us return to our regular venue at Sassafras on 29 May, although on this occasion Base will be set up at Wattleford Park, on the Highway. Easy enough to find, thanks to the little Fergy tractor perched high on its pole. Set up will commence on Friday 28th with the gates being opened from noon and from 05:00 hours on the Saturday morning. The NTARC Comms trailer will be utilised at this event and will head off on the Friday to get all in readiness for the early Saturday morning start. RFID tracking will also be used.
The event will host three rides, the 80km will commence at 06:30 hours, this will be followed by the 40km ride starting at 07:00 hours and the 20km ride will start at 09:00 hours. Sassafras is a pleasant 1 hour drive from Launceston so if you are able to spare a few hours and assist why not pop down on the Saturday and check in with our Safety Comms Coordinator Norm VK7KTN in the Comms trailer, Im sure he will be able to find you something to do.
SCOUTING ACTIVITY - Earlier this month, Peter VK7KPC was able to visit the Cygnet Scout group as Project Commissioner Radio and Electronics for Scouts Tasmania. Also there that night was Michael VK7MRS who was running a foundation course. Students were 6 Scouts and 1 Venturer from Cygnet and 2 Scouts from Huonville. Demographics are 7 boys and 2 girls aged 11 to 17 years old. Peters main reason for the visit was to present operator badges to 2 of the local youth members as well as a new handheld each. These had been donated by local amateurs to help foster an interest in amateur radio by local youth. Licensed scouts in the Huonville group have also received handheld radios from the same source.
The 2 new operators are Thomas VK7LOL and Coen VK7CAG, who both passed the exams while under 15. If you hear them on air, please reply and welcome them to the hobby of amateur radio.
The Huonville group amateurs are Lakia VK7LBJ, Christian VK7CMD, Robbie VK7MPR and Billy VK7BSR. There is another scout who has passed the exam but is yet to obtain his licence.
Also please keep your ears open for VK7SDL operating from Ulverstone Scout hall using recent upgrades as mentioned in last weeks broadcast.
Peter, VK7KPC, Project Commissioner Radio and Electronics, Scouts Tasmania
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(at)tarc.net to confirm order, and anyone else who wants one please specify what name is to be printed above the callsign.
UPCOMING EVENTS
SLOW MORSE COURSE – Wednesday 26th May, fifth 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 its time to practice them on air.
Nic will be explaining “how to have a contact” and the procedures and protocols. For those who may want some extra help, this website is reported as being very good. www.morsecodeclassnet.com
TECH NIGHT – Wednesday 2nd June 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.
JUNE GENERAL MEETING - Saturday 12th June commencing at 14:00 (2:00 pm). At this point it will be the standard agenda. If you have any item you would like added to the agenda please email the secretary at: ntarc.emails(at)gmail.com no later than Wednesday 9th June. The meeting will be followed by afternoon tea and donations of cakes, slices etc would be appreciated.
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. We have a large quantity of QSL cards at the Clubrooms for several members, notably VK7BO.
Andrew VK7DW, our QSL manager will arrange to have them delivered if not collected soon. He can be contacted at qsl(at)ntarc.net for any queries.
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. I dont know of any other venue in Launceston where you can get endless coffee, tea and eats for a donation of this miniscule amount.
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
WICEN Tas (Sth)
On the 15th of May WICEN Tas (Sth) and NTARC supplied Safety Communications for the Southern Tasmanian Equine Riders Equine Endurance ride at the Dalmeney Park property. The property is about 20km to the East of Oatlands on the way to Orford close to Stonehenge.
Most of the helpers arrived at Delmeney Park on the afternoon of the 14th to check comms to each checkpoint and enjoy the wonderful food from the STER canteen with proceeds going to the Rural Live & Well charity. The canteen was set up in the huge shearing shed that was very recently used to shear the 2000 sheep on the property.
The morning of the 15th saw thick ice on wind screens and triple polar fleeces and beanies being employed. There were 28 - 80km riders, 11 - 40km riders and 11 - 20km riders. The event went off well with all except a few riders completing the course.
It was great to see the three NTARC safety comms operators on checkpoint 2 and two new Scout foundation licensees who helped out on checkpoint 3. We had two new operators on Base and helpers Norm & Lorraine from NTARC who came down for the day.
Thanks to everyone who made for a successful WICEN Safety Comms support activity for the Dalmeney Park STER ride.
(73, Justin, VK7TW)
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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 Queens Domain clubrooms and will be streamed via the REAST YouTube channel.
See you there
73, REAST Committee
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Training and Assessments
REASTs next all licence assessment day is on Saturday the 29th May 2021 from 2pm.
If you are thinking of coming along then 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 had something completely different!
We started in the studio with Ron Cullen and Justin VK7TW who gave a brief description of the process of converting an old possibly broken LCD computer monitor into an LED panel light.
The process follows:
1). Disassembly making sure you retain the filters in the right order, escutcheons, fittings and screws. being careful with the metal and glass edges.
2). Remove and safely dispose of the glass LCD screen, carefully remove the Compact Fluorescent tubes on each side of large plastic diffuser. These CF Tubes are really fragile and easily break - safely dispose of these tubes.
3). Cut the LED strip to the correct length making sure you cut the strip at a marked point to ensure the integrity of the series resistive chain. We soldered long leads to the strip. We were using 5mm wide white strips that run from 12V and draw 6.5W/metre of power. There is adhesive on the back of the strip that enables you to stick the strip to the channels where the CF tubes were removed from. We tested the strips once they were installed.
4). Reassembly of the diffuser, filters, escutcheon and metal case.
And the final step is 5). Apply 12V to the two strips and test.
We then went back into the studio and Ron gave us a great example where he used the light panels connected to a solar panel in a dark hallway to make it look like a skylight.
Thanks to Ron for his assistance and sharing his knowledge and experience with the conversion process.
The presentation is available from the REAST YouTube Channel.
https://youtu.be/0n72yeogg5g
This week we continue our workshop series on GNU Radio Companion along with a review of the latest DUBUS magazine.
We get underway from 7:30pm in the Queens 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 – 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 2nd June - Rocherlea clubrooms Launceston
NTARC - Slow Morse Training Wednesday 26th 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 Experimenters 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:
REAST - 2 June - Satellites & Satellite Antennas with Mike Hawkins VK7DMH from 7:30pm in Queens Domain clubrooms
NTARC - 12 June - Meeting from 2:00 pm
REAST - 4 August - Contesting HF & VHF with VK7GN & VK7ZBX - Queens Domain clubrooms from 7:30pm
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A reminder to those people rostered for next weeks broadcast:
Newsreader: VK7TW
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.
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 its 73 from Rick, VK7RI.
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(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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