attached
SB QNEWS @ WW $QNEWS009125
QNEWS - JAN 25 - VK4 ON AIR
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DID YOU TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK?
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THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD IN QNEWS.MP3
FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICES
QNEWS -- ALL OF THE NEWS ALL OF THE TIME at www.wia.org.au/vk4
QNEWS available in Audio after 0001Hrs UTC Saturday.



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Contact QAC by HF Radio 3.605 Mondays 7:30pm after QNEWS
QAC OVERSEES HAM RADIO MATTERS IN VK4
QNEWS newsroom USE TO SEND US YOUR NEWS STORIES!!
QTAC HANDLES TECHNICAL QUERIES
QTC AR MAGAZINE COLUMN


QAC office officers :-

VK4AHW Harvey Wickes
VK4AQ Ross Anderson
VK4BY Don Wilschefski
VK4UH Kevin Johnstone

====================

The wia office address is:
The Wireless Institute of Australia
P.O. Box 2042
BAYSWATER VIC 3153

Telephone: 03 9729 0400
Fax: 03 9729 7325




QNEWS BROADCAST JANUARY 25 2008



VK4 SILENT KEYS @ 2008 - 2009 QAC YEAR

VK4HEL Stan Sonter November 10 (advised by vk2va via summerland)
VK4NKA John Bourke November 19 (advised by vk4kd)



It is with some sadness, we announce the passing of George Burjak of
Kangaroo Point, Brisbane.

He passed away peacefully after a short illness on 16 January 2009 aged 82.

Whilst not a licensed amateur as such, he was widely known for actively
participating in the collection and restoration of old and new Radio and
Electronic equipment.

A well known personality in the HAM and SWL communities. He was a passionate
SWL for his whole life. Earlier he worked in various roles, including
Tracksons in Brisbane and then his own business.

George was a frequent visitor to all South East Queensland Hamfests and
Wyong.

He is survived by his Wife of 61 years, Sister in North America, Daughter,
Son (VK4SB) and Grandson.


We commence with a little "house keeping"


Importantly, when you send QNEWS or NATIONAL NEWS an item a couple
of "must do's", and these have not changed over the years, just they seem
to be forgotten or not passed on to club officers after elections etc.



1/ When you file audio always then email us the script and include in title
"your callsign news for bcast...date."



2/ If you want an item run 3 or more times, write a different slant on the
item, running the exact same item over and over would be dull/boring and
lets face it, if you can't think of anything extra to say, that is
probably a good sign it is shaping up a dull event!!



ALARA NEWS first up/....

Pam VK4PTO, the ALARA VK4 State Representative, would like to invite YLs to
the first ALARA LUNCHEON for the year, Saturday 31st January 12 noon.
This at Woodchoppers Inn, 66 Railway Street Mudgeeraba.
$18 per adult, $10 each for children under 13.
For more information please email Pam on
before 28th January 2009.



CLUBBING - WITH RAY VK4ZW


DALBY AND DISTRICT


Each year Bunya Mts. District Amcom. Formerly Dalby & District Amateur Radio
Club and the Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio Club, Have a weekend get together
at Somerset Dam's Kirkleigh camp grounds.

This year the weekend of the 4th & 5th of April, with some proposing to
arrive on the Friday evening the 3rd and leave on Monday 6 to make a good
weekend of it.

Your club members and friends are cordially invited to join in the fun and
fellowship and enjoy a time of playing around with various aspects of our
great hobby AMATEUR RADIO.

There is plenty of space for activities and combined BBQ for the evening meal
on the Saturday night, also car boot sale, so it is a great opportunity to
move some of that pre loved gear, or perhaps pick up a bargain.

The camp site is booked so need to pay at the gate to know roughly how many
will be attending, so if you could canvas your members and friends and see
what response you have, and get back to them with possible numbers, that
would be very helpful.

Contact.

Neil VK4NF on 07 4662 4950. Email
Ricky VK4NRL on 0429 726 833. Email
Noel VK4NL on 0413 958 216. Email



GOLD COAST AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY
http://www.goldcoastamateurradio.com
IRLP Node 6702

A Foundation Licence Course will be held at the Clubrooms 85 Harper St.
Nerang from Wednesday 4th February from 7.00pm to 9.00pm and will run for
about 4 weeks. If you are interested in doing this course contact Ron VK4BRH
or Roy VK4IG for further information.

And seeing that you can't actually get up on air and call them yet! HiHi
I suggest you just google Gold Coast Amateur Radio Australia for contact
details.



GYMPIE
Geoff Emery vk4zpp


As the summer holiday period gets left behind, it is time to remind members
of the Gympie Communications and Electronics Group that the next monthly
meeting will be held in the basement rooms of Leading Edge Electronics,
Reef Street, Gympie at 7.00 pm, Thursday 5th February.

The committee of G C E G are attending a briefing session with Emergency
Management Queensland and it is hoped that they can provide a full report to
the members at the meeting as to the outcomes of that session. As previously
reported on QNews, G C E G is already represented on the local Disaster Plan
Welfare Committee by president, Bob, VK4MR and this briefing should provide
the much sought after answers as to how the group can assist with
communications for the Local Government Disaster Plan in the Gympie Regional
Council area.

The weekly Monday night 2m net has continued during the summer period on
VK4RCM and last Monday was conducted by Matthew, VK4FMKW, the group's
youngest member. Call ins remain constantly around the dozen mark and the
friendly nature of the net makes Monday nights a time to look forward to.

The monthly newsletter QNC has been delayed as Dawn, VK4FTBA is undertaking
treatment for a painful complaint that is preventing her from using the
keyboard. We wish you a speedy recovery, Dawn, and look forward to your next
QNC.

And on the matter of people recovering from illness, we have heard that
Len, VK4JZ, continues to make progress after an illness that saw him
hospitalised last year. Len took over running the Gympie Net from Noel, VK4NL
and ran the net successfully for about 3 years prior to the formation of
GCEG. All the best Len and we hope to hear you once again on the net when
you are well enough.



TOWNSVILLE
contacting theTARCinc
email address
phone contact 07-47731196 or 0408 001142
snailmail po box 333 Garbutt East, QLD 4814
homepage http://www.tarc.org.au


TERAHA Bluewater Ride Report

It was soggy on the edges, a bit showery at times, however the first TERAHA
Introductory and Social ride for 2009 was an outstanding success both for
competitors and the hams that helped out with communications support.

The event was held at an area centred around the North Queensland
Equestrian Centre at Bluewater Park on Sunday January 18th.

The area had received in excess of 300mm of rain the previous week and
all the creeks were in full flow still.

Those providing Communications Support were

Phil VK4HSV and Aleisha Strom at Ride Base

Gavin VK4ZZ at Checkpoint 1 on Blue Mountain Drive

Bob VK4WJ and Tom VK4KS at Checkpoint 2 at the Airstrip turnoff

Joan VK4FTVL and Colin VK4UCM at Webbs Main Gate

Chris VK4GEE on Blue Mountain Drive at Gigapower Crossing

Bob VK4AAH at the corner of Blue Mountain Drive and Forestry Road

Nick VK4ZXX on Endeavour Road at the track crossover.

The frequency used for event communications was 147.150MHz simplex,
carefully chosen so as not to interfere with 144.100MHz VHF/UHF
Field Day operations taking place from the nearby VK4ABW DX Complex.


The next communications support event in the Townsville region is the
Townsville City Auto Sports Club King of the Hill Hillclimb event on
the Mount Stuart Road Sunday March 29. If you are interested in
participating please contact Blue VK4FBLU on 4775 4184 soonest.



February Activity includes for TarCadians,

TARC Management Meeting - Tue 3rd Feb from 7-30pm at SES HQ Green Street
West End

TARC Project Night - Tue 10th Feb from 7-30pm at SES HQ Green Street West End

TARC Social Evening - Tue 17th Feb from 7-30pm at SES HQ Green Street
West End

Ann Renton Memorial Ladies Net Tue 24th Feb from 7-30pm on Tsvl VHF Repeater



**************************************************
- NEWS POSTING TO PACKET -
Courtesy Tony VK7AX VK7AX(AT)VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC

**************************************************


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PAGE_END
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SB WIANEWS @ WW $QNEWS090125
WIANEWS - Jan 25 - VK NATIONAL NEWS

ALWAYS ENSURE ORIGINAL BID # AND TITLE ARE USED.
Packet uploads with thanks to vk7ax Tony



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BEST NEWS YOU'LL GET ALL WEEK



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


This is WIANEWS for week commencing January 25 2009



Current WIA Defcom / Protector Card's still honoured.

News in from the WIA National Office that the Defcom / Protector Card which
had been issued to WIA Members since the organization went National, and to
members of the WIA Queensland Division well before the National organization
was formed, has ceased.

In investigating where and when his new issue card would happen, Don VK4FNQA
received a reply from WIA National Office advising that the WIA Board had
decided not to continue the association with Defcom / Protectors. Cards that
are current will still be honoured but would not be renewed once they
expired.

This card for members was originally arranged by Peter Harding VK4OD/VK4JPH.

(tarc news)



WIA Board appoints new Director

The WIA Board has, in accordance with the WIA's Constitution, appointed
Bob Bristow VK6POP a director following the resignation of Eddie Saunders
VK6ZSE.

Bob's appointment by the Board is for the balance of Eddie's term.

Bob retired from WA Department for Community Development a little over a year
ago, many years in administrative positions. Before that he had worked with
young people. He is also involved in Scouting, having been JOTA-JOTI
Coordinator for Scouts Australia since 2006.

He has also been a member of the WIA Western Australia Advisory Committee
since it was reconstituted in 2007.

He brings to the WIA administrative and financial management skills as well
as extensive experience of working with young people, certainly very valuable
as the WIA seeks to attract new and younger amateurs.



WAVERLEY AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY

Yesterday, January 24th, the Waverley Amateur Radio Society activated
the special event callsign VI2BV90 to mark the 90th anniversary of the
club and will continue to operate for nine days, so give them a call today.

As well as a special QSL card there will be a badge available at Wyong to
those who have worked the station.

Much more detail, including the operating schedule for the event will be
found on the club's website vk2bv.org.



KiwiSAT status

AMSAT-ZL has published a status update on their website regarding the
upcoming Amateur Radio satellite KiwiSAT.

Since Fred Kennedy Zl1BYP originally gave his presentation on KiwiSAT to the
AMSAT-UK Space Colloquium at Guildford in 2003 this project has been
followed with great interest.

Fred's presentation at the Colloquium on the plans for KiwiSAT was met with
a standing ovation and since that time he and the other dedicated volunteers
in the AMSAT-ZL team have been working hard to make their ideas a reality.

The latest KiwiSAT update is dated January 11th.

www.kiwisat.org/status.html

(southgate)



NATO report details impact of BPL

A report by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization describes the effect that
widespread BPL application could have on the HF spectrum.

Concerns have been raised that devices which use the mains power supply for
Internet connections could impact on the military users in this key part of
the radio spectrum potentially jeopardizing Homeland Security as well as
causing interference to the reception of broadcast radio stations.

The entire NATO report (9Mb) can be downloaded from:

http://ftp.rta.nato.int/public//PubFullText/RTO/TR/RTO-TR-IST-050/$$TR-IST-050-ALL.pdf

(southgate)



HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.

VK2
web service:- http://www.arnsw.org.au/html/news_vk2wi.htm
VKG Roundup http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news

Westlake's Amateur Radio Club is located in York Street, Teralba and is open
for business Saturdays from 12:00 midday and Tuesday evenings from 6:00pm.
Call in and say hello, Frank tells us Tea and Coffee are always on!
To find out more about Westlake's Amateur Radio Club, or Amateur Radio in
general, leave a message on our 24 hour voice mail box on 02 49-581588



Wyong Field Day is just around the corner mark your calendar for Sunday 8th
February.

Ray VK2HAY says "There is a big number of Traders that have "booked-in" for
the day.

We have our own Radio Station operating from Wyong, VK2 WFD, so come and be a
"disc jockey" for a time.

There will be for the Ladies, a display by the Central Coast Potters and the
NSW Embroiderers Guild, Newcastle Branch. Plus the "Flea Market" will be
operating.

Icom will display their new DSTAR radio, other Traders will have for sale all
types of radio gear just for you.

Raffles will be held and drawn at 1100 hours.

It is looking like a great Wyong Field Day, so be there.

Info ph. (02) 4325 2182. Ray VK2 HAY."



VK3
web service:- http://www.amateurradio.com.au/news/
VKC Roundup http://www.police

The annual Yarra Valley Amateur Radio Group's White Elephant Sale is
on Sunday 15th Feb at Healesville Memorial Hall, 10am.



VK4
web service local news:- www.wiaq.com/qnews/upload/qnewsbcast.htm
local news email
VKR Roundup
http://www.police.qld.gov.au/News+an...edia+Releases/

Each year the Bunya Mts & District Amcom. Formerly the " Dalby & District
Amateur Radio Club" and the Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio Club have a weekend
get together at Somerset Dam at the Kirkleigh camping grounds.

This year is set down for the weekend of the 4th & 5th of April, with some
proposing to arrive on the Friday evening the 3rd and leave on Monday the
6th to make a good weekend of it.

Your club members and friends are cordially invited to join in the fun and
fellowship.

Details Contact.

Neil VK4NF 07 4662 4950
Email



As the news goes to air Sunday morning lots of radio amateurs and support
crew are listening in with interest to the retransmission done in the
Townsville area by Denis VK4AE whilst having breakfast at the TARC Australia
Day Weekend Family Radio Camp.

Many antennae have been lofted and tuned, some bush cooking has taken
place, some tweaking of camping outfits has been performed and some
serious loafing has been undertaken in the camp area and in the creek.

Some were so keen to get out in the bush and play radios that they
have been on site since Friday afternoon !

This evening, following retransmitting the North Queensland Net onto the
local 2metre repeater, a workshop on digital sound card operating modes will
be facilitated by PSK Guru and FLDigi AlphaTesters member David VK4BDJ
and tomorrow's Australia Day activities will start with a real bang.

If you are not on camp but want to participate in some things remember
the camp is only a 30 minute drive from Townsville City CBD and the
event ends on Monday afternoon.



VK6
web service http://www.vk6.net/newswest-index.html

August 2 vk6
Northern Corridor Radio Group's WA Hamfest. Cyril Jackson Rec Centre
Fisher st Ashfield, WA
email



VK7
local area news :- http://reast.asn.au/news.php
vk7 local news, email

The third annual "Meet The Voice" BBQ is scheduled for Sunday March 22nd.
at the Ross Caravan Park.

As this BBQ is sponsored by the 'SEWING CIRCLE DAILY NET" they will this
year include the "SEWING CIRCLE BBQ" previously held in November.

As in previous years those who wish to make an early start, you are welcome
to make Ross from Friday or Saturday and be on site for the day's events on
the Sunday.


http://reast.asn.au/events.php#meetthevoice

(Don, VK7AY)



North West Tasmania Amateur Radio Interest Group
Their 2009 AGM. & General Meeting is scheduled for Saturday 31 January, at
the Lions Club Facility, Showgrounds, West Ulverstone, commencing 2.00PM

(VK7AX)



EDUCATION YOUTH AND ADVANCEMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO
www.hamcollege.com.au

Gold Coast Amateur Radio Society

A Foundation Licence Course will be held at the Clubrooms 85 Harper St.
Nerang from Wednesday 4th February from 7.00pm to 9.00pm and will run for
about 4 weeks. If you are interested in doing this course contact Ron VK4BRH
or Roy VK4IG for further information.

And seeing that you can't actually get up on air and call them yet! HiHi
I suggest you just Google Gold Coast Amateur Radio Australia for contact
details.



Reg VK7KK and Alan VK7KAJ will be running an examination on 27th of January.
If you would like to sit any of the amateur radio assessments
(foundation, standard, advanced or practical) or are interested in a
foundation or standard course then please contact Reg VK7KK on mobile:
0417 391 607
or email: .

(Reg, VK7KK, REAST Education Officer and Assessor)



The Yarra Valley Amateur Radio Group will hold a Licence Examination weekend
31 Jan & 1st Feb at their Yarra Glen clubrooms. The weekend will include a
revision session for upgrades to Standard & Advanced Theory and Regulations.

Foundation assessments will be conducted.

Bookings for the course are essential and must be made by 27th Jan.

Contact Steve



UK CLUB WINS GRANT TO FURTHER HAM RADIO EDUCATION

A United Kingdom radio club is the big winner in a national lottery. The
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society has been awarded a £10,000 endowment from
the 'Awards for All' program that gives grants to local groups.

The grant to the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society will be used by the club
to further develop amateur radio training in the Chelmsford area as well as
radio sports and for the establishment of a demonstration station in the
Sandford Mill Science and Industry Museum. Among the equipment the club is
buying with the grant are transceivers, a linear amplifier and some
antennas. Also being purchased are some laptop computers and a video
projector to be used in training programs and other projects.

(Southgate)



SILENT KEY

Sad news just received, Zedan Jy3ZH became silent key on 20.01.2009.
Zedan in his early days as a ham, back in the 70s, signed JY6FC before JY3ZH.
He was licensed for over 40 years and is best known for being the net
controller for the Arabian Knights Net on 14.252. He enticed some of the
rarer stations to get on this net which permitted thousands to work the new
one. He has long been called the godfather of Jordanian radio.

(Bill Horner Childers)



INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to RSGB, Southgate AR Club, the ARRL,
Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART and the WW sources of the WIA. I'm VK5MM Rob.


4-metres in Denmark

As of 1st of January 2009, Danish radio amateurs can also use the
70,225 MHz channel, i.e. the segment 70,2125 - 70,2375 MHz.

This also means that two smaller segments are now joined into one segment
100 kHz wide.

For more details see the Danish band plan:
www.70mhz.org/bandplan_oz.htm



Get Ready for World Amateur Radio Day on April 18

Each year on the anniversary of its founding, April 18, the International
Amateur Radio Union (IARU) marks World Amateur Radio Day. On this 83rd
anniversary of its inaugural meeting in Paris, the IARU dedicates World
Amateur Radio Day to the future of Amateur Radio with its theme,
"Amateur Radio: A Foundation for Technical Knowledge."

It is no secret that many professionals in the field of radio, TV,
communications and electronics have started their technical education as
young radio amateurs. Although Amateur Radio has a different face nowadays
-- Digital Communications, Voice over Internet Protocol, Satellite up- and
downlinks and more -- it is even of greater value as a foundation for
technical knowledge for youngsters. And much more -- it is and should be used
as a unique attraction for future young radio amateurs.

World Amateur Radio Day provides an occasion to promote and publicize
Amateur Radio. Amateur Radio clubs are encouraged to find suitable ways of
celebrating World Amateur Radio Day. Many ways can be considered -- inviting
youngsters to visit radio clubs, showing up on the air with a special call
sign, organizing a station in a public area with media coverage or publicly
honouring amateurs who have made significant contributions. Whatever method
is chosen, clubs should think about publishing a press release for the media,
giving the background to World Amateur Radio Day and promoting the value of
Amateur Radio as a foundation for a technical career.

"World Amateur Radio Day" APRIL 18



Radio Amateur HS1A to receive Global Leaders Award.

His Majesty will be the recipient of the World Intellectual Property
Organization's (WIPO) Global Leaders Award, in recognition of his remarkable
contribution to intellectual property both as an inventor and as an active
proponent of intellectual property as a tool for development.

His Majesty owns over 20 patents and 19 trademarks.

Many of his inventions have generated concrete benefits for Thai communities,
having been put to practical use in a range of rural development projects in
Thailand. His Majesty was granted his first patent in 1993 for a system to
resolve water shortage problem in the dry season, making him the first member
of the royal family to obtain a patent.

His Majesty is also a recognized and prolific artist, having created over
1,000 works, including paintings, photos, musical and literary works such
as songs and novels.

Radio Amateur Society of Thailand (RAST)
www.rast.or.th/

Famous Radio Amateurs
http://highfields-arc.6te.net/call/famous.htm

(sourced to southgate)



40 metres in South Africa

The South African Radio League has received assurances from their
telecommunications regulator that the issue of making 7,100 to
7,200kHz available to radio amateurs as of 8th March should be
finalised by the end of January.



OPERATIONAL NEWS -

ON AIR CONTEST AND EVENT COLUMN - D A T E L I N E 2009


A reminder that the Ross Hull Memorial UHF/VHF contest continues
throughout January. Log should be in by February 15.


FEB 7 NZART - PAPAKURA CW SPRINT

FEB 14 NZART - PAPAKURA PHONE SPRINT

FEB 28 - Mar 1 JOCK WHITE MEMORIAL FIELD DAY

MAR 14 - 15 BERU

Running till Dec 31 2009 is the 4th CQ DX Marathon



CW Sprint Season Announced

The NZART - Papakura Radio Club announces the Summer Sprint which will be
another 1 hour contest.

One weekend on CW and the next on phone. This, like the Waitakere Sprint is
open to all ZL, VK and Pacific Island stations.

A list of eligible prefixes is included in the rules which can be found at
the address on the email and internet editions of this broadcast.

http://www.qsl.net/zl1vk/index.html

The dates are - Saturday 7th February with the CW section and is followed
the next weekend the Saturday 14th February when the phone section is run.

(Sourced to vk7wia news)



SPECIAL EVENTS, BEACON DX AND NET ADVICE
hf nets ON the net, www.timroberts-vk4yeh.id.au/

GB 40 WAB 40th anniversary of the WAB Till Dec 31

OP 0 LE (O-POLE) Princess Elizabeth Base Antarctica Till Feb 15

OZ 1658 ROS 350th anniversary of the Treaty of Roskilde Till Dec 31

VARIOUS SM STATIONS USING 1658 (Treaty of Roskilde) Till Dec 31

VI 2 BV90 Waverley ARS 90th Birthday Jan 24 - Feb 1

VP 9 400 /home call 400th Anniversary of Bermuda Till Dec 31



AT8FD
Sathyapal - VU2FI, Ramesh Kumar - VU2LU, Varadan - VU3ITI,
Ajoy - VU2JHM and Subbu - VU2ZUB are activating a Special Event Station,
AT8FD at Yercaud, Shevaroy Hills, Salem District, Tamil Nadu, 24 January
till 26 January 2009.



ANTARCTIC ACTIVITY WEEK

The Worldwide Antarctic Program has announced that the fifth Antarctic
Activity Week will be held from 18 to 24 February. The aim of this annual
event is to promote worldwide interest in the Antarctic continent.


An official amateur call sign OPØLE is assigned to Princess Elizabeth base
(IOTA AN-016, 71°57'S and 23°20'E).

Paul, ON3PC will be operating from the base until February 15. He is working
at the base as a plumber/boiler-mechanic and also in-charge of the
communications.

After 40 years of silence, Belgium is back on air from Antarctica.

Best frequencies are on the Antarctic DX net 23:00z every Saturday and Sunday
on 7.078MHz.

Also check 14.160MHz, 14.188MHz and 14203MHz from 16:00z.



CQ Contest CQ Contest CQ VK Shires VK4TI VK4TI

VK4FW Thank you you are 59TO4 59TO4 QSL?

Roger your 59BU4

Thank you QRZ ?

Greetings News team its VK4TI Trent here..

Well Sports fans as they say in the classics another contest is about to
start and this one promises to be a biggie !

The VK Shires contest gets under way on the June long weekend in 2009 - it is
an exiting mix of all our great contests ! It offers the field day practice
of the John Moyle, the Dx excitement of the Oceania and the comradre of the
RD contest.

Some of the new style contest for VKs is the introduction of multipliers on
every band, the ability for a rover station to rework everyone for extra
points form a new shire - we feel this contest will create activity and
much interest - our web site has had over 50 applicants in the first week
and growing - we have also introduced a NEW VK Shires award to support the
contest.

The objectives of this contest are for amateurs around the world to contact
as many VK shires as possible in the contest period. i.e. VK amateurs are to
work the world including VK, whilst the rest of the world can only work VK.

For VK Stations: The multiplier is each VK shire worked per band and mode as
above as well as each CQ Zone worked per band and mode .

One interesting twist is that the frequencies are as per the Standard
callsign allocation i.e. 80 through ten metres with NO DX WINDOW allowed.

We already have been promised support from VKCL and Writelog and we are sure
before the first test other loggers will come on board.

We will also have on the website Excel spreadsheets and cross check forms
for those of you who only want to make a few short contacts.

Over the following weeks we will have broadcasts from Bill VK4FW explaining
the accompanying VK Shires Awards and from contesters VK7GN and VK4KW on
strategies they feel would need to be used to generate a big score in the
contest.

Thanks in advance to all those already planning mini expeditions to remote
shires all over the country

Back to the news desk-

Visit the website vkshires.info and the long weekend Trent is referring to
is June 6-7-8



DXCC QSL CARD CHECKING IN NEW ZEALAND

Several months ago it was suggested that New Zealand and Australasia should
have its own DXCC Card Checker rather than having to send DXCC cards to the
ARRL in the USA.

NZART put forward to ARRL the name of Lee ZL2AL and the ARRL DXCC Manager
has appointed him as an official DXCC card checker in his area of the world.

Basically Lee says "my function is to receive and check cards to make sure
they are valid for DXCC Applications and Total upgrades. Your cards will be
checked and returned within a few days to you and I will sign your
application and forward it to the ARRL DXCC Desk."



WIRELESS WEATHER

NEW STUDY SAYS SOLAR STORMS COULD BRING DISASTER

A new study from the National Academy of Sciences outlines dire
consequences on Earth for a worst-case scenario giant solar
storm. Scientists involved in the study say that damage to power grids and
other communications systems could be catastrophic. Even ham radio would be
affected.

Solar activity is expected to rise sharply in coming years and what is known
as severe space weather will ramp up a year or two before the peak in 2012.
Once it hits Earth it can disrupt power distribution grids and cause
blackouts and also downgrade both terrestrial wire-line and satellite to
ground communications.

(sourced to arnewsline)



MEDIA WATCH

WIA National Broadcast Milestone

VK7 up with the select few!

Each week Graham VK4BB gathers from all over Australia the callback numbers
from each rebroadcaster and compiles them into a call-back tally sheet that
is commenced from the start if the WIA broadcast year.

The WIA broadcast year starts from the WIA AGM which this year was on
26th May 2008.

There have been a total of 69,591 total RF checkins since the AGM.

Each week Graham highlights those repeaters that reach 1000 checkins and the
call-back tally for January 4 included a highlight for VK7.

VK7RAD/RHT reached 1038 checkins.

This puts VK7 up with only three other states with this number of checkins on
a single repeater.

The highest is VK5RAD with 1904, then comes VK6RAP with 1348 and VK4RSC with
1090. Considering the number of amateurs in VKs 4, 5 and 6, I think VK7 is
doing very well.

Thanks to our regular callback reporters - VK7JK, VK7YBG, VK7JH and VK7AX.

http://reast.asn.au/archive.php#2008

(Justin, VK7TW, VK7 Regional News and Broadcast Coordinator)



WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FEMALES IN RADIO
ALARA - AUSTRALIAN LADIES AR ASSOCIATION
http://alara.org.au
Net is held each Mondays on 3.580 MHz, commencing at 1030 UTC.
(1000utc during daylight saving)


Pam VK4PTO, the ALARA VK4 State Representative, would like to invite YLs to
the first ALARA LUNCHEON for the year, Saturday 31st January 12 noon.
This at Woodchoppers Inn, 66 Railway Street Mudgeeraba.
$18 per adult, $10 each for children under 13.
For more information please email Pam on
before 28th January 2009.



WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FINAL FRONTIER

AMSAT-VK UNOFFICIAL HF Net.
2nd Sunday each month.
November through March 0900 UTC 7.068 MHz
April through October 1000 UTC 3.685 MHz


BBC interviews UK CubeSat builders

A recent episode of the BBC Radio 4 show Material World met students from
the University of Leicester in the UK who are building their own CubeSat.
A podcast is now available.

It was originally broadcast Thursday 8th January and the Podcast can be
downloaded from

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/...ialworld.shtml

In the show Quentin Cooper meets undergraduates in the Physics and Astronomy
department at the University of Leicester who are building their own
satellite called PLUME based on a standardised design in the form of a small
cube. It's due for launch later this year and will study space dust,
detecting nano-meteoroids in orbit around the Earth.

The show also features Open University, PhD students who are building an
experiment that will orbit the Moon, the European Student Moon Orbiter
(ESMO) is due for launch in about 3 years time and is being designed and
built by students from 29 universities in 12 countries.



WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- INTERNET --- THE HAMS DOMAIN

FTC SHUTS DOWN SCAREWARE SELLERS

The US government has moved to shut down sellers of fake security
software. This, as the Federal Trade Commission announces that it has won
a restraining order that stops several sellers of scareware from continuing
to market their wares.

Scareware is software that misleads a computer user into believing that his
system may be infected with viruses, spy ware or other malicious programs
that could harm or destroy data. Now, a U S District court has granted an
injunction which stops Innovative Marketing and Byte Hosting Internet
Services from continuing to advertise their products, and from making what
the Federal Trade Commission says are false claims about their efficacy.

(sourced to arnewsline)



WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO AMATEUR OLD-TIMERS
http://www.raotc.org.au

OLD TIMERS
Members and friends of the Radio Amateurs Old Timers Club Australia are
reminded that the next news and information broadcast will take place on the
first Monday of the Month.



WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RESCUE RADIO

EMERGENCY FREQUENCIES ALL REGIONS
21.360 - 18.160 - 14.300 - 7.060 - 3.760 MHz.
REGION 2 TRY ALSO 3.985 - 7.240 - 7.290


LISMORE NSW AREA PADDLE FOR LIFE CANOE MARATHON.

25-27 April will see a minimum of three operators needed for each day.

One in the SES safety boat, more if Summerland have an extra boat.

One mobile paralleling the field by road, checking at view points.

One mobile at the next stop point relaying info to the supporters.

Please advise John VK2JWA if you can assist



WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- VHF AND ABOVE

NAMIBIAN VHF DXPEDITION MADE 245 EME CONTACTS

The recent VHF DXpedition to Namibia made 245 EME contacts, with 211 of
those on 144 MHz and the balance fairly equal between 432 and 1 296 MHz,
and met the requirements for a Worked All Continent Award on 144 MHz EME.

Operation on generator power made it necessary to cut back on some of the
planned operations. 50 MHz was eliminated completely due to damage to the
beam. Troppo conditions were poorer than anticipated and the destruction of
the long 144 MHz Yagi greatly reduced chances of success on this project.

There are many EME operators all over the world with smiles on their faces
because of the addition of a new DXCC entity toward a future 144 or 432 MHz
DXCC award.

Congratulations to the team are well deserved

(sourced to sarl)



SOCIAL SCENE 2009

International Telecommunication Union's Telecom World 2009.


Jan 24 - 26 VK4
TARC Australia Day Weekend Family Radio Camp at Girl Guides Campsite
46-56 Toolakea Beach Road, Bluewater



Feb 8 VK2
WYONG FIELD DAY


Feb 15 VK3
The annual Yarra Valley Amateur Radio Group's White Elephant Sale is
on Sunday 15th Feb at Healesville Memorial Hall, 10am.



March 22 vk7
MEET THE VOICE SEWING CIRCLE BBQ
Held at Ross in Tasmania



April 4-5 vk4
Bunya Mts & District Amcom weekend get together at Somerset Dam
Details Contact Neil VK4NF 07 4662 4950 Email


April 18 WW
World Amateur Radio Day



June 5 - 8 VK4
FNNQARG at Cardwell Village Beachcomber Resort book on 1800 005633
Contact FNNQARG co-ordinator Gavin VK4ZZ for site booking guidance.



July 11 - 12 VK3
GippsTech 2009, the technical conference with a VHF, UHF & microwave focus.



August 2 vk6
Northern Corridor Radio Group's WA Hamfest. Cyril Jackson Rec Centre
Fisher st Ashfield, WA email



SEP 13
Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society Hamfest 9:30am.
Goodwood Community Centre, Rosa St Goodwood.



OCT 12 - 16 ZL
14th IARU R3 Conference Christchurch 12 ? 16 October 2009.
Details at www.christchurch.org.nz/
The Region 3 Web Site: www.jarl.or.jp/iaru-r3/



REWIND - A LOOK BACK IN HISTORY
(Will McGhie VK6UU is WIA National Historian)

OLD VALVES AND RADIOS FOR SALE

Old valves and radios available for sale at Yamba in VK2.

John Elder at Yamba has boxes of these if you want them and they are at his
QTH 32 The Mainbrace, Yamba. ph 0418 66 11 85. Not all new but many in
original boxes.

John it appears heard a radio advert for Summerland Club on his local
Paradise FM, 101.9 MHz and made contact. That number again?
0418 661 185.


Please think of the environment before printing this email



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Compiled by VK4BB on behalf of the National WIA.


************************************************** ***************************
- NEWS POSTING TO PACKET -
Courtesy Tony VK7AX VK7AX(AT)VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC


************************************************** ***************************


/ex