2024 FEBRUARY 18 VK NATIONAL NEWS BROADCAST ON VK1WIA ------------------------------------------------------------* THE BEST NEWS YOU'LL GET ALL WEEK THIS LINK IS A VIDEO VERSION OF NEWS COMPILED BY VK5BD BEVAN tinyurl.com/WIA-News-Videos ------------------------------------------------------------* NATIONAL NEWS FOR WEEK COMMENCING FEBRUARY 18 2024 IN OUR 29th YEAR OF NON STOP NEWS THIS WEEK:- DISCUSSION POINT with Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP. - Editor-in-Chief of Amateur Radio magazine, Roger Harrison VK2ZRH. - WIA DIRECTOR VK2TSG Steven Green (audio only). AND the new kid on the block, he's just turned Ten, obtained his Foundation Licence, whoops as of tomorrow it's called FOUNDATION QUALIFICATION.. VK2COD. PLUS MUCH MUCH MORE IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA. I'M EDITOR GRAHAM VK4BB DISCUSSION POINT Hello, Im Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and Ive been thinking. Tomorrow is the day that license fees are no longer required as the Class Licence regime comes into force. There is still some confusion about how certain matters will be dealt with under this new framework but it seems that the ACMA has been quite assiduous in following up on detail. It remains to be seen if we will end up with the regulations spelled out in plain language for everyone to understand, not just public servants. Im Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, that's what I think, how about you. AR MAGAZINE This is Editor-in-Chief of Amateur Radio magazine, Roger Harrison VK2ZRH. Once again, I have to speak to you . . . . seriously. Last Wednesday, with my heart in my mouth, I was preparing to tell you all the sad news that Amateur Radio magazine as we all know and love it with all its charms and occasional flaws had come to an end; that the issue you have just received, or bought, was to be . . the last. In my piece two weeks ago, I mentioned that there was a hiccup, an unforeseen circumstance, holding up Issue 1. And that, after some particular efforts were exerted, the issue rolled off the press and the hiccup was averted. However, hardly a week had passed and the remains or the echo of that old hiccup threatened to derail the continued publishing of Amateur Radio magazine. The hiccup, came from a surprising quarter. Nevertheless, a cure for the hiccup was applied, thanks to the stalwart efforts of the Publications Committee, and disruption was once again averted. Take a big breath. Thank goodness there will be no repeat this year of the debacle of 2020 that you will recall, when Issue 2 was not published until August a five-month delay. And, with the grateful cooperation of our printer, members then got each issue month-by-month until all six were completed. Incidentally, this saved the Institute from getting into trouble with the consumer protection laws. So. The good ship Amateur Radio magazine sails on with all its charms and occasional flaws nobodys perfect. Look in the mirror. Amateur Radio magazine, Volume 92, 2024. More guts. Less gab. Proudly produced and printed in Australia. Im Roger Harrison VK2ZRH for VK1WIA News. WIA JOIN THE WIA tinyurl.com/yyj87b9y WIA DIRECTOR VK2TSG STEVEN GREEN (Apologies from the Editor but the Directors report was only supplied as audio.. ) ------------------------------------------------------------* INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to IARU, RSGB, RAC, ARRL, NZART, eHam, AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE, eHam, ICQPodcast, Radioworld.com Hackaday and the World Wide sources of the WIA. Good news first, since January the 4th the broadcasting station KTWR from Guam, 9900 and 9910 kHz, ceased sending secondary transmissions on the 30 m band 10124 and 10134 kHz. The German Society, DARC IARUMS national coordinator Daniel, DL3RTL, had involved the German Federal Network Agency, BNetzA for the purpose of issuing an international complaint. Now the bad news, transmissions of the Australian Jindalee Operational Radar Network were often received on the 30 m band particularly in Europe. 2 Arrested after Theft of Copper from Destroyed Radio Tower. Two people have been arrested in Texas in connection with the theft of copper from a radio tower in Oklahoma last month. The Choctaw County Sheriff said that the two were identified by scrap yard employees in Texas, where one day after the 15th January incident, they tried to sell copper wiring from the coax line. Authorities said that Payne Media Group, the broadcast station's owner, was contacted and confirmed that the copper had come from the tower for KITX, a 50,000-watt station serving southeast Oklahoma and northeast Texas. The station has been live streaming and operating with limited broadcast range following the destruction of the tower. Its guy wires had been cut and its backup generator also was destroyed. In the Caribbean, Australian-made goods are synonymous with quality. For emergency management teams tasked with saving lives and property, quality is key and thats why theyre choosing Barrett Communications. The island nations of St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tobago, as well as the region wide Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency have all turned to Barrett Communications HF radios and equipment. CDEMA, based in Barbados is made up of 19 participating states. In 2021, CDEMA purchased HF radio equipment and accessories, as well as the supply of an HF base station transceiver and supporting accessories from Barrett Communications. Beyond radios, the Caribbean has turned to Australian-made goods for other emergency response systems. Australian shipbuilder Austal has for more than a decade delivered a total of 13 ferries and coast guard patrol vessels to Trinidad and Tobago. Potential for Canada to Ban SDR Devices Over concerns of devices such as the Flipper Zero that can record and replay wireless signals used for remote keyless entry in cars, Public Safety Canada is proposing a ban of such devices which could include software defined radios (SDR). Pursuing all avenues to ban devices used to steal vehicles by copying the wireless signals for remote keyless entry, such as the Flipper Zero, which would allow for the removal of those devices from the Canadian marketplace through collaboration with law enforcement agencies. Flipper Zero has requested evidence that their devices have been used in criminal activity, suggesting there currently is none. 100 NEW DAB+ TRANSMITTERS ACROSS FRANCE Throughout 2023, network operator TDF worked to deploy 100 new DAB+ transmitters at 70 sites across mainland France. Through this effort, more than 55% of French citizens have access to DAB+ digital radio signals and more than 550 radio stations broadcast using the technology in the country. TDF is now currently focused on the second phase of deploying the M1 and M2 national multiplexes, which carry 13 services. Since October, TDF has brought online 44 DAB+ transmitters, this second phase, which brings DAB+ reception to new motorways across the county, is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2024. Qualifying CubeSats from developing nations will be able to get a free ride into space soon under an agreement signed last month between the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and Exolaunch. The Berlin-based company known as Exolaunch agreement is part of the Access to Space for All programme that opens the door to space for countries that might not otherwise have such access and presents opportunities for the next generation in developing countries to put their STEM education to work with an eye toward pursuing a space related career. -------------------------------------------------------------------* HAM RADIO OPERATIONAL NEWS - IT'S A CONTACT SPORT -------------- -------------- NOW CONTEST WISE:- 2024 -------------- -------------- ON NOW - the ARRL DX CW Contest Feb 17-18. Use only the 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meter bands. ------------- NEW ZEALANDS Jock White Memorial Field Day WILL BE NEXT WEEKEND 24/25 Feb. ------------ ARRL DX Phone Contest March 2-3 Use only the 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meter bands. ---------------------------------------------------- IARU HF World Championship July 13-14. ---------------------------------------------------- Trans-Tasman Low Band Contest July 21st This contest is another official WIA Contest and will count towards the Peter Brown Contest Champion Awards. ------------------- AUGUST 17 - 18 Remembrance Day Contest. This contest commemorates the Australian Amateurs who died during World War II and is designed to encourage friendly participation and help improve the operating skills of participants. ----------------------------- 44th A.L.A.R.A. CONTEST AND this ALARA contest is ALWAYS held on the last FULL weekend of August. ELIGIBILITY? All licensed operators throughout the world are invited to participate. Scout and Girl Guide groups are encouraged to take part using their Club's equipment and callsign. YLs work everyone; OMs work YLs only. CONTEST: Combined phone and CW run over 24 hours: STARTS: Saturday 25th August 2024 at 0600 hours UTC ENDS: Sunday 26th August 2024 at 0559 hours UTC SUGGESTED FREQUENCIES: All HF Bands except 160m & WARC Bands. Contacts made on ECHOLINK will also be accepted. (alara web page) -------------------------------------------------------------------- DX WINDOW TO THE WORLD. Need a bit of help in the DX world? ARNSW Members are invited to the first in a series of HF antenna presentations on Sunday the 25th of February 2024 at VK2WI Dural. This event, at 10am, will feature presentations of interest for all levels of expertise. Its a chance to; - Gain insights into portable operation techniques - Learn strategies to improve your home station setup - Engage with practical demonstrations led by experienced operators - Connects with specialists ready to provide assistance and advice. Reserve your spot now by emailing events@arnsw.org.au (vk2wi news) -------------- MADAGASCAR. Eric, F6ICX is QRV as 5R8IC from Sainte-Marie Island until March 31. Activity is on 40 to 10 meters using mainly CW. QSL to home call which again is F 6 ICX (arrl) -------------- SAMOA. Operators YT1AD, YU3AA, UA9OLY, and RC9O will be QRV as 5W8A, 5W0AA, 5W0LY, and 5W0RC, respectively, until Monday 19th February 10 to 19. Activity on the HF bands. QSL to home calls . (arrl) -------------- TONGA. Bob, W7YAQ and Al, K7AR are QRV as A 31 DK and A 31 DL, respectively, from Nuku'alofa until February 27. Activity will be on the HF bands. QSL via LoTW. (arrl) -------------- EASTER ISLAND. On the wireless is CB 0 ZA from Robinson Crusoe Island until February 24 on 160 to 6 meters, including 60 meters, using CW, SSB, RTTY, and FT8 in DXpedition mode. QSL via N 2 OO. (arrl) -------------- SPAIN AO 100 RADIO is on air all February in celebration of World Radio Day which was last Tuesday, February 13 and the 100th anniversary of the start of regular radio broadcasting in Spain. QRZ.com for details. (NewsLine) ------------------------------------------------------------* WORLD WIDE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP NEWS SUMMITS ON THE AIR, WORLD WIDE FLORA, FAUNA PROGRAM, PARKS ON THE AIR and other ADVENTURE GROUPS. hema.org.uk/index.jsp minesontheair.com/about-mota parksontheair.com/ sota.org.uk sotawatch.sota.org.uk/en/ facebook.com/SotaAustralia/ wwffaustralia.com/ https://bunkersontheair.wixsite.com/october23 EAST MEETS WEST - or does it? New SOTA Group is Growing for WEST Malaysian Hams. Barely 6 weeks old, the West Malaysia SOTA Association is growing its membership and encouraging hams to join if they are interested in chasing or activating mountain summits as a portable operation. This West Malaysia SOTA Association, launched on the 1st of January does NOT include the two Malaysian states that belong to the EAST Malaysia SOTA Association. The association's manager, Piju, 9M2PJU, is the Malaysian coordinator for communication with other SOTA organizations and his role is to ensure Malaysian SOTA ops follow all relevant regulations and standards. Piju said that the West Malaysia region has 373 summits. Bonuses will be given to hams who activate during the monsoon season or during other harsh-weather conditions. (sourced to ICQPODCAST) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - FINAL FRONTIER AMSAT-VK Secretary - secretary@amsat-vk.org Virgin Galactic has temporarily halted its operations after a small part, an alignment pin, unintentionally detached from the mothership of its rocket-powered space plane during the Galactic 06 space tourism flight on January 26. The company assured that the part's loss did not compromise the mission's safety. The alignment pin is, however, crucial for pre - flight procedures, ensuring the spaceship aligns with the mothership. The Federal Aviation Administration will conduct a mishap investigation, requiring Virgin Galactic's final report and corrective actions approval before resuming flights. {ans} Mars Ingenuity Helicopter Flies Into History Books Ingenuity has ended its mission after 72 flights on Mars in three years - way beyond its original goal of five flights in 30 days. After its successful marathon mission to demonstrate powered, controlled flight on another planet, Ingenuity sustained rotor damage but the helicopter leaves us with an impressive list of accomplishments and a strong legacy. (nasa) Ongoing efforts persist in the bid to resolve the critical computer glitch affecting NASA's Voyager 1, the most distant human-made object in space, which has disrupted telemetry data transmission since 14th of November 14. The glitch, impacting the Flight Data Subsystem, has prevented access to vital information regarding the spacecraft's propulsion, power and control systems. Suzanne Dodd, the Voyager project manager, acknowledges the severity of the situation, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the issue due to Voyager 1's age and declining nuclear battery power. NASA remains resolute in its commitment to resolving the issue and ensuring the continued success of the historic Voyager 1 mission. (ANS) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - IOTA AF-016 Reunion Thierry, FY4JI is active on various bands as FR 4 AV from Reunion Island (AF-016) until March 11. QSL via EA 5 GL (sarl) AF-057 Borut, S53BV is active from Nosy Be island as 5 R 8B V during February 17 to March 3 on 80 & 40m; CW/SSB. He has a full size vertical on the beach, but it will be holiday-style activity. QSL via Home call S53BV, Club Log is updated daily. (dx-world) NA-056 Isla de la Juventud will see a nine-man Cuban team, known as the Pirates DX Groupe active from Isla de la Juventud, NA-056 as T 44 DX March 21-25 on HF and VHF bands using various modes. Safest QSL route would be Log Book Of The World or maybe a Russian QSL Manager, RW 6 HS. (dx-world) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO AMATEUR YOUNG TIMERS - YOTA (Youngsters On The Air) facebook.com/yotaregion2 facebook.com/groups/YOTAOC/ youtube.com/channel/UClAapljf0VQ751sOgu2IzaA twitter.com/hamyota ham-yota.com My name is Alan and I am Alec VK2MV's younger brother. I have just earned my foundation license when I was 9 years old and I have just turned ten. The day after my tenth birthday I received my call sign, VK2COD. It is good to be an amateur radio operator now. I saw my brother VK2MV and my Dad, VK2LP, operating a station and that gave me the will to get my own licence. I have been studying for about a year and now I finally have it. As a YOTA, I plan on operating parks with my dad and doing radio stuff at scout camps with my brother. I am a cub scout and it is good to have a radio badge on my uniform now. Hopefully I will make contact with you soon. For WIA National News, I am Alan VK2COD in Sydney. WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO SCOUTING Jota always 3rd weekend in October so scrawl it on the wall NOW. Sacramento Girl Scouts Build a Ham Radio to Talk to Astronauts: A team of Girl Scouts have tested out their ham radio equipment in East Sacramento, this they built in partnership with the River City Amateur Radio Communications Society, to talk with astronauts on the International Space Station. The group was one of 11 educational institutions selected in the USA for The National Aeronautics and Space Administration STEM program. (eHam) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- VIDEO. A REMINER TO VIEW THE NEWS ON ATV OR YOUTUBE tinyurl.com/WIA-News-Videos THAT LINK IS A VIDEO VERSION OF THIS NEWS COMPILED BY VK5BD BEVAN ------------------------------------------------------------* 2024 IT'S A DATE Clubs are welcome to email text with audio for this section Details of all WIA affiliated clubs and societies can be found on the WIA website, including email addresses and website links. VK2 - HF Antenna Day by ARNSW February 25 at Dural. (vk2wi) VK4 - Gladstone Amateur Radio Club BBQ 9th March (vk4xmc) VK4 - Redcliffe and Districts REDFEST April 6 (vk4tfn) VK - WIA AGM MAY 4 5 - BUNDABERG. (vk2tsg) VK - National Volunteer Week Monday 20 Sunday 26 May 2024. National Volunteer Week (NVW) is Australias largest annual celebration of volunteers and their important contribution to our communities. VK5 - Amateur Radio Experiments Group Radio & Electronics Sale Saturday 26th October 10AM David Roche Park Kilburn (vk5qi) VK3 - SPARC Rosebud RadioFest November 17 at Eastbourne Primary School, Allambi Ave. Rosebud. (vk3pdg) Reception Reports WIA News rebroadcasters often give Short Wave Listeners a welcome to the broadcast as they commence call-backs straight after the Local News. Local news follows National news in all states. It would be great if those SWL's would email their reception reports and location to callbacks@wia.org.au Submitting news items If you would like to submit news items for possible inclusion in the VK1WIA broadcasts, please email your item in text to nationalnews@wia.org.au and don't JUST send url's links or posters, but take the time to pen YOUR contribution. To submit audio, email nationalnews@wia.org.au and send BOTH the audio and the text We would appreciate items certainly no longer than 1.5 mts in length as we only have a half hour. Remember the sooner you submit material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition of WIA National News. Each recorded item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh' and always if the news room is to read your item --- write it in the 3rd person. (First if YOU are reading your own item). If you are mentioning your own name / call in the story, say something like "and myself, Pat, vk11abc" Promote your local rebroadcast; details on wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ A reminder when supplying HamFest info we obviously can't plug DEALS from commercial traders "on air", but we at the WIA will put your supporters 'goods' in this text edition "no worries." We will not give blatant 'plugs' to raffles, be it raffles at the event or "on-line". ------------------------------------------------------------* Oh... and to contact us with your news because If It Matters To You It Matters To Us! Click the links below to download the most recent edition of National News, BUT this is ONLY the backup site! WIANEWS backup thanks to Brendan VK4BLP can be found on wiaq.org.au BACKUPS OF THE BACKUP!! thanks to Tony VK7AX www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ wia.org.au/members/broadcast/wianews/ (This is the link to the original text version and original audio on wia site) ------------------------------------------------------------* WIANews - we've reported...YOU decide. TWITTER twitter.com/VK1WIA Societies and Club News Letter Editors can EXCHANGE a feed prior to the actual broadcast date, e-mail nationalnews@wia.org.au 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 our dedicated band of broadcast volunteers who utilize their time and equipment in bringing you this weekly broadcast. Who and where are they? wia.org.au/members/broadcast/where/ Promote your local rebroadcast; details on wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ The purpose of "WIANews" is to rapidly provide news of interest to WIA affiliated clubs and 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 IF broadcast, are done so in the spirit in which they were submitted." If you would like to see the call-backs reported each broadcast, OR have call-backs to contribute to the National News call back tally then please send through your call-backs to callbacks@wia.org.au How do I join this National News List? (subscribe for an automatic weekly feed.) Email to vk1wia-news-join@lists.wia.org.au from the email account that you wish the emails to go to. How do I leave this National News List? (unsubscribe your weekly feed) Open mail program which sends mail from the address you want to unsubscribe from. Send unsubscribe to the list unsubscribe address vk1wia-news-leave@lists.wia.org.au You will be sent a confirmation mail and must follow the instructions given in that mail to complete the unsubscription. Once your unsubscription has been processed, you will probably receive a message confirming your unsubscription from the list and at that point you should stop receiving messages. ------------------------------------------------------------*