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VK7AX > BCAST 05.04.20 04:30z 393 Lines 21757 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Text edition: VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR APRIL 5 2020
(Note.. please remove spaces in email addresses before using)
VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 5th APRIL 2020
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Welcome to the VK7 Amateur Radio News for the 5th April 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 Ross, VK7ALH
On 14.130 MHz by Mike, VK7FB
On 28.525 MHz by Tony, VK7VKT
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.
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"Meet The Requirements"
Ross March 22nd.
As most listeners are aware, the annual "Meet The Voic" radio event at Ross was cancelled this year due to the Covid 19 pandemic. Apart from anything else it would have been impossible to satisfy the four-square-metres separation requirement.
Naturally, many of us were disappointed, meanwhile the latest recipient of the Sewing Circle Trophy was due to be announced but how could it be awarded?
Consequently an intrepid decet made the journey. Peter VK7KPC and XYL Kay set up their caravan and equipment for the John Moyle Memorial Field Day on Saturday March 21. Sunday arrivals were: Cedric VK7CL and XYL Janet, Geoff VK7GW and XYL Jenny, Peter VK7PD and partner Ivor then Al VK7AN with Ross VK7ALH in tow who, by some strange coincidence, turned out to be the trophy recipient. With such a small group it was not hard to "meet the requirements"!
The trophy was due to be awarded to the "most loquacious amateur for 2019". All agreed that Ross passed that qualification with flying colours!
On the VK7 Amateur Radio Facebook page can be seen a photo of Cedric handing the Trophy Shield to Ross.
Apart from a brief sprinkle of rain, most to the day was mild and sunny. Some enjoyed a barbecue while others a prepared picnic lunch on the Macquarie River bank against a backdrop of autumnal colour.
Meanwhile Peter VK7KPC showed us his range of radio gear which even includes some ex military equipment. His setup afforded him contacts in the John Moyle Field Day on HF, VHF and UHF. Well done Peter.
We missed sharing the experience with the usual throngs of people. Hopefully next year there'll be no restrictions so let's make it a ripper!
73, Peter VK7PD
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RAOTC
Broadcast for April
https://www.raotc.org.au/
Here is a reminder about the RAOTC broadcast for the 6th of April 2020; that's tomorrow night for those listening on Sunday.
When hearing the name Tesla, most of us probably think of Nicola Tesla of electricity fame or the electric car. Less well known is the surname spelt: T-e-s-l-e-r.
Larry Tesler was an American hippie of the 1960s who participated in anti-war demonstrations. Between 1980 and 1997 he occupied a senior management position in the Apple Computer Corporation; his many achievements include functions we take for granted today. Take a listen to what they are and more about the fascinating life of Larry Tesler.
The second item is an example of how women were permitted to play a major role in science from time to time. Lise Meitner "spelt: L-i-s-e M-e-i-t-n-e-r (Pronounced. Leesa Mightner) has been described as "the brilliant female brain behind the bomb". The part she played and with whom makes an intriguing story.
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 is April 6th. Call backs will follow on both networks. Please call in if you are able.
73, Peter VK7PD
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AR PromotionAL News
Awesome Ham Radio DX YouTube Channel
Want to learn more about the awesome hobby of Ham Radio on YouTube? Check out Ham Radio DX! The channel is run by Hayden VK7HH. Hayden uploads content on this channel which hopefully inspires you to delve into and learn more about the ham radio hobby, electronics and technology in general. You'll find handy tutorials, reviews and tips with many aspects within the hobby. Field Days have also been recorded showing the fun that can be had while operating portable. Digital modes such as WSPR or FT8 using WSJT-X, VHF and above propagation and microwave experimentation are also featured.
So type in "Ham Radio DX" on YouTube and don't forget to subscribe! Hayden is also keen to hear for new content ideas from anyone, so drop him an email at admin @ hamradiodx.net.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/Co_jX41l6nYfnrQuk0qsZFw
73 Hayden VK7HH
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QSL NEWS
Report - from Herman VK7HW Manager of the WIA VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
The WIA Head Office Bureau is now planning to forward QSL Cards to State managers on a quarterly basis.
Advice has also been received that due to the current situation with the Corona Virus, the office is not fully staffed and it may be some time before we receive any further deliveries.
The current list of Cards held as at 3 April, including the latest delivery on 12 March, is in the email version of the broadcast.
Please contact Herman if you can assist in delivery of any of the cards in your area.
Thank you those who have already advised me. I hope to send a few more cards out in the next week or so.
If you have any questions re QSL cards, please contact Herman by email vk7bureau(at)wia.org.au
73, Herman, VK7HW, WIA Manager VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
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AA, AAA, AB, AC, AD, AE, AL, AM, AN, AO, AP, AS, ATH, AV
BA, BB, BBB, BBW, BM, BO, BP
CC, CH, CJ, CV, CX
DD, DG, DK, DO, DQ, DW, DX, DZ
FALX, FAZZ, FG, FGGT, FJFJ, FLAR, FOTR, FRJG, FTAS
GA, GC, GH, GL, GM, GW, GZ
HCH, HDX, HPD, HRS, HRW, HVK, HZ
IK, IS
JA, JB, JJ, JJJ, JON, JP, JW
KBA, KD, KJ, KRJ, KL, KR, KT, KX
LAZ, LCW, LDH, LF, LH, LM, LW
MAG, MBD, MBP, MC, MD(dm), ME, MHZ, MI, ML
NA, NC, NET, NMH, NRF, NSB, NSE, NTE, NWQ, NWT
OK, OR, OT
PAL, PBD, PSJ, PW
RG, RN, ROY
SM, SN, SV
TCE, TED, TK, TR, TS, TU, TX
VAC, VAZ, VH, VKV, VR, VZ
WA, WC, WH, WT, WX
XDM, XX
YAD, YUM
ZA, ZCK, ZE, ZJJ, ZM, ZMS, ZT, ZX, ZZ
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News from the North West
North West Tasmanian Radio and Television Group
NWTR&TVG NOTICE TO MEMBERS AND VISITORS
It was the decision of the Committee to cancel yesterday's April meeting in the light of the current regulations caused by the Coronavirus or Covid-19 and the serious situation we all find ourselves experiencing.
The Committee will consider the 6 June meeting just before this date and try to get a last-minute update to the news about the situation as it is then.
We are taking the advice given by state and commonwealth leaders as it is announced, and our decisions will be based on that.
I apologise for the late announcement last week, but it is the only way we can act on the latest information.
Best wishes and keep safe.
Shirl VK7HSC, President, NWTR&TVG
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News from the North
Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club Incorporated
www.ntarc.net
The news segment from the north this week will be shorter than usual, extremely so. The cause is COVID-19. Yep, it has changed our lives well and truly. We are self-isolating, staying away from family and friends for the next three weeks at least but I suspect that will continue for a bit longer, especially if we see more cases arising.
As for your scribe, I have been busy on the sewing machines. Mind you, lots of mowing await but with the amount of rain over the past couple of days it has not been possible even to take the big Kubota out, for fear of it sinking into the softened soil. One of the joys of living on what was once an ice-age lake bed! So to break the monotony of vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms and washing floors, the machines have had a good workout. I'm sure the OM will be pleased to hear that. Mind you he is self-isolating on our boat in Victoria but still carrying on with the refurbishment. It was due to come out of the water tomorrow for re-caulking, scrub down and paint and then anti fouling, ready for its voyage home. Alas, that is not now going to happen, again due to impact of Covid-19. Such is life at the moment.
As the club rooms have been closed due to further notice and the Wednesday night tech sessions are on the back burner, our President has an idea for you to consider so I will hand over to him to explain:
“NTARC Net Report.
In the current climate of social isolation and lockdown, NTARC will be trying some amateur radio solutions to try and alleviate the suffering caused by the cessation of the Wednesday evening Technical sessions. To that end, this coming Wednesday at 19:30 (7:30 pm), there will be a TechNet being conducted on 3.567 MHz LSB. Net Controller will be none other than Nic VK7BEE who will be hoping for many call-ins. This week will be a trial to gauge the response and other nets are planned for 2m and 70cm. So please call in, even if just to say g'day and see what the propagation is like. If you have a technical topic to discuss, all the better.
73 de Idris VK7ZIR
Thanks Idris.
Well guess what folks, that is it for this week from NTARC. As I said at the outset, life has certainly changed for us all. Take care and if you don't need to go out, stay home and read, listen to music, get on the radio and talk to the world or warm up that soldering iron and get on with those projects. Above all though, please keep well.
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 either of the following addresses
ntarc.emails @ gmail.com or ypmaxwell @ bigpond.com.
For some time to come, the weekly news will become the medium for informing all about happenings, or lack thereof, in the local amateur radio world. It would be appreciated if any news, no matter how insignificant, 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.
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/
Social Gathering on 23 cm
If you are feeling socially isolated a group of stations are monitoring 1296.150 FM most of the day ready for a chat.
Welcome to Gary VK7JGD who is now operational down at Snug. Gary reported that he was surprised how many stations he could hear including VK7ZBX over a 44 km Path to Tea-Tree.
Dave VK7DM can now copy all stations since adding a pre-amp and reducing his cable losses even though he has no line of sight path to Mt Wellington.
Anthony VK7ZTA has been experimenting with different types of coax to improve his station and expects to soon take his antenna outside his garage. We look forward to a big improvement.
Steve VK7OO has implemented an arrangement to switch between two antennas, one pointed at Mt Wellington and the other pointed at Mt Rumney.
Last Sunday we had a record no of 14 stations taking part in the 1296 MHz QSO party. 12 from Hobart on 1296.150 FM and VK7PD and VK7KWB up north on digital QRA64-D on 1296.2. Note that we have moved to the D sub-mode on QRA64 as this is more tolerant of frequency drift.
73 Rex VK7MO
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Clubrooms Reno - Help Wanted
Considering the news about the MTV and WIA AGM weekend's being cancelled the activity relating to the Queen's Domain Clubrooms has been revised.
Thanks to the lunchtime group and the DATV Experimenter's group for sorting through the material in the shack and operations room.
This has prepared us well for the work we are wanting to do over the Easter Weekend whilst the clubrooms are closed.
We are still looking for some helpers who can spare an hour or two over the Easter Weekend.
We need go-fers, general assistants, dab hands on the brush that feel confident in painting the odd door or two for both prep and painting days.
If you would like to volunteer for an hour, hours or days, then please contact Tony VK7VKT on
secretary @ reast.asn.au
73, REAST Committee
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DATV "Working from the Shack #2" Experimenter's Night
Last Wednesday night we had a special “Working from the Shack” night.
To take a leaf from Monty Python - “and now for something completely different” - on 25 Match 2020 the Australian Antarctic Division's (AAD) Icebreaker "Aurora Australia" sailed back into Hobart from Macquarie Island for the last voyage on charter to the AAD.
We setup a Zoom session setup with Warren VK7WN, Alan VK7KAJ and Rex VK7MO who all worked for the AAD in various capacities and they shared their recollections in video and audio.
We outlined some stats on the Aurora before we started:
The Aurora Launch Date was from Newcastle 1989 by Hazel Hawke. The first winter voyage was to Heard Island in 1990. It is 94m long and has two engines a V12 and a V16 for icebreaking and trawling. The last Antarctic Huskies came home on the Aurora in 1992. There were many highlights/lowlights - Broken rubber coupling after first time it hit ice, there were engine room fires in the 1990 and it ran aground at Mawson in 2016. It has been involved in a number of rescues as well. It has been sailing for over 31 years, with over 150 voyages carrying over 14,000 Expeditioners.
Warren, Alan and Rex recounted their voyages, their favourite memories and highlights, first time they saw ice and about the magic of Antarctica and Rex shared some interesting personal photos. The recollections where interspersed with pictures of the Aurora Australis.
A huge thank you to Rex, Warren and Alan for sharing their recollections.
Justin then show progress he has made on the 10GHz 60cm dish feed modification where he has put a standard WR-90 coaxial transition onto the CPR-90G flange. Rex also outlined the dielectric feed radome that is made a special dielectric material that enables a smaller feed which causes smaller blockage and the dielectric material concentrates the signal into the feed. Thanks Rex.
This week we continue our"Working in the Shack" series with some shack and project tours using zoom. The first this week we will have Richard VK7ZBX's shack and projects as a feature, thanks Richard.
So, if you would like to show off your shack and projects then please get in contact
VK7TW @ wia.org.au.
We get back underway this Wednesday night from 7:30pm and take a look at the REAST Facebook events for more details.
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 and Facebook.
https://www.reast.asn.au/special-interest-groups/amateur-tv/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC64To_tq1E7PfK1pqtX_vRw/
https://www.facebook.com/reasttas/
We get underway with the DATV Experimenter's "Working from the Shack" Night # 3 from 7:30pm.
73, Justin, VK7TW
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TECHNICAL ARTICle
Barrett in new US partnership and US government contract
Australia's Barrett Communications has announced a partnership with US company Royal Communications International, as well as the award of a follow-on FMS contract with the US Mission in Central Asia.
Royal Communications has provided sales and support for HF radiocommunications solutions for more than 30 years.
The company will team with Barrett within the US to deliver sales, training, installation, technical and warranty support for the full range of Barrett HF solutions.
- Our US investment strategy is two-fold, our partnership with Royal Communications and our US manufacturing facility provides us a truly "Made in USA" product, bringing us closer to our US customer base and enhancing our ability to deliver the next level in product and customer service in the USA," said Barrett Communications USA Corp. General Manager, John Eschenfelder.
The Barrett PRC-2090 HF manpack and vehicle systems are being used by the US-funded Counter Narcotics Global Threats program for strategic communications and force tracking capabilities.
- We live in unprecedented times and conditions are changing rapidly," said Andrew Burt, Barrett Communications CEO.
- Barrett Communications are committed to ensuring the supply of our products and solutions, and as a global company we are investing in our manufacturing and support capability globally to ensure our customers continue to receive the personalised service they are accustomed to."
http://criticalcomms.com.au/content/radio-systems/news/barrett-in-new-us-partnership-and-us-government-contract-253249888#ixzz6IXwbfIOM
(Sourced from the Critical Comms Web E-zine)
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ACMA News
The ACMA's response to the COVID crisis
The ACMA has outlined the measures it is taking to adjust its work programs to assist the industry during the current COVID-19 turmoil.
The Authority has so far:
delayed consultation processes for non-urgent matters such as the review of the Radiocommunications Act prohibitions/exemptions framework suspended consultation on proposed revisions to nbn consumer experience rules extended the time for submissions to the Spectrum Pricing Review suspended planned investigations into Telecommunications Consumer Protections Code compliance attestation rules implemented deferral or payment by instalment arrangements for apparatus licence renewals.
"We will also be reconsidering reporting requirements and timeframes for responses to statutory notices to ensure that affected regulated entities can focus on maintaining their services," the ACMA said in a statement.
The statement goes on to say that “Where warranted, the ACMA will consider regulatory forbearance on a case-by-case basis. Any forbearance considered will be balanced against the potential risk of consumer harm, the seriousness of any breach of law, efforts of organisations to comply and all other relevant considerations.
We are committed to engaging with and working constructively and pragmatically with our stakeholders so we can remain informed of issues and challenges.
“We are receiving multiple requests from licensees/regulated entities for specific assistance and we are actively considering their requests. We will continue to provide updates on our website about further decisions as they are made."
http://criticalcomms.com.au/content/industry/news/the-acma-s-response-to-the-covid-crisis-1164278910#ixzz6IXxa1tNo
(Sourced from the Critical Comms Web E-zine)
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Regular VK7 gatherings and events over the coming months:
Regular gatherings:
NWTR&TVG - Club meetings cancelled till further notice.
NTARC - Club meetings cancelled till further notice.
REAST - Clubrooms are closed until further notice.
https://www.reast.asn.au/
REAST - MICROWAVE QSO Party – following after the Sunday broadcast on 1296.15 MHz FM.
https://www.reast.asn.au/special-interest-groups/23cm-transmissions/
Events:
Nil
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A reminder to those people rostered for next week's broadcast:
Newsreader: VK7PD
Repeaters: REAST, NTARC and Spectrum Tasmania
80m: VK7TPE
40m: VK7JGD
20m: VK7ALH
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 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 @ 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.
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(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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