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VK7AX > BCAST 12.09.21 02:12z 508 Lines 24854 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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VK7 Amateur Radio News 12Sep21
Text edition:
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VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 12th September 2021
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Welcome to the VK7 Amateur Radio News for the 12th September 2021. At the mike of VK7WI this week is Justin, VK7TW.
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 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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Contest News
ALARA Contest
The 41st Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association (ALARA) contest was held last weekend and logs are due with the Contest Manager by the 30th September 2021.
For more details please take a look at the ALARA website.
http://www.alara.org.au/index.html
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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 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
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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
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NEWS FROM THE NORTH WEST
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 next Saturday 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 recommendation. We have single packaged Tea, Coffee and Sugar and disposable cups for members and guests. Visitors are most welcome to attend. And don’t forget to use the QR code check-in on entry.
If you have any cold or flu symptoms, or are unwell, or been in contact with a confirmed COVID case, then please do not attend the meeting, please note the new meeting start time from now on will be 1.30pm
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Club Outing to Sheffield Steam & Heritage Centre
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 be 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
North West Tasmania Amateur Radio Club
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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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Repeater Update - VK7RUN
Greg - VK7YAD advises that the antenna and circulator work for RUN-3, delayed previously due to the issues with VK7RAA in the North, have been rescheduled commencing Monday 13th September and further advice will be provided when testing is completed.
For the duration of the work RUN-3 will be unavailable ... but better now than the busy summer months.
It will be interesting to see, from anyone with current signal level measurements, the difference in your area.
73, Greg, VK7YAD
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Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club Incorporated
www.ntarc.net
We commence this week with a report from Idris VK7ZIR on the happenings at last Wednesday’s Club Tech night, so over to Idris;
“Tonight’s session began with a project in progress from Stuart VK7ES. Stuart is building a weather station system with a radio link from the main sensor, (which is called a SenseCAP ORCH S4) to a computer for displaying and recording. Stuart brought along the component parts of the link, and a block diagram to show us. The link will be from RS485 interface via LoRa using Modbus protocol. There was much interest in the project and discussion of the Modbus aspect. Thanks Stuart, we hope this has helped in your progress.
Ross VK7ALH showed us an automatic antenna matcher from a Kenwood transceiver he was working on. A very interesting module with motor driven capacitive tuning elements. He also showed us a collection of photos accumulated from his time on National Service during the 1960s. The photos were mainly black and white and showed various events while he was serving with the Signal Corps dealing with communications systems and vehicle logistics in diverse locations. Each photo had an interesting story associated with it, and Ross had lots to tell. Thanks Ross.
Our presentation for the evening came from Peter VK7PD, who had just taken delivery of a 10 GHz convertor/amplifier sourced from the Netherlands. This is one of a number of Peter’s interests in the SHF amateur radio spectrum and he described the specifications of the unit which had an output of 20 Watts, and a rather narrow supply voltage range around 10.5 volts DC. Photos of the internal construction and schematics were shown on our large screen monitor. Peter outlined the protection involved and showed us a small auxiliary module included with the convertor which provided all the safety features required. He also took us through the necessity of having a sequencer in the
chain and its operation. A very comprehensive and immersive presentation, thanks Peter.
One of our other Peters, VK7KPC showed us his progress with the Slow Morse School, also running that evening. Peter had been getting to the Club Rooms early to beaver away in the Radio Room at his Morse practice with Nic VK7WW and his students. Great effort Peter.
That’s all for now folks, until next Session,
73, Idris VK7ZIRö
Just a reminder 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.
Repeater Update: Hayden VK7HH, NTARCs Southern Repeater Officers advises the following in relation to the VK7RTC update; “I’m planning a site visit across all the sites soon. There is some work to be done to fix an IP issue on one of the sites at Grey Mountain.
Mt Wellington appears to be running fine, but I'm concerned that condensation has corroded the insides as I suspect the output power is down.
The RAA VKLink is still on my bench waiting to be repaired. That won't take too long and hopefully I'll get to it next week.
Haydenö
UPCOMING EVENTS
SLOW MORSE COURSE – Wednesday 15th September. 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/
TECH NIGHT – Wednesday 22nd September at the NTARC Club rooms, 19:30 hours until whenever.
SOCIAL OUTING – Wednesday 29th September Commercial Hotel, cnr George and Cimitiere Streets. Meet time will be 6.00 pm and the table has been booked under the name of NTARC. Menu is a-la-carte, with quite an extensive choice and is reasonably priced. It can be viewed on their website. Please RSVP the secretary at either of these email addresses news(at)ntarc.net
or ypmaxwell(at)bigpond.com or jot your name down in the book on a Wednesday night session or coffee morning as numbers will need to be confirmed on Tuesday 28th. Thank you to all those members who have already advised notice of attending.
EVENTS FURTHER AFIELD –
October General meeting - Saturday 9th October. Meeting to commence at 14:00 hours (2.00pm).
JOTA/JOTI 2021 – takes place from 15th to 17th October. Peter VK7KPC NTARCs JOTA/JOTI Coordinator provides us with further information on the event;
“JOTA/JOTI 2021 is celebrating 64 years of connecting scouts and guides by radio. Events taking place at the Rocherlea Scout Hall, commence on Saturday 16th at noon and will run through until 8.00pm with the possibility of the Venturers attending after 8.00pm. Sunday 17th October will see groups arriving from 10.00am up to 3.00pm. Plan is they will visit for about 2 hours and the breakdown will see them spend half an hour utilising radio, this will be followed by half an hour on the Internet and a further half an hour outside locating those elusive foxes. Some Skype and JOTI TV will be thrown into the mix, plus 10 minutes being allowed for cleaning up between activities. Al
so on offer will be how to make a morse code trainer, cost will be $20.00 each with limit of 2 persons per group. This activity doesn’t require any soldering.
If anyone can assist on any of those two days Peter would love to hear from you. He can be contacted by email; dodd.pc(at)bigpond.com or mobile 0408 905 086
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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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/
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Community Radio Station Technical Support
Being an amateur radio operator gives you some unique experiences, knowledge and skills. Ranging from operating computers & computer control, to integration and interfacing, through to knowing and applying radio transmission theory, radio frequency measurement, design and construction; it is an end-end skill set that is highly valued in many technical circles.
These are skills that are very valuable to a Community Radio station.
There are over 450 Community Radio stations operating around Australia, including 14 in Tasmania. Most operate through volunteer presenters and technical assistants who give their time and knowledge as a community service to enhance and reflect the diversity within our community. For more information take a look the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) website
https://www.cbaa.org.au/.
Are you interested in taking your hobby of amateur radio to a new level and assisting Community Radio stations in a technical capacity? Contributing your skills, knowledge and experience to assisting organisations that are providing an important service to the community.
Keeping a Community Radio station on the air 24/7/365 is not a small undertaking and involves many different roles and responsibilities. On the technical side there is much computer based work like scheduling audio playout on automation systems, establishing and maintaining computer networks, and building and imaging PCs. It also involves audio, computer and communications interfacing and integration, equipment maintenance and occasionally high power radio frequency engineering work.
Technorama is a national support organisation assisting Community Radio technical volunteers. They run training programs and provide other services and their website is worth a look.
https://technorama.org.au/
If you are interested or just curious then we suggest you get in contact with Jim Parish on email - parish_tas(at)bigpond.com for more information.
73, REAST, Committee
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September Presentation Night
P25 Emergency Services Network Build
Please note we have been asked to remove the videos of this presentation - both the REAST and the Ham Radio DX YouTube Channels.
73, REAST Committee
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October Presentation
Military Radio and Antennas
On Sunday 3rd October from 12 noon REAST are having a BYO BBQ lunch and then a presentation and demonstration on military radios and antennas.
This presentation and demonstrations are being given by Peter VK7KPC and Kim VK7KB who are both avid collectors of military radios.
We thank Peter and Kim for agreeing to give up this presentation.
See you at the Queens Domain clubrooms after the broadcast on October 3rd.
https://fb.me/e/GXWUdLJY
73, REAST Committee
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November Presentation
Digital Voice Hotspots
REAST's November presentation will be about Digital Voice (DV) hotspots with a focus on pi-star and openspot3.
A huge thank you to our resident DV hotspot expert Scott VK7HSE who has agreed to give us the presentation.
All you need is a hotspot and internet connection and you can use your DV handheld anywhere and get access to your favourite talkgroups on your favourite DV mode - DMR, DSTAR, Fusion or P25.
They are particularly good in Aged Care facilities where you can set one up and be able to operate amateur radio without having to find space for large antennas.
Happening on Wednesday 3rd November from 7:30pm in the Queens Domain clubrooms.
See you there.
https://fb.me/e/O0kLI5pg
73, REAST Committee
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Training and Assessments
REAST’s next Foundation Licence course and all licence assessment day is on next Saturday the 25th September 2021 from 9am to 3pm.
If you are thinking of coming along then please let Reg Emmett VK7KK REAST Learning Organiser know ASAP that you will be coming along by phoning 0417 391 607 or email assessor(at)reast.asn.au.
Check out the REAST Foundation Licence Training Videos that can be found on the REAST YouTube Training and Assessment playlist.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsnsP_zjw831mdC6sY4XqavRUY-53ZWUn
Checkout the REAST Facebook page events for further details.
https://www.facebook.com/events/718404075716863/
73, Reg, VK7KK
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DATV Experimenter's Night
It was great to see some new faces who came along to the DATV Experimenter’s Night last Wednesday night.
We had a focus on the Hermes-Lite Software Defined Radio.
Justin VK7TW took the audience through a little history of the HPSDR project as a precursor to the descriptions of the Hermes-Lite. The history is long and illustrious to get to this Generation 2/3 SDR....HiHi!
http://www.hermeslite.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oKDxI09UkY
The Hermes Lite is a direct up and down conversion SDR running a 12bit ADAC AD9866 - ADC @ 76.8MHz and DAC @ 153.6MHz. It has 4 x Slice receivers and upto 9 receivers dependent on the gateware variants installed. It has a maximum bandwidth of 384kHz and has the N2ADR low pass filter board installed.
It has Gigabit ethernet, Status LEDs, External Clocks Ports - CL1 (input - GPS) & CL2 (output 1-200MHz) for coherent modes experimentation, RF1 output @ 17dBm - 0.05W for Transverter Rx and Ant port for - Tx/Rx @ 37dBm or 5W.
There is a Exttr port for PTT output OC, a Key/PPT jack and no audio connector - you use the PC audio - USB headset or if using a control surface use a USB dongle with audio in/out.
https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki/Software
Justin then demonstrated the Hermes-Lite on his PiHPSDR control surface.
https://github.com/g0orx/pihpsdr
There was then a demo on the PC of the SDR Console software.
https://www.sdr-radio.com/
Later we put a better antenna onto the unit and demonstrated real signals on HF bands.
We then moved to a Silos on the Air - SiOTA Activation in South Hobart.
https://www.silosontheair.com/home
It was an activation of VK7-STT7, the Cascade Brewery Barley Silos, it was crap propagation and Justin managed 9 contacts over 2 hours on 40m variable. Justin did talk with many mountain bikers about amateur radio
We then showed the SG-Labs 3.4GHz Transverter , that was part of a recent bulk buy - Justin showed the internal circuitry and connections. There are some grid pack antennas on their way to us as well so, expect some significant 3.4GHz activity in the near future.
http://www.sg-lab.com/amateur.html
We finished the presentation with a review of what is in the latest Old Timers News (OTC) Magazine - from the Radio Amateur Old Timers Club of Australia RAOTC
https://www.raotc.org.au/
We finished with some reminders of future presentation nights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5bbyI0WmtE
This week at the DATV Experimenter’s night we will have more interesting electronics, some more on the Hermes-Lite and the 3.4GHz SG-Labs Transverter, a great 1980’s WIA NSW Division Projects book and some interesting NBN recycling plus more. See you then.
We get underway from 7:30pm in the Queen’s Domain clubrooms.
Keep an eye on the REAST Facebook Events for more details. Why not come up to the Queens Domain COVID-safe clubrooms and see what we get up to.
And a reminder that we go out on RF on 445.5MHz DVB-T 7MHz Standard Definition. So, if you have a TV, Set-top box or USB DTV Dongle that you can tune and scan 445.5MHz and you can see the Queens Domain, then you have a good chance of receiving the DATV Experimenter's Night Signal.
Look out for VK7OTC. We also stream the nights on the REAST YouTube channel.
https://www.reast.asn.au/news-events/live-stream/
https://www.reast.asn.au/special-interest-groups/amateur-tv/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ReastHobart/
73, Justin, VK7TW
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DX News
Antarctic Treaty special event stations
To celebrate the 60th anniversary Antarctic Treaty Signature, the Russian Robinson Club will activate the following special event stations (each representing a country that initially signed the Antarctic Treaty) between October 1st and December 31st during this event:
R60ANT - Russia RG60ANT - Argentina RN60ANT - Norway
RA60ANT - South Africa RJ60ANT - Japan RT60ANT - Australia
RB60ANT - Belgium RK60ANT - United Kingdom RU60ANT - USA
RC60ANT - Chile RL60ANT - France RZ60ANT - New Zealand
Plus a special callsign from Antarctica RI60ANT
The Worldwide Antarctic Program (WAP) has already issued a "Reference Number" for each of the above Special Event Callsign.
Check the website to download the whole WAP reference numbers issued for this event.
http://www.waponline.it/6oats-anniversary/
QSL info is also included. Details about the special "60th Anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty" award is also available at the Web page.
(sourced from the SouthGate AR News)
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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 22nd September - Rocherlea clubrooms Launceston
NTARC - Slow Morse Training Wednesday 15th September 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 - 18 September - Club Meeting from 1.30pm at Scout Hall, 73 Alexander Road, Ulverstone.
NTARC - 29 September - Social Outing at the Commercial Hotel, cnr George and Cimitiere Streets. Meet time 6.00 pm.
N W T A R C - 2 October - Club outing to Sheffield Steam and Heritage Centre with BBQ - Let the committee know ASAP if going.
REAST - 3 October - Military Radios presentation and demonstration with VK7KPC and VK7KB with BYO BBQ - Queen Domain clubrooms starts 12 noon with the BBQ.
NTARC - 9 October - General meeting from 2.00pm at Rocherlea clubrooms.
JOTA/JOTI 2021 – 15-17 October worldwide.
REAST - 3 November - Digital Voice hotspots with a focus on pi-star and openspot3 with Scott VK7HSE from 7:30pm in Queens Domain clubrooms.
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A reminder to those people rostered for next week’s broadcast:
Newsreader: VK7ZIR
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 Justin, VK7TW.
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(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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