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VK7AX > BCAST 09.02.20 02:17z 429 Lines 24312 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: VK7 Amateur Radio News 09Feb20
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From: VK7AX@VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC
To : BCAST@WW
Text edition: VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 9 February 2020
(Note.. please remove spaces in email addresses before using)
VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 2020
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Welcome to the VK7 Amateur Radio News for the 9th February 2020. This broadcast is brought to you by VK7WI, and read today by Mike, VK7FB.
This broadcast utilises repeaters around VK7 and the following HF rebroadcast stations:
On 3.670 MHz by Garry, VK7JGD
On 7.140 MHz by Mike, VK7FB
On 14.130 MHz by Ross, VK7ALH
On 28.525 MHz by Peter, VK7TPE
On DMR Talk Group 5 and D-Star Reflector 091 by Clayton, VK7ZCR
This broadcast is repeated on Tuesday night at 8:00pm on
repeaters VK7RAA in the North and VK7RTC in the South.
Date : 03 / 02 / 2020
Author : WIA Board
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CALL TO ACTION:
Future of Amateur Radio Poll #1
When the foundation license was made available in the mid 2000's a decision was taken at the time to create a 4 letter callsign that would distinctly identify foundation users.
This callsign - colloquially known as a call has remained in existence from this time.
Recent changes to the License Conditions Determination (LCD) have permitted operators with foundation licenses to operate digital modes.
One of the challenges that has been created is that a number of the digital modes require, by design, a callsign that does not exceed 6 characters. The current call has 7.
This has resulted in a situation whereby foundation licensees are unable to fully leverage the new license conditions in the manner that was intended by the updates to the LCD.
The WIA predicted this challenge in our joint response to the ACMA LCD consultation process in August 2019.
During the process of developing the joint submission to the ACMA a number of key issues were considered prior to making the recommendations that were made in this submission.
* The purpose of callsigns
* The demonstrated negative social impact associated with the existing F call arrangement e.g. Callsign discrimination
* Changes in technology over the past 15 years
* The social benefit of various options presented
Selection Criteria:
It is the view of the Wireless Institute of Australia that any callsign changes should:
* Permit the use of all digital modes by foundation users
* Conform to the international Amateur Radio Service 6-character callsign format
* Encourage inclusive behaviour within Amateur Radio.
* Be aligned with the WIA's call sign for life vision
* Permit simple implementation without significant cost or new administrative processes
* Present no material impact to other operators' quiet enjoyment of the amateur service.
* Scale to support amateurs into the future
This document describes the options that have been presented for resolving this matter and the issues associated with each option contemplated in these terms.
WIA Recommendation:
Having reviewed the available options, there is only one proposed option that achieves a positive outcome across all the above selection criteria. This is Option 1, as described in detail below.
Why: The WIA is of the view that the best balance of objectives is achieved through the removal of all class based callsign allocations (prefixes) for both foundation and other callsigns.
Note 1: The historical reasons for the use of prefixes (Z, Y, F etc.) no longer exist. The information that is embedded in the callsign in terms of license class is readily available through public databases.
Note 2: Option 1 does not imply that a current foundation license holder needs to change their current callsign - it is entirely at the discretion of the individual to retain their existing 7-character F call or not.
Please take a moment to read through the attached PDF information pack which relates to the Foundation Licence Callsign Structure.
All WIA members will be invited to participate in the Poll. Non-WIA members may register to participate in the poll by registering at the following address poll.wia.org.au
The poll will be emailed to WIA members and program participants on the 10th of February 2020 and will run for 2 weeks.
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QSL NEWS
Report - from Herman VK7HW Manager of the WIA VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
As mentioned over several broadcasts, Herman VK7HW has recently delivered any long stored and unclaimed QSL Cards to the WIA Head Office for archiving. On checking call signs in Call Books, QRZ.COM and against the ACMA Database, a significant number were not listed in any.
The current list of Cards held is included in the email version of the broadcast.
Please contact Herman if you can assist in delivery of any of the cards in your area.
If you have any questions re QSL cards, please contact Herman by email vk7bureau @ wia.org.au
73, Herman, VK7HW, WIA Manager VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
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AA, AAA, AB, ABY, AL, AM, AP, AV
BA, BM, BP, BB
CH, CJ, CV, CX
DG, DK, DX
EK
FALX, FAZZ, FG, FGGT, FJFJ, FLAR, FOTR, FTAS
GA, GH, GL, GZ
HCH, HRW, HVK, HZ
IK, IS
JB, JJ, JJJ, JON, JP, JW
KBA, KD, KJ, KK, KRJ, KX
LAZ, LCW, LDH, LF, LH, LM, LW
MAG, MBD, MBP, MD(dm), ME, MHZ, MI, ML
NA, NET, NMH, NRF, NSE, NTE, NWQ, NC
OK, OR, OT
PAL, PSJ, PW
RG
SV
TCE, TED, TK, TR, TU, TX
VAC, VAZ, VKV, VR, VZ
WA, WC, WLH, WT
XDM
YAD
ZA, ZE, ZJJ, ZM, ZT, ZX, ZZ
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NEWS FROM THE NORTH WEST
CHAT and SHOW GROUP
Hello to our group.
On March 7th it will be the next group gathering at the Penguin Sports Centre, Ironcliffe Road, Penguin and it will commence at 2pm and is open to local members as well as visitors to our State if in Penguin on that day.
The aim of the group is to create interaction and friendship between operators, whether a club member anywhere or not, from any location. Just a meet and greet day with some other activities supplied by group members. So, if you have anything you would like to show, or you have made or collected something, bring it along, or, if there is a subject you would like to discuss, come along and join us.
I do ask for a small offering of food for afternoon tea from every one and I provide tea and coffee.
So, drop in any time from 2pm until 5pm, though getting there for the start will ensure you are less likely to miss any talks given. The doors do remain open until 6pm if necessary, but drop in until 5 is so that any late arrivals have time to chat.
Cheers from Shirl VK7HSC
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NEWS FROM THE NORTH
SOTA and WWFF Parks and Reserves Group
Meeting times are from 10:30am on Monday and Friday At Glebe Gardens Cafe, 166 Henry St, Launceston.
For more details contact Al on Mobile: 0417 354 410.
(73, Al, VK7AN)
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Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club Incorporated
www.ntarc.net
We begin this week with a brief report on our coffee morning held on Friday the 7th as we haven't mentioned these events in any detail since their resumption for 2020. We had a very good roll-up, with plenty of food along with numerous cups of coffee, tea and milo. Ebenezer VK7AT, our resident story teller was in fine form and kept us in stitches with his many jokes. He really amazes me, as I have rarely heard him tell the same joke twice. He really must have a fantastic joke book hidden away somewhere.
A few members popped in to look at the items going up for the Shack clearance auction on Saturday 29 February, so here's hoping we have a good attendance on that day as we really need to clear the back hall of all those treasures. As mentioned in previous news segments, this is an open invitation to all amateurs around the State and any technically inclined person that may listen to the weekly broadcast. So please note your diaries, bring your cash along, and see what treasures you can take back to your QTH. I suspect after the auction another working bee will be called to cull any items still hanging around.
Next, an item courtesy of Rosco VK7RC who provides us with the following information in relation to the 10 Metre band,
Rosco says “Just recently I have noted some activity on 10m and so purchased an Anytone AT-6666 10m transceiver. Then, using an old 11metre CB ½ wave vertical antenna, acquired from Brendan VK7VIP, tuned it to 10m.
How interesting it has been to observe the changing propagation on this band.
I then discovered a proactive Facebook group VK 10-6-2m Operation to help advise of almost instant condition changes. I have found 10m quite exciting and others are obviously enjoying the activity as well.
So, join in, get the dust off that old 10m gear and have a listen. For starters listen on or about 28.200mHz to 28.274mHz for Oz 10m Beacons.
The following link http://www.wia.org.au/members/beacons/data/ will give you a great idea of what areas are open. Then, listen or call on or about 28.450 to 28.500mHz.
Cheers, Rosco, VK7RC
Thanks Rosco.
With our Technical sessions back in full swing for 2020 I will now hand over to Idris VK7ZIR to provide a rundown of the Technical session held last Wednesday 5th February -
And Idris reports "Again, from his vast collection of military communications equipment, Peter VK7KPC produced a massive field power supply. Everything about this item was heavy duty, from the hermetically sealed case to the ruggedized controls and connectors at one end. With the case removed, it was obvious by the internal construction, that it would survive harsh treatment out on the battlefield. Supplied with 24 volts from a Land Rover FFR, Unimog or similar, its outputs are the high and low tension requirements of tactical radio equipment. This was achieved using a mechanical vibrator to chop the DC input and then feeding through a transformer to generate these voltages. External controls consisted of power indicator, meter and toggle switches with multi pin connectors, all protected by a deep shroud and carry handle. Peter used a power supply to provide the 24 volts input, and referring to a circuit diagram, measured the output voltages. Some of the voltages were not present as per the diagram, which Peter concluded may not be the correct one, so he will investigate further and report back. Thanks again Peter for a fascinating demo.
Meanwhile, Ross VK7ALH, brought in a nice example of a Yaesu FT201 with the covers removed to show internal construction. The rear panel sported the ubiquitous Yaesu fan assembly. Power was input via a multi pin Jones type connector. Cables with the mating connector are a scarce item, and as this radio didnt have one with it, we couldnt see it in operation. Nevertheless, an excellent show and tell item, thanks Ross.
Andrew VK7DW showed us a collection of SSTV printouts from the International Space Station (ISS), depicting the various personnel manning the station. He had laminated them so they could be handed around and admired. Andrew also had an achievement certificate from the ISS, verifying his reception of the images. He had to provide information such as antenna location, date and time and upload pictures to their site, probably to enable analysis of the down links effectiveness. Well done Andrew for an interesting exhibit and valuable keepsake.
The auction items provided a diversion for attendees, with some making note of potential bids. The auction is open to all interested parties with details of dates elsewhere in the broadcast.
David VK7YY had several different Grid Dip Oscillators (GDOs) to use on his antenna traps, comparing the measurements between them. This week he got a satisfactory result and now knows adjustments to make.
As well, many other discussions were happening around the tables, with a few treats to have with our coffees. Another good evening.
73, Idris VK7ZIR
For all you techo night attendees, just a reminder in case you have forgotten, there will be no Technical session on Wednesday next week, the 12th February, due to our AGM being held that evening. Mind you, while there will be no technical session that night, we do still hope to see you at the AGM.
2020 Membership renewals - a big thank you to all those members who have paid their 2020 subs. To those that as yet haven't renewed, just a further reminder that your 2019 membership expired on 31 December and you are now listed on the membership register as an unfinancial member. Your status will stay that way until you have renewed your membership or until 30 June when your name will be removed from the membership register. After that date you will need to apply to join to enjoy the benefits of NTARC membership.
As mentioned last week, a reminder notice will be forwarded in coming days to those handful of members who have yet to renew. In case you have forgotten, NTARC's 2020 membership fees are just $35.00 for a Full voting member and $5 additional for each Family member that the voting member wishes to add to his or her primary membership.
As all listeners must be aware, the replacement of aging legacy equipment along with other ongoing care and maintenance of our repeater systems does not come cheap. For you to be able to continue to enjoy this aspect of your hobby, or at least for NTARC to continue to provide this great network, we need your support now.
If you are not a member of NTARC please consider joining. If you have been a member in the past but have let that membership lapse for any reason, please consider rejoining. In either case, an application form can be found at our Club room so why not pop into the club on a Monday or Friday, during coffee hours, and collect an application. You will be made most welcome.
If club membership is not your cup of tea, we fully understand. In those circumstances, perhaps you might care to make a direct donation to our repeater fund, rather than pay a yearly subscription. If so, we would be happy to receive your contribution, either in person at a club meeting or coffee morning, or by post to PO BOX 275 Launceston 7250. Any donation will gladly be accepted. All donations will be officially receipted and noted accordingly against the repeater project.
February Annual General meeting - this is your final reminder that the Annual General Meeting of NTARC will take place on Wednesday 12th February 2020 (this coming Wednesday) at the NTARC Club Rooms, Rocherlea Scout Hall, Archer Street Rocherlea commencing at 19:30 hours (7.30 pm).
Business at the AGM will consist of confirmation of the Minutes of the 2019 AGM, then reception and consideration of reports from the Committee, including the Treasurer's report and reports from our various managers and coordinators. This will be followed by the election of officer bearers and committee person for 2020. Please note that no items of special business were received by the closing date of 6th February, so there can be no discussion of items beyond those standing agenda items just listed in this segment.
All current office holder and committee positions fall vacant at the AGM and we advise that nominations for all positions are now closed, the closure date for which was also Close Of Business, 6th February 2020.
Members are reminded that they will need to have paid their 2020 renewal subscription before the meeting commences at 19:30 hours (7.30 pm) to be able to vote at the Annual General meeting.
A final reminder to all those that are required to write reports that time has well and truly marched on so lets hope you have put pen to paper. It would be appreciated if a hard copy of your report could be sent to the following email;
ntarc.emails@gmail.com
by tomorrow Monday 10th February to assist in preparing the necessary paper work for the AGM.
The AGM will be followed by the February General meeting.
Coming events
Technical session - The next session will be on Wednesday 19th February and will commence at the usual time of 7.30 pm, running through to 10.30 pm, at the Club room Archer Street, Rocherlea. Pop in catch up with fellow amateurs, bring along something that you are currently building or just ask questions? You might also be able to answer some from other attendees. That is what the evenings are all about, anything of a technical or near-technical nature, however defined, is fair game. Endless tea and coffee along with biscuits is available for a small gold coin donation.
Shack clearance auction Saturday 29th February. Viewing from 10.00 am. Auction to commence at noon. Auctioneer on the day will be Nic VK7BEE.
Coffee mornings - are normally held every Monday and Friday in the NTARC Club rooms and are now back in full swing. Catch up time is from 10.00 am to noon and we look forward to seeing you all.
These coffee events are normally a good opportunity to collect your QSL cards. Currently we have some cards awaiting collection so why not pop in on a coffee morning or Tech night to see if we have any for you?
As I remind all every week, please demonstrate your appreciation of all the effort that goes into operating the club and its facilities and the other services we provide, by joining us at these sessions.
Finally
A reminder to all members that if you have any items of news you would like added to our weekly roundup, then please email them to the following address
ntarc.emails@gmail.com
However, it would be appreciated if any news could be sent no later than 17:00 hours on the Friday prior to broadcast, to allow its timely insertion into the NTARC segment.
That gives all a chance to get the NTARC segment together and off to Hobart in time for collation into the VK7 Broadcast. Your continued cooperation in this regard will be gratefully appreciated.
As always I look forward to seeing you at Rocherlea.
73, Yvonne VK7FYMX, Secretary NTARC Inc.
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NEWS FROM THE SOUTH
Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania
DATV Experimenter's Night Wrap-Up
We started the night in the studio with a presentation by Hayden VK7HH and Rex VK7MO on their recent VK7 to ZL 1296MHz record breaking contacts.
The presentation covered the Hepburn charts, locations, equipment, ionosonde profiles in VK7 and ZL and a huge thanks and congratulations to Rex and Hayden.
Justin then showed a webpage reference to a miniature grain of sand camera for medical applications. He then moved to the RaspberryPi DVT-T shield that enables a RaspberryPi to receive digital TV. You can easily make an internet connected intelligent TV thanks to KOBE and a few other open source free-ware applications.
Next was some comments about the various 1296MHz power amplifier projects that Richard VK7ZBX, Murray VK7ZMS and Justin are undertaking.
We finished with a promo of the REAST AGM on the 16th at 11am and the WIA Annual Conference deals on the weekend of 8-10 May 2020.
Out in the clubrooms Ron Cullen was building 5.8GHz circular polarised clover leaf antennas and Murray VK7ZMS and Richard VK7ZBX were planning their 1296MHz amplifier units. We thank Kim VK7KB who bought along some great salvaged connectors, cables and assemblies with high quality
connectors and circuit boards.
Now for the BIG NEWS.......
This week we have guest presenter Peter Parker VK3YE coming along to the clubrooms to give an impromptu presentation on all things QRP. Peter is a prolific experimenter, broadcaster, videographer and author. His latest book - The Australian Ham Radio Handbook, is now available in Jaycar! Take a look at his website on the email edition of this broadcast for more information. http://vk3ye.com/
We get underway in the clubrooms from 7:30pm and the presentation will be broadcast on RF and streamed on the REAST YouTube Channel.
https://www.reast.asn.au/special-interest-groups/amateur-tv/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC64To_tq1E7PfK1pqtX_vRw/
https://www.facebook.com/reasttas/
See you there, 73, Justin, VK7TW
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TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Victorian Triple Zero operators to gain AI advantage
By Jonathan Nally
The Victorian Government has announced $1.36 million in funding for a new artificial intelligence initiative that will assist the states Triple Zero call-takers to identify callers showing signs of cardiac arrest.
The AI system will monitor calls and pick up on keywords, sound patterns and language used by the caller that might indicate the person is having a cardiac arrest.
If the system indicates a possible cardiac arrest, the operator can dispatch a high-priority ambulance or even speak with bystanders and talk them through CPR or defibrillation procedures.
The technology will be developed by Ambulance Victoria and Monash University.
A second $350,000 project will give emergency callers with mental health-related problems the option to use SMS to initiate a video call.
The Tele-HELP project will facilitate video calls with a mental health nurse, who will assess the person. The idea is to avoid unnecessary trips to hospital in an ambulance following a standard 000 call, and thereby avoid delays in receiving face-to-face mental health support.
The two projects are being funding by the state government's Safer Care Victoria Innovation Fund.
“We are always looking for new, cutting-edge ways to innovate and deliver the very best and safest care because all Victorians deserve access to world-class treatment when they need it most, no matter where they live,” said Victoria's Minister for Health, Jenny Mikakos.
Read more: http://criticalcomms.com.au/content/public-safety/news/victorian-triple-zero-operators-to-gain-ai-advantage-985293545#ixzz6DG650frU
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Regular VK7 gatherings and events over the coming months:
Regular gatherings:
SOTA Group - Monday and Friday Coffee Sessions from 10:30am at Glebe Gardens Cafe 166 Henry St, Launceston
NTARC - Monday and Friday Coffee Sessions from 10am, Technical Sessions on Wednesdays from 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm in the clubrooms Archer Street, Rocherlea, Launceston.
REAST - Wednesday Night Experimenters Group from 1930 in the Queens Domain clubrooms.
REAST - MICROWAVE QSO Party - following after the Sunday broadcast on 1296.15 MHz FM.
Events:
NTARC - 12 February 2020 - NTARC AGM - Club Rooms, Archer Street Rocherlea commencing from 7.30 pm
REAST - AGM Sunday 16th at 11am, Domain Club Rooms
Meet the Voice - 22 March at Ross http://meetthevoice.org/meet-the-voice
WIA - Annual Conference weekend of 8-10 May 2020.
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A reminder to those people rostered for next week's broadcast:
Newsreader: VK7TW
Repeaters: REAST, NTARC and Spectrum Tasmania
80m: VK7ALH
40m: VK7TW
20m: VK7JGD
10m: VK7VKT
DMR: Talk Group 5 and
D-Star: Reflector 091 VK7ZCR
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This broadcast is repeated on Tuesday night at 8:00pm on repeaters VK7RAA in the North and VK7RTC in the South.
Thanks 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 VK7WI. Next week the National WIA news can be heard at 0900 followed by the VK7 Amateur Radio News at 0930 hours.
Items for the broadcast can be emailed to vk7arnews @ 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.
From the VK7 Amateur Radio News, it is 73 from Mike, VK7FB.
(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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