2024 AUGUST 11 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 AUGUT 11 2024 IN OUR 29th YEAR OF NON STOP NEWS THIS WEEK:- WIA Director Lee Moyle VK3GK PLUS MUCH MUCH MORE IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA. I'M EDITOR GRAHAM VK4BB WIA JOIN THE WIA tinyurl.com/yyj87b9y This is WIA Director Lee Moyle VK3GK Tokyo Hamfair is nearly upon us in two weeks and the WIA will be well represented. Travelling in our VK group is about 10 VK hams. IARU region 3 Director Oscar Reyes VK3TX and ex WIA director Chris Platt VK5CP are joining with several North East Radio Group members. WIA directors Chris VK3FY and Myself VK3GK are planning to meet with a number of the attending IARU representatives including JARL, RAST, MARTS, PARA and other Region 3 Societies. Discussion topics will include the harmonization of the 40m band plan, youth in amateur radio and dealing with intruders in our amateur bands. The IARU plays an important role within amateur radio strategizing and representing our needs for keeping the amateur radio bands allocated to us as Commercial interests continue to encroach on our allocations especially in the VHF and UHF segments. Peter Young VK3MV has accepted to represent the WIA and its members at the IARU Region 3 conference in Thailand in early November 2024. We are very lucky to have such a knowledgeable and dedicated person at our disposal to attend. Peter was the IARU Region 3 Director for many years. The WIA allocates funding for IARU representation as it is very important for the future of amateur radio to have a voice at these meetings. While on the topic of IARU and 40m band plans, dont forget that the WIA is seeking feedback from all amateurs on a number of issues relating to the band to then use as input to the IARU Region 3 conference in November 2024. The main problems affecting the basic 40m band plan alignment can be summarised as: 1) inconsistent IARU member society band plans. 2) specific national regulatory conditions/constraints (e.g. the FCC in the USA) 3) legacy band plan allocations that havent been revised following the band expansion granted at WRC2003 (prior to which the 40m band was only 100 kHz wide) 4) The wider use and uptake of data modes such as FT8 and FT4 also has also called into question whether sufficient band space has been defined to support this level of data mode activity on the 40m band. The consultation paper is now available below and members and general amateur radio operators are both invited to respond via the tac@wia.org.au email address no later than the 6th of September with your feedback. The paper is available to read on the WIA website via a link provided in the text version: IARU Region 3 - HF 40m Band Plan Challenges & Proposals 2024_3.1.pdf Thats all for this week, for now, 73 From Lee VK3GK AUSTRALIANA Defence is set to run a feasibility trial of four containerised computer rooms that could make life easier for IT teams that support joint land force operations. itnews.com.au say "currently, the equipment is rack-mounted in ruggedized transportable transit cases. These transit cases must be packed, unloaded, the hardware assembled, then wired and configured in the deployed environment (typically inside tents) which involves lengthy set up and pack up times, constraining the ADFs ability to quickly establish and reconstitute as needed to meet the required operational tempo. Hosting the systems in small shipping containers would reduce setup times and better protect IT equipment in a range of operating conditions. The feasibility trial forms part of works associated with the Commonwealth Land Command, Control, Communications and Computing (LC4) program. The program is intended to modernise and enhance LC4 systems in order to deliver decision-making superiority and improve the command and control, intelligence, sensors, and weapon system effectors, essential for the conduct of joint land force operations, Australian Defence said. ------------------------------------------------------------* INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to ARRL, DX-WORLD, eHam, Hackaday, IARU, ICQPodcast, IRTS, NEWSLINE, NZART, RAC, Radioworld.com, RSGB, SARL and the World Wide sources of the WIA. CANADA There have been several recent reports from RAC members of phishing attempts by someone purporting to be from Radio Amateurs of Canada or who is forwarding a message on their behalf. Phishing attacks come from scammers disguised as trustworthy sources and can facilitate access to all types of sensitive data. As technologies evolve, so do cyberattacks. Microsoft Phishing attempts use publicly available information to fake legitimacy. In some cases they use the names and contact information of RAC officials to gain your trust. For example, a recent phishing attempt used the fake heading Minutes and Announcements 8/2/2024 and states: Youve received an secure message from Phil A McBride from Radio Amateurs of Canada. It then instructs recipients to save and open an attachment and then sign in using their own email address. IN THESE CASES Please do not follow the instructions! IRELAND ComReg Radio Spectrum Management Operating Plan Consultation. ComReg has announced an open consultation regarding a Radio Spectrum Management Operating Plan for 2025 to 2028. Amateur radio is a part of this consultation. They note several areas of focus affecting the 2,216 radio amateurs currently licensed by them. They welcome responses from all stakeholders and will review and consider all responses received. Once this process is complete, ComReg will issue a final decision. They have set a deadline of 5 p.m. on the 30th of August 2024 for submissions. Further information including the consultation document itself may be found via the news section of ComReg's website which is available at comreg.ie BOUVET Possible return to Bouvet Island in January 2026 Plans are afoot for another DX-pedition to Bouvet Island at the end of next year or early 2026. The 3 Y 0 K team will consist of up to 20 or more operators with extensive experience in DX-pedition and contesting. The current plan for their 1.6-million-dollar budget adventure is to stay for three weeks around Bouvet Island using a large vessel and helicopter to get to the island itself. NEW YORK USA Pay up, Johnny Peralta. Thats the message from the Federal Communications Commission, which has confirmed a penalty of more than $2.3 million against Peralta for allegedly operating a pirate station on 105.7 MHz in the Bronx in New York City. The word flagrant does not appear in the text of the forfeiture order, but perhaps it should have. Peralta has engaged in the longstanding illicit operation of an unauthorized radio station, known as La Mia Radio, the FCC wrote in its forfeiture order. Some of the most egregious pirate radio operations are run by individuals who have ignored prior enforcement actions by the commission. This is one such case. As such, it merits the strongest possible enforcement measures to the fullest extent of the law. The FCC said then that the station has continually identified itself on the air as La Mia Radio since at least 2018. It said its enforcement activity over several years included multiple field strength readings, photos of antenna equipment and a notice of unauthorized operation left at the site. The antenna appears to have moved between a couple of locations. NW ZEALAD While some international broadcasters are switching off their shortwave transmitters, Radio New Zealand Pacific is investing in the medium. On August 1, the broadcaster put online a brand-new 100 kW shortwave transmitter. The new transmitter replaces a 33-year-old RNZ Pacific Transmitter 1 installed in 1989 near Taup in central North Island. Part of a NZ$4.4 million project to improve RNZ Pacifics capabilities, the new transmitter supports both DRM digital and analogue operation. The switch-on was observed by NZ's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and dignitaries from Kiribati, the Cook Islands, Samoa, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands from RNZ House in Wellington, while another RNZ delegation was at the Rangitaiki transmitter site. It [shortwave] was very important back then [when the then New Zealand Broadcasting Service launched in 1948], but its still seriously important now, said the Minister. Shortwave is the most certain system there is to make sure that in a crisis, tsunami or cyclone, we can get through to them. ------------------------------------------------------------------- OPERATIONAL NEWS - A FELIX VK4FUQ PRESENTATION -------------- -------------- NOW CONTEST WISE:- 2024 -------------- -------------- This weekend you can participate in the second leg of the SARL Youth QSO Party to celebrate International Youth Day on 12 August. This South African QSO Party is CW and PHONE on 40 metres The exchange is a RS or RST report and the operators age. A little later we'll have more youth orientated news when Alec joins us with his YOTA segment. ----------------- AUGUST 17 - 18 Remembrance Day Contest. Amateurs will endeavour to contact amateurs in VK call areas, ZL and P29 on all bands except WARC bands. Modes allowed are PHONE, CW and RTTY as per the era remembered Again the 2024 contest is 17th & 18th August. ----------------------------- 44th A.L.A.R.A. CONTEST AND this ALARA contest is ALWAYS held on the last FULL weekend of August. YLs work everyone; OMs work YLs only. 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) ------------- Oceania DX Contest This years contest will be held on October 5th and 12th ------------------- YOTA CONTEST Youth on the air test 3 of 3 will be from 10:00 to 21:59 UTC on 29 December on the five classic bands CW and SSB. (yota) -------------------------------------------------------------------- DX WINDOW TO THE WORLD. ---------- NEW ZEALAND NZART has a special event call sign for the upcoming America's Cup to be held in Spain later this year. ZL 6 AMCUP has been allocated to celebrate this event with Phil Garside ZL2RO as the trustee of the callsign. November 30 is when ZLCAMCUP goes off air. (NZART) -------------- Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Radio Belgrade, the Belgrade Amateur Radio Club is active as YT 100 RB and YU 1924 RB until November 30. For details of a certificate that is available, see yu1ano.org (rsgb) -------------- OL 80 C.A.R.B.O.N. is active until the 30th of November to mark the 80th anniversary of Operation Carbon during World War Two. This operation involved the dropping of paratroopers in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. The Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia was a partially-annexed territory of Nazi Germany that was established in 1939 after the German occupation of the Czech lands A team of operators is active using call OL 80 CARBON on CW, SSB and digital modes on the HF bands. More information is available on QRZ.com -------- In the World of DX, be listening for members of the Zurich City Police Radio Amateur Club throughout the year, operating as HB 2 SP the club is marking its 20th anniversary. Unfortunately no Bureau QSL's but you can use Logbook Of The World, and HB20SP runs until December 31. (sourced to ARNewsLine 2410) -------------- Listen throughout the year for the special callsign 9 A 1 RKZ marking the 100th anniversary of the Radioklub Zagreb which was founded the 24th of March 1924 in Croatia QSL via 9A1ADE. (ARNewsLine 2410) ---------------------------- Y Listen for TM 24 JOL until 11th of August, and also TM 24 JPO between the 28th of August and the 8th of September. TM24JOL will be for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, followed by the call for the Paralympic Games, TM24JPO QSL these 2 stations by the operators home station F 8 GGZ (dx net) ----------- Y DOGDAY AFTERNOON The global efforts of amateur radio operators are calling attention to the urgent needs of abandoned, abused, neglected and homeless dogs by operating special event stations in Europe and the US to mark International Dog Day. This year will be the largest such activation among hams as Hanz, YL3JD, who originated the special event, will be on the air as YL1DOG for all of August and September. Chris G5VZ and David G4YVM will be on the air as GB0DOG and GB4DOG, respectively. Listen for Chris on air now until the 26th of August and for David till the 27th of August. In the US, a team coordinated by Caryn KD2GUT, will be calling QRZ with the special event callsign K2D from the 21st to the 26th of August. International Dog Day is August 26th. The hams are hoping to spotlight the need for rescue, assistance, adoption and donation around the world. Visit the website dogdayradio.org As I said, National Dog Day is celebrated on August 26 each year BUT other 'dog' days include National Walking the Dog Day on Feb 22, National Hug Your Hound Day on September 11, and National Puppy Day March 23 oh meanwhile, Cat Day will begin with special event operations on August 8th listen for YL1CAT, GB4CAT and GB9CAT. (daily ham weekly - days of the year) ---------- Y Special callsign HF 25 NATO is active until the 31st of August, marking the 25th anniversary of Poland joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Certificates and limited-edition QSL cards are available. Visit QRZ.com for details. (ARNewsLine 2428) -------------- -------------- Y NEW ZEALAND - Wireless and Wool ZM 100 DX Celebrating Historic 100 Year Trans World Radio Contact This contact was by Morse and was the first ever, trans-world two-way radio communication of any type. It was from Shag Valley Station, Otago and the contact was with Cecil Goyder G2SZ at Mill Hill School, London. ZM100DX as well as ZL4AA will be on air on site in Shag Valley Sheep Station. The main planned contact is between Shag Valley sheep Station and Mill Hill School 18th October and other celebration events are planned for the following day or two. NZART Branch 30 sincerely invites all amateurs to take part in this celebration and join in marking the 100th year since the original qso. zl4aa.org.nz/zl4aa/history/z4aa-transworld-contact (sourced to NZART Infoline) ------------------------------------------------------------* 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 No no mountain tops, no trekking through parks or beaches this week, instead we are taking it easy. MOTORHOMEING An Amateur Radio Facebook group for those of us who like getting out and about in our Motorhomes, Campervans and caravans. Seeing the world whilst enjoying our radio hobby. All radio enthusiasts from anywhere in the world are welcome to join this FaceBook group set up initially in Great Britain. facebook.com/groups/3560414757562226/?ref=share_group_link (arnewsline) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ASTRONOMY (and Wireless Weather) SUNSPOT COUNTS HIT A 23-YEAR HIGH: The sun is partying like it's 2001. That's the last time sunspot counts were as high as they are now. The monthly average sunspot number for July 2024 was 196.5, according to the Royal Observatory of Belgium's Solar Influences Data Analysis Centre. This eclipses every month since Dec. 2001: Solar Cycle 25 wasn't expected to be this strong. When it began in Dec. 2019, experts predicted it would be a weak cycle like its immediate predecessor Solar Cycle 24. If that forecast had panned out, Solar Cycle 25 would be one of the weakest solar cycles in a century. Instead, Solar Cycle 25 has shot past Solar Cycle 24 and may be on track to rival some of the stronger cycles of the 20th century. Already in May 2024 we have experienced a century-class geomagnetic storm with auroras sighted here in Australia, the South Pacific, central America and south Africa. The last time sunspot numbers were this high, the sun was on the verge of launching the Great Halloween Storms of 2003, which included the strongest X-ray solar flare ever recorded (X45) and a CME so powerful it was ultimately detected by the Voyager spacecraft at the edge of the solar system. Is this Solar Max? The jury is still out (eHam) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - MARITIME INCLUDING ILLW NEWS - ILLW 17th August 2024 to 18th August 2024 EI 2 WRC will activate Hook Lighthouse ILLW reference IE 0003 on Saturday and Sunday the 17th and 18th of August for the 27th International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend. The present structure at Hook is about 800 years old and is the oldest intact operational lighthouse in the world. This makes it the most sought-after lighthouse for this great event! (irts) 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 Elmer Special Event Honours Mentors I came across this notification from Rich, KB1FGC, the other day and I think it's well worth sharing so, I'll read his email.> "Hello, KB1FGC here and I am hosting my 3rd Elmer special event on October 18 to October 20. This year we have 3 calls signs, W1E, W3E and W4E. It is in honour of many hams who have mentored new hams over the years. We have about 12 operators this year. This Elmer event started 3 years ago when I found out that a single operator could host their own special event. I realized that I had never seen an event held for honouring all the amateurs who helped out new hams entering the hobby. So the idea was born and the first one was 2022. This year, 2024, I have 3 webpages on QRZ.com that tell about the event. The calls signs are: W1E/Elmer W3E/Elmer W4E/Elmer " Great work Rich and of course great work all those who have helped we "newbies" join the wonderful World of Ham Radio. (ard) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RESCUE RADIO INDIA In the aftermath of the devastating landslides that struck Wayanad, ham radio enthusiasts have stepped up establishing a vital communication network that has been crucial for rescue efforts and saving lives. The amateur radio system, set up by volunteer operators at the District Collector's office in Kalpetta, has been providing essential information to both affected communities and authorities. This system has proven indispensable as mobile phone services were available only to s select few. District Collector D R Meghashree reached out to the ham radio operators, and they have been instrumental in keeping the lines of communication open. tinyurl.com/nhkwxbvm MALAYSIA Hams took part in a mass disaster communication simulation exercise to transmit messages across 30 hills and mountain peaks in their Nation recently. The event was organised by the Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters Society (MARTS) that was set up in 1952. Its president Mohd Aris Bernawi, said the exercise was to establish the locations where two-way radio communication can be carried in the event landlines, Internet and mobile phone communication had to be shut down due to large-scale disasters. The floods in Pahang and Selangor in 2014 and 2021, respectively, rendered landlines and other digital networks unusable due to the need to shut off electricity. The Malaysian Newspaper THE STAR in reporting on this said Radio communication can also be useful when there are large-scale forest fires where electricity and communication cable lines are located. Among peaks chosen for the exercise was at the National Planetarium in Kuala Lumpur, using the call sign 9 M 2 RPN. Marts member Hamdan Abu, who coordinated the locations, chose the planetarium because it was located more than 150m above sea level. (eHam) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- VHF AND ABOVE. Monday the 5th of August 2024, Andrew VK3CV and Noel VK3NH completed a QSO on the 241GHz (1mm) band. This is the highest frequency allocated Amateur band here in VK. The QSO was completed over a path of 10.8 km from the Skyhigh restaurant on Mount Dandenong to an elevated location in Ringwood with both stations operating portable. Signal reports were 5x5 from VK3NH and 4x8 from VK3CV, Some QSB was evident but it was quite slow and not deep. Atmospheric conditions were definitely not ideal with the barometer reading 1022 and a temperature of 13.4 degrees at Ringwood and 10 degrees at Mount Dandenong, the relative humidity was 72%. These figures are very detrimental to long range communication at 241 GHz due to added atmospheric losses of, in this case, around 30dB. Note that this atmospheric loss is in addition to the normal free space path loss. The home brew equipment used is based on a single integrated RF millimetre wave chip, the TRA_240_091. The chip is made by Indie semiconductor (Formerly Silicon Radar) from Germany. The chips are designed for use in materials inspection and automotive collision avoidance and cabin passenger detection. The chips have been re-purposed for use as an FM or CW transmitter and as a down converter to a two meter I.F. (144.100 MHz). The TRA_240_091 covers the entire Amateur primary and secondary allocations in this band from 241 to 250 GHz. TX power is around 1 milliwatt and the RX noise floor is around -120dBm in a 3KHz bandwidth. The equipment design is similar to that used previously on the 122GHz and 134GHz Amateur bands. Further work needs to be done with the antenna system which consists currently of discarded satellite TV dishes which are meant for use at up to 15GHz, so using the dishes at 241GHz results in very poor efficiency due to dish shape inaccuracies. More results will be reported once they occur. Some of the activities are shown on the VK3CV YouTube channel : youtu.be/BsZi0sKwFNM (Andrew Anderson VK3CV) ------------------------------------------------------------* 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. ---------------------------- VK3 - Bendigo AR & Electronics Club RadioFest August 18 (vk3gtv) VK4 - Redcliffe Club Car Boot Sale Saturday 24 August at the club house, MacFarlane Park, Kippa Ring. (vk4tn) VK4 - SUNFEST Saturday September 14 at Coolum Civic Centre. (vk4vp) VK6 - PerthTech 2024 Sept 21 for 2 days at Gidgegannup (vk6pop) VK4 - GOLD COAST HAMFEST OCTOBER 13 at Nerang Country Paradise Parklands 231 Beaudesert-Nerang Road Nerang. (vk4DMH) VK5 - Amateur Radio Experiments Group Radio & Electronics Sale Saturday 26th October 10AM David Roche Park Kilburn (vk5qi) VK7 - Tasmanian Ham Conference November 2 and 3 Hobart. (vk7news) Held at the Sandy Bay Campus of UTAS. VK3 - SPARC Rosebud RadioFest November 17 at Eastbourne Primary School, Allambi Ave. Rosebud. (vk3pdg) final final 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. ------------------------------------------------------------*