| |
VK7AX > BCAST 22.08.21 08:00z 481 Lines 24978 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 1511_VK7AX
Read: GUEST
Subj: VK7 Amateur Radio News 22Aug21
Path: HB9ON<IW8PGT<IZ3LSV<IR1UAW<IW2OHX<IW0QNL<SR1BSZ<SV1CMG<ON0AR<GB7CIP<
VK7AX
Sent: 210822/0754Z @:VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC #:1511 [Ulverstone] $:1511_VK7AX
From: VK7AX@VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC
To : BCAST@WW
VK7 Amateur Radio News 22Aug21
Text edition:
--------------------------------
VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 22nd August 2021
--------------------------------
Welcome to the International Lighthouse and Lightship Edition of the VK7 Amateur Radio News for the 22nd August 2021. At the mike of VK7WI this week is Mike VK7FB.
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 Garry, VK7JGD
On 7.140 MHz by Dale, VK7DG
On 14.130 MHz by Peter, VK7TPE 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.
--------------------------------
Contest News
International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend
The ILLW started in 1993 during a wet wintry evening when two members of the AYR Amateur Radio Group in Scotland, John GM4OOU and the late Mike GM4SUC, after a club meeting were talking about creating an event in the summer when club members could get out on a sunny weekend and play radio. Various themes were considered; ports, airports, historic Scotland sites, the Firths of Scotland, castles etc. but it was finally decided that lighthouses of Scotland would be ideal.
This first year's event saw 11 stations established at lighthouses, operating primarily on the HF bands, with each station making approximately 750 QSOs over the weekend.
By 1999 there were 204 lighthouse/lightship stations in 36 countries until now when some 450 stations in over 50 countries take part.
A few years ago the International Association of Lighthouse Keepers decided to have an annual open day for lighthouses all around the world to encourage visitors to visit at their lighthouses. They decided that no better day could be decided upon other than the Sunday of the ILLW.
The main reason the event has become so popular is because it is NOT a contest. It is a relaxed fun weekend without the pressure of a contest. The guidelines are simple and the onus is on the operators to act within the spirit of the weekend which is simply to expose amateur radio and the plight of lighthouses to the public. This is why it is important for the ham station to be as close to the lighthouse/lightship as possible and with the controlling body’s approval.
In Tasmania there are three lighthouses registered as taking place this weekend - VK7KT at Round Hill Point lighthouse - AU0111, VK7NET at the Table Cape lighthouse - AU0039 and VK7TM at the Bluff Hill Point lighthouse - AU0081.
If you hear them on air give them a call.
https://illw.net/
--------------------------------
Contest News
Remembrance Day Contest
Thanks to all who participated in the RD Contest last week.
There was a great participation across the state and hopefully positions VK7 to retain the RD Trophy.
It was great to hear so many first year operators in the contest.
Please upload your log within 14 days - that is by the 28th of August 2021 to the vk log check website. https://www.vklogchecker.com/
https://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/rdcontest/
--------------------------------
QSL NEWS
Report - from Herman VK7HW Manager of the WIA VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
The current list of QSL Cards held as at 20 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
--------------------------------
VK7 Inwards QSL Cards held as at 20 August 2021
AAA, AB, AD, AIR, AL, AM, AP, AS,, AV
BA, BB
CJ, CL, CV, CW, CX
DD, DG, DT, DZ
FG, FJFJ, FOTR,
GA, GC, GG, GH, GM, GN, GZ
HCH, HCK, HDM, HRS, HRW, HVK, HZ
IK, IS
JA, JB, JJ (for new CH?), JON, JP, JW
KBA, KD, KI, KJ, KL, KO, KR, KRJ, KX
LAZ, LDH
MAG, MBD, ME, MHZ, MI, MK
NA, NRF, NSE, NTE
PSJ, PW
RB, RG, ROY
SM, SV
TAS, TCE, TED, TK,TU
VAC, VAZ, VH, VKV, VR, VZ
WA, WC, WT, WX
XDM
ZA, ZM, ZT, ZZ
The following Callsigns were not displayed on the ACMA Database on 12 August 2021.
ACN, AG, AO, APZ, ATH, BPV, DN, DO, DQ, EG, FALX, FAZZ, FCIA, FGGT, FLAR, FRJG, FTAS, HSJ, JOK, LLL, LM, LT, LVH, MAT, MBP, MC, ML,MS, NC, NSB, NWQ, PBD, PRN, QK, SN, TL, TS, VA, YN, ZX
--------------------------------
NEWS FROM THE NORTH WEST
North West Tasmania Amateur Radio Club
The Clubs Bi monthly meeting was held on Saturday 7th August.
Club members agreed to change the start of Club meetings to commence at 1.30pm.
Club Member Anthony, has passed his F Call exam and is awaiting his licence to be processed, well done to Anthony, and thanks to Dave VK7DC AMC assessor.
Kirsty VK7KKK brought a laptop, to assist members who needed to renew, or apply for their working with vulnerable people’s cards. Club members were delighted to have a few visitors, a local amateur Dick VK7TZ, and Tricia & Neil planning on obtaining their amateur licence, as well as an Andrew VK7NWC who had just past his amateur licence.
Mary, wife of SK Barry VK7FR had donated items left over from Barry to the club, which members could make a donation to the club, when purchasing them.
Members then enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea and chat
--------------------------------
North West Tasmania Amateur Radio Club next Meeting , change of Date & Time
Due to the AFL Grand Final and Scouts Yankee auction , the next club meeting will be commencing at 1.30pm on the 18th September at our usual venue, the Scout hall, 73 Alexander Road, Ulverstone. afternoon tea will also be held.
Members are encouraged to bring items for show & tell, and club rooms are open till 6pm for members to socialise.
A small plate of afternoon tea that has been commercially produced would be appreciated, this being a government suggested COVID thing, We have single packaged Tea, Coffee and Sugar and disposable cups for members and guests,. Visitors are most welcome to attend.
If you have any cold or flu symptoms , or are unwell , or in the last 14 days have been in contact with anyone that has been overseas, or been in contact with a confirmed COVID case, then do not attend the meeting, please note the new meeting start time from now on is 1.30pm
The outing to Sheffield Steam and Heritage Centre is planned for Saturday 2nd October, subject to verification from Sheffield Steam & Heritage. BBQ facilities are available, prices are reasonable and we expect to have a great day playing trains with Graham VK7GS driving us, families are welcome.
Let the committee know approximate numbers ASAP so we can give Sheffield an idea of how many are attending, it will BYO food and drink, although some food and drinks are available on site. Members will be notified when final details are available and final numbers need to be notified at the next meeting.
73, Eric VK7EV, News Officer
--------------------------------
NW VK7 CHAT & SHOW NOTICE
The next gathering of the Chat & Show Group is going to happen on the 4th September at the Ulverstone Sports Centre, in Flora Street West Ulverstone at 2pm and all are welcome.
Please note owing to new covid restrictions at the centre the door has to remain locked at all times on the weekend and to get in it will be necessary for you to carry a phone so you can ring the number posted on the door for entry sorry about this but we must do the right thing, and there is a QR code in the hallway to check in as well. Don't forget that you come to the Ulverstone Show society veranda door for entry.
A small pack of commercially processed food for afternoon tea will be welcome and you are ask to claim your leftovers after. Shirl will have my Tea and Coffee box there available all afternoon for you to grab a drink.
We all know what to do if we are unwell or associated with an overseas traveller so please adhere to the rules in respect of others safety
Have you bought any new radio toys, or new projects on the go, or anything collected that is of interest then please bring it along to show and talk about.
Looking forward to seeing everyone on the 4th September.
Cheers
Shirl, VK7HSC, Group organiser
--------------------------------
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
--------------------------------
Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club Incorporated
www.ntarc.net
Our previous Tech Night, Wednesday 11th August, was on the eve of the RD Contest Weekend, so it was only fitting to have a presentation centred on the management of logs and making sure your logs are submitted correctly, so we hand over to President Idris VK7ZIR for that update;
“Our presenter was Peter VK7PD, a keen contester in Tasmanian amateur radio circles and he had prepared a PowerPoint slide show displayed on our large screen TV. This was extremely informative and covered all aspects of the RD contest including the Rules and bands involved. Peter added his own tips and techniques to make contesting life easier and explained the process of “band dancingö. Following on from Peter, Lewis VK7IT took us through the downloading and installation of VKCL a popular logging application which generated the correct Cabrillo format for sending off log submissions. Peter then took us through the actual entering of QSOs into the application, pointing out the traps and pitfalls one might encounter. Andrew VK7DW added his own experiences and encouraged the timely submitting of logs to give VK7 the best chance in the contest. Here’s hoping for another win!
The evening was rounded off with supper and discussion of the coming event.
73, Idris VK7ZIRö
Following on, an update from Peter VK7PD re the RD Contest and he tells us;
“As most listeners would know, last weekend saw the annual Remembrance Day Contest, Australia’s most significant amateur radio event. It commemorates those radio amateurs who lost their lives in WW2, this is done by making as many radio contacts as possible between operators in VK, P29 and ZL.
As of Friday night, in the north of VK7, 10 logs had been submitted, 6 from the north-west and a whopping 29 from the south. It looks like at least in some parts of the state they were punching above their weight once again.
Locally, VK7KPC operated QRP including some RTTY contacts. VK7DW, VK7LH and VK7PD formed a team called “Grassy Hut Hamsö they ‘band danced’ local and some interstate contacts, which included RTTY on 10 bands for DW and PD, while LH ran up a fine score of HF contacts. All 3 sat up until 2am Sunday and resumed operation at 8am.
Indications are that Catherine, VK7GH did her usual late night vigil.
It’s hoped that next year there will be more participation in the norther half. A bit more local competition might keep some of us on our toes HI HI!!!ö
Thanks to all those who joined in.
73, Peter VK7PDö
Thanks Idris and Peter. I trust everyone participating enjoyed the RD Contest. Your scribe definitely enjoyed the respite from producing, or should that be fabricating? a weekly news segment This is the one time of the year I can have a lay day. Also, if you did take part, please don’t forget to submit your log, no matter how few contacts you may have had. VK7 now has a healthy record of winning the event, not something we should surrender lightly.
Last Saturday NTARC held its August general meeting and considering it was the RD weekend we had an extremely good attendance. Parking at the club room was at a premium as the Rocherlea Football Club was playing at home and so all spots in front of the club room were taken. The meeting commenced at 14:10 and the agenda was worked through in an efficient but non-rushed manner. Lots of question from the floor on a range of topics, which is always great to see. The meeting was finalised by 15:15 hours and then afternoon tea was enjoyed by all. Members lingered on, enjoying the afternoon with a number not departing until close to 5.00pm.
Just a reminder though to all attending the club rooms that we have the Check in TAS app at our club rooms. By registering and using the Check in TAS app we are complying with the Public Health Directions by enabling our members to self – check in at the club room.
This information is stored with the Tasmanian Government for contract tracing if required. The QR code is up and running for members to utilize, with the QR code poster at the sign in table. Members are still able to register their attendance at the club by signing in manually in the attendance book if you are unable or you choose not to register using the Check in TAS app. Please note though that you must use one of those two methods. You do not have an option of not registering. That is a matter of law.
UPCOMING EVENTS
TECH NIGHT – Wednesday 25th August at the NTARC Club rooms, 19:30 hours until whenever.
SLOW MORSE COURSE – Wednesday 25th 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
FUTURE EVENTS
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.
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.
Just a friendly reminder, please demonstrate your appreciation of all the effort that goes into operating the club, its facilities and the other services we provide, especially in these abnormal and very trying times, enjoying the company, coffee, biscuits and cake, by leaving a gold coin or two, or even a small bank note, in the jar to assist in our on-going operations.
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
--------------------------------
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
--------------------------------
Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania
https://www.reast.asn.au/
https://www.facebook.com/reasttas/
https://www.youtube.com/reasthobart/
--------------------------------
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.
https://www.facebook.com/events/890881204860759/
73, REAST Committee
--------------------------------
Training and Assessments
Congratulations to Scouts - Aiva, Seb, Alex, Rohan & Jack who recently undertook their foundation licence assessments at the Huonville Scout Hall and all passed.
A huge thank you to Michael VK7MRS and Brian VK7BM who helped out Assessor Justin VK7TW with the Practical.
Also congratulations to Tom VK7NTK who recently passed his advanced assessment.
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
--------------------------------
DATV Experimenter's Night
Being the DATV Experimenter's night we decided to do a little "experiment". This was in the form of a Remembrance Day Contest Forum. Justin VK7TW put the call out to the "serious" RD contesters aka. The crazy people who stayed up and operated 24 hours!
We started with Justin showing some analysis of his log including the checking, demographics, where the points came from, logging/call rates, operating position and some learnings. Murray VK7ZMS who operated the REAST club station then outlined his challenges and learnings.
One of the observations was a high numbers of operators who had been licenced one year who participated in the contest. We then heard from Lee VK7LEE, Harry VK7HXT and Xavier VK7XHJ who were all first year Foundation operators. Lee, Harry and Xavier gave us their highlights, challenges and learnings.
Richard VK7ZBX then took us through his highlights, challenges and learnings.
Hayden VK7HH operated for the 24 hours of the contest and also streamed his operation to his very popular YourTube channel Ham Radio DX and Hayden took us through his impressive operation to stream and operate during the contest. More than 4000 people viewed the stream over the 24 hours.
We then heard from Graham VK7RE and Steve VK7OO who added their highlights, challenges and learnings.
Alan VK7KAJ outlined his interesting operational arrangement to listen to three frequencies at once.
We then put a call out to Brian VK7BW and his daughter who was logging for him and was making contacts in the wee small hours!
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the forum.
PS. Don't forget - put your log in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpJ0vPVLuIA
This week at the DATV Experimenter’s night we will have more interesting electronics, magazine reviews, dumpster diving and experimentation. 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
--------------------------------
COVID Homebrew
Surplus syringes used in ham radio tuner
Hackaday reports on the project by Tom Essenpreis KB9ENS which uses a 60ml syringe to make a variable inductor and a variable capacitor for amateur radio use.
Amateur Radio as a hobby has a long history of encouraging experimentation using whatever one might have on hand. When Tom Essenpreis KB9ENS wanted to use his 14 MHz antenna outside of its designed frequency range, he knew he’d need an impedance matching circuit.
The most common type is an L-Match circuit which uses a variable capacitor and a variable inductor to adjust the usable frequency range (resonance) of an antenna. While inefficient in some specific configurations, they excel at bridging the gap between the 50 ohm impedance of the radio and the unknown impedance of an antenna.
Read more about the Hackaday post with link to Tom's project at the website on the email edition of this broadcast.
https://hackaday.com/2021/08/14/surplus-syringes-make-satisfactory-tuner-for-amateur-radio-experimentation/
Sourced from SouthgateAR News and Hackaday.
--------------------------------
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:
N W T A R C - 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.
NW VK7 - 4 September - Chat and Show at the Ulverstone Sports Centre in Flora Street West Ulverstone from 2:00pm
N W T A R C - 18 September - Club Meeting from 1.30pm
REAST - 3 October - Military Radios presentation and demonstration with VK7KPC and VK7KB with BYO BBQ - Queen Domain clubrooms starts 12 noon with the BBQ.
--------------------------------
A reminder to those people rostered for next week’s broadcast:
Newsreader: VK7RI
Repeaters: REAST, NTARC and in the NW thanks to N W T A R C, West Coast Radio Group, Cradle Coast Radio Amateur Radio Club, VK7AX, and VK7DC
160m: VK7GS
80m: VK7DG
40m: VK7TPE
20m: VK7ALH
10m: VK7JGD
DMR: Talk Group 5 and D-Star: Reflector 91C VK7ZCR
--------------------------------
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 it’s 73 from Mike, VK7FB.
--------------------------------------------------------------
(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
Read previous mail | Read next mail
| |
