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VK7AX > BCAST 20.06.21 06:47z 397 Lines 24774 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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VK7 Amateur Radio News 20Jun21
Text edition:
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VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 20TH JUNE 2021
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Welcome to the VK7 Amateur Radio News for the 20th of June 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 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 and VK7RTC in Southern VK7.
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Contest News
2021 WIA Winter VHF and Above Winter Field Day
Next weekend is 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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NEWS FROM THE NORTH WEST
CHAT & SHOW GROUP.
The group will be meeting on the 3rd of July at 2pm at the Ulverstone Sports Complex in Flora St. West Ulverstone. Come to the door marked Show Society Office and ring the phone number listed to cooperate with new regulations of the premises.
Tea and Coffee will be available all the afternoon, and a small snack to put on the table is appreciated.
Would you please use commercially produced items for afternoon tea to work with COVID issues, and make it a small package and take home your leftovers.
All COVID regulations still apply, and it would be very pleasing if you could carry out the regulations set out by the authorities. I'm sure you know by now all that there is to consider.
Sanitizer will be available and an attendance page to fill in as well.
Bring along new and old toys to show, discuss, or talk to us about, and projects under way as well.
Anybody visiting in the area at the time is welcome to drop in for a radio rag chew and a drink.
Hope some have time to join us
73 Shirl VK7HSC
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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
We begin this week with an update on the June general meeting held last Saturday, 12th June. We had a great roll up of members, many arriving well before kickoff time, claiming their seat and refreshing their memories by reading the minutes of the previous meeting held in April. Yes, thats correct. For those that have forgotten, we now only hold meetings every second month.
The meeting commenced at 14:02 hours as we were waiting on a couple of members who smsd to say they were on their way. The agenda wasnt too long and was worked through in a timely manner. The Treasurer was kept busy as he had to go through the reports for April and May. Correspondence in and out was nil, so that was a quick turn over. Reports from the relevant coordinators took up some time and a number of matters were discussed relating to reports.
General business brought up a few more questions and they were all answered to the satisfaction of the members. In particular, there was discussion on the possible purchase of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) to be kept in the clubrooms and taken to Endurance ride events. NTARC has in the past lodged grant applications to have a machine donated to the Club but we have always been knocked back. After much discussion a motion was put to the members that the Club purchase an AED. This was seconded and the motion was carried unanimously by the members.
As no further matters were raised the meeting was closed at 14:42 hours and members were advised that the next general meeting will be held on Saturday 14th August. The minutes of this meeting will be typed up in coming days and will be uploaded on the members page of the new NTARC website, once I have learnt how to do that.
Members then adjourned to what we do best, afternoon tea and what a feast of goodies it was. We thank all those members that donated food.
We now hand over to Idris to give you a rundown of the Tech Night held at the club room last Wednesday, 16th June:
“We had a special Tech Session evening as we were visited by model engineer Geoff Metcalf. Geoff has an engineering background from the Navy and brought along two of his projects and his plans to show us. One was a completed single cylinder internal combustion engine with a beautifully crafted flywheel, mounted on a wooden plinth with accessory drawer, also wonderfully crafted.
The other project was in progress and will be a working model of a nine cylinder rotary engine of the type used to power early aircraft. The pistons are 25mm in diameter, which gives an idea of the scale. The engine body is constructed from a solid piece of aluminium with each cylinder head bolted on. Each head has an individual brass exhaust manifold to be fitted. Geoff also had some of the tools used in the construction and many detailed plans he was following. He had a photo of a completed engine which looked magnificent.
The display table was crowded with interested onlookers who had many questions. Geoff is also an accomplished woodworker, and he brought along some examples of decorative boxes he had made out of Tasmanian timbers. These also drew quite a bit of interest.
We thank Geoff for this fascinating and informative show and tell, and also to Stuart Hughes for facilitating our meeting Geoff.
After helping Geoff pack up and load his transport, we moved on to a display by Trevor VK7TB. Trevor presented his progress with high power triodes and tetrodes, used in his project of building a linear amplifier. Trevor is also a precision constructor, and had built bespoke enclosures for the vacuum tubes and accompanying jigs, which gave Geoff an insight into the parallels with his craft. Thank you Trevor for your presentation.
Whilst everyone was enjoying supper and discussing the evenings events, Peter VK7KPC and Ross VK7ALH were testing a Yaesu FC102 antenna matcher which had been donated to the Clubs radio setup. The unit had a problem and it was found that the band select control had moved on its shaft and thus was one detent out! That was corrected, but there is still work to be done, for another time. Nice work chaps.
I would also like to mention the excellent job carried out by Tony VK7YBG and Stefan VK7ZSB at the Don Heads site of our VK7RAE 6m beacon which had fallen silent. On inspection of the power supply, it was found that a rodent family had moved in for the winter, and the interior was packed with nesting material, gleaned from the recent renovations going on in the building. This, and other results of their occupation had caused the demise of the power supply. Unfortunately for them, they will have to find alternative accommodation. A new rodent proof power supply restored 6m service.
Thats all folks, an excellent evening. 73 Idris VK7ZIR”
UPCOMING EVENTS
SLOW MORSE COURSE – Wednesday 23rd June. 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 30th June at the NTARC Club rooms, 19:30 hours until whenever. Highlight of the evening will be a presentation by an engine modeller of his build of a 9 cylinder rotary engine. Each piston is 25mm diameter, which gives an indication of scale. Not to be missed.
Continuous tea and coffee will be available, although again, a gold coin donation for the evening would be appreciated.
FUTURE EVENTS – Saturday 28 August, Equine Endurance ride, Santarena Park, Scottsdale. Plenty of warning to help out on this ride. Further information as it comes to hand.
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 currently have no 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. 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
Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania
https://www.reast.asn.au/
https://www.facebook.com/reasttas/
https://www.youtube.com/reasthobart/
July Presentation Night
Tasmanian Maritime Radio
Our July presentation night will be on the second Wednesday night - the 14th July from 7:30pm.
Barry McCann OAM will be doing a presentation on the Tas Maritime Radio Network that now covers all of Tasmania.
Barry will then do a tour of the operations room and the museum which is in the building next to our clubrooms.
This will be a fascinating presentation and tour and demystify our close neighbours and show the vast radio network that Tas Maritime is responsible for monitoring.
https://www.facebook.com/events/780741719283986/
73, REAST Committee
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August Presentation Night
Contesting on HF, VHF and above
REAST's August presentation night is all about contesting on HF and VHF and above.
With the Remembrance Day contest just around the corner (14/15 August 2021) we want to equip everyone with contesting skills to ensure they get the most out of their RD Contest experience.
Martin VK7GN will be giving us the High Frequency (HF) contesting low down and Richard VK7ZBX will be covering contesting on VHF and above frequencies.
A huge thank you to Martin and Richard.
See you there.
https://www.facebook.com/events/329823411883355/
73, REAST Committee
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Training and Assessments
REASTs next Foundation Licence course and all licence assessment day is on Saturday the 31st July 2021 from 9am to 3pm.
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
We started the night with a show and tell of the SSTV images received from the ISS over the 9/10 June for the 75th Anniversary of the Moscow Aeronautical Institute. We also included a certificate from the Indonesian Space Explorer - ARISS SSTV Diploma.
https://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php
Justin VK7TW talked with Bob M0DDK on DMR during the last week and he mentioned the G4TPH - Manual and Remote Tuned Magnetic Loop kits and we showed the website so, we took a look at g4tph's website and the mag loops.
https://www.g4tph.com/
We then went through the latest Low-Key Magazine - No.150 June 2021 and showed what is in this edition.
http://vkqrpclub.org/
We then went back in time and took a look at the Radio and Hobbies for April 1939 which was a reprint that contained many projects including electronics, radio, hobbies, light and even magic.
Coming forward in time to the 1980s with a Radio Shack Ohms Law and Parallel Resistance Slide Calculator with a demonstration of how to use it.
We then moved to our fifth GNU Radio Session Workshop session where we recapped the following flowgraphs - SSB demodulation demo with tuning and passband variation, Broadcast FM Receiver now with WBFM Demodulator and Constellation Diagram and a 2m Amateur FM Receiver with a demo of repeater 2 reception.
Next week we will have a tribute to VK2JPA from her son Steve VK7OO, Electronics that you put in and under Beehives, many different forms of RFID tags and some more experiments with GNU Radio Companion. See you then.
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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ACMA News
ACMA ends consultation on radiocommunications rule changes
Australian Communications and Media Authority
As a result of submissions, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) made some changes to the draft General Equipment Rules under the Radiocommunications Act 1992. These included the power to exempt certain cellular mobile repeaters, plus changes to the provisions relating to the presumptions about when possession of equipment is for the purpose of operation.
The changes with the amendments came into effect on the 17th of June. ACMA will be providing further information on the General Equipment Rules and cellular mobile repeaters on its website. While existing standards and labelling notices will be saved as equipment rules under the new arrangements, some new equipment rules will be necessary to maintain four objectives:
To ensure the application of sanctions for possession, operation or supply of devices that do not comply with mandated standards.
To enable the ACMA to provide permits for the use, possession and supply of non-standard devices.
To ensure the continuation of prohibitions and obligations for labelling equipment that complies with standards.
To maintain existing limitations on the supply of mobile phone repeaters, to ensure that such devices may only be supplied to people licensed to operate them.
Equipment capable of causing radio emissions supplied to the Australian market may cause harm when operated.
https://www.criticalcomms.com.au/content/radio-systems/news/acma-ends-consultation-on-radiocommunications-rule-changes-1511172366
Sourced from the Critical Comms Web E-zine
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Space News
Amateur radio on Shuttle, Mir and ISS - SSTV event - June 21-26
The ARISS team will be transmitting SSTV images continuously from June 21 0940UTC until June 26 1830UTC. The images will be related to some of the amateur radio activities that have occurred on the Space Shuttle, Mir space station and the International Space Station.
Downlink frequency will be 145.800 MHz and the mode should be PD120.
Those that recently missed the opportunity during the limited period of MAI transmissions should have numerous chances over the 6 day period to capture many (if not all 12) of the images.
http://ariss-sstv.blogspot.com/
Sourced from the ARISS-SSTV Blog
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Research News
Who should decide who can repair a product?
The Australian Government Productivity Commission (AGPC)
Should the owner of a product be able to repair what they have bought or does the manufacturer retain that right?
The Australian Government commissioned the Productivity Commission, its independent research agency, to look at what can be done to address growing concern that products are becoming harder to repair, leading to higher costs, greater inconvenience for consumers and growing waste. A ‘right to repair is the ability of product users to have their products repaired at a competitive price using a repairer of their choice.
Realising this aspiration in a practical way involves a range of policies, including consumer and competition law, intellectual property protections, product design and labelling standards, plus environmental and resource management. It is calling for further information and feedback from the community to inform its final report, which will be delivered to government in October 2021. A draft report was released last June for comment from stakeholders.
For industry there are concerns that some manufacturers are making it difficult for consumers and independent repairers to repair goods, such as by not providing repair information, tools or spare parts. This can give manufacturers the ability to increase the price of repair and reduce the choice of repairers.
The Commission is considering ways to make it easier for independent repairers to access the things they need to repair goods. The proposed reforms would improve a users right to repair, without the uncertainty and costs associated with more forceful policy interventions.
One approach could be to change copyright law to allow independent repairers to legally access and share copyright information such as manuals and diagnostic information. Another approach could be to require manufacturers to provide independent repairers and consumers with access to repair information, tools or spare parts. This may be more beneficial for certain products, such as agricultural machinery or mobile phones and tablets. However, the evidence base on the magnitude of repair barriers in these markets is patchy and largely anecdotal, preventing a rigorous assessment of whether additional policies would provide net benefits to the community.
Warranties should be made clearer to inform users that even if they use independent repairers, they will not lose legal rights. The Commission is also considering a ban on voiding warranties if consumers do not use the manufacturers repairer.
The Commission is seeking further evidence on other reforms that could help users obtain repairs and make more informed purchase choices. These potential reforms involve:
requiring manufacturers to provide software updates for a reasonable period
amending copyright laws to enable third‑party repairers to copy and share repair manuals, and access repair data hidden behind digital locks
prohibiting manufacturer warranties from being voided if consumers do not use the repairers and spare parts specified by the manufacturer
developing a product durability or repairability labelling scheme to help consumers identify products that best meet their needs.
The Commission is seeking evidence on the net benefits of a more extensive right to repair policy through a ‘positive obligation that would require manufacturers to provide third‑party access to repair information and supplies.
According to the report, some responses from manufacturers state that their repair information is proprietary, or that there are safety and other concerns resulting from the use of information by unskilled repairers.
https://www.criticalcomms.com.au/content/industry/article/who-should-decide-who-can-repair-a-product--521926966
Sourced from the Critical Comms 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 30th June - Rocherlea clubrooms Launceston
NTARC - Slow Morse Training Wednesday 23rd June on Tech Net Frequencies
NW VK7 – Wednesday from 2000 local – NW Tassie Amateur Repeater Group Net on VK7RMD
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 commences at 5:00pm.
Events:
WIA - 26 June - WIA Virtual Annual General Meeting commencing at 11.00 am
WIA - 26-27 June - WIA VHF and above Field Day 0100-0059 UTC
NW VK7 - 3 July - Chat and Show Gathering from 2pm at the Ulverstone Sports Complex in Flora St. West Ulverstone.
REAST - 14 July - Tas Maritime Radio Presentation and Tour of Facilities with Barry McCann from 7:30pm in Queens Domain clubrooms
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: 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.
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 its 73 from Peter, VK7PD.
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(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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