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VK7AX > BCAST 20.08.23 04:37z 501 Lines 24497 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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From: VK7AX@VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC
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VK7 Amateur Radio News 20Aug23
Text edition:
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VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 20th August 2023
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Welcome to the Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend edition of the VK7 Amateur Radio News and this was first broadcast on Sunday the 20th August 2023. At the mike of VK7WI this week is former lighthouse keeper Mike, VK7FB.
On Sunday this broadcast goes out on repeaters all over VK7 and on digital radio - DMR Talk Group 5 and D-Star Reflector 91C by VK7ZCR.
We 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 Garry, VK7JGD,
On 7.140 MHz by Dale, VK7DG,
On 14.130 MHz by Peter, VK7TPE and
On 28.525 MHz by Tony, VK7VKT.
We also go out on UHF CB Channel 18 thanks to Mark VK7FMAC in the Hobart area.
You can hear this broadcast again on Tuesday night at 8:00pm on repeaters VK7RAA in Northern VK7 and VK7RHT in Southern VK7.
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Contest News
International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend
This weekend is a major event running from 00.01 UTC on 19 August 2023 to 2400 UTC on the 20 August 2023 (48 hours).
It came into being in 1998 as the Scottish Northern Lights Award run by the Ayr Amateur Radio Group. The ILLW attracts over 500 lighthouse entries located in over 40 countries.
The main reason the event has become so popular is because it is NOT a contest. It is a relaxed fun weekend without the pressure of a contest.
In VK7 we have Ross VK7LH - (VK7 Light House) or VK7ALH - (VK7 Australian Lighthouse) operating the Low Head Lighthouse AU0048 for the contest. Shout out to Ross up at Low Head.
At the time of writing this broadcast there were 37 lighthouses registered for the 2023 event.
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Contest News
Remembrance Day Contest Logs
Reminder to all VK7 station who operated in the RD Contest that your logs are now due and you have until 0300Z on 27th August 2023 to submit.
The easiest way to submit is via an electronic log in Cabrillo 3 format.
Upload to VK Log Checker and the website address is on the email edition of this broadcast.
https://www.vklogchecker.com/
Please add EMAIL: youremail@myisp to the log header.
You can also email your Cabrillo format file to rdlogs@wia.org.au remembering to put your callsign in the subject line.
For paper logs take a look at the website on the email edition of this broadcast.
https://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/rdcontest/
Sourced from the WIA Contest Web Page
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Contest News
ARRL EME Contest
Richard VK7ZBX fills us in on another contest hat running at the sametime as the Remembrance Day Contest. It was the first leg of the ARRL EME contest for bands between 13cm and 3cm.
The contest is held over 2 weekends and the next leg is September 9th and 10th. After playing RD contest till around 4am, Richard went and setup the dish and associated system ready for moon rise.
Unfortunately a combination of poor positioning of the system I didnâ€Öt get any contacts till later in the moon pass. The contest runs over the full 48 hours of the weekend from 00:00 UTC on the Saturday till 23:59 on the Sunday.
Usually the weekend chosen is one where the moon declination is very North and hence not very high in the sky here. There was much activity with at times 6 simultaneous CQ calls going out on various 10 GHz frequencies.
The contest allows for both digital contacts using typically Q65 sub mode D and good old CW as well. This would be somewhat challenging as combined with the high spreading and the high lunar degradation conditions certainly not optimal.
Despite the conditions I managed to work 6 stations over the 2 days. Some of the signals were very impressive considering and it was great to be involved.
Iâ€Öm planning to be a little more organised for the September leg ready for more contacts. Never ceases to amaze me the fun and results with a mere 20W of RF.
Thanks to OK1DFC, OK2AQ, UA5y and OZ1LPR with huge signals, OK1CA and OK1KIR for the contacts
See you on the moon
73, Richard, VK7ZBX
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Global DATV News
DATV QSO Party on again
As heard on the WIA National News the DATV QSO party is on again and VK7 is participating again.
The annual Digital ATV QSO Party is scheduled for Friday August 25 starting around 0930 UTC with mainly VK stations with Saturday morning/afternoon on August 26 being our link with USA.
Peter VK3BFG, WIA ATV representative is the organiser via VK3RTV and zoom back channels.
The REAST DATV Experimenterâ€Ös will be involved the Friday night and possibly Tony VK7AX on the NW VK7 coast may also be involved
https://www.reast.asn.au/news-events/live-stream/
73, Justin VK7TW and Peter VK3BFG
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Contest News
ALARA Contest - August 26 - 27
Contest is always on the last FULL weekend of August - thatâ€Ös next weekend!
Starting time is 0600 UTC on the 26th August, finishing 24 hours later at 0559 UTC 27th August.
The Alara contest is a lot of fun and open to all YLs and OMs. Although we are slightly competitive, we do help each other by giving out numbers and spotting each other on Facebook. Some of the girls even practice CW together in the months before the contest.
All YLs, OMs Scouts & Girl Guides are invited to take part and it is hoped that everyone will enjoy this friendly contest. It is a great opportunity to make contact with those we donâ€Öt usually meet on air.
The contest rules have now been uploaded to the Alara Contest page and the address can be found on the email edition of this broadcast.
https://www.alara.org.au/contests/
73, Marija, VK5MAZ
ALARA Contest Manager
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QSL NEWS
Report - from Herman VK7HW Manager of the WIA VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
The current list of cards held as at 17 August is in the email version of the broadcast..
Herman would like to remind those who are sending cards to stations based in Tasmania that they should mail them to Herman based at South Arm (QTHR) instead of to the VK Outwards Bureau.
Herman has also found it handy when ops put the operators name of the station worked on the card.
Try it yourself, it may help an inwards QSL manager somewhere else. hihi.
If you have any questions re QSL cards, please contact Herman by email vk7bureau(at)wia.org.au
Thank you to those Amateurs who have been in contact with Herman about their QSL card(s) listing.
73, Herman, VK7HW, WIA Manager VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
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Cards held at 17 August 2023
A, AAA, AAD, AAE, AAH, AAP, AAR, AB, AD, ACE, ACG, ACN, ADE, AED, AG(2014), AGC, AHT, AIR, AJC, AKK, AL, ALZ, AM, ANC, AO, AP, APZ, AR, AS, ATH, AU, AXZ, AY, AZ
BA, BB, BPV, BT, BYE
CBR, CC, CJ, CL, CMV, CV, CW, CX
DC, DIK, DM, DN, DO, DP, DQ, DW, DY, DZ
EG, EI, ER, EV
FADZ, FALX (alx), FAZZ, FCDW, FCIA, FLAR, FF, FG, FGGT, FPRN, FRJG(RG), FTAS
GA, GGZ, GM, GOP, GR, GS, GZ
HAM, HCH, HCK, HDM, HDX, HOB, HL, HPD, HRS, HSA, HSD, HSJ, HVK, HWW, HZ
IAN, IK, IS
JA, JAZ, JB, JCR, JFD, JJ, JOK, JON, JP, JW
KA, KAC, KBA, KD, KDO, KI, KJ, KJL, KKR, KL, KO, KW
LCW, LDH, LH, LJ, LL, LLL, LM, LT, LVH, LW
MAG, MBD, MBP, MC, MD, MEL, MET, MHZ, MJ, MOO, MR, MRS, MS
NA, NC, NEC, NET, NFI, NIK, NRF, NRT, NSE, NSS, NTE, NVH, NW, NWQ, NWT
OB, OR, OT
PAF, PBD, PM, PRN, PSJ, PSZ, PW
QK
RG/FRJG, RJ
SN, STO, SV, SW, SZ
TCE, TED, TK, TL, TO, TS, TUX, TX, TZ
UJ
VA, VAC, VAZ, VDC, VEK, VH, VIP, VR, VTM
WA, WC, WH, WL, WO, WT, WUU, WW, WX
XDM, XTC, XV
YN
ZE, ZJJ, ZK, ZM, ZT, ZX
VI70MI, VI70HI(op DIANE)
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Statewide News
Thursday Night SSTV Nets
On last weekâ€Ös net of 10th August there were the following participants, VK7s – ZGK, EKA and PD.
And this weekâ€Ös net on 17th August there were the following participants, VK7s – OO, KT, ZAB, PD and TW.
On the nets there were various subjects like:
The Hobbit village in New Zealand known as Hobbiton
Inside Kingâ€Ös Cross Train Station, London
A series of wind mills in Holland with one circa 1738
A radio activation of the Reserves at Notley Fern Gorge in northern Tasmania.
Wildlife – in nature and presented as street art in Launceston
A “CW” eye test
This weekâ€Ös transport theme ranged from prime movers through to pedal power. The latter are “rail bugs” which have four seats and planned to run on a section of the disused North Eastern Railway near Lilydale.
• A series of coastal and waterway scenes
• An HF loop and separate Antenna Matching module
• A large telescope inside itâ€Ös own observatory
• A vintage electrical light detector
• And finally a reminder to put your RD contest log in.
Remember that Ken VK7KRJâ€Ös and Steve VK7OOâ€Ös fully automatic 24/7 monitoring sites allow anyone who has sent an SSTV picture the ability to check them on their pages almost immediately, any time, both South and North Tasmania.
Also if you missed the net, there are archives of all SSTV nights. These photos can be seen on Kenâ€Ös 2m SSTV website as an infinitely-scrolling web page or on NTARCâ€Ös website under blogs and arranged as weekly nets.
https://vk7oo.tasme.com/vhfsstv
https://sstv.vk7krj.com/scrolling%20web%20gallery.html
https://www.ntarc.net/blogs
73 from Andreâ€Ö VK7ZAB
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NEWS FROM THE NORTH WEST
NWTARC Bi Monthly meeting
The Club held its Bi Monthly meeting on Saturday the 5th August. There was a large number of members attending, as well as two visitors.
The Club normally holds its October Club meeting in September, to not conflict with the Scouts Yankee auction in October at the same venue. As the Yankee auction no longer is held, the members decided to move the September meeting back to October. Club meeting details and location etc, are available on the Clubs section, on the WIA website.
The club has an ongoing offer to other NW Clubs, and amateurs who operate repeaters sites, to provide financial, technical or manpower support.
A proposal from another club to upgrade a repeater site, repair and assistance to another, and a proposal to assist with a UHF CB repeater on the West Coast were all discussed.
5 members took the offer of having a new state-wide code plug uploaded to their handhelds, and 3 took up the offer to have it emailed to them.
After a very long meeting, the coffee and afternoon tea commenced, and members finally pulled up stumps at 6pm. It was great to see club memberâ€Ös chatting on a variety of subjects.
73, Eric, VK7EV
News Officer
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NEWS FROM THE NORTH
SOTA/WWFF PARKS GROUP
The Summits On The Air/World Wide Flora and Fauna parks group meets 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
Itâ€Ös amazing how quickly the Club Technical Nights seem to come around, this week was certainly no exception…
Hot on the heels of the Tregear transceiver from last Tech Night session Peter VK7KPC latest “old” acquisition was displayed. It was in the form of a Wireless Set 22/122 or as it was more commonly known as WS22/122. Yes you guessed it…… yet another ex-military transceiver! This one is described as “A General-purpose low-power vehicle and ground station with facilities for man pack use”. It was manufactured circa 1944 for the Australian army by Radio Corporation Pty.
This version is the combination of two front inserted modules into one larger case. The vibrator power unit is located on the left hand side with the transceiver located on the right side. The transceiver covers two bands: 2 to 4 MHz and 4 to 8 MHz. This means it covers the 80 and 40 metre bands without any modifications. Could this be why it was evidently so popular with amateur radio operators post Second World War? These sets were VFO and crystal controlled with an output power of about 1.5 Watts and utilised an 807 valve in the output stage.
Itâ€Ös nominally operated from a 12 volt battery and featured, for its time, one of the lowest current drains on receive of any similar transceiver, this alone made it a very popular unit and helped it out last its original design criteria. The unit was initially designed as an interim solution until a light-weight and waterproof replacement was designed and built. The replacement ended up being the Wireless Set No. 62 and was introduced by Pye in the later part of World War II.
However the WS22/122 lived on and was still widely used in Victoria by rural fire services into the 1980â€Ös.
Internally the transceiver exhibits an intricate array of structural rods strategically placed to protect the delicate innards when the module was removed from the main unit. The power supply even comes standard with a spare plug in replacement vibrator. Peter fired the power supply vibrator up and it happily produced an output. Now starts the testing of all the capacitors etc. in the main transceiver before applying power. Internally it looks pretty good but externally it will require a serious amount of tender loving care. I assume it will line up behind last Tech Nights offering, the Tregear, for refurbishing.
There is an interesting article on this model of transceiver in Silicon Chip, October 2002. It was written by Rodney Champness VK3UG. Unfortunately Rodney became a silent key in October last year.
His name and callsign will be familiar to many of us as he contributed many articles to Silicon Chip, Amateur Radio and other publications. After reading the following line in the silicon Chip introduction it did explain why Peter brought the transceiver in with a hand trolley.
Rodney wrote: “This was a much more portable set, requiring only three men to carry it!”
On a much lighter note, Lewis VK7IT brought along his latest acquisition, a very colourful bright yellow whip antenna. It was attached to his previously purchased hand held transceiver. After watching Hayden VK7HH demonstrating a very flexible antenna on his YouTube channel he decided he needed one. The antenna is called a “Signal Stick” and this particular one was a ¼ wave length on 2 metres. Lewis demonstrated the robustness of the antenna and that he could indeed tie it into a knot! I am accustomed to “centre loaded” antennas but this is the first time, and I have no idea what the radiation pattern will be, of a “centre knotted” antenna. HiHi
Equipment pictures are available on the NTARC Web site under “Blogs” for this broadcast. Now back to the house keeping.
Once again we would like to thank Phil VK7ZPD for taking over the hosting of the Wednesday night TechNet sessions for the previous few weeks, due to Nic having prior commitments. Not only did he host the nights but he was still able to provide an audio feed for those that donâ€Öt have the equipment or are not able to receive all sides of the conversations during the Net. This is especially true now there are quite a few mainland operators joining in on the Net. Speaking of mainland Net contributors, Jordan VK3ACU posted a picture of his rather cute 3D printed Morse key, literally hot of the 3D printer a few hour earlier. There is a visible interconnect cable coming out of it so one can assume it is well on the way for the addition of the electrical contacts being fitted. It will be interesting to see if it gets trialed in next weekâ€Ös slow Morse section. Evidently there was even a guest appearance from Nic VK7WW, in New Zealand and he was successfully receiving the Net!
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Club Technical Night - The next session will be on Wednesday the 23rd of August and will commence at the winter time of 6.30 pm through to about 10.00 pm, at the Club room Archer Street, Rocherlea.
Coffee Morning - held every Friday in the NTARC Club rooms. Time is from 10am to noon and we look forward to seeing you all there. Why not pop in and join us for a cuppa, there is endless tea and coffee along with biscuits available for a donation.
The TestNet and TechNet session - Wednesday the 30th of August. TestNet/CW course on 3.580MHz from 7pm till 7.30pm…. and a TechNet on 3.567MHz from 7.30pm till about 8.30pm. Your host for the evening will be Phil VK7ZPD. Or maybe Nic if he is back.
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 them to the Secretary at the following address news(at)ntarc.net all items to be received no later than 5pm on the Friday prior to the Broadcast.
Thatâ€Ös all folks,
73 from Stefan, VK7ZSB, 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/
September Presentation Night - Cyber Threats with VK7BEN
A big thank you to Ben VK7BEN who has agreed to give us a presentation about Cyber Threats and how to be more safe online.
This presentation will be given on Wednesday 6th September 2023 from 7:30pm and will be streamed and go out on RF.
See you there.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1005728727341885
73, REAST Committee
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DATV Experimenter's Night
https://fb.me/e/33Wa7PKnF
We have two DATV Experimenterâ€Ös Night to catchup on due to the RD Contest.
A fortnight ago we had a fantastic presentation from Rex VK7MO with Richard VK7ZBX in the studio and it was all about aircraft scatter on 6, 2m, 70 & 23cm.
Rex outline of the experiment with Brodie VK3MAP and explained the Hobart to Melbourne aircraft routes. On 70cm there is a 15dB difference between troposcatter and aircraft scatter. On 23cm up to 30dB difference and on 2m there was around a 3dB difference. 6m was a little more problematic and Rex did not receive any signals. Peter VK7PD in Launceston did with Brodie.
Rex then went through the theory of aircraft forward scatter and the relative differences on the different frequencies. Thanks to Rex and Richard.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srbZlLaL60s
Last Wednesday saw Lance VK7ZA, Steve VK7OO and Justin VK7TW in the studio as RD Contest - Team TWooZA going through their experience of the Remembrance Day Contest. This covered -
We started the DATV Experimenter's Night in the studio talking about the Remembrance Day Contest with Justin VK7TW, Lance VK7ZA and Steve VK7OO from Team TWooZA.
Lance talked about his 160m antenna experimentation and his contest performance. Steve then took us through his experience with better antennas this year.
We had a discussion about the RD Contest being all about participation in each state and then Justin VK7TW went through his experience in the RD Contest - 160m was a highlight. Justin then went through the VKCL statistics charts for his contacts, VHF+ contacts and HF contacts.
160m was a definite highlight and we all went through our experiences and plans for next year.
Justin then showed the NeoRuler Crowd funded project and we finished with the latest AR magazine and showed the article on the VK7 Centenary article about the broadcasts in VK7 from 1920s through to present day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9cfujH1wvk
This week will see another DATV Experimenterâ€Ös night with some interesting experimentation and equipment reviews.
We 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/
We also go out on RF - DVB-T 7MHz Standard Definition on 445.5MHz. 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.
73, Justin, VK7TW
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Training and Assessments
The next REAST Foundation Licence training and all licence assessment day is Saturday September 16th from 9:00am.
If you are thinking of coming along then please let Reg Emmett VK7KK REAST Learning Organiser know by phoning 0417 391 607 or via the REAST Website Contact Form.
https://www.reast.asn.au/contact/online-contact-form/
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
And checkout the REAST Facebook page events for further details.
https://fb.me/e/17zEAMy5T
73, Reg, VK7KK
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Regular VK7 gatherings and events over the coming months:
Regular gatherings:
Sewing Circle Net – Daily on 3.640 MHz commences at 6:00pm AEST.
Statewide SSTV Net - held every Thursday night via the North/South Link on VK7RAF/VK7RJG from 7:30pm. In the North and North West - VK7RJG on 438.55 -7MHz and in the South - VK7RAF (146.650 -600kHz) CTCSS tone 141.3Hz to link RAF North-South.
State-wide – MICROWAVE QSO Party – following the Sunday broadcast call-back on 1296.15 MHz FM. One group in the greater Hobart area and another in the greater Launceston area.
Then North-south digital contacts on 1296.2MHz using Q65-60B.
Stations in the Launceston area transmitting on the odd minute. Southern stations on the even minute.
SOTA/WWFF Group – Meeting Mondays and Fridays 10.30-12.00 midday at Glebe Gardens Cafe, Henry St, Launceston.
NTARC - Fridays - Coffee mornings in the NTARC Club rooms from 10am to noon.
NTARC - Wednesday 30th August - TestNet and TechNet - TestNet/CW course on 3.580MHz from 7pm till 7.30pm and a TechNet on 3.567MHz from 7.30pm till about 8.30pm.
NTARC - Wednesday 23rd August - Club Technical night - from 6.30 to 10.00 pm in the club room Archer Street, Rocherlea.
NW VK7 – Wednesday from 8:00pm local – NW Tassie Amateur Repeater Group Net on VK7RMD
NW VK7 - Thursday commencing at 8:30pm local - N.W. Tassie 2m DX Net 144.190 USB
NW SSTV Nights - 28 August - hosted by Eric VK7EV from 7:30pm using VK7RMD 70cm repeater on Mt Duncan on the 4th Monday in the Month.
Events:
Global - August 19/20 - ILLW Contest - Worldwide.
WICEN Tas (Sth) - August 20 - BBQ & Annual General Meeting and General Meeting at QTH of Peter VK7TPE & Maureen, Snug.
Global - August 25 / 26 - DATV QSO Party - Originating from VK3RTV thanks to VK3BFG. From 7:30pm Friday night - BATC and REAST YoutTube Streaming.
REAST - September 6 - Cyber Threats with VK7BEN from 7:30pm in the Queens Domain Clubrooms
ALARA - November 3-6 - ALARAMeet 2023 - Hobart Tasmania
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A reminder to those people rostered for next weekâ€Ös broadcast:
Newsreader: VK7PD
Repeaters: REAST, NTARC and in the NW thanks to N W T A R C, West Coast Radio Group, Cradle Coast Radio Amateur Radio Club, VK7AX, and VK7DC
160m: VK7GS
80m: VK7DG
40m: VK7TPE
20m: VK7ALH
10m: VK7JGD
UHFCB18: VK7FMAC
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 VK7RHT in the South.
A huge thank you to all people and organisations that assisted with this broadcast.
--------------------------------
That concludes our VK7 Amateur Radio News Broadcast for this week.
You have been listening to or have just missed VK7WI. Next week the National WIA news can be heard at 0900 followed by the VK7 Amateur Radio News around 0930 hours.
Items for the broadcast can be emailed to vk7arnews(at)gmail.com
Further information about the broadcast can be found at the VK7 Amateur Radio News Groups.IO Group.
https://groups.io/g/vk7arnews
The deadline for items is 21:00 on Friday prior to the Sunday of the broadcast.
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, 73, stay safe from Mike, VK7FB.
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(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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