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VK7AX > BCAST 08.08.19 04:21z 460 Lines 28015 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: VK7 Amateur Radio News 04Aug19
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From: VK7AX@VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC
To : BCAST@WW
Text edition: VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 4 August 2019
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Welcome to the VK7 Amateur Radio News for the 4th of August 2019. This broadcast is brought to you by VK7WI, and read today by Rick, VK7RI.
This broadcast utilises repeaters around VK7 and the following HF rebroadcast stations:
On 3.670 MHz by Ross, VK7ALH
On 7.140 MHz by Justin, VK7TW
On 14.130 MHz Not known at the time of writing
On 28.525 MHz by Tony, VK7VKT
On DMR Talk Group 5 by Clayton, VK7ZCR
On D-Star Reflector 091 by Roger VK7HRW
This broadcast is repeated on Tuesday night at 8:00pm on repeaters VK7RTC in the South and VK7RAA in the North.
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QSL NEWS
Herman reports a small number of cards were received on Wednesday 5 July.
These have been sorted and added to those listed in the email version of the broadcast. Herman says that unless requested otherwise by those who have mail out arrangements, if there are only 1 or 2 cards for a station, Herman intends to hold those cards until there are enough to make a mail out more cost effective.
If you have any questions about QSL Cards being held, Herman can be contacted by
email vk7bureau @ wia.org.au
73 from Herman
AB, ABY, AC, CAN (FOR RT0C), AD, AG, AN(9N), AP
BBB, BO
CC
DD, DG, DW, DX (for E7/VK4DX), DZ
EE, EFA
FG, FLAR, FRJG
GK, GN, GM, GR, GZ
HAH, HCK, HDM, HRS, HVK
JB, JJ, JJJ
KH
LC, LH, LLJ
MA, MBD, MD, MHZ, MO
NC, NF, NRF, NSE, NWQ
PSJ
RN, ROY
TCE, TS (for VK9LS), TU
VH (VI7ANZAC), VIP, VR, VZ
WC, WLH
XDM, XX
YUM
ZA, ZGK, ZX
VI7COW, VI70HI, VI7JIS, VI7KCD, VI7LER, VI70MI
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WIA Annual Conference 2020
Call for Presentations
At the WIA Annual Conference in Sydney it was announced that the 2020 WIA Annual Conference will be held in Hobart on the 8-10 May 2020.
The theme is Antarctic Gateway and so the tours and visits during the weekend all revolving around Antarctica and Radio.
This is a request for anyone who would be prepared to give a presentation on the Saturday afternoon on any aspect of amateur radio, Antarctica, radio, electronics, experimentation or all of the above.
The presentations slots are 30 to 40 minutes in length with 5 to 10 minutes of questions at the end or throughout the presentation.
If you have a topic and or presentation or just an idea for one then please contact Justin VK7TW at vk7tw @ wia.org.au to discuss.
Look forward to hearing from you.
(73, Justin, VK7TW)
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DIGITAL NEWS
Big news. We now have a new D-Star reflector located in Hobart, ref091
This is an Australia only working reflector at the time of this notice. The dashboard can be seen at
http://ref091.dstargateway.org
Clayton, VK7ZCR
Scott, VK7HSE says "I've linked VK7RAD (70cm) to it so those who have D-Star can access it via that.
DMR
The Tasmanian Sunday morning broadcast has moved to the new talk group set for nets and broadcasts, Talk Group 5.
If anyone needs a hand with a code plug, you can get hold of clayton on 0466 588 193 or
email clayton7008 @ gmail.com
Here is a link for code plugs for the GD77 and software for the MD380
http://vinaka.com.au/index_files/Page1343.htm
73 Clayton, VK7ZCR
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RD contest 2019
Hello all. This is Vince Henderson, VK7VH. During the last few years, I have banged on about the RD Contest. And yes, I am about to do it again. Make sure you have pencil and paper to hand as this article contains vital information that may assist your participation in the 2019 RD Contest.
Every VK7 ham should be proud of the fact that we have taken out the RD Contest State Trophy for 2016, 2017 and 2018. Can we do it for 2019? You bet we can, provided we continue as the front running State with the highest aggregate score and participation rate. Put simply, the more VK7 hams that participate and submit a log, the better our chances of taking out the State Trophy.
It is time to put a pencil in your hand.
The contest date and time is set to start at 0300 UTC (our local time is 1.00pm EST) Saturday 17 August 2019 until 0300 UTC (our local time is 1.00pm) Sunday 18 August 2019. Full contest rules are available on the WIA website wia.org.au
I encourage every Amateur Radio operator in Tasmania to give the 2019 RD contest a go. Some operators make a concerted effort to make as many contacts as possible. I ask that you make the effort to do this. Let me repeat, make as many contacts you can.
The most important thing is to submit a log. Even if you only make 10 contacts, please submit a log. Every log submission helps.
If you make more than 100 contacts, your log submission must be in electronic format. If you make less than 100 contacts, you are able to submit a hand written log. However, why would you bother submitting a hand written log? There are a few, excellent, pieces of software that make logging a breeze and produce a text file for emailing your log to the Contest Manager.
One such piece of software is called VKCL log. It is one of the best and preferred, windows based, RD logging software programs; used by many operators. This is due to ease of operation, log file generation and best of all, it is free. I would encourage you to download and use this great piece of software. Many thanks to Mike Subocz VK3AVV for his continued commitment in providing the software and keeping it up to date. Just search VKCL version 4 and download it. As a bonus, VKCL software is capable of running alongside another piece of software called Omnirig. Omnirig allows for VKCL to automatically recognise band changes you make with your radio, providing you have comport or USB output from your radio to your PC. Google Omnirig for details.
If you have HF capability, just use the frequencies on the bands you have available. For those that have VHF and UHF capabilities, there are some simplex calling frequencies that will make life easy. These are 6M, 52.525MHz, 2M 146.500MHz, 70CM 439.000MHz and 23CM 1296.1MHz; the normal mode for these frequencies is FM. Using these frequencies keep the contacts in Tasmania. Good for us and completely within the rules. So, if you just want to use VHF and UHF, this is the way to go.
Let me tell you about a simple way of making many contacts within a few minutes. We, that use it, call it the band dance. What is the band dance? Hook up with a few other operators in your area and dance the bands from 23cm down to 160M, every 3 hours. During the band dance, you will accumulate many points. This is especially so between 1.00am and 6.00am Sunday morning as all points scored are tripled. For example, make a contact on 23CM and score 2 points multiplied by the triple effect and score 6 points per contact. Just 10 contacts over the triple period of 5 hours will amass 60 points.
Will you commit to making at least 10 contacts for the 2019 RD contest? I do hope so. Besides, you will make a valuable contribution to ensuring Tasmania takes out the state trophy; providing you submit your log. If you are an old hand that has not operated in the RD contest for some time, then blow out the cob webs and give it a go.
I have just moved house and only have VHF and UHF capabilities. Even so, I will give it a good go. I am sure that there will be others that will step up to the plate and smash out a good score.
To those that made a concerted effort during the 2018 RD Contest, thank you. Your contribution earned us the State trophy. We have many Amateur Radio operators that listen to this broadcast. So, if you have taken in all I have talked about, will you make an effort to put in a log for the RD contest 2019? I do hope you will and try and smash out a good score.
Most importantly, the RD contest remembers those that have served and those that have fallen. We must never forget them.
This is Vince Henderson, VK7VH. Thank you for listening and I look forward to working you during the 2019 RD contest.
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RAOTC Broadcast for August 2019
As mentioned in the National Bulletin, the monthly edition Radio Amateurs Old Timers Club Broadcast goes to air on Monday 5th of August.
This month features a total of 4 articles, 2 of historic maritime interest, one of contemporary interest and one dealing with music.
An historic schooner is undergoing renovation. In the 1920s the vessel concerned was the centre of an experiment that relied on amateur radio for communication. The ARRL was involved. Radio amateurs kept in contact with the vessel as it journeyed in Arctic waters; they were able to prove that short waves provided more reliable communications than the previously used long waves.
The second feature looks at an attempt by an amateur operator as she attempts to become the oldest circumnavigator.
The next contributor describes how legacy radio equipment can be used for digital modes including WSJTX even with the simple expedient of using acoustic coupling and VOX. He then goes on to report some amazing sporadic E openings to and within North America.
The final item is taken from Cosmos Magazine entitled: ‘Into the Groove – Why Music makes us Move. This subject has prompted much medical research.
As usual this will all go to air in VK7 on the first Monday in the month at 7:30pm local time over the VK7RAA/RTC state-wide network and again at about 8:30pm as a telecast on VK7AX ‘Spectrum Tasmania via the BATC members stream and in the Ulverstone area on 445.50MHz DATV.
The date this month happens to be August 5. Call backs will follow on both networks. Please call in if you are able.
73, Peter VK7PD
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News from the North West
Chat And Show Group Gathering
The next gathering is on September 7th at the Penguin Sports Centre, Ironcliffe Road, Penguin. Starting at 2pm with drop in from 2 till 5pm. This is a non-club gathering open to all operators and their partners, and any visitors from other parts of the state or visitors to our state. So, if you hear a visitor in Penguin or going to be in Penguin on the day, let them know about it, and that they are welcome to join us.
I always ask for a small plate for afternoon tea and do appreciate the past contributions. It does help make the day. I supply Tea and Coffee
If you have anything to show us that is old or something new that you have built, we would like to see it, so bring it along and tell us about your effort or collection.
Everyone welcome
Shirl VK7HSC
NWTR&TVG
NWTR&TVG currently do not have an operational web site, but are developing a new one, and will advise when it is up and running.
Regards, VK7EV, News Officer, NWRTVG
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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 had a fantastic roll up last Friday for the coffee session. Endless tea and coffee, plenty of food for all to enjoy and lots of lively banter, tall tales and jokes. Mind you, at times it was hard to hear the person next to you or opposite, so of course everyone talked even louder. Skywarmer is doing his job admirably and is very efficient on wood. Just a friendly reminder though that a gold coin or a small bank note donation is appreciated on these days to help keep the coppers in the bank looking healthy.
I was asked at Friday coffee about the NTARC website. I can assure you work is continuing in the design and development of our new one and I have been told we are getting closer to having it operational. Once it is up and running you will be advised so keep watching this space.
We now hand over to NTARC President Idris VK7ZIR for his report on the clubs latest technical session, held at the clubrooms at Rocherlea this past Wednesday evening.
Round up of Wednesday 31 July technical – “We started off with Peter VK7KPC, who showed us through the website of the 24th World Scout Jamboree.
The World Scout Jamboree was active from 22nd July to 1st August 2019 from the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. It was hosted by the North American team of Canada, Mexico, and the USA.
The Jamboree site was temporary home to 45,000 scouts from many countries and included an amateur radio station, used for contesting, Morse code and Radio Merit Badges.
Since this World Jamboree was hosted by North America, the call sign selected was NA1WJ representing North Americas 1st World Jamboree.
Peter also had a unique home-brew antenna to show, made out of 5mm hard-line bent into a J pole with an interesting twirl onto an N connector. It will be used for ADSB on 1090 MHz. When Colin VK7ZCF arrived with his new antenna analyser, Peter was able to put the antenna to the test, with pleasing results.
Thanks for those items Peter, very interesting.
With his aforementioned analyser, Colin demonstrated his project of a UHF Yagi. Mounted for testing on a tripod with some exquisite aluminium pipework fabricated by Colin using his lathe. Apparently, the antenna feed arrangement needs more work so we can report on that at a future date. Nice work Colin.
Idris VK7ZIR had brought in some very old valves he had found in the back of a cupboard, which will find their way to Nic VK7BEEs radio museum. He also had a miniature multi speed belt sander made entirely from aluminium obtained from an overseas supplier, which drew interest from several members.
Peter VK2MPK was there to give us an update on the progress of the Cattle Hill logistics hampered by the recent icy weather. The evening finished with the usual round table discussions solving the problems of humanity!
Until next week, 73, Idris VK7ZIR”
Thank you Idris. Great to see another good roll up and an interesting night again.
Working bee – Saturday 10 August. Yes, it is that time again and some housekeeping is required. Roll up time is 10.00 am to about 4.00 pm or earlier if we get a good attendance. The garage is in a messy condition once again and so we need to sort and cull. Suggest if you brought something along for members to pick over now is the time to call back and take it away again, else it could end up in the tip run.
Skywarmer needs a power point installed closer to it and I am told that our electrician member has offered to do the installation. Its very handy having tradies as members. Other tasks will include the main hall, as it needs a good clean, along with some minor repairs in the main kitchen. The fire will be lit in the main hall for the day. The Club will supply a sausage sizzle for lunch but if you happen to be vegetarian probably best you bring your own lunch box as the majority of our members are carnivores. So please note your diary.
Coming events
Technical sessions – The next session will be on Wednesday 7th August and will commence at the usual time of 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm, Club rooms, 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 is fair game. Endless tea and coffee along with biscuits are available for a small gold coin donation.
August general meeting – Wednesday 14th August. Meeting to commence at 19:30 hours. Show and Tell to follow or general chat session. Meeting will be held in the small meeting room utilizing the warmth of Skywarmer. Supper to follow for a gold coin or small note donation.
Equine event - NTARC has been invited to provide Safety Comms at the Jolly Lette Memorial ride to be held on Saturday 24th August. This event is a one-day ride and will take place at Santarena Park, Scottsdale, a venue well known to the NTARC comms crew.
Our Safety Communications Coordinator, Norm VK7KTN, tells us that the course has been set and there will be two checkpoints at a couple of our favourite spots, Rodeo Road and Rexs Race. Electronic timing will be used at this event which consists of 80Km, 40Km and 20 Km rides. Thankfully not a crack of dawn start. The 80Km ride will commence at the respectful time of 07:00 hours. This will be followed by the 40Km event starting at 07:30 hours and the 20Km ride will commence at 08:15 hours. If you can assist at this event Norm would appreciate hearing from you by
email at safetycomms.ntarc @ gmail.com
or at coffee mornings. Scottsdale is a pleasant drive from Launceston so why not pack a picnic lunch, chair, warm clothing and wet weather gear just in case and think about joining us.
Social non meeting dinner – Wednesday 28th August. Venue The Commercial Hotel, corner Cimitiere and George Street Launceston. Meet time 6.30 pm for 7.00 pm dinner. A la carte menu. If you are planning to attend could you please email me at either of the following addresses
ypmaxwell @ bigpond.com or ntarc.emails @ gmail.com
or let me know at coffee sessions. As of Friday, we have 24 acceptances. The table has been booked under NTARCs name with 25 places but that can be extended. A copy of their menu can be found at the club room. The menu is extensive and very good value. Meals are on the medium to large size so I can assure you that no one will go home hungry. For those who enjoy dessert, they also have a very good selection.
Coffee mornings – A reminder that our twice-weekly coffee sessions are normally held every Monday and Friday commencing at 10.00 am and running through till about noon or longer if members want to linger longer.
Please remember that aside from the good company, freely offered philosophical views, maybe less than expert political analysis, tall tales and genuinely good fare on offer, these coffee events are normally a good opportunity to collect your QSL cards but currently we have no cards awaiting collection.
Please demonstrate your appreciation of all the effort that goes into operating the club and its facilities and other services we provide by joining us at these sessions, enjoying the company, coffee and the cake and leaving a gold coin or two, or even a small bank note, in the jar to assist in our on-going operations. I dont know of any other venue in Launceston where you can get endless coffee, tea and eats for a donation of this miniscule amount.
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 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, including frantically arranging other connections when our NBN fails. Your continued co-operation in this regard will be gratefully appreciated and do much to lower my blood pressure.
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
www.reast.asn.au
https://www.facebook.com/reasttas/
Southern Repeater Update
Last Sunday, VK7s ZBX, ZMS, BEN, ZCR, FPCL and SD carried out some well overdue maintenance to the VK7RAD 146.7 2m repeater. This involved lowered the tower, removing the existing colinear, and replacing it with a brand new Diamond VX-50 and a fresh run of LDF4-50 heliax. This should hopefully eradicate the offending crackle that has been present over the last few months. The VK7RAD 6m dipole was also inspected, returned to the horizontal position, and mounts retightened. This is the first stage of work being carried out, with further upgrades planned later this year when the weather improves.
73, Damien, VK7SD, REAST Repeater Coordinator.
VK7RAD DMR Update
Important information for those people using DMR in the south of the state - the VK7RAD digital voice repeater will be changing DMR networks from Brandmeister to VKDMR. This change is happening after news in late June that the Brandmeister Australia service will be shut down in the not too distant future as the ongoing cost and commitments from it's sponsor are now too much to continue running.
Updated Code Plugs will be available from the REAST Website, under information, IRLP, EchoLink and DMR - A direct link can be found in the text edition of the broadcast.
https://www.reast.asn.au/information/irlp-echolink-dmr/
Antenna Kits Available
Ben VK7BEN still have a number of End-Fed and Satellite Moxon kits available after the antenna field day for anyone who may be interested. $35 for end-fed kits and $25 for handheld Satellite Moxon kits. The people who bought and assembled these on the recent REAST antenna build day gave these a big thumbs up! Email vk7ben@wia.org.au if you would like to purchase one of these kits.
Ben Short ben @ vk7ben.id.au | http://www.vk7ben.id.au | Twitter: @bcshort
REAST August Presentation
Save the date
We are lucky to have Ian MacIntosh back for a fantastic presentation and demo of Oculus Rift Virtual Reality (VR) technology. Ian has been experimenting with this technology for many years and the presentation will include Oculus Rift VR Archaeology since 2012 as Ian will be able to demonstrate each of the models over the last few years.
The history of VR will be included from the 1960s and the players in this space. Ian will then move to the challenges like - Tracking. IMUs, IR Constellations and webcams, Room Scale tracking and motion capture. There are also technology challenges with real time processing, communication channels, bandwidth and latency.
Ian will show the technology he has built up over his time experimenting with VR technology. The prototyping he has been doing and Photogrammetry. Don't know what this is - why not come along and learn! Ian will then go into the tools he uses with an application called Meshroom.
During the presentation and demonstration there will be many forays into the real-world applications that this technology is already being used for. A huge thank you to Ian for giving us this presentation on one of his many passions.
This looks to be a fantastic night and we hope to see you up on the Queen's Domain in the REAST clubrooms from 7:30pm this Wednesday night, 7th August 2019.
73, Justin, VK7TW
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DATV Experimenter's Night Wrap-Up
We welcomed a new visitor in Julius along last Wednesday night. Julius learned first-hand about our DATV night as he sat in as studio audience.
We started the night with Rex VK7MO who brought along his Grid Dip Oscillator that was his fathers - Len VK3LN (SK). Rex described the unit that came all the way from London in the 1930-40s. Thanks Rex.
Justin VK7TW then demo'd the NanoVNA that arrived in the post from China during the week. This unit is a two port VNA covering 50kHz to 900MHz and provides a range of VNA functions on the 2.5inch touch screen and via the USB port to a PC. The unit comes pre-made along with two SMA leads and the calibrating SMA lugs. The project is open-source and the code is available on GitHUB. Justin demonstrated a two port measurement of an FM band bandstop filter he has for his RTL-SDR. This clearly showed the 88 to 108MHz band attenuation pattern.
Rex then gave a presentation on 10 and 24GHz terrestrial microwave contacts and the key elements that an amateur needs to take into account. This presentation will be given in Dallas at the MUD (Microwave UpDate) conference in the US. This is the equivalent of the Gippstech conference in VK. Rex is also doing the Keynote presentation at the conference dinner. Thanks Rex.
Justin also bought along his 10GHz white box transverter to show the modifications he had done with a ZLPLL GPS locked oscillator, additional low noise preamp and 3W power amplifier. This was the subject of a recent talk at Gippstech.
The other interesting box Justin bought along was a control box for an automatic antenna tuning unit for a Non-directional Beacon. This will be initially pressed into service for the RD contest on a 160m antenna and then moved across to the 630m antenna.
We finished off the night with videos from Honeysuckle Creek tracking station during the Apollo missions.
We go into recess for a fortnight as this Wednesday night is a presentation night. See you on Wednesday 14th August from 7:30pm when the DATV Experimenter's nights recommence.
See you there, 73, Justin, VK7TW
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REAST Training
The next training session is scheduled for Saturday September 14th.
73 Reg VK7KK assessor@reast.asn.au
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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 Afternoon Group meets from Noon and the Experimenters Nights from 1930 in the Queens Domain clubrooms.
REAST – MICROWAVE QSO Party – following after the Sunday broadcast on 1296.15 MHz FM.
Events:
RAOTC Broadcast Monday 5th 1930 RAA/RTC - 2030 ATV Ulverstone
REAST – August 7 – Oculus Rift and Virtual Reality Demonstrations with Ian Macintosh – Queens Domain clubrooms from 7:30pm
NTARC Saturday 10th August Working Bee
NTARC Wednesday 14th August General Meeting
RD Contest - 17th and 18th August
NTARC 24th August Memorial Ride Scottsdale
NTARC - Wednesday 28 August. Venue The Commercial Hotel, corner Cimitiere and George Street Launceston - Social dinner
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A reminder to those people rostered for next weeks broadcast:
Newsreader: VK7ZIR
Repeaters: REAST, NTARC and NWTR&TVG
80m: VK7JGD
40m: VK7ALH
20m: VK7FB
10m: VK7VKT
DMR: Talk Group 5 VK7ZCR
D-Star: Reflector 091 VK7HRW
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This broadcast is repeated on Tuesday night at 8:00pm on repeaters VK7RTC in the South and VK7RAA in the North.
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 or just missed 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 Rick, VK7RI.
(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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