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VK7AX > BCAST 07.11.21 02:05z 429 Lines 23623 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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VK7 Amateur Radio News 07Nov21
Text edition:
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VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 7th November 2021
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Welcome to the VK7 Amateur Radio News for the 7th November 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 1.862 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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Broadcast News
160m Frequency Change
Please note that the 160m rebroadcast of the WIA National News and VK7 Amateur Radio News broadcasts on 160 metres by Graham VK7GS is changing frequency.
It was originally on 1.865MHz and is moving down slightly to 1.862MHz.
This is to avoid AM Broadcast station intermods.
A huge thank you to Graham for this rebroadcast each Sunday from Mt Roland in the North West of VK7.
73, VK7 ARNews 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 4 November 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
If you have recently upgraded and/or changed your callsign please contact Herman to advise him of your old and new callsigns.
Thank you to those amateurs who have already been in touch advising me of new calls and SK information.
73, Herman, VK7HW, WIA Manager VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
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VK7 Inwards QSL Cards held as at 4 November 2021
AAA, AB, AD, AIR, AL, AM, AP, AS,, AV
BA, BB, BEN, BYE
CJ, CL, CV, CX
DD, DG, DT, DZ
ER
FG, FJFJ, FTAS
GA, GC, GM, GZ
HCH, HCK, HDM, HOB, HRS, HRW, HVK, HZ
IK, IS
JA, JB, JJ (for new CH?), JP, JW
KBA, KD, KI, KJ, KL, KO, KRJ, KX
LAZ, LDH, LJ, LTD
MAG, MBD, MC, ME, MHZ, MI, MK
NA, NRF, NSE, NTE
PSJ, PW
RG, ROY
SV
TAS, TCE, TED, TK, TU
VAC, VAZ, VH, VKV, VR, VZ
WA, WC, WIA, WT, WX
XDM, XTC
ZA, ZJJ, 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
You can tell summer is getting closer. We had a fantastic roll up of attendees at Friday’s coffee session in the clubrooms. It was really great to see some members that we suspect must have been in hibernation now out and about again. The fire was not required, so perhaps Skywarmer can now go into summer recess. As usual, the tables offered a choice of goodies to eat. There was lots of chatter and noise, at times it was hard to hear the conversation but overall a great morning had by all.
News is light again this week so will hand over to Idris VK7ZIR to bring you up to speed on the happenings at last Wednesday club Tech night;
“A good start to the evening was the arrival of Peter VK7KPC with a military radio from his extensive collection, and Ross VK7ALH with a Drake T-4XB transmitter from the 1960s.
Peter’s military radio was an Australian Wireless Set No: 22 with matching power supply. Despite a very war-worn front panel, it was complete and in good condition internally. It even had a schematic diagram on the inside of the case. The matching power supply was also complete and in good condition. Peter has yet to apply power to see if it all works. Good luck Peter and thanks for the presentation, much discussion and interest there. Ross’s Drake was first manufactured in 1965 as part of a transmitter/receiver pair with the receiver R-4B, known as the “4-line twinsö. The chassis was copper plated and the interior was like new. Cosmetically, the covers were perfect, likewise the front panel. Definitely New-Old Stock. Thanks Ross, another classic.
Stuart VK7ES brought along a friend, Rob, who operated a CNC laser cutter and had an interest in radio. He had questions relating to measuring the power of the laser cutter, as they diminish with age. An interesting discussion ensued about the differences between laser cutters and high pressure water cutters, where a laser cutter has to adjust its focus depending on the depth of cut.
Mark VK7KMA brought in some schematics and information regarding our recent acquisition of the Blythe AM transmitter. This enabled Stuart to determine that the frequency could be either set internally, or an external VFO used by changing a jumper in the control module. Stuart is testing the operation of the transmitter to assess its suitability for use on the 160m band.
Meanwhile, in the workshop, Bernie VK7BR was conducting a demonstration on dismantling a microwave oven to retrieve useful components. One module in particular was being recovered for Trevor VK7TB to use in his Russian Tetrode project. Well done Bernie.
Another enjoyable and convivial evening.
73, Idris VK7ZIRö
Thanks Idris for that update, sounds like you all had a very enjoyable and fun evening.
2022 Membership fees – yes with the year rapidly disappearing it is time to start reminding all that your 2021 Membership fee expires on 31 December. A letter advising of the fee payable for 2022 will be forwarded to all members in late November to the email address noted on our records.
We confirm that the 2022 membership fee will see a slight increase to $40 for each voting member with an additional unchanged $5 for each member of the family that the voting member wishes to add to his or her membership.
UPCOMING EVENTS
TestNet and TECHNET – Wednesday 10th November. TestNet/CW course on 3580 from 7pm till 7.30pm….and a TECHNET on 3567 from 7.30pm till about 8.30pm. Your host for the evening will again be Nic VK7WW.
Equine Endurance Event – Saturday 13th November. The NTARC Safety Communications Team has been asked to provide safety comms at the Tasmanian State Equine Endurance Championships at Merseylea. The rides will be 160km, 95km and 50 Km. The 160km is a 24 hour ride that starts at 00:00 hours Saturday. We will be providing Base Comms, checkpoints and RFID tracking. We will need additional crew members to handle this event so if you can spare some time on that Saturday why not pop down to Merseylea, a pleasant 1 hour or so drive from Launceston and utilise your radio skills. Please advise if you are able to assist by emailing secretary(at)ntarc.net or catch up with Idris at a coffee session.
TECH NIGHT – Wednesday 17th November at the NTARC Club rooms, 19:30 hours until whenever.
FUTURE EVENTS
Plenty of notice this time. NTARC will be holding a Christmas dinner on Wednesday 15th December. Venue Mowbray Hotel, meet time is 6.00pm. Tables have been booked under the name of NTARC. Menu is a-la-carte and there is plenty of parking at the rear. Please RSVP the secretary at either of these email addresses news(at)ntarc.net or ypmaxwell(at)bigpond.com or jot your name down on the sheet next to the sign in register on a Wednesday night session or coffee morning. We will need to confirm final numbers with the Hotel on Tuesday 14th December, so please ensure you get your name on the list before that date. The attendee list is growing so if you are planning to attend please advise so that your name can be added.
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
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YOU ARE LISTENING TO VK7WI AND THIS IS THE VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
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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/
November Presentation
Digital Voice Hotspots Wrap-up
REAST's November presentation was last Wednesday night and was all about Digital Voice (DV) hotspots with a focus on pi-star and openspot3. This was presented by Scott VK7HSE.
Scott introduced us to the Zumspot, OpenSpot1, Openspot3 and Pi-Star hotspots that he brought along on the night. Scott then started to show the Pi-Star web based dashboard.
There was a description of the hotspots and whether they support DMR, D-STAR, YSF/C4FM/Fusion, P25, NXDN and Tetra and the Openspot3 is the set and forget option for amateurs although they are relatively expensive.
There are simplex hotspot and a duplex hotspots. Simplex hotspots can only receive and transmit one timeslot or mode at a one time.
DMR Hotspot Dashboard - https://vkdmr.com/hotspots/
There was a description of the VK DMR network with the Pi-Star Dashboard showing a D-STAR broadcast at the same time. Scott described the fact there is s 3 minute time out timer on most digital voice repeaters and therefore there are systems to drop the carrier every 3 minutes to reset the timeout timer. Usually done with an Arduino switching the PTT line.
VK DMR website - https://vkdmr.com/
Scott described the dynamic setup of a hotspot where you can key up the talk group you want versus a statically configured hotspot where you can configure many talk groups.
The hotspot frequencies in VK are 439.150 and 439.125MHz. The software on the hotspot can lock to your callsign only. The convention is that hotspots are a single user device. Hotspots are usually pretty deaf to reduce multiple users. Never put an amplifier on a duplex hotspot as there are many spectral artefacts.
The hotspot status webpage for VK was displayed and Scott went through the VK7 showing on the dashboard and what things meant on the dashboard.
Scott then threw it open to questions. First question was about MMDVM limitation of hotspots monitoring five talk groups per timeslots. Scott described the scenario where monitoring too many static talkgroups can lock up the hotspot and also flip to conversations on other talkgroups and you can miss the conversation you were on without some manual intervention. This is to do with the hangtime on each talkgroup.
You can use some smarts through the System Cron to setup the Pi-Star hotspot to switch to particular talkgroups. There are many advanced features on the Pi-Star.
The Australia-wide talkgroups are shown on the VK DMR website: https://vkdmr.com/using-dmr/
Talk Group 8 is setup to only activate VK7RAD, VK7RCR and VK7RJG on timeslot 1.
There was then a Tetra description with 4 timeslots in trunking mode across about 150kHz bandwidth channel like a cellular phone network in a UHF spectrum.
A description was given about setting up your handheld for a hotspot - modifying a code plug. Scott then went into the jargon or lingo associated with DMR and the sequence to setup the configuration for hotspot operation. It the Zone, Talk Group, Channel and Contacts. The IOpenGD77 project simplifies the configuration and you only need to setup the contact, channel and the zone.
The codeplugs on the REAST website are slightly out of date and will be updated when time permits.
There was an outline of the OpenGD77 project issues and how this was overcome by uploading the original firmware then overload the updated firmware to overcome the licencing issues.
There was a code plugs discussion and the feeling is that you stick with specific simplified structure that meets the local need.
Each DMR network namely VKDMR and talkgroups 3801-3808 = BandMeister talk groups 5051-5058 these are linked between the DMR networks.
There was then a demonstration of the timeout periods on each channel on the DMR hotspot dashboard. Scott discussed the differences between a hotspot and repeater and the differences between the Yaesu DR-1X and DR-2X repeaters.
There is a distance limitation of DMR is 32km which is limited by TDMA timings. D-STAR not being a TDMA mode the distance issue does not exist. If you have a multi-pathing DMR radios will most likely not work.
Scott outlined his opinion of recovered audio quality is P25, NXDN, C4FM, DMR then D-STAR.
The DRM specification came from Europe to improve spectral efficiency as there are two timeslots/channels on the one frequency, this is same with P25 which is another TDMA mode.
There was a discussion on sending text messages over the DMR / DV network which is possible if the repeaters are configured to support. On the amateur networks most configurations drop any packets other than the digital voice packets so texting may not be available.
Scott finished by announcing that VK7RAD has just been put on the VK YSF/C4FM network courtesy of Peter Brennan and Scott's work.
A huge thank you to Scott for this presentation.
The video of the night is available on the REAST YouTube channel and please note the first 4 minutes of audio is missing due to a technical issue which is rectified after 4 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YnEfWVlIlc
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 27th November 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@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 we get back underway with our DATV Experimenter’s nights - Wednesday 10 November from 7:30pm and we will be exploring RF resonance in more detail with some interesting hands on equipment with Grid Dip Oscillators and how we use Crystals and resonators with resonance for high stability.
Keep an eye on the REAST Facebook Events for more details.
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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Software News
WSJT-X 2.5.2 released
We are pleased to announce the General Availability (GA) release of WSJT-X version 2.5.2. This is mostly a bug-fix release. A full list of changes can be found in the Release Notes.
https://physics.princeton.edu//pulsar/k1jt/Release_Notes.txt
IMPORTANT: If you expect to use the JT65 or Q65 modes to make weak-signal QSOs that involve a nonstandard callsign, be sure to upgrade to WSJT-X 2.5.2!
Links to WSJT-X 2.5.2 installation packages for Windows, Linux, and Macintosh are available at the link on the email edition of the broadcast.
http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html
WSJT-X is licensed under the terms of Version 3 of the GNU General Public License (GPL). Development of this software is a cooperative project to which many amateur radio operators have contributed. If you use our code, please have the courtesy to let us know about it. If you find bugs or make improvements to the code, please report them to us in a timely fashion.
The authors and Copyright holders of WSJT-X request that derivative works should not publish programs based on features in WSJT-X before those features are made available in a General Availability (GA) release of WSJT-X. We will cease making public Release Candidate (RC) pre-releases for testing and user early access purposes if this request is ignored.
Bugs should be reported by following instructions found here in the User Guide.
https://www.physics.princeton.edu//pulsar/K1JT/wsjtx-doc/wsjtx-main-2.5.2.html#_bug_reports
We hope you will enjoy using WSJT-X 2.5.2.
73 from Joe, K1JT; Bill, G4WJS; Steve, K9AN; and Nico, IV3NWV via Tim VK2XAX
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Propagation News
Auroral Propagation
Whilst auroras can disrupt many forms of radio communications, radio amateurs are able to use auroral backscatter radio propagation to make contacts over distances of around 800km and more.
Visible auroras are magnificent to view, but they also give an indication of great activity on the Sun, and they can result in huge changes of the radio propagation conditions.
For the HF operator, these auroras can be the sign of a complete shut-down of the HF spectrum as the absorption levels in the ionosphere rise. For the VHF DX’er they can present an opportunity of an abnormal form of propagation.
The visible auroras give an indication of the activity that is occurring in the upper atmosphere which manifests itself as a radio propagation auroral event.
Good antennas are essential when using auroral radio propagation. Directional or beam antennas are required and these should be rotated towards the auroral zone, i.e. to the south in the Southern Hemisphere. Signals are then reflected back, i.e. using back-scatter. This means that the beam heading for the optimum signal will not be in the direction of the station being contacted.
It is found that signals that have been propagated using auroral radio propagation are distorted and this means that voice transmissions can be very difficult to copy. The wider the bandwidth the greater the problem and therefore SSB is the best voice mode to use, although copy is difficult. Naturally Morse is good because it occupies a very narrow bandwidth is very resilient to distortion. However even this becomes distorted, having a very rough tone superimposed onto it. This can vary from one aurora to the next, or even during the course of an event. Typically signals flutter very rapidly because of the changes occurring in the ionosphere This flutter can even be so fast that it appears as a low frequency tone or buzz up to 50 or 60 Hz.
In addition to the distortion on the signal, it is also subject to a Doppler frequency shift. This is caused by millions of plasma particles entering the ionosphere. Each is a minute point for reflection and has a different velocity. This means that the Doppler shift has a spread of frequency shifts, resulting in the very distinctive hissing sound. As a general rule the average frequency shift on the 145 MHz amateur radio band is about 0.5 kHz.
In summary - auroral propagation can be a fascinating and rewarding form of propagation for radio amateurs. It provides an interesting means of making radio contacts and has the advantage that it can be used at times when the propagation conditions on the HF amateur radio bands are likely to be poor. As no special equipment is required, it makes an ideal way in which to make radio contacts on an occasional basis as the conditions arise.
https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/ham_radio/amateur-propagation/auroral-propagation.php
Sourced from the Electronics-Notes 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 17th November - Rocherlea clubrooms Launceston
NTARC - TestNet and TECHNET – Wednesday 10th November. TestNet/CW course on 3580 from 7pm till 7.30pm and a TECHNET on 3567 from 7.30pm till about 8.30pm
NW VK7 – Wednesday from 2000 local – NW Tassie Amateur Repeater Group Net on VK7RMD
NW VK7 - Thursday commencing at 09:30 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 6:00pm AEDST.
Events:
NTARC - 15th December - Xmas Dinner at Mowbray Hotel from 6.00pm - let secretary know if coming along.
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A reminder to those people rostered for next week’s broadcast:
Newsreader: VK7RI
Repeaters: REAST, NTARC and in the NW thanks to N W T A R C, 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 it’s 73 from Peter, VK7PD.
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(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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