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VK7AX > BCAST 11.10.25 05:16z 596 Lines 23802 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: VK National News 12Oct25
Path: HB9ON<DK0WUE<PD0LPM<VE3CGR<VE6NAS<VE2PKT<PY2BIL<HB9ON<VK7AX
Sent: 251011/0510Z 5265@VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.AUNZ LinBPQ6.0.24
VK National News 12Oct25
Weekly news from the WIA:
MP3 edition of news available at: http://www.wia-files.com/podcast/wianews-2025-10-12.mp3
Text edition:
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2025 OCTOBER 12 WIA NATIONAL NEWS BROADCAST ON VK1WIA
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THE BEST NEWS YOU'LL GET ALL WEEK
THIS LINK IS A VIDEO VERSION OF NEWS COMPILED BY VK5BD BEVAN
tinyurl.com/WIA-News-Videos
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IN NATIONAL NEWS THIS WEEK:-
Marty VK4KC the POTA Administrator for Australia POTAs ON . -
St George Amateur Radio Society holds LARGEST JOTA event in VK . -
15 year old answers calls for help during a hurricane, VK2COD reports .-
FREE mobile application is making waves in the amateur radio community &
VK3GRK Graeme, new to our team, reveals all when he steps up to the mike
with Special Interest Group News.
BUT WAIT - THERE'S MUCH MUCH MORE IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE
WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA FOR WEEK COMMENCING SUNDAY OCTOBER 5
2025..
I'M EDITOR GRAHAM VK4BB
AUSTRALIANA
Two Faraday cages have been put in place at the Square Kilometre Array site in Western Australia to protect the giant radio telescope from interference caused by RF leaks coming from inside the data centre. The data centre and the array are being built in Murchison, a remote location that provides a needed environment of radio quietness. Despite the radio silence at the location, the data centre's computers, which connect to the city of Perth, generate stray RF, spurring the need for Faraday cages to prevent the electromagnetic energy from escaping.
The international massive array, which will have 131,072 antennas, is still a work in progress since it was started in 2022. The site in Australia is home to the array's low-frequency antennas; South Africa is housing the mid-frequency antennas. The observatory and headquarters are at the Jodrell Bank Observatory in northwest England.
Although the array will still be a work in progress through to 2029, Philip Diamond, director of the SKA Observatory, recently told The Register website that tests may be run on the facility as early as 2027. He told The Register: [quote] "By then we will have the largest physical low-frequency telescope on the planet." [endquote]
(newsline)
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS is with thanks to Amateur Radio Daily, ARRL,
DX-WORLD, eHam, Hackaday, IARU, IRTS, NEWSLINE, NZART, RAC,
Radioworld.com, RSGB, SARL and the World Wide sources of WIA.
A bulletin sent to ARRL Members included information about the impact of
the US Government shutdown on licensing for the Amateur Radio Service.
The government shutdown began Wednesday, October 1, when Congress had not
passed an appropriations bill or other plan to keep the government funded
for the new fiscal year which always begins October First.
The Federal Communications Commission, which issues Amateur Radio Service
licenses, issued a Public Notice indicating that it would suspend most
operations following the shutdown. Aside from a few emergency and
auction filing systems, all other Commission electronic filing systems
will be unavailable to the public until normal agency operations resume,
said the FCC Notice.
The Kuwait Amateur Radio Society (KARS) has reaffirmed its dedication to promoting the culture of amateur radio in Kuwaiti society and inspiring younger generations to embrace the hobby, highlighting its role in strengthening values of communication and understanding between peoples.
This came during the visit of the Japanese Ambassador to Kuwait to the KARS headquarters in Surra along with his delegation.
The event was part of efforts to enhance bilateral relations between Kuwait and Japan and to shed light on Japan's pioneering role in supporting and advancing amateur radio.
In a move applauded by a number of lawmakers, the Federal Communications Commission has given prisons and other correctional facilities the authorization to use cell phone jamming technology to disable devices smuggled into inmates. Federal law prohibits the sale and operation of equipment that interferes with the operation of authorized radio communications, including GPS and cellular phones.
According to the FCC, the vote was taken to halt what authorities say are criminal activities, such as drug dealing or killings, being conducted by persons who are incarcerated.
The FCC said that its action would coordinate efforts between corrections officials and wireless carriers and is not designed to interfere with wireless services of cellular customers in the vicinity of the prisons.
When there's an emergency, you can't have too many ways to communicate - particularly when the crisis involves nuclear materials. That's why here in the US, the Department of Energy recently asked amateur radio operators to be part of a drill at a plant where the agency conducts nuclear waste management and decontamination.
It was a first for the Amateur Radio Emergency Service in Paducah
Kentucky: responding to a mock emergency at a government-owned site that conducts nuclear deactivations and spent-fuel clean-up. Paducah is one of more than 100 government sites across the country handled by the energy department's Emergency Management program, which conducts nuclear remediation.
The hams, first-responders at numerous natural disasters throughout Kentucky, were now providing backup in a nuclear scenario.
According to a report on the department website, the hams got the word out, successfully transmitting emails over the radio from their mobile station inside a truck, reaching department headquarters in Washington, DC, as well as the project office in nearby Kentucky.
Myrna Redfield, program manager of the Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership, said that the first-time inclusion of ham radio meant that such scenarios gave an extra layer of resiliency to keep communication uninterrupted. She said: "Exercises like this not only enhance our preparedness but also strengthen ties with local responders who share our commitment to protecting people and the environment."
In the US, the FCC has charged an amateur radio operator with unauthorized operation on a frequency assigned for use by public safety agencies, private mobile paging and businesses. The FCC's action against Matthew Davidson, KG7EFI, stems from a complaint its enforcement bureau received on the 10th of July, barely one month after Davidson was granted his Technician class license. Technician licensees are permitted use of VHF bands including 6 meters, 2 meters, and 1.25 meters.
According to the complaint, enforcement agents said Davidson, who lives in Utah, was questioned 18 days after the complaint and admitted that he was transmitting on 173.675 MHz, a frequency that is unauthorized under his license.
The FCC has given him 20 days to file a formal written response.
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OPERATIONAL NEWS - A FELIX VK4FUQ PRESENTATION
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Oceania DX (OCDX) CW Contest is this weekend 11/12 Oct.
wia.org.au/members/contests/oceania/
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JARTS WW RTTY Contest is Zero hundred hours UTC October 18 to 2400 hrs
Oct 19 with bands 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m. Exchange is RST + age of operator.
Find rules on jarts.jp/rules/2024_rule_en.htm
(contest cal web)
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Ten - Ten International CW contest 0001Z, Oct 18 to 2359Z, Oct 19
Worldwide on 10 meters only. Exchange for a 10-10 Member is Name + 10-10
number + (state/province/country)
Non-Member: Name + 0 + (state/province/country)
Find rules at: ten-ten.org/qso-party-rules/
(contest cal web)
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YLRL DX/NA YL Anniversary Contest: 1400Z, Oct 18 to 0200Z, Oct 20 is a
Worldwide contest on CW/Digital and SSB.
Find rules at ylrl.net/contests
(contest cal web)
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YOTA Contests December
The Fishers Ghost Amateur Radio Club are hosting the inaugural
VK YOTA CONTEST, the entire month of December.
yota.fgarc.org.au/
Then just 3 days from the end of what we call the VK YOTA CONTEST comes
ROUND 3 of the YOTA contest organized by the IARU R1 Youth Working Group
in cooperation with the Hungarian Amateur Radio Society.
DECEMBER 29.
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NOW THE DX WINDOW TO THE WORLD.
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Celebrating the Deutsche Amateur-Radio-Club's 75th anniversary,
four special callsigns have been activated by DARC till 31 October:
DC7, D5D, DD7, DK7 and DR75DARC.
QSLs via the bureau, or direct to DL2VFR.
(425 DX NEWS)
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Special callsign LA 100 A is active throughout 2025 to mark the 100th
anniversary of the first amateur radio two-way contact between Norway
and the USA in November 1925.
QSL directly to LA100A, via the Bureau, or QRZ.com
(RSGB)
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Switzerland.
4 U 0 ITU is the call sign for the International Amateur Radio Club
at ITU HQ in Geneva to use from 16 May to the end of the year in
celebration of the 160th anniversary of the International
Telecommunication Union.
QSL via LoTW, Club Logs OQRS, or direct to
IARC, PO Box 6, 1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland.
(sarl)
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CROATIA
9 A 169 TESLA
This is a special callsign that will be used until 31 December in
celebration of the 169th anniversary since the birth of Nikola Tesla
(10 July 1856).
QSOs will be uploaded to LoTW, Club Log, and QRZ Logbook.
(425dex)
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WORLD WIDE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP NEWS
SUMMITS ON THE AIR, WORLD WIDE FLORA, FAUNA PROGRAM,
PARKS ON THE AIR and other ADVENTURE GROUPS.
hema.org.uk/index.jsp
minesontheair.com/about-mota
parksontheair.com/
sota.org.uk
sotawatch.sota.org.uk/en/
facebook.com/SotaAustralia/
wwffaustralia.com/
A POTA quarterly support your parks weekend happens Sat 18 & Sun19 Oct,
then the VKFF National Get Together is October 24-27 Canberra
With regard POTA, here is Marty.
The next quarterly POTA support your parks weekend is Saturday
18th & Sunday 19th of October, which is next weekend.
There will be many POTA activators operating from parks, forests,
trails, beaches and rivers over this weekend.
Chris VK4DTS has organised a POTA camp for those in the greater
Brisbane area at Boreen Point campground just north of Noosa.
For more information on this event go to the POTA Australia, New
Zealand facebook group and click on the events tab.
Others around the country who want to get involved can do so
individually or as a group. Just get out to one of the 10,728 Australian
POTA locations and call CQ POTA.
This is Marty VK4KC. POTA Admin for Australia. POTA ON!
Thanks Marty, now, SOTA Croatia is marking 10 years. Listen for the special callsign 9 A 10 SOTA. The callsign is on the air through to 2026, the 30th of September 2026 to be precise.
A certificate will be available for contacts made between the 1st of October and the 31st of December THIS YEAR.. QSL via LoTW.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - FAITH.
wacral.org/category/chota/
open.spotify.com/playlist/0XDrUVZQMeEt47eAT2oE4P?si=6869c1069e6f45b1
With plans for its own ham radio room and new radio tower, Marion Baptist Association in Ocala will soon be taking part in emergency communications to help local churches and their membership during statewide disaster relief efforts.
The updates are coming at a great time, as Floridas hurricane season is underway, said Mark Weible, oh and in a moment we'll look at the 'season' in Rescue Radio. Mark Weible is associational mission strategist, who only
got his ham radio license about a year ago. Since then, he has discovered the many applications of this technology and a new community of people who are practitioners. "A year ago, when I started studying for my ham radio license, I had no idea that I would get this far deep into it. Or that it would be this practical," he said.
Weible is hoping to establish a network of ham radio operators among all 67 churches in the association. The idea is for each church to have its own ham radio operator so that churches can communicate with one another and relay information in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster.
(eHam)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - FINAL FRONTIER
AMSAT-VK Secretary - secretary(at)amsat-vk.org
The, Amateur Radio Organization of Indonesia, reports:-
September 28, 2025, was the 10th anniversary of IO-86 (Indonesia OSCAR
86) Satellite. The host vehicle, LAPAN A2 satellite, was launched from
India using a PSLV rocket. This 10 years of almost problem-free satellite
is beyond imagination as the service years were designed only for only 2.
Currently the FM voice repeater payload is still working well, only the
APRS digipeater is showing reduced sensitivity .
Hopefully we can have another 10 years of service from this satellite.
(amsat)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - IOTA
iota-world.org/
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Eric, GM 5 RDX and Graham, 2 M IJU are on the air as J 38 DX and
J 38 LD, respectively, from Grenada, IOTA Number NA-024, to the 15th of
October. They are on 80-6 metres using SSB most of the time, with some FT8. QSL for both callsigns via M OXO's OQRS.
(newsline2501)
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Listen for another Eric, this Eric is F 6 ICX who is using the callsign
5 R 8 IC from Sainte-Marie Island, IOTA Number AF-090, near Madagascar.
He is operating through to late December or early January, using CW, SSB
and some FT8 in fox-hound mode on 40-10 metres.
(newsline2501)
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Bernhard, DL2GAC is active again as H44MS from Malaita Island, OC-047, on the Solomon Islands until the 25th of November. Listen for activity on the 80 to 6m bands using SSB and FT8. QSL directly via Bernhard's home call or the Bureau.
(RSGB)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO AMATEUR YOUNG TIMERS - YOTA
(Youngsters On The Air)
WIA committee:- Steve VK6SJ, Alec VK2MV and Pete VK2LP.
ham-yota.com/category/yota-region-3/
facebook.com/groups/YOTAOC/
youtube.com/channel/UClAapljf0VQ751sOgu2IzaA
At just 15, Benji Martin answered calls for help during a hurricane,
connecting people in crisis with lifesaving resources.
When Hurricane Helene hit, people needed help fast. They may not have
expected that help to come from a 15-year-old in Georgia.
Benjamin Martin was at the controls of his ham radio, manning the ARES
emergency frequency from his bedroom. "K-Q-4-K-I-S, Benji here," he said,
ready to serve. He takes his volunteer position seriously. "Their motto
and slogan is, when all else fails, we will be there," he said.
As the storm barrelled toward the Southeast, Benji prepared to answer any
call for help. "They were setting up the day before, schools were
closing, and we thought, Atlanta is going to take a full-out hit," he
said. Benji stayed on the radio overnight, helping connect people with
the resources they desperately needed. He even helped locate a medically
fragile woman who was missing after the storm.
(eHam)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - RADIO SCOUTING
St George Amateur Radio Society Celebrates 30 Years of Jamboree On The Air
at Boree Regatta.
We have more: -
The St George Amateur Radio Society (SGARS) will celebrate the 30th
anniversary of operating a Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) radio station at
the Endeavour Boree Regatta this year.
The first JOTA station at the Boree Regatta was established in *1995* by
John Gibling (VK2EKG) and was soon joined by other enthusiastic
members of SGARS. Since then, the club has proudly maintained this
long-standing tradition of connecting Scouts and Guides with the world
through amateur radio.
In October 2025, SGARS members will once again be setting up and
operating an amateur radio station at the Boree Regatta in Kurnell,
Sydney NSW using the club call sign VK2LE.
The Boree Regatta is a popular weekend event featuring both water and
land-based activities for Girl Guides and Scouts from across southern
Sydney. This year marks a double celebration, with the Boree Regatta
itself commemorating its 60th anniversary, the first Boree having been
held in 1965.
The SGARS JOTA team anticipates up to 500 Girl Guides and Scouts will
take part in the Jamboree On The Air activities at the eventpotentially
making it one of the largest JOTA stations in Australia.
Throughout the weekend of Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th October 2025,
the VK2LE station will be active on multiple bands and modes, including
HF (primarily 40 metres), 2m FM repeaters across greater Sydney, VK
DMR talk groups TG30TG39, as well as DMR Brandmeister and EchoLink.
The SGARS JOTA team welcomes contact from other JOTA stations across
Australia and around the world. Stations wishing to make contact or
learn more can reach the team via email, WhatsApp, or Facebook details
are available on the SGARS website at sgars.org
(Paul VK2GX, SGARS Secretary, on behalf of the SGARS JOTA Team)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RESCUE RADIO
Amateur Radio Activations During Hurricanes Imelda and Humberto
Amateur radio operators were closely involved with monitoring the forecasts of the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) in Florida throughout the tracks of Hurricanes Imelda and Humberto, activating nets and contributing surface reports.
Imelda passed over Bermuda on Wednesday night, October 1, 2025, as a Category 2 Hurricane, with winds gusting over 100 mph and leaving over 17,000 people without power. Humberto became a Category 5 hurricane briefly on September 27, staying over the open Atlantic Ocean. The double hurricanes produced dangerous surf and coastal flooding along the US East Coast, and they caused damage to homes on North Carolina's Outer Banks.
The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) activated for the first time this season, beginning Wednesday, October 1, at 3 PM EDT (1900 UTC), with operations on 14.325 MHz and 7.268 MHz.
(arrl)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- SOFTWARE FOR HAMS
We are looking today at 2 kits, one from the US one from ZS.
kv4p HT Turn an Android smartphone into a ham radio transceiver
kv4p HT is an open-source hardware VHF or UHF radio designed to plug into the USB-C port of an Android smartphone and turn it into a handheld ham radio transceiver. Its based on an ESP32 wireless module and an SA818 radio module.
This accessory makes your phone capable of off-grid voice and text communication with a Technician-class amateur radio license. Its small enough to fit into a pocket, partially because it does not need a battery, relying on the built-in battery of your phone.
tinyurl.com/36spmswz
( cnxsoftware web)
THE ZS ELMER MOBILE APPLICATION
A brand-new FREE mobile application is making waves in the amateur radio community by combining essential operating tools with modern social features all in one place. The app, designed for amateurs on the go, offers fast and intuitive QSO logging to keep track of every contact, whether from the shack, in the field, or during contest operations. Built-in integration ensures logs are accurate, portable, and easy to manage wherever you operate.
Beyond logging, the app goes further by including APRS tracking, giving operators the ability to monitor real-time positions of stations and share their own location seamlessly. For space enthusiasts, the app also features satellite tracking tools, helping amateurs plan and work contacts through amateur satellites with ease.
But this is not just a utility app it is also about community. Operators can join a built-in chat platform to share experiences, post photos and videos and stay connected with fellow amateurs worldwide. A dedicated Swap Shop section even lets users trade or sell gear directly through the app, creating a space where hobbyists can support one another.
My goal was to put everything a modern amateur needs into a single, easy-to-use mobile app from logging QSOs to planning satellite passes and connecting with other operators, said the developer, Dave, ZR 6LSD.
Its not just about making contacts but about building and sharing within the amateur radio community.
The app is in constant development and available from the Google play store. IOS store and the HUAWEI AppGallery for download.
The ZSElmer website can be found on
zselmer.co.za/.
(sarl news)
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IT'S A DATE
Clubs are welcome to email text with audio for this section,
nationalnews@wia.org.au
Details of all WIA affiliated clubs and societies can be found
on the WIA website, including email addresses and website links.
----------------------------
Flex Radio - a new era in Amateur Radio - Friday October 17th in Bendigo.
Bendigo Amateur Radio & Electronics Club invites you to their October
meeting! Join Andrea VK3GOW, as she provides an interesting presentation
on the Flex Radio system, and plans for a remote station at BAREC's Gredgwin tower site.
Subjects covered will include:
Plans for Gredgwin with the Flex radio
Installation at Gredgwin - how it works
External amplifier and rotator controller
Installation of station software on the remote computers
Proposed booking system
Access to Gredgwin once installed
The presentation commences at 7.30 pm, Friday October 17th at BAREC
Headquarters, Bendigo East Hall, 35 Lansell St. A gold coin donation
would be appreciated, and a light supper will be provided.
The presentation will be available live via Zoom.
--------------------------------------
Zoom details:
Topic: 'Flex Radio - a new era in Amateur Radio' - BAREC presentation.
Time: Friday October 17th at 7.30pm AEDT.
Join Zoom Meeting:
us06web.zoom.us/j/84406531024?pwd=dkNUYXlDWnFNbmk4MDhxQ21HZTBpZz09
Meeting ID: 844 0653 1024
Passcode: 535376
[cid:63ab5af2-1844-4450-9ece-8f471fc4010a]
Bendigo Amateur Radio & Electronics Club Inc.
Media and Communications
Graeme Knight
Then the Saturday AFTER that we have the POTA quarterly support your parks
weekend Sat 18 & Sun19 Oct
VK2 - Westlakes Field Day 8am October 26 on club grounds. (vk2wi)
VK5 - AREG's Amateur Radio & Electronics Sale Sunday 26th October
at David Roche Park, Kilburn (VK5QI)
VK - VKFF National Get Together October 24-27 Canberra. (vk5pas)
VK4 - Qtech2025 a two-day conference Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd
November at Kedron-Wavell RSL (vk4uh)
VK4 - GOLD COAST AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY 2025 HAMFEST NOV 9
Country Paradise Parklands 231 Beaudesert Nerang Road. (vk4dmh)
VK7 - Miena HamFest Saturday Nov.15 10am (my-ee-nah) (vk7news)
VK3 - Rosebud RadioFest, Eastbourne Primary School, Rosebud (wiacal)
November Sixteen.
VK2 - PICTON HAMFEST November 23 Picton Show Ground 8AM (vk2xqx)
VK8 - Darwin Amateur Radio Club Xmas Party 6:30pm Dec 3 (wiacal)
VK - Dec 7 WIA Affiliated Clubs briefing webinar (wiacal)
--------------------- SOCIAL SCENE 2026 ------------------
VK - WIA AGM May 2 at 2pm Albury VK2 (wiacal)
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Reception Reports
No we DO like to hear where in the world you are listening to this,
the WIA NATIONAL NEWS SERVICE.
WIA News rebroadcasters often give Short Wave Listeners a
welcome to the broadcast as they commence call-backs
straight after the Local News. Local news follows National
news in all states. It would be great if those SWL's would
email their reception reports and location to
callbacks(at)wia.org.au
Not only but also those watching us on YouTube, leave a comment , access
is just below the picture on screen and again tell us where and maybe
even the day and time you are listening
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(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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