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VK7AX > BCAST 08.08.21 02:27z 452 Lines 20983 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: VK7 Amateur Radio News 08Aug21
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From: VK7AX@VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC
To : BCAST@WW
VK7 Amateur Radio News 08Aug21
Text edition:
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VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 8th August 2021
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Welcome to the VK7 Amateur Radio News for the 8th August 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 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
Remembrance Day Contest
Well it’s that time of the year once again. Time for one of the most popular contests in the contest calendar, the time to celebrate and remember the ones that gave the ultimate sacrifice during World War 2. This contest is held on the weekend closest to August 15th, when hostilities in the Southeast Pacific ceased.
Next weekend the 14th and 15th of August hopefully we can all enjoy catching up with our mates from all over Australia and New Zealand and P29 from 03:00 UTC – 03:00 UTC.
Hopefully the information from the presentations in the South and in the North will assist in us VK7’s featuring prominently in the results list.
This year we will be trying to spread out some of the feverish activity on at least the VHF/UHF bands in the built up areas with another frequency for use during busy periods.
Some suggestions for frequencies as below.
52.525 MHz FM and 50.150 MHz USB,
146.500 and 146.525 MHz, 144.150 MHz USB,
493.000 and 439.025 MHz FM, 432.150 USB and
1296.150 MHz FM and 1296.200 MHz USB
Hopefully we can get a few together on HF too and continue the band dance and rack up a few more contacts over the time.
Remember to take care with your log entries and have some fun along the way.
Most importantly please, please, PLEASE take the time to submit your log. It helps for checking and the collective group.
Hear you on the bands, and “Good Luck in the contest!ö
https://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/rdcontest/
73 Richard VK7ZBX
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Contest News
2021 Trans-Tasman Contest
Congratulations to all place holders in the recent Trans-Tasman contest and a special congratulations to Vince VK7VH who took out first place in the QRP section with 508 points.
There were 76 logs submitted and 7 from VK7.
The first place holder in the other sections were:
VK2EFM with 5144 points in the Single Operator – High Power section
VK5LJ with 2297 points in the Single Operator – Low Power section and
VK4HH on 2972 in the Multi-Operator – Single Transmitter section.
https://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/transtasman/
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VK7 Broadcast News
RD Contest Weekend Broadcasts
Please note that due to the Remembrance Day Contest next weekend there will be no VK7 Amateur Radio Broadcast from 9:30am.
The WIA National News Broadcast can still be heard on the VK7RAD, VK7RAA and VK7RTC repeaters.
73, VK7 AR News Team
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QSL NEWS
Report - from Herman VK7HW Manager of the WIA VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
The current list of QSL Cards held as at 5 August 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.
Also Herman has heard that some amateurs have recently changed call signs. Would those who have changed recently please contact Herman with old and new callsigns and date changed so that Herman can steer cards received in the right direction.
Thank you to those amateurs who have already been in touch.
73, Herman, VK7HW, WIA Manager VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
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VK7 Inwards QSL Cards held as at 5 August 2021
AAA, AB, ACN, AD, AG, AIR, AL, AM, AO, AP, APZ, AS, ATH, AV
BA, BB, BPV
CJ, CL, CMV, CV, CX
DD, DN, DO, DQ, DT, DZ
EG
FALX, FAZZ, FCIA, FG, FGGT, FJFJ, FLAR, FOTR, FTAS
GA, GC, GG, GM, GZ
HCH, HDM, HRS, HRW, HSJ, HVK, HZ
IK, IS
JA, JB, JJ (for new CH?), JOK, JON, 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, NET, NRF, NSB, NSE, NTE, NWQ
OR
PBD, PRN, PSJ, PW
QK
RG, ROY
SN, SV
TAS, TCE, TED, TK, TL, 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 WEST
North West Tasmania Amateur Radio Club update
The North West Tasmania Amateur Radio Club advises our current web site is not operational, the club is in the process of updating club data, after its name change and incorporation, if you need to contact the club, the club executives contact details, and clubs email address are located on the WIA web site, under VK7 clubs .
Winter Luncheon
The Club will be holding a midday luncheon on August the 21st at the Light House Hotel in Ulverstone, Could club members wanting to attend, please advise the Social coordinator Kirsty VK7FKKK or Club Secretary Anne VK7BYL asap, so the venue can be advised re numbers attending .
73, Eric VK7EV, News Officer, N W T A R C
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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
Guess what folks? We actually have a new item of news this week and yeah I am excited. It does get a bit monotonous each week rehashing the same news and I’m sure it’s equally monotonous listening to it. So without further ado I will hand over to Peter VK7PD to provide you with a report on the works carried out on Mt Arthur on Thursday August 5th.
“Tony VK7YBG, NTARC Repeater Officer, took advantage of the forecast fine weather and organised a small party, consisting of himself plus Andrè VK7ZAB and Peter VK7PD.
The main objective was to repair the VK7RAA, 2 metre repeater that had been producing a very weak transmit signal for several days. However, there were some other functions that required investigation. Tony made a checklist that included the following:
• Lack of functionality from the D-star repeater
• Check performance of VK7RJG analogue UHF repeater
• Check the UHF CB repeater under NTARC’s care
• Removal of the Raspberry Pi from the 6 metre repeater for repair/reprogramming
• Check lightning arrester for strike records
• Check batteries, and wiring etc for hot spots
The party went equipped with a spare 2 metre repeater and a spare 2 metre antenna and mounting accessories along with an RF power meter.
First off, transmit power was checked from the 2 metre repeater; it measured zero, so the first major task was to remove it from the rack for off-site repair then fit and configure the replacement. This was not put to air before an SWR check was made to the antenna system which proved excellent.
Next the D-star repeater was checked and found to have a defective final stage. This is the second time it has occurred and Tony intends to investigate the possibility of it having been locked in transmit mode for long periods undetected. There was no spare D-star repeater to hand so the faulty one had to be carried off the mountain for repair and re-installation in the near future.
All the other functions on the above checklist proved satisfactory. There had been no more lightning strikes recorded since the previous visit. The batteries were fully charged.
While at the site it was observed that the old lead-acid batteries left leaning against the shed had overfilled with rain water and spilled electrolyte onto the wall producing holes from resultant corrosion.
The spare antenna and hardware were left at the site along with some basic test equipment. No precipitation occurred while we were there but the area was enveloped in mist propelled by an icy wind. Condensation dripped from the antennas and guy wires. By early afternoon the temperature had dropped so it was a relief to make our way carefully down the mountain carrying the two repeaters and 6 metre link ‘Pi’ destined for repair.
Thanks are due to the several amateurs across the north who assisted with tests and reports.
73, Peter, VK7PDö
On behalf of the NTARC Committee and those who utilise this repeater we say thank you to Tony, Peter and André for your good work in getting NTARC’s premier repeater back in service. Climbing Mt Arthur is not an easy stroll and all the more so when loaded up with equipment and with chilly conditions prevailing. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Before I head into upcoming events I have received a message from Nic VK7WW advising that there will not be a Slow CW course on Wednesday 11th August due to a commitment on the day. Nic isn’t sure that he would be back in time to hold the course. I understand that last Wednesday 4th August he suggested to everyone that they listen to the continuous cycle of Morse practice from VK2WI on 3699. They run 35 w into a dipole at 10m high….so a good indicator of propagation.
Speeds are 5, 8, 10, 12 and 15 words per minute
Text of the latest CW transmission is available at the address on the email edition of this broadcast. https://arnsw.or.au/html/dural_facs.html
Thanks Nic for that update. We will note you in “coming eventsö as reappearing on Wednesday 18th August.
UPCOMING EVENTS
TECH NIGHT – Wednesday 11th August at the NTARC Club rooms, 19:30 hours until whenever. Special event on the night will be an introduction to and demonstrations on how to use the VKCL program to log the RD Contest; the RD Contest Rules and future field days. Your presenter on the night will be Peter VK7PD, one not to be missed.
August General meeting – Saturday 14th. Meeting will commence at 14:00 hours (2.00pm). The meeting will be followed by afternoon tea so donations of cakes, slices etc would be appreciated.
FUTURE EVENTS
SLOW MORSE COURSE – Wednesday 18th August. 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. For those who may want some extra help, this website is reported as being very good. www.morsecodeclassnet.com
Equine event – Saturday 28th August, North East Equine Endurance Club, Jolly Lette Memorial ride, Santarena Park, Scottsdale. Plenty of warning to help out on this ride. NTARC will be providing support for 80, 40 and 20 rides. As further information comes to hand I will update this news entry with further details.
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 represent a good opportunity to collect your QSL cards. We currently have cards awaiting collection, so why not pop in and check the QSL box and join us for a cuppa and chat.
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 news(at)ntarc.net 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
Broadcasts on VK7RTC
Harry VK7HXT lets us know that he has taken up the opportunity to put the WIA and the VK7 Amateur Radio news broadcasts to air on VK7RTC.
This is due to the link between RAA in the North, and the RTC in the South.
If you listen to the broadcasts then please let Harry know by calling in at the end of the broadcast.
From the latest reports I receive it seems the audio quality is up to standard.
While on the topic of broadcasts, I would like to say a big thank you to those who call back after the broadcast and those who enjoy me putting these broadcasts to air.
73, Harry, VK7HXT
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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/
August Presentation Night Wrap-Up
Contesting on HF, VHF and above
The presentation night started with Martin Luther VK7GN who is a very experienced HF contest and has many awards from contests around the world. Martin outlined that it is all about BIC or Bum in Chair, your score is directly proportion to the time your bum is in the chair calling!
Martin moved to planning which included - reading the rules, and maintaining a running rate of greater than 40 contacts per hour,
Band Feel is all about learning about propagation and knowing the bands you are operating on and their characteristics.
Martin presented Hobart Centric, London Centric and Los Angeles Centric maps to show contact geometry.
We moved to Operating Technique and that an amateur radio contest is where the novice and the expert play on the same field and the station calling CQ dictates how they play.
A comparison between Running versus Search and Pounce (S&P) which is slower but may let you find more multipliers. Martin showed the 8P5A log which showed 10 contacts in the 4th minute of the contest! Martin showed some stats from the CQWW contest with an average of 213 contact per hour over 48 hours!! VK7GN holds a contest record of 61 contacts per hour in 1999.
Martin then went though signal reports, station budgets, log checking, the RD contest and the VKCL contest logger and finished with questions. Thanks Martin.
Richard VK7ZBX then covered VHF and above contesting and started with why do we contest summarised as having fun and winning!
Richard then moved to how to get involved with contesting through the local club, jumping in and offering to help a new operator.
We then went through what is not required for VHF/UHF Contesting and then what is required namely enthusiasm, reading the rules, willingness, patience and using the bands.
Richard covered portable and home stations with examples of Field Day Portable Operation with VK7ZMS. Moving to Log Keeping and logging program to rig linkage using OmniRig.
There was information about Grid Squares - how and what they are used for.
Richard then moved to Strategies, Plans and other Animals with planning, familiarity, dummy runs, rest, logging issues and timing to take advantage of the double points times.
There was a great section on what Richard has learned over the years including preparation, reading the rules, don't sit on a pile-up and getting your posture right
Richard finished with what to do after the contest and submitting your log and then took questions. Thanks Richard.
The presentation was streamed and there was some great interaction from streaming viewers.
The presentation is available on the REAST YouTube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shIInJlpNk4
73, Justin, VK7TW
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September Presentation Night
P25 Emergency Services Network Build
On 1st September from 7:30pm we have the privilege of having Andrew Johns VK7AJ giving us a presentation on how to build a statewide P25 based Emergency Services radio network.
This should be a fascinating look into what it takes to provide a digital radio network in a challenging environment like Tasmania.
Look forward to seeing you along.
73, REAST Committee
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Training and Assessments
REAST’s next Foundation Licence course and all licence assessment day is on next Saturday the 25th September 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
This week at the DATV Experimenter’s night we will have more interesting electronics, magazine reviews, dumpster diving and some more experiments with GNU Radio Companion. See you then.
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/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ReastHobart/
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 11th August - Rocherlea clubrooms Launceston
NTARC - Slow Morse Training Wednesday 18th August 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 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 commences at 5:00pm.
Events:
NTARC - 14 August - Meeting and presentation - Rocherlea Clubrooms from 2:00pm
NWTARC - 21 August - Winter Luncheon at Light House Hotel Ulverstone from Noon - let Kristy VK7FKKK or Club Secretary Anne VK7BYL know you are coming along
REAST - 1 September - P25 Emergency Services Network with Andrew VK7AJ from 7:30pm in the Queens Domain Clubrooms.
REAST - 3 October - Military Radios presentation and demonstration with VK7KPC and VK7KB with BYO BBQ - Queen Domain clubrooms starts 12 noon with the BBQ.
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A reminder that there is no VK7 Amateur Radio broadcast next week due to the Remembrance Day Contest however the WIA National News can be heard on VK7RAD, VK7RAA and VK7RTC from 0900.
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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 Rick, VK7RI.
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(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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