attached
SB NEWS @ WW $VK1WIA090222
WIANEWS - Feb 22 - VK NATIONAL NEWS

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WIANews 24/7 with the following bulletin in Audio
when you visit the MEMBERS AREA on www.wia.org.au
This weeks WIANews available in Audio after 0100hrs UTC Saturday.
http://www.wiaq.com/ftp/wianews_128.mp3 HD Radio quality
http://www.wiaq.com/ftp/wianews_64.mp3 FM Radio quality
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free emailed script
http://lists.wia.org.au/mailman/listinfo/vk1wia-news






Now you can dial this WIANews wherever you are on the
"gateway dot net dot au" 1300 phone service.
Dial 1300 558 592 and at the prompt type W.I.A.N. (That's 9426).
"Standard call rate from fixed home phone, higher from mobiles".


This is WIANEWS for week commencing February 22 2009

This is VK1WIA the Wireless Institute of Australia news service for the week
commencing Sunday the 22nd of February, I'm Jim Linton VK3PC. Today, the
nation of Australia is observing a day of mourning for those who died in the
Black Saturday bushfire disaster.

Wildfire is part of Australian life each summer but nothing could have
prepared Victorians for what happened on Saturday the 7th of February, the
worst natural disaster in Australia's history.

It involved 25 local government areas, that is a third of all municipal
councils in Victoria, and many towns and small rural settlements within them.
Up to 200 lives lost and 1800 homes destroyed.

The worst hit areas were in an arc from Kilmore north of the capital city
Melbourne, skirting the edge of Australia's Great Dividing range engulfing
parts of Whittlesea, Humevale then on to communities of Kinglake West,
Kinglake, Marysville and more.

Clearly from the descriptions of those who experienced it first hand, it was
not a bushfire, but a fire storm.

The day was the hottest on record reaching 46-degrees Celsius or 115 on the
Fahrenheit scale, 100 kilometre an hour winds, and single digit humidity.
Experts point to it being further evidence of climate change.

Volunteerism is part of the Australian ethos. Among the thousands who gave
their support in response to the disaster and their communities are radio
amateurs.

They include those who are fire-fighters, members of the St John Ambulance,
Red Cross, State Emergency Service and other organizations.

Once again the capabilities and skills of radio amateurs were put to good
use.

Members of both WICEN - the State Disaster Plan Emergency Communications
Organization - and Red Cross Communications Recom, did an outstanding job,
demonstrating once again the role of Amateur Radio in times of emergency.

Following that aspect of disaster response has been Robert Broomhead VK3DN,
and he now takes up the story.


AUDIO INTENSIVE REPORT BY VK3DN ROBERT BROOMHEAD listen now
http://www.wiaq.com/ftp/wianews_64.mp3


WIA HD FEATURE CHANNEL this week has a 25 minute bushfire report, from
which we edited, for the usual news. just 12 minutes.
http://www.wiaq.com/ftp/bushfire_25m...port_feb22.mp3


The Emergency Communications arm of the Red Cross, RECOM that is run by
volunteer radio amateurs began its involvement on Thursday the 29th of
January at Mirboo North, Warragul and Churchill in the Gippsland region.

That was nine days before the Black Saturday bushfire disaster which then
saw RECOM engaged at more centres including Traralgon, Warragul, Healesville,
Worri Yallock, Yarra Glen, Toolangi, Lilydale, Kinglake and four relief
centres in the municipalities of Casey and Cardinia.

RECOM plays an important role in the relief efforts of the Red Cross by
transmitting registration details of those who have lost their homes or been
displayed by disasters. It carries out that function both within Victoria and
if needed in other states and territories too.

It also transmits situation reports and Red Cross personnel deployment
information and can also assist other agencies during the response phase of
a disaster.

An interesting aspect of the job was RECOM operators being sent in convoy
under escort of the Country Fire Authority and Police to visit 'outpost'
areas where people affected by the bushfire had decided to stay rather than
attend a relief centre.

Peter VK3AUO and Bruce VK3BMK spent six days in the heart of the disaster
devastation in the Kinglake and Toolangi area which had no other
communications and no power. .

While the involvement of RECOM field units equipped with encrypted data
transmission HF radio and a number of network stations lasted two weeks,
it was not the longest deployment for the group.

The Bogong forest and parkland fire in north-east Victoria that burnt
uncontrolled for four weeks in 2003 was RECOM's, and WICEN Victoria's
longest campaigns.

(Jim Linton VK3PC)



WIA and her Internet Spam (text news only)

Each week we all receive spam mail from unwanted sources, Spam can often have
a fake email address for the sender or the sending address may be obscured,
this in order that the email looks genuine and that people will believe it
has originated from a legitimate source.

Be particularly aware or emails you may receive where the sender is asking
for you to confirm personal details such as your name, address or date of
birth. This types of spam is call phising (pronounced fishing), and what
they collect is often used in conjunction with fraudulent credit card
activity.

Of course, if we here at the WIA, ever needed to confirm personal details
of members we would do that through the usual channels, using our staff at
National office and not via email..



HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.

VK1
vk1 local news email and ask for subscription.

This will serve as a reminder notice of the Annual General Meeting which was
original sent 31st January 2009.

The annual general meeting of the members of CRARC will be held TOMORROW
Monday the 23rd of February 8.00PM at the Scout & Guide Hall Longeranong St.
Farrer ACT.

(Alan Hawes)



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

The 2009 Urunga Radio Convention will be Easter 11th and 12th April,
Saturday and Sunday, with Fox hunts and convention activities on both days,
quizzes, raffles, trade tables available, pre loved gear, etc.

Why not make it a break from your busy lifestyle and slow down a bit at quiet
restful "Urunga" "where the rivers meet the sea" the longest running
"foxhunt convention" in Australia.

The social gathering for the Saturday night dinner at the Bowling Club is
always well attended.

It is held at the Senior Citizens hall Bowra street Urunga.



VK5
www.qsl.net/vk5bar/
Name : Charles Prime

VK5XCP says the South East Radio Group Convention starts Saturday June 6th
and runs 2 days until 3pm Sunday at the Margret Street Scout Hall in
Mount Gambier. It is on Margret Street behind the Mount Gambier Police
Station. Oh and if you are looking at a map, Margret we are told is spelt
MARGRET.

SERG'S annual Convention With Fox Hunting, Home Brew contest, Ham Radio
sales both new and used and lucky door prizes. Entry to hall is $10 and
doors open at 13:00 Saturday and 9:00 Sunday.



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

Richard VK6BMW reminds us of that the Hills Amateur Radio group are holding
a swap meet on Saturday 14th of March at their club rooms on the corner of
Sanderson and Brady Roads Lesmurdie, 2pm for buyers.



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


Joe, VK7JG lets us know that VK7REC has been suffering from severe
interference for the past month and he decided to fit the repeater with
CTCSS access. It can now be accessed using the VK standard 123Hz sub tone.

Joe Commented that although this does not eliminate the problem it will stop
the repeater from being constantly keyed up.



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

Exam sessions in the North Queensland region are held come rain or shine, on
demand with WIA Assessors and assessment packs available for all 3 levels of
licensing.
Contact theTARCinc WIA Exams Regional Co-ordinator Roger/VK4CD, 0417 63 83 66
to have a mutually suitable date and WIA Assessors assigned to your
assessment.


Congratulations go out to David Olsen who has been successful in upgrading
his callsign. The ACMA has acknowledged his change of callsign from VK4FOLO
to VK4MDX and now David can't wait to expand his ham horizons on the extra
bands and modes of emission now open to him with a Standard Licence.


A new N.W.T.A.R.I.G. (in VK7) committee is working towards the introduction
of practical training days. Stay tuned in future broadcasts for future
details. This a long time active group is preparing for a practical session
involving soldering. The date for this will be announced shortly.
Coffee mornings for the club will resume shortly, the date and venue again
to be advised.


If you live in the Sydney area, and are ready to do your exams, then
HADARC can help. They are running tests for the Standard and
Advanced licences on the morning of Saturday, 7th March at Waitara,
near Hornsby in northern Sydney. Examinations and assessments for
the Foundation licence will also be available. Contact the club via
the form on their website.
Web: http://www.hadarc.org.au/education.html
(Julian Sortland, ALIATec, VK2YJS Ph: 0429 470 672)



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.

Working Party 1A of the ITU-R is preparing a report on Power Line
Telecommunications, examining the protection levels required by
various radio services.

The section of the report dealing with the Amateur Service has been updated
by the International Amateur Radio Union, and the next meeting is in
Seoul in South Korea between 24th February and 4th March, represented by
RSGB Past President Peter Chadwick, G3RZP.



Andy Kissack, GD0TEP reports on a 4-metre EME contact which, he says, could
prove to be a world record. He and ZS6WAB completed the world's first 4m
EME contact on JT65a.
With GD0TEP's moon at SIX degrees, Willem's signal was decoded and quickly
completed.

(www.gd0tep)



NEW ZEALAND HAMS TO GET 7.1 - 7.2 MHZ PRIMARY

The New Zealand telecommunications regulatory authority has announced
that nations amateur radio service will be given Primary access to
7.1 to 7.2 MHz after March 29th.

The Ministry of Economic Development says that its making the change
in accordance with the ITU's latest Radio Regulations.

The latest ones published last year state that the use of 7.1 to 7.2 MHz
for Broadcasting services will cease after March 29th 2009.



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

NEWS FROM ARNEWSLINE

IARU WELCOMES TWO NEW MEMBERS

The International Amateur Radio Union has voted to admit the Emirates
Amateur Radio Society and the Kazakhstan Federation of Radiosports and
Radioamateur to the organization. The Emirates Amateur Radio Society
was admitted by a vote of 72 in favour with 1 abstention. The Kazakhstan
Federation received a unanimous 73 votes in favour. A minimum of 57
affirmative votes was required for adoption of new members into the
IARU.



CROATIA, SPECIAL EVENT STATION

The 48th conference of the International Federation of Air Traffic
Controllers' Associations will take place in the Croatian city Cavtat,
from April 20th to the 24th. To commemorate the meeting, the special
call 9A48IFATCA is active until December 31st. QSLs to 9A4WW either
direct or via bureau.



TWO COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITES COLLIDE

Two communications satellites collided in the first-ever crash of two
such spacecraft on-orbit. The collision involved a United States Iridium
commercial satellite, which was launched in 1997, and a Russian
satellite launched in 1993. The Russian satellite was believed to be
non-functioning and out of control.

The Iridium craft weighed 1,235 pounds, and the Russian craft nearly a
ton. Scientists have yet to determine how many fragments were generated
or how large they might be. NASA said it will take weeks to determine
the full magnitude of the crash which occurred nearly 500 miles over
Siberia on Tuesday, February 10th.



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

OPERATIONAL NEWS -

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


FEB 28 - Mar 1 JOCK WHITE MEMORIAL FIELD DAY

MAR 7 - 8 ARRL Int DX PHONE CONTEST
MAR 14 - 15 JOHN MOYLE FIELD DAY
MAR 14 - 15 BERU
MAR 28 - 29 WPX SSB (Worked All Prefixes)

JUN 6 - 8 WORKED ALL VK SHIRES LONG WEEKEND CONTEST
JUN 20 - 21 MUSEUMS WEEKEND PART a
JUN 27 - 28 MUSEUMS WEEKEND PART b

AUG 15 - 16 WIA Remembrance Day Contest

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



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

GB 50 BH (Death of Buddy Holly) Until March 3

HA 130 HALLO Hungary 130 yrs of Telephone Until March 31

International Museums Weekend(s) 20 and 21 plus 27 and June 28

LY 1000 ** Millennium of Lithuania, QRV til March 1


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

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


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



DXFC Activation

The DXFC award differs from the DXCC award in that the letter F in means
that scoring is made by setting FOOT in the DXCC entity and not by having
a QSO with it. Extra points are scored by being active and completing at
least one QSO from the DXCC listed entity. It is an informal friendly
competition and scoring is based on trust and honesty
DXFC website : www.dxfc.org



ENFORCEMENT ZONE

A reward of $250,000 US has been offered by Microsoft to find who is behind
the Downadup/Conficker virus.

Since it started circulating in October 2008 the Conficker worm has managed
to infect millions of computers worldwide.

The Conficker worm is a self-replicating program that takes advantage of
networks or computers that have not kept up to date with Windows security
patches.

It can infect machines via a net connection or by hiding on USB memory
drives used to ferry data from one computer to another. Once in a computer
it digs deep, setting up defences that make it hard to extract.

In 2005 Microsoft paid out $250,000 US to two individuals who helped
identify the creator of the notorious Sasser worm. The author was arrested
and sentenced by the German authorities.



MEDIA WATCH
http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/WorldRadio.html

VK2LQZ James Cameron, Treasurer, Orana Region Amateur Radio Club was
interviewed by ABC Local Radio, the Western Plains studio as part of a
series on local clubs.

The interview avoided as much jargon as possible, take a quick listen to
part now.


http://groups.google.com/group/orarc-talk/files


http://orarc-talk.googlegroups.com/w...2009-02-16.mp3

Google's web servers tend to disconnect if the audio is streamed rather
than downloaded. Solution is to shift-click on the file in the list:

http://groups.google.com/group/orarc-talk/files



WHO KILLED THE RADIO STAR?

An end of an era of MF broadcasting in the Launceston and Tamar valley area.

Wireless station 7LA on 1098 kHz has fallen silent.

Now 7EX has also turned off its transmitters on 1008 kHz.

This means there are no MF broadcasting stations in the Launceston area.



Jeff Johnson, VK4XJJ walked across VK and WIA news was there to bring
you his journey.

Now Jeffs book is being put to-gether.

It was necessary for him to keep the technical references in the book to a
minimum so as not to bore the average reader. However, ham radio was his
major link to my brother Bill in Newcastle and his friend Roger in Ipswich,
Qld. so there are still many references to radio and other techo stuff.

Here's a link to the web page he put up recently:

http://jeffswalk.com/gulftogulfthebook.html



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


This is VK4BAT Trevor Taege in Gympie.

In another "life" I'm News Editor at Radio 4GY in Gympie and this
Thursday 4GY along with the other stations in our group known as
"the super radio network" will put to air an ARISS contact!

On Wed, 25 Feb at 07:31 UTC, 6:31 pm EAST students from The Chatham
Public School will be speaking to Commander Mike Fincke on the ISS. The

Originating venue for the contact will be the studios of Radio 2RE in Taree.

Craig VK4SSB who is employed by Radio 2RE applied to ARISS on behalf of the
Chatham School some 2 years ago for this linkup with the ISS to be held

at the 2RE studios.

It's believed that this is the first ARISS contact that's been done
from a broadcast studio.

Craig, VK4SSB has been working with Tony, VK5ZAI and has put a
lot of effort into the publicity behind this amateur radio event.

The NZ Prime Minister, the Hon. John Key has accepted Craig's invitation
to pass on greetings from the Asia/Pacific region to Mike Fincke on the ISS
and to ask the first question.

As I said the contact will be aired over the Super Radio network of 38
stations ranging from 2SM in Sydney to 4GY in Gympie and out to 2BH in
Broken Hill on Thursday 26 Feb.

(sourced to vk5zai)





WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO SCOUTING
http://www.scouts.com.au
http://www.scout.org/jota
http://www.international.scouts.com.au

CALLING FREQUENCIES
Please QSY off the calling frequency after establishing communication.

Australian voice calling frequencies:
3.650, 7.090, 14.190, 21.190, 28.590, 52.160

World CW calling frequencies:
3.570, 7.030, 14.060, 18.080, 21.140, 24.910, 28.180, 50.160

World voice calling frequencies:
3.690 & 3.940 MHz, 7.090 & 7.190, 14.290, 18.140, 21.360,
24.960, 28.390, 50.160


Calling frequencies for Slow Scan TV (SSTV):
3.630, 7.033, 14.227

Calling Frequencies for PSK31
14.070



Get Radio-Active!

Scouts Australia is conducting a National "Get Radio Active" Camp activity
next year on April 15 - 18 2009. This activity is being organized and
presented by the Victorian Scout Radio and Electronics Service Unit (SRESU).

Participants, will, after the training, and successfully sitting the
assessment, be eligible to receive a Certificate of Proficiency and will
apply for their Amateur Operator License.

The residential course will be held at Gilwell Park, in Victoria.

Scouts from about age 13 and up, including Venturers, Rovers and Leaders may
attend.

Attendance at the camp can earn Scouts their Adventure level Communications
Badge.

Venturers can use the course and the Formal Assessments to gain their
Pursuits Badges.

Rovers can extend the knowledge learnt and start an interesting pathway as
part of their BP Award Scheme or a stepping stone into an interesting career
path.

Leaders can use the skills learnt to improve their communications planning
or skills for activities.

All successful candidates in the formal assessment will be entitled to wear
the Amateur Radio Badge on their uniform.

In some States, Amateur Radio operators provide essential communications
services to Scout events.

Many scouting people and friends of scouting are enjoying the many aspects
of the hobby, including Fox Hunting and Radio contesting. Scout Stations
regularly score very well in both Australian and World Wide Amateur Radio
contests.

To find more information, visit the Website at www.sresu.asn.au

Applications Close when maximum applicant numbers are reached or at the end
of February 2009.

Get Radio-Active!



SOCIAL SCENE 2009

International Telecommunication Union's Telecom World 2009.

March 14 vk6
Hills Amateur Radio group swap meet Lesmurdie, 2pm for buyers.

March 22 vk3
EMDRC Annual White Elephant Sale, 10am-4pm.Great Ryrie School, Heathmont.

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 11-12 vk2
Urunga Radio Convention held at the Senior Citizens hall Bowra street Urunga.

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.

June 6-7
South East Radio Group Convention
Margret Street Scout Hall in Mount Gambier behind the Police Station.



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)


NJ Hall of Fame honours Marconi

Marconi, patron saint of radio fans everywhere, is being recognized by the
state where the Italian immigrant chose to build his primary laboratories,
New Jersey.

New Jersey Hall of Fame was created under the Sports and Exposition
Authority, in 2005, "to honour great people from New Jersey," according to
the Hall of Fame's executive director Don Jay Smith.

Marconi, whom Hall of Fame officials call "the father of radio
communications," shares the Enterprise category with Carl Sagan, world-famous
astronomer, scientist and author.

This year's inductees also include Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, the New
Jersey comedy team best known in radio circles for their classic
"Who's On First" baseball routine.

The induction ceremony, a red-carpet affair on May 3, will be held at the
New Jersey Performing Arts Centre in Newark.

Visit www.njhallof



THE FINAL FINAL

As we leave again this week, if any listeners have recordings of Amateur
Radio activity to do with the bush fire disaster let

know as we will be compiling our news and other important archival broadcasts
relating to the disasters in the various areas.

These will form an important research and news resource for the future and
they will in time be passed to Nick Weare of the National Film and Sound
Archive in CANBERRA.

www.nfsa.gov.au



Please think of the environment before printing this email


================================================== =======================WIANews - we've reported...YOU decide.

Societies and Club News Letter Editors can EXCHANGE a feed prior to
the actual broadcast date, e-mail

Call-backs follow the RF editions, but also for text readers you may
lodge a quick reply to let us know you read it, who knows, you might
even get a "cheerio call".


Thanks to to our dedicated band of broadcast volunteers who utilize
their time and equipment in bringing you this weekly broadcast.

The purpose of "WIANews" is to rapidly provide news of interest to
active amateurs residing in Australia and the globe.

We strongly encourage membership in the Wireless Institute of Australia
and participation in the activities of local clubs.

Opinions expressed in "WIANews" are those of the writers who submit
material and do not necessarily reflect those of the rebroadcasters,
nor the National WIA, but are broadcast in the spirit in which they were
submitted.

Material may be reproduced in whole or in part, in any form, a credit to
WIANews wouldn't go astray...

Compiled by VK4BB on behalf of the National WIA.


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


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


/ex




SB QNEWS @ WW $QNEWS090222
QNEWS - FEB 22 - VK4 ON AIR
--------------------------------------------------
DID YOU TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK?
--------------------------------------------------

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



AR MAGAZINE—VK4 QTC COLUMN
Written by Chris Comollattie VK4VKR
news for ar magazine to


As we get into this weeks news... a reminder, news for QTC must be in
by the 6th of each month! ( )


QNEWS BROADCAST FEBRUARY 22 2009


VK4 SILENT KEYS @ 2008 - 2009 QAC YEAR

VK4HEL Stan Stan Sonter November 10 (advised by vk2va via summerland)
VK4NKA John Bourke November 19 (advised by vk4kd)
VK4FFJS John Slatter February (advised by vk4aoe)



VK4 FFJS FRANCIS JOHN SLATTER.

Known to everyone as JOHN has passed away in the Kingaroy Hospital after a
short illness.

John did his Foundation Course and passed in 2006.

His passion was collecting and restoring old Kenwood Radios and Equipment.
He also enjoyed building and experimenting with antennas.

John was a regular on the local repeater and callbacks, Sunday Mornings after
this W.I.A. and QNews.

He was also a regular on 80mts early in the mornings, and often found on
40mts chatting to someone during the day.

John will be sadly missed by his family and friends.





GYMPIE
Geoff Emery vk4zpp

The newest licencee from the Gympie area is now officially "on air". Getting
his feet wet in the hobby is Geoff Pickering, now VK4FJEG. As mentioned in
QNews, previously, Geoff has been putting together his station and continuing
his studies. So welcome to the airwaves and we wish you many enjoyable
contacts, VK4FJEG.

On Wednesday evening, the committee of GCEG met at the QTH of Barry, VK4KKN
where part of the time was spent in preparing for the John Moyle Field Day.
Various members of the group have been engaged in exploring suitable
operating sites around the Gympie area with teams driving to sites and
checking features and accessibility from the ground and this has been
supplemented by Roger, VK4BNQ, operating from his helicopter.

Neil, VK4FNFR has almost finished the refurbishment of his shack with his
equipment trolley mounted for easy access and down lighting installed and
another computer up and running to supplement his operating. Barry, VK4KKN is
moving along with his shack and with the help of Bob, VK4MR is getting his
"sky hooks" set up. With these types of improvements going on by various
members, it is expected that the Gympie area is set to become much more
radio active.

During the week the newsletter from Maryborough Electronics and Radio Group
was received and it contains a reminder that MERG is currently conducting
training for licence assessments. Any one interested is requested to contact
the Learning Facilitator, Ray, VK4TPT. Contact details can be found on the
WIA Affiliated Club web page. For people south of Gympie who would find it
easier to use the facilities of the Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio Club, please
contact, Harvey, VK4AHW for information either via the SCARC or WIA web pages.

Last week's reports from Robert Broomhead and Felix Scerri highlighted the
problems that individual amateurs and their communities are living through as
a result of fire and flood. It can be hoped that all those effected are able
to recover their normal lives as time goes on. For those of us living outside
of these areas, there is both the opportunity to offer assistance and to
benefit by the experiences that these disasters provide. It is with this in
mind that GCEG looks forward to meeting as many stations as possible during
the John Moyle Field Day on the 14th and 15th of March.




REDCLIFFE
www.redclifferadioclub.org.au/

Redcliffe and District Radio Club

Hello I'm Ray VK4CF with news from Redcliffe Radio Club.

The extensive rain last weekend caused a major change of plan for the weekend
working bee. Forced to remain inside, 8 hardy club members began an
extensive clean-up of the radio storage room and the general interior of the
club house.

The concreting will be done at a later date probably after the John Moyle
weekend.

Last Monday night Roger, VK4ZLQ, provided an informed technical talk about
his recent experiences with a lightning strike at his QTH. Roger said that
after his research, the average lightning bolt travels about 1.5 km, with a
wave front between 10 - 30 MHz, and with each lightning bolt between
40,000 to 120,000 amps. With a good earth at of about 0.5 ohms, and say
100,000 amps, the voltage potential at the lightning site is about
10 million volts.

With this large voltage the skin effect now applies and Roger said that at
10 MHz, the skin effect is about 21 micrometres deep or equivalent to a
copper tube 21 micrometre thick with a diameter of 3.5 km!

Roger's advice to all is simple, unplug all equipment from mains power and
power supplies, disconnect patch leads and earth the antenna to an outside
earth and if all else fails, hope that it hits somewhere else!

If you have any money from donations from the Victorian fires, don't forget
about the flood crisis in northern Queensland.

With planning of the John Moyle weekend reaching fever pitch, if any amateur
in the Brisbane area is interested in visiting or assisting in any way, could
you please contact either the club secretary, Peter, VK4TAA or Contest
Manager, Andy (VK4KY).

Charlie VK4YZ is the coordinator for the Saturday night camp roast so if you
are attending, let him know. The cost is $10 per person.

Until next week, this is Ray VK4CF.



SUNSHINE COAST
Maleny VK4RSC 146.850 and 438.075 VK4RSN 53.7
Noosa Heads VK4RSL 146.825 and 438.175

Linked Repeaters and Tone Access

Recently our linked repeaters VK4RSC on 146.850 at Maleny and VK4RSN on

146.825 at Noosa have been suffering from noise. This has necessitated
the addition of a 91.5Hz tone on the 146.850 repeater and this may need
to be extended to the 146.825 repeater as well.



Annual General Meeting

A reminder that the Annual General Meeting of the club will be held on
Tuesday 3rd of March. All committee nominations are now closed and these
will soon be published. Additionaly the Col McCamley award for outstanding
service to the club by a club member in the previous year will be voted on.
So thinking caps on.



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

TARC Communications Support Events

Northern Co-ordinator Blue VK4FBLU is currently seeking
support from hams in the Townsville Region to participate
in the following Communications Support Events -

Sunday March 29th - Townsville City Auto Sports Club
King of the Hill Hill climb Heat One on the Mt Stuart road

and

Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th April - TERAHA
Horse Endurance Ride Weekend in the Bluewater region.

If you can help out with any of these events please contact
Blue on 4775 4184 soonest !


TARC does the 2009 John Moyle Field Day

Happening from Friday afternoon 13th to Sunday afternoon 15th March 2009 at
the Girl Guides Association of Queensland Baden Powell Campsite and
Training Centre, Toolakea Beach Road, Bluewater.

Camp under the trees or in the mobile shack/chariot at Possum Valley
Emu Parade Pioneers Reach Wallaby Park Bowers Crest or Lanos Ridge Campsites
or Sleep in the dorm at Bluewater House.

Camping will cost $7 per person per night.

A bed in the dorm will cost $12 per person per night.

Portable operation is the go so make sure you bring plenty of batteries
and whisper quiet generators if you can.









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

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