• [Vk1wia-news] WIA News, Text Edition

    From National News Broadcast Email List@21:1/5 to All on Fri Oct 8 03:09:56 2021
    XPost: aus.radio.amateur.misc, rec.radio.info

    Weekly news from the WIA:
    MP3 edition of news available at: http://www.wia-files.com/podcast/wianews-2021-10-10.mp3 Text edition:

    Implementation of 2x1 contest callsigns

    ACMA recently conducted a survey seeking the views of the amateur radio community on allocation arrangements for 2x1 callsigns.

    After considering the feedback from the survey, the ACMA has recommended to the AMC that it starts allocating 2x1 callsigns based on the following arrangements:

    Callsigns are issued exclusively for amateur radio contests limited to amateur radio clubs and holders of an Amateur Operators Certificate of Proficiency Advanced. 2x1 callsigns will be issued for a period of 12 months.

    The allocation process will commence at 10 am, 13 October 2021.
    When FaceBook and Instagram went down .. Ham Radio did NOT!
    Amateur Radio - keeping people in contact since 1901
    Bruce VK3FFF will have more on this when he slips behind the mike a little later in this WIA news cast.
    WIA PRESIDENT SCOTT WILLIAMS VK3KJ speaks on the upcoming WIA AGM and conference, Oceania DX Contest and our 'social position'.
    ACMA has released the Five Year Spectrum Outlook document covering the 2021-2026 financial year, WIA Director Greg Kelly with this later

    And Peter VK4NBL with DMR.

    _______________________________________________
    Vk1wia-news mailing list
    [email protected] http://lists.wia.org.au/mailman/listinfo/vk1wia-news

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From National News Broadcast Email List@21:1/5 to All on Thu May 26 18:25:51 2022
    XPost: aus.radio.amateur.misc, rec.radio.info

    Weekly news from the WIA:
    MP3 edition of news available at: http://www.wia-files.com/podcast/wianews-2022-05-29.mp3 Text edition:


    2022 MAY 29 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

    ------------------------------------------------------------*
    WIA 2022 Conference News

    WIA Virtual Conference - Antarctic Gateway Presentations

    The afternoon of presentations with an Antarctic Gateway theme are now available on the Ham Radio DX YouTube Channel.

    The first presentation was by Professor Elle Leane was titled - Mixed
    Signals: The Impact of Wireless on the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911-14).


    youtube.com/watch?v=VYd9iYuyLuY>Our

    second presenter was our very own Rex Moncur VK7MO was Director
    Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) between 1988-1999 and his
    presentation covered many aspects of Antarctica including the
    geopolitics, history, amateur radio connections, the move to the
    ANARESAT satellite system, the rebuilding program and finishing with
    some examples of Murphys law!

    youtube.com/watch?v=x5UQNI3N_MY
    Our third presenter was Dr Andrew Klekociuk from the Atmospheric Studies
    in the Australian Antarctic Program at the Australian Antarctic Division.

    youtube.com/watch?v=2s7fEazEI0A
    The fourth and fifth presenters were Peter Yates VK7PY and Kim Briggs
    VK7KB and was titled Antarctic Communications Challenges and Review. The presentation covered a review of communications from the 1960s through
    to the present day and the challenges of providing communications in Antarctica.


    youtube.com/watch?v=oXEh_WdwXi4

    Thanks to all involved in making this happen and supporting our national representative body, the WIA.

    73 WIA Virtual Conference Organising Committee
    Hello from WIA Vice President, Lee Moyle VK3GK.

    Last weekend New WIA Director Chris Dimitrejivic VK3FY and myself,
    attended Dayton Hamvention in Ohio USA.

    Dayton Hamvention is renowned to be one of the big three hamfests
    in the world. The other two are Friedrichshafen in Germany being
    held in late June and Tokyo Hamfair which is to be held in August
    this year.

    For those local VK HamFest attendees, here is a size comparison.

    Wyong Field Day, or MayHam which is VKs biggest HamFest I understand
    gets about 500-600 attendees. Local VK3 hamfests attract about
    250-350 attendees with often having 40-70 vendor tables booked is
    not uncommon.

    Dayton Hamvention usually attracts about 35,000 attendees from all
    over the world, although most are from the USA. This is over 100 times
    bigger than our local hamfests. Its hard to comprehend unless you
    have experienced the event first hand.

    Rough statistics this year suggest about 29,000 to 30,000 attendees.
    Down a little this year but Covid is still quite prevalent in most
    parts of the USA. Also many countries boarders are still restricted
    or closed to tourist travel. There are 6 main buildings that cater
    for over 460 vendor booths. The outside flea market or car boot
    sales area, which is the whole inside arena at the Green County
    Fairgrounds has just over 2700 spaces available. This year most
    spots were taken up by sellers.

    The weather in Dayton is quite predictably unpredictable but you can
    guarantee hot and humid days of around 28 to 30C with a humidity in
    the 70-80% range. Along with the usual thunderstorm and Tornado
    warnings, which we had in both cases.

    The HamFest Program is comprehensive and starts early on Thursday
    morning with Contest University or CTU. Registrations from 7am,
    with CTU starting at 9am till 5pm finish. This year it was live
    streamed on YouTube and will be available for viewing after the
    event. Evenings are taken up by specialist dinners. The DX Dinner and
    Contest dinners are the favourites of many and this is where DXers and Contesters are recognized for their contributions to Amateur Radio
    and inducted into the respective halls of fame. Afterwards the
    Hospitality Suites take over, which are social get togethers with
    tall stories and tales of that ATNO that got away. Hamvention runs
    9am till 5pm Friday, Saturday and the first half of Sunday 9am until
    1pm close.

    First prize giveaway this year was an ICOM IC7851, with many
    consolation prizes.

    Director Chris and myself Lee took the opportunity to meet with
    other International peak body representatives such as ARRL, RSGB,
    DARC and IARU.

    We discussed the potential changes to our VK licencing structure,
    high power proposals, examination processes amongst many other
    things. It was great to meet ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR and
    ARRL FCC Council David Siddall, K3ZJ. Early discussions were had
    about reciprocal licencing processes along with CEPT and HAREC
    compliance.

    The WIA will be following up with ongoing zoom meetings to solidify
    the relationships. Although this trip was partly official WIA
    business, it was totally self-funded by both Chris and Lee and as
    such, no WIA members funds were used.

    Thats it for this week.

    73 from Lee VK3GK
    ------------------------------------------------------------*
    MEDIA WATCH

    Florida broadcasts Ukraine war news on shortwave

    CBS News reports a farm in central Florida has become one of the
    largest shortwave radio operations in the world

    Using Cold War era radio technology, Jeff White and his WRMI team
    are broadcasting unbiased information on the status of the Russian
    war on Ukraine to listeners in Belarus, Ukraine and Russia.

    Watch the CBS news report at cbsnews.com/video/florida-residents-broadcast-ukraine-war-news-to-russian-citizens/


    (SouthGate)

    ------------------------------------------------------------*
    INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to IARU, RSGB, RAC,
    Southgate AR Club, ARRL, NZART, eHam, AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE
    & the World Wide sources of the WIA.

    REGION ONE

    I'm sure avid fans of this the WIA national news service will
    recall our report mid last year about the UK fire at Bilsdale.

    BBC News have now reported that fire which destroyed a TV and radio
    transmitter was caused by water getting into electrics at the site.

    The Bilsdale transmitter caught fire on 10 August, leaving more than
    600,000 homes across Teesside, County Durham and North Yorkshire
    without signals.

    Arqiva, which operated the mast on the North York Moors, said the
    water damage was connected to third-party equipment and again has
    apologised to customers who lost services because of the fire.

    You can read more at:
    bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-61526371
    New hams in the UK have a whole array of new reasons to get involved,
    get on the air and get even more enjoyment out of amateur radio.

    A series of award certificates will be issued to help them mark
    each achievement they make in their new journey. Jeremy Boot G4NJH
    reporting on Amateur Radio NewsLine has said foundation licence
    holders are being encouraged to move forward in their on-air
    activities and progress toward Intermediate and Full licence level.

    The Radio Society of Great Britain is calling the incentive program "Brickworks," because its goal is to build on the Foundation.

    Its national release two years ago was slowed by the pandemic and
    subsequent lockdown so the Society is breathing new life into it by
    actively encouraging clubs and individuals to sign up.

    With the assistance of local clubs, newcomers can mark their achievements
    by attending club meetings, writing software, undertaking construction projects, logging QSOs and getting involved in contests.

    EVEN making a cup of tea for the next club meeting counts toward
    points. Certificates are available at the silver, gold, platinum and
    diamond level.

    REGION TWO

    The 13th annual AMSAT/TAPR Banquet, always a highlight of the AMSAT
    and Tucson Amateur Packet Radio activities during the Dayton
    Hamvention was dedicated to honouring the life and accomplishments of
    long-time amateur satellite and amateur packet pioneer Bob Bruninga,
    WB4APR, who passed away in February.

    Reminiscences of Bob and his career as a professor of engineering at
    the U.S. Naval Academy were offered by Bob McGwier, N4HY, and by
    Frank Bauer, KA3HDO. Following these presentations, a number of
    attendees offered anecdotes about Bob's work -- often behind the
    scenes -- to facilitate amateur satellites and to develop enhanced
    modes of digital communication.
    Cuban radio amateurs have always distinguished themselves by their
    expressions of solidarity and their manifestations of help in the
    face of any disaster situation, going promptly wherever the presence
    of a helping hand or the deployment of their means of communication
    has been needed, all of which has contributed to the safeguarding of
    thousands of human lives and large material resources.

    This happened with the presence of a group of 30 colleagues who from
    the provinces of Havana, Artemisa, Villa Clara and Pinar del Ro,
    participated in the general actions of Logistics and rescue and
    rescue in the capital Hotel Saratoga, after the unfortunate accident
    destroyed much of the structure of this legendary tourist facility,
    and will also affect other nearby buildings.

    They exhibited the vast experience accumulated throughout country,
    where they have given their support in the mobilizations of the
    Defence, the Civil Defence, in the presence of cyclones, various
    meteorological events, natural disasters and in as many opportunities
    as they have been summoned by the authorities of the country,
    integrating into the formations of the Emergency Network in all the municipalities of the nation of Cuba. ------------------------------------------------------------*
    HAM RADIO OPERATIONAL NEWS - IT'S A CONTACT SPORT
    NOW CONTEST WISE:-
    --------------
    2022
    --------------

    This weekend see's the running of the WPX CW Contest

    The WPX Contest is based on an award offered by CQ Magazine for
    working all prefixes, drawing thousands of entries from around the
    world. This major CW contest takes place THIS weekend, 28 and 29 of
    May, from 00:00 UTC on Saturday until 23:59 UTC on Sunday.

    Info and Rules at cqwpx.com

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

    International CQ Pride contest June 4-6
    --------------

    New World Wide Digital Contest also June 4-6

    arrl.org/news/arrl-announces-new-world-wide-digital-contest

    (SouthGate)
    --------------

    VK SHIRES CONTEST 11th JUNE 2022

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

    WIA VHF - UHF FIELD DAYS

    Winter 2022 - 0200 UTC Saturday 25 June through 0159 UTC Sunday
    26 June (differs in VK6).

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

    IARU HF World Championship
    NEXT contest is July 9 and 10.

    (ref)

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

    WIA Trans-Tasman Low-Band Contest

    16 JUL 2022

    The Trans-Tasman contest, held on the 3rd weekend in July
    aims to encourage Low Band activity between VK and ZL

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

    RSGB IOTA Contest is July 30 - 31st

    (SouthGate)

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

    WIA RD or Remembrance Day Contest

    Weekend closest to the 15th August each year.

    2022 its Sat Sun August 13 and 14
    ---RESULTS-----------

    On the weekend of 14th and 15th May, the St. George Amateur Radio
    Society held the Don Edwards Memorial Slow Morse contest.

    Several dozen amateurs took part, many of whom were using Morse for
    the first time in years or even decades and at times it was more of
    a chat than a contest.

    Those who took part are encouraged to submit their logs, even if they
    only made only a couple of contacts. Logs can be emailed to
    [email protected] by midnight Tuesday, 31st May.

    Rules are available on the website <www.sgars.org> participants are
    encouraged to carefully read the rules as bonus points are available.

    Congratulations to all those who took the effort to take part.

    (Peter O'Connell VK2EMU for the St. George Amateur Radio Society)

    --------------
    DX WINDOW--------------
    --------------

    CQ DX Hall of Fame

    There will be no inductees to the CQ DX Hall of Fame for 2022, as
    the judging committee determined that none of the nominees
    met the high standard required for selection.

    (OPDX)
    --------------

    Listen for Rafael, EA5XV, who hopes to be on the air from Panama as
    EA5XV/HP1 THIS WEEKEND, June 28th until September 12th.
    Listen for him on SSB.
    Send QSLs to his home call EA 5 XV

    (sourced to ARNewsLine)
    --------------

    RSGB Commonwealth Games activities

    The Commonwealth Games will be held in Birmingham later this summer.
    It will see around 4,500 athletes from 72 nations and territories,
    compete in 19 sports across 14 competition venues.

    The RSGB has just published news of the various activities it is
    planning to link with the Games.

    Find out more on the Societys website rsgb.org/cwg

    (SouthGate)
    --------------

    Fabian, DF 3XY, is active as 3B8/DF 3XY from Mauritius, AF-049, until
    June 2nd on 40, 30 and 20 meters where Fabian will be using mostly
    FT8.

    QSL via DF 3XY, direct, by the Bureau or eQSL.

    Best of all Fabian also welcomes cards from shortwave listeners.

    (sourced to ARNewsLine)
    --------------

    4U, ITU Geneva

    The sporadic operating from 4 U 1 ITU will continue until June 3.

    The station was closed for about 2 years, which took its toll on the
    antennas. Currently, only a WARC-band dipole and a SteppIR for
    40, 20, 15, and 10m are available.

    This may be the last operating window before the building's
    refurbishment, which is due to begin at the end of 2022 and last for
    several years.

    Another 4U station, this from Italy is operating until Tuesday.

    Members of the United Nations Global Service Centre ARC in Brindisi
    are QRV as 4 U 29 MAY until May 31.

    QSL via 9A2AA.

    (SouthGate and ARRL)
    --------------

    Koh, JA1ADT, will be on the air as JD 1 AJD from Ogasawara, AS-031,
    between June 24th and July 2nd. on 20-6 meters where he will be
    using CW and FT8.

    QSLs to home call, again that is JA 1 ADT.

    (sourced to ARNewsLine)

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

    MARSHALL ISLANDS, V 73 MS

    V 73 MS is on Kwajalein Atoll on 20, 17, and 15 meters between
    0600 to 0900z. QSL via LoTW.

    (sourced to ARRL)

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

    WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ARDF
    WIA ARDF COORDINATOR VK3WWW Jack [email protected] users.mackay.net.au/~ron/homingin.com
    ardf.org.au

    NEW SLANT ON OLD STYLE EVENT

    In South Africa the Sandton ARC is hosting an open social picnic
    braai (B-B-Q) and a family-friendly Fox hunting event at the
    Field and Study Centre in Sandton. The park is BOTH family and
    pet friendly.

    All you must bring along is your family, friends, food, drinks and
    utensils and oh yes, a hand held with antenna if you will
    participate in the rescue of Fred and Fiona, the clubs two radio
    foxes who we understand from their last garbled mobile phone contact
    have gotten themselves horribly lost in the park and need rescuing.

    Lucky for them they are equipped with VHF emergency rescue beacons
    that will be active on the day.

    All YOUNG rescuers will receive a goodie bag from Fred and Fiona
    as a thank you.

    This looks like being a social and picnic or braai (braai coals will
    be available), and a super outing with fellow amateurs, and perhaps
    also Fred and Fiona - if they are rescued in time for lunch.

    (SouthGate)
    WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - FINAL FRONTIER
    AMSAT-VK Secretary - [email protected]

    An additional amateur radio system has been delivered to the
    International Space Station and it is expected that astronauts
    will install it in the next few weeks.

    The installation will mean that the Amateur Radio on the ISS will
    no longer have to switch periodically between FM voice cross band
    repeater mode and APRS packet mode. Rather, both operating modes will
    be able to be activated simultaneously.

    NASAs InSight Mars lander mission will likely conclude by the end
    of the year as power levels for the spacecraft continue to decline,
    project officials have confirmed.

    They said SCIENCE operations will likely end in July as the output
    of the spacecrafts two solar panels, coated with Martian dust,
    drops below critical levels.

    Rumours are flying that after satellite operator Globalstar announced
    an agreement with a large, global customer to build out a new
    communications network, just months after announcing that an
    unidentified potential customer wink wink had put up more than
    $300 million to finance the purchase of 13 new satellites.

    The scuttlebutt from Region 2 is that Apple is behind these deals,
    with the goal of using Globalstar to provide satellite connectivity
    to a future iPhone.

    2 military satellites recently exchanged more than 200 gigabits of
    data over a distance of about 100 kilometres using laser communication
    in space. Satellites generally do not communicate directly with each
    other. Instead, they use radio signals to transfer data down to a
    ground station on Earth, which then relays this data to another
    satellite. Optical terminals between satellites are considered to be
    faster and more secure. The two satellites, named Able and Baker,
    were launched last summer by the U.S. Defence Advanced Research
    Projects Agency.

    (irts)

    WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP --- MILITARY
    Recordings of military transmissions can be found on the
    Signal Identification Guide Wiki at
    sigidwiki.com/wiki/Category:Military

    HF radio in the spotlight.

    The US military is exploring ways to expand its use of the HF bands
    in one region of the world. Amateur Radio NewsLine Kevin Trotman
    N5PRE has that report.

    "HF radio is making a comeback for the United States military,
    which has been struggling with reliable means of over-the-horizon
    communication in the Indo-Pacific. That massive region's communications
    needs are served largely by undersea fibre cables and satellites, both
    of which are deemed vulnerable to both deliberate and accidental damage.
    The U.S. Defence Information Systems Agency is eyeing HF as a reliable
    backup should an interruption occur in either of the other two delivery
    modes.

    Officials acknowledge that HF's slower data transmission rate and the military's use of a smaller bandwidth would not make HF ideal for
    fulltime connectivity but it is nonetheless a viable alternative when no
    other option exists.


    According to an article in Signal, a publication of the non-profit AFCEA, testing is already underway in the part of the Pacific that includes
    Malaysia, Australia, Fiji and Singapore. The Indo-Pacific Command's
    relief network has been testing HF out as part of its humanitarian
    assistance and disaster relief work, using a transmitter in Oahu.

    Meanwhile, a combat communications squadron of the United States Air
    Force, based in Guam, is working with the single sideband shortwave transmitters of the Air Force High Frequency Global Communications
    System for voice communications.

    Elsewhere, modes used in the annual Pacific Endeavour interoperability
    exercise are being widened to include newer HF technologies for basic
    data communications. One official told the Signal website that these
    actions are being taken to expand the mode's reliability.

    Beyond compensating for satellite and fibre optic vulnerability,
    officials say they also look forward to the next generation of HF
    technology which will allow higher speeds and wideband transmission,
    making full-motion video possible for surveillance, airborne
    intelligence and related activities from the air.

    For Amateur Radio NewsLine I'm Kevin Trotman N5PRE.

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

    Faster internet speeds on offer to millions of UK households

    Gigabit broadband is available to 66%, that's 19.3 million of all
    UK homes up from 37% a year ago according to Occams Connected
    Nations Spring update.

    The snapshot of broadband and mobile availability across the UK and
    its nations, as of January this year, also shows that 33%
    of homes can now get full-fibre broadband.

    (SouthGate)

    WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- YOTA
    (Youngsters On The Air) youtube.com/channel/UClAapljf0VQ751sOgu2IzaAtwitter.com/hamyota
    YOTA Contest 2022 Youth On The Air (ham-yota.com)

    Now Alec,VK2APC.

    MAY 29

    18-year-old exploring the depths of space with radio

    Interesting Engineering have published an article about 18-year-old
    radio amateur Dhruv Rebba KC9ZJX who hopes to develop a program that
    will enable youth to build and program microsatellites

    When Rebba was nine, he received his ham radio technician license
    becoming the youngest person of Indian origin, until then, to receive
    the same. That earned him a spot in the Limca Book of Records. The
    same year, he attained the General Class License.

    A senior specializing in Computer Science at Normal Community High
    School in Bloomington, Rebba firmly believes that getting into
    amateur radio was a stepping stone to various other fields.

    The space industry, for example.
    In 2017, Rebba was part of the Amateur Radio on the International
    Space Station (ARISS) project. It involves we amateur radio operators
    across the world speaking directly to astronauts/cosmonauts through
    their handheld, mobile, or home radio stations.

    Two years later, in 2019, he was named Young Ham of the Year.

    "Currently, I'm the lead of a state-wide program called 4-H in
    Space Mission Command. I have been working with Illinois 4-H,
    and the University of Illinois Dept. of Aerospace to develop a
    program that will enable youth to build and program microsatellites
    that will be launched into orbit," he says.

    Read the full article at interestingengineering.com/18-year-old-explores-space-radio

    (sourced via SouthGate)
    WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RESCUE RADIO
    IARU REGION 3
    Emergency Centre of Activity (CoA) frequencies
    3.600, 7.110, 14.300, 18.160 and 21.360 MHz
    Region 1 3760 7110 14300 18160 21360 kHz

    Region 2 3750 3985 7060 7240 7275 14300 18160 21360kHz
    Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain

    And some wind it's been this month, (May).

    ARES Activated in Oklahoma for Tornado Clean-Up Communications.

    To help with emergency communications support following an outbreak
    of tornadoes that have hit, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency of
    Management and Homeland Security requested support from the Oklahoma
    Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES).

    At least a DOZEN tornadoes have touched down in the central and
    eastern parts of Oklahoma. A tornado that struck Seminole, Oklahoma,
    left plenty of damage, according to the National Weather Service.
    That tornado was a mile wide, and its path totalled 31 miles.

    As an old John Anderson tune once rang out "So blow, blow Seminole
    wind, Blow like you're never gonna blow again."

    The request for amateur radio emergency communications support
    saw amateur radio operators active providing voice communications
    between chainsaw and debris removal teams from their base at Seminole
    State College's volunteer centre. ------------------------------------------------------------*

    2022 Social Scene
    Due to the COVID-19 situation, please check these events'
    direct for up-to-date status information and even without
    Covid dates have an uncanny knack of being changed at lastmoment.

    AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PORTAL
    Coronavirus (COVID-19) latest news, key facts and figures,
    contacts and answers to your questions.www.health.gov.au/
    VK2 - Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club Field Day June 11/12 (VK2ZHE)

    VK5 - Australian Fox Hunting Championship and SERG Convention
    Mt Gambier Queens Birthday weekend June (vk5dj)

    VK6 - PerthTech October 21-23 (vk6pop)

    VK7 - Miena HamFest Saturday 19th November. (vk7wi news)

    2023

    VK - ALARAMeet2023 Sat 4 / Sun 5 November HOBART ([email protected])

    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
    [email protected]


    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 [email protected] and don't JUST send url's links or
    posters, but take the time to pen YOUR contribution.

    To submit audio, email [email protected]
    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)
    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
    [email protected]

    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/

    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."

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

    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 [email protected]
    How do I join this National News List?
    (subscribe for an automatic weekly feed.)
    Email to [email protected]
    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 [email protected]
    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.

    ------------------------------------------------------------*

    _______________________________________________
    Vk1wia-news mailing list
    [email protected] http://lists.wia.org.au/mailman/listinfo/vk1wia-news

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From National News Broadcast Email List@21:1/5 to All on Fri Aug 19 04:37:50 2022
    XPost: aus.radio.amateur.misc, rec.radio.info

    Weekly news from the WIA:
    MP3 edition of news available at: http://www.wia-files.com/podcast/wianews-2022-08-21.mp3 Text edition:

    2022 AUGUST 21 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

    ------------------------------------------------------------*

    TODAYS NEWS IS PRESENTED BY ALARA.

    PRESIDENT VK2AYL MICHELLE
    CONTEST MANAGER VK5MAZ MARIJA
    VICE PRESIDENT VK5YL SHIRLEY

    AND IS HOSTED TODAY BY VK7 STATE REP LINDA VK7QP
    The Sesquicentenary of the Overland Telegraph

    On the 22nd August 1872 the construction of the Overland Telegraph
    line between Adelaide and Darwin was completed. This year marks the
    150th anniversary since this achievement. It has been described as
    the greatest engineering feat carried out in nineteenth century
    Australia.

    Within months it was linked to the Java-to-Darwin submarine
    telegraph cable, and Australias communication time with Europe was
    reduced from months to hours. Australias isolation from the rest of
    the world was lessening.

    Charles Todd, South Australian Superintendent of Telegraphs, 1872:
    We have this day, within two years, completed a line of
    communications two thousand miles long through the very
    centre of Australia, until a few years ago a terra incognita
    believed to be a desert.

    The construction started at both ends, Darwin and Adelaide, and the
    joining point was at Frews Ponds, 25 km south of Dunmarra,
    Northern Territory, on the 22nd of August 1872.

    All telecommunications and the internet in Australia can be pointed
    back to this moment in time. This is the start point. Everything
    evolved from here.

    Even when the two points of the line were a few miles apart, they
    were sending messages by horse-back to complete the gap.

    Alice Springs, which was established as a repeater station, became
    the administrative hub for central Australia.

    Doug Johnson VK2XLJ has a fascinating look at this on the website
    ot150.net
    Source:
    ot150.net/

    ( Doug Johnson [email protected] )

    WIA

    JOIN THE WIA
    tinyurl.com/yyj87b9y
    ROSTERED WIA DIRECTOR BRINGING US NEWS FROM THE WIA
    ON HAPPENINGS AT BOARD LEVEL WILL BE IN ROTATION:-
    President Scott VK3KJ
    Greg VK2GPK
    Peter VK8ZZ
    Lee VK3GK
    Chris VK3FY --------------- AUG 21
    Peter VK4EA --------------- Aug 28
    Steve VK2TSG -------------- Sept 4

    --------------
    NOW CONTEST WISE:-
    --------------
    2022
    --------------

    ALARA CONTEST AUGUST 27 and 28
    alara.org.au

    Marija VK5MAZ ad-libs on the ALARA contest

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

    WIA - NZART OCEANIA CONTEST

    PHONE - First full weekend in October
    0600 UTC Saturday to 0600 UTC Sunday

    CW - Second full weekend in October
    0600 UTC Saturday to 0600 UTC Sunday

    Log deadline for ALL logs - 31 October.

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

    WIA VHF - UHF FIELD DAYS

    Roger Harrison VK2ZRH, manager for the VHF-UHF Field Days wrote us
    to say "as contestants are aware, with the passing in January of
    Mike Subocz VK3AVV, developer of the VKCL contest logger and of our log-checking software, there has been a hiccup in processing Field
    Day logs while we awaited probate of Mikes estate.

    Field Day events have continued and, in the meantime, we have sought
    to develop a means for determining and publishing results from logs
    submitted.

    For all contestants who submitted logs for the past three Field Days
    that is, the Spring 2021, Summer and Winter 2022 events I have
    good news. Firstly, all the log files sent to the Field Day log
    uploader on the WIA website have been retrieved successfully.

    Secondly, while you have all been waiting patiently for the
    preparation and publication of results, a small team of problem
    solvers has doggedly worked at finding a log-checking application
    suited to our purpose to satisfy your not unreasonable desire to
    know how you went.

    And how others went, too.

    Well, a log-checking application suited to our purpose has been
    found and panel-beaten into shape so as to do the job required.

    Accordingly, this past week, work has proceeded to prepare a table
    of claimed scores for the 2021 Spring event from the logs submitted.

    You will find this posted on the VHF-UHF Field Days website.
    Download it and take a look.

    For those reading this before Sunday 28th news, you have until
    midnight Saturday 27 August to respond if you have any issues or
    queries.

    Similarly, claimed scores for the 2022 Summer and Winter events will
    be posted to the website also. Likewise, therell be roughly a week
    to review and respond to each.

    Once this process is completed, tables of final scores will be
    compiled and published on the WIA website.

    wia.org.au/members/contests/vhfuhf/

    (Roger VK2ZRH for VK1WIA News Text Edition)

    NOW THE NEXT SPRING CONTEST IS
    0100 UTC Saturday 26 through 0059 UTC Sunday 27 November

    --------------
    --------------
    DX WINDOW--------------
    --------------

    The Pakistan Amateur Radio Society (PARS) is operating under the
    special callsign AP 75 PAK and Pakistani operators have been using
    the special AP75 prefix during August

    This is to celebrate 75 years of Pakistan Independence.

    Please look out for AP75... callsigns On satellites, HF and also on
    6 meter.

    An award will be given for any combination of 5 QSO's with AP75
    stations. Repetitions with same stations on same mode or same band
    will not be counted.

    Full details at
    pakhams.com

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

    Members of the Saudi Amateur Radio Society, HZ1SAR, are on the air
    as HZ1CPCF for the Crown Prince Camel Festival special event, until
    September 4th. Be listening on 20, 17, 16 and 6 metres where the
    operators are using CW, SSB and FT8/FT4. QSL to HZ1SAR.

    (OHIO PENN DX)
    --------------

    A year-long special event is call HG 2 PS.

    Hams are marking the 200th birthday of Sandor Petofi, a revolutionary
    and celebrated poet.

    The station will be on the air until March 15th, 2023.

    Be listening on all bands for operators using CW, SSB and FT8.

    QSL via HA 8 RD, ClubLog or LoTW.

    (ARNewsLine)

    --------------
    French Special Event

    Operators Laurent/F1SNK, John/F4EEY, Richard/F5LLZ, Pierre/F5LTM,
    Michel/F5MKD and Andre/F6APU will activate the special callsign
    TM150FOR from Strasbourg, France, during the following days in
    September:

    1st, 3-4th, 10-11th, 15th, 17-18th and 24-30th.

    Their activity is to commemorate 150th anniversary of the 'fortify
    belt,' 14 forts built around Strasbourg that protected the city.

    Activity will be on various HF and VHF bands using CW, SSB and
    FT8/FT4.

    QSL via F5LLZ, direct or by the Bureau.

    OPDX

    ------------------------------------------------------------*
    INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to IARU, RSGB, RAC,
    Southgate AR Club, ARRL, NZART, eHam, AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE
    & the World Wide sources of the WIA.
    REGION ONE

    IARUMS newsletter - Over The Horizon Radars

    IARU Monitoring System (IARUMS) Region 1 newsletter says in July,
    like every month for many years, Over The Horizon Radars were the
    most numerous transmissions causing interference to our HF amateur
    radio bands

    The front runner was the RUS Contayner received in all bands from
    40 to 12 m. The CHN OTHRs sending short bursts were also very active
    and were mostly observed on the 20 m and 15 m bands.

    The International Amateur Radio Union Monitoring System (IARUMS)
    Region 1 July 2022 newsletter can be read at

    iaru-r1.org/

    REGION TWO

    From Baltimore comes the fascinating story, bound to interest all DXers.

    Ever since humans could first observe sunspots about 400 years ago,
    we've been using them to try to define the solar cycle. Approximately
    every 11 years, solar activity such as sunspots and solar flares
    ebbs and flows, causing changes to weather patterns on Earth and
    occasionally threatening telecommunications. Predicting these
    changes reliably could help everyone from farmers to the military. Traditionally, scientists have used the concept of a "solar minimum,"
    when solar activity is reduced, to mark the beginning of each cycle.

    But the "solar minimum" framework is somewhat arbitrary and
    imprecise, explains Robert Leamon, research scientist at the
    Partnership for Heliophysics and Space Environment Research, a UMBC
    partnership with NASA.

    Leamon led new research showing that a "solar clock" based on the
    sun's magnetic field, rather than the presence or absence of
    sunspots, can precisely describe and predict many key changes
    throughout the solar cycle. The new framework offers a significant
    improvement over the traditional sunspot method, because it can
    predict surges in dangerous solar flares or changing weather trends
    years in advance.

    REGION THREE

    EARTHQUAKE BALLOONS IN THE STRATOSPHERE:

    If you want to detect an earthquake on Venus--good luck. The planet's
    surface is hot enough to melt lead, and the atmospheric pressure is
    crushing. No ground-based seismometer could possibly survive.

    What's an extra-terrestrial seismologist to do? Launch a balloon.

    For the first time, a network of high-altitude balloons has detected
    a strong earthquake using infrasound sensors in the stratosphere.
    Results from the mission were just published in the Geophysical
    Research Letters. Now that the technique has been proven on Earth,
    researchers want to try it on Venus.

    Full story in thursday aug 11 edition of space weather @ Spaceweather.com.

    A new paper just published in the Geophysical Research Letters
    reports the detection of a magnitude 7.3 earthquake by a fleet of
    balloons floating through the stratosphere above Indonesia's Flores
    Sea. On-board infrasound sensors registered acoustic waves rippling
    upward from the sea surface below, proving that, here on Earth,
    balloons can be used as seismometers.

    "The same technique should work in the atmosphere of Venus," says
    Raphael Garcia, the study's lead author and a planetary scientist
    at the Institut Suprieur de lAronatique et de lEspace of the
    University of Toulouse. "Balloon-based sensors could float high
    above Venus's deadly surface, collecting data at a safe distance."

    In the fall of 2021, the Centre National dEtudes Spatiales (CNES)
    launched a fleet of 16 balloons from Mah Island in the Seychelles
    archipelago. Unlike ordinary weather balloons, which explode in a
    matter of hours, these were "superpressure balloons," which can
    remain aloft for months. Stratospheric winds carried them over the
    Flores Sea.
    Hams in India have been waiting since 2019 for the return of
    HamFest India in person and it is now back on the calendar.

    Jim Meachen reporting on ARNewsLine said "The organising committee
    for HamFest India has announced the event's return on the 12th and
    13th of November in Mysore, Karnataka. As with so many other major
    amateur radio events, this well-attended event, which made its debut
    in India in 1991, had not been held in person as a result of the
    COVID-19 pandemic.

    K. Shankar Prasad, VU2SPK, the event's general convenor, said the
    committee is putting together an agenda and a website and both
    should be available soon. The website is under development at
    www.hfi2022.com
    We finish international news this week and have to say

    WE NEVER SAUSAGE A THING

    Over the past few weeks, NewsLine has carried stories about the
    fabulous images transmitted back to Earth from the James Webb
    telescope. Now in WIA's weird and wonderful' an update, a report
    that has.....even more...meat to it.

    Once upon a time in a galaxy far, far away there was a French
    physicist with a report that was also far, far away...in this case,
    from reality: In late July, a very excited scientist, Etienne Klein,
    posted an image on his Twitter account, identifying it as the
    James Webb telescope's highly detailed capture of Proxima Centauri
    which, at 4.2 light years away from Earth, is the closest star to
    the sun. It is so close to the sun, in fact, you might say it
    sizzles.

    In this case, it sizzles like sausage -->
    because that's what it turned out to be:
    a single round slice of chorizo, a type of savoury Spanish smoked
    sausage, in close-up under the camera lens. Klein later admitted his
    post was a light-hearted deception but only after thousands of his
    Twitter followers - who presumably were NOT vegetarians - had
    approved of the image. He told French media later that the tweet was
    meant only as a joke and insisted that any and all reports of
    celestial sausage are, you might say, tough to swallow.

    You might even call it a bit of baloney. ------------------------------------------------------------*

    VK5YL SHIRLEY AD-LIBS ON WHERE IN VK5 THE NEWS CAN BE HEARD

    ------------------------------------------------------------* ------------------------------------------------------------*

    WORLD WIDE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP NEWS PRESENTED BY VK2AYL
    SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP NEWS - ALARA

    Michelle ad-libs about the ALARA contest here..

    WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - FINAL FRONTIER

    End of mission for two ham radio CubeSats

    The Manila Bulletin reports on two amateur radio CubeSat's, built by
    Philippine students and carrying APRS Digipeaters, that have now
    re-entered the Earth's atmosphere

    The newspaper says:

    After 10 months in orbit, the countrys first local university-built
    Filipino cube satellites, CubeSats Maya-3 and Maya-4 re-entered the
    Earths atmosphere Aug.4 and Aug. 8 respectively, ending their
    mission, the Philippine Space Agency has said.

    Built in a local university setting, the two cube satellites were
    designed and developed by the first batch of scholars under the
    Space Science and Technology Proliferation through University
    Partnerships (STeP-UP) project of the STAMINA4Space Program.

    Maya-3 and Maya-4 were pivotal in the development of the local
    space industry. These CubeSats are experimental and educational
    platforms, and while all low earth orbiting satellites will
    eventually fall to earth, what matters more are the lasting
    intangibles that the project brought knowledge, skill, partnerships
    and confidence that we can do it, said Dr. Maricor Soriano,
    program leader of STAMINA4Space Program.

    PENNSYLVANIA CLUB MARKS 10TH ANNIVERSARY 'ABOARD' MARS ROVER

    Hams in one Pennsylvania club are celebrating a relationship with
    the Mars rover that began 10 years ago. Randy Sly W4XJ had those
    details on a recent ARNEWSLINE program

    How do you celebrate a 10th anniversary? A Dinner? A Party?

    The Holmesburg Amateur Radio Club in Philadelphia decided to send
    its club call, WM3PEN, on a long vacation that would take 255 days
    to get there. They teamed up with NASAs Mars Science Laboratory
    rover, Curiosity, to visit Bradbury Landing, on Mars. The boarding
    pass was purchased on April 25, 2011 and Curiosity, with their
    callsign on board, landed on the red planet in early August, 2012.

    Since the landing, Curiosity and WM3PEN have travelled nearly
    18 miles searching for the perfect location for the Dxpedition.

    The folks at WM3PEN also thought it would be a good trip to team up
    with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory since they decided to make it a
    CW event. To help measure size and distance, the JPL engineers
    carved out the dots and dashes of the letters J-P-L in the tire
    treads. How could a ham argue with a CW buddy along for the ride?

    NASA reports that engineers are devising ways to minimize wear and
    tear and keep the rover rolling: In fact, Curiositys mission was
    recently extended for another three years.

    When asked whats next for the WM3PEN team, callsign trustee
    Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, said that after just coming off Field Day and
    the 13 Colonies Special Event in June and July, it will be time to
    relax before planning the next adventure.

    WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ILLW
    illw.net/

    Lighthouse weekend is alive now, weekend, 20-21 August and it's a
    great opportunity to chat to a lighthouse and work some rare DX.

    There will be over 350 lighthouses on the air in over 40 countries.
    Germany has 70 registered, USA 41, Australia 38, England 19.
    Some smaller countries with 1 entry are Canary Islands, Cyprus,
    Gibraltar, Iceland, Isle of Man, Latvia, Malta.

    As this will be the 25th anniversary for the International
    Lighthouse Lightship Weekend, one of the Indian supporters has
    organised a set of first day cover postage stamps to be printed.

    After the event there will also be a 25th anniversary certificate
    available for download from the ILLW web site for those who would
    like to have a record of their participation in the event.

    It is interesting to note that some stations have taken part in the
    event every year some, with the same call sign and some at the same
    lighthouse. It is the support of amateurs globally that has grown
    this event into what it has become, one of the most popular events
    in the amateur radio calendar

    (southgate)
    WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RESCUE RADIO
    IARU REGION 3
    Emergency Centre of Activity (CoA) frequencies
    3.600, 7.110, 14.300, 18.160 and 21.360 MHz
    Region 1 3760 7110 14300 18160 21360 kHz

    Region 2 3750 3985 7060 7240 7275 14300 18160 21360kHz
    RADIO PREPAREDNESS PROJECT BEGINS IN TRIPURA

    A new emergency-preparedness strategy by officials in the
    northeastern Indian state of Tripura is giving high priority to
    amateur radio.

    As many as nine new amateur radio stations are being set up by the
    government of Tripura in India in an attempt to improve
    communications during disasters. The State Disaster Management
    Agency told reporters during a recent press conference an estimated
    1500 trained volunteers have already stepped forward to operate the
    stations as they become available. The first station will be ready
    to go on the air shortly and will be based at the State Emergency
    Operation Centre in the Secretariat Complex. The remaining eight
    still require proper licences from the Ministry of Communication.

    The state officials said that ten more automated rain gauges and
    seven automated weather stations will also be installed in urban
    areas by India's Meteorological Department.

    Officials said they had hope that these additional measures would
    increase all teams' abilities to provide lifesaving response in the
    state, which is prone to a variety of catastrophes, including
    flash floods, strong winds and heat waves.

    (arnewsline)

    The Southern Hemispheres premier critical communications and
    public safety event, Comms Connect, will welcome a keynote
    presentation and an expert panel from the newly formed Public Safety
    Network in New Zealand. The Public Safety Network is the new
    communications service that will be used by New Zealands frontline
    emergency services responders Fire and Emergency, Police,
    St John and Wellington Free Ambulance.

    One of the leads in this integration project is Neal Richardson
    from NZ Police, who will be one of two keynotes on the day to open
    the program for Comms Connect Melbourne on 20 October.

    SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ROAR
    ROTARIANS OF AMATEUR RADIO
    website: froar.org
    email: [email protected]
    FaceBook: facebook.com/groups/RotariansROAR/
    0645z - 0730z ANZO Net 7.118 (varies due to propagation)
    0730z - 0830z International net 14.293 (varies due to
    propagation)
    Hi Everyone

    As you have heard here on National News recently, REAST is having a hamfest/conference in Hobart on November 5 and 6 this year Diane
    VK4DI has been busy organising a gathering of Rotarians.

    So far Bill VK4ZD and Diane VK4DI Phil VK2MCB and his wife Carol,
    Peter VK3KCD and John ZL2JPM and his wife Helen are attending.

    some are only going mainly for the weekend plus a day either side
    and others are planning on a longer visit.

    I have booked a table for a ROAR display on the Sunday so no one
    else needs to book as a vendor / preloved goods unless they want
    their own spot.

    So this is the first chance we've had in recent times to have a
    social get together we thought it would be a good opportunity for
    anyone who is attending to have a meal somewhere in Hobart on Sat
    night.

    Please let us know who's looking at attending so we can get an idea of
    numbers and make a tentative booking in advance.

    [email protected]

    SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - VHF AND ABOVE
    (The Plumbers Delight)
    10 GHz QSO between Portugal and Canary Islands

    On July 30 Michael CT1BYM and Cecilio EB8BRZ achieved a contact on
    10 GHz from Portugal to the Canary Islands

    In this translation of a post on the REP site Michael CT1BYM writes:

    During the evening of July 30 a QSO was made between EB8BRZ (IL28HA)
    and CT1BYM (IM57PC). This was my first ever QSO done at 10GHz
    between EA8-CT, using tropospheric propagation, distance around
    1187km. It was also a first for Cecilio, EB8BRZ.

    A sectorial beacon was installed in my balcony, direction EA8, with
    2W and a 10dBi horn, transmitting CW and Opera. The beacon runs
    247, helping identifying the possible QSO window. Beacon runs at
    10368.825MHz, TCXO disciplined.

    The beacon signal was received at EB8BRZ at 19:34UT, so we decided
    to go to SSB immediately.

    At Cecilio, EB8BRZ, the working conditions were a 60cm Procom prime
    focus dish, 2W, IC-705 for IF

    (Source Portugal's national amateur radio society REP)

    tinyurl.com/IARU-Portugal

    THIS IS REWIND AND THIS IS LINDA VK7QP

    RTTY turns 100

    On August 9, 1922 a text was typed in an airplane and simultaneously
    printed out at a ground station

    With this experiment, the US Navy Department gave the telex
    procedure wings - exactly 100 years ago. From now on it was possible
    to transmit texts wirelessly at a speed of up to 100 words per
    minute. The ministry immediately pushed for messages to be made
    available in the opposite direction, namely from the ground to the
    plane. It was the birth of radio telex - "RTTY".

    After the Second World War, the first telexes came into the hands of
    radio amateurs, who then modified their transmitters for frequency
    shift keying (FSK). RTTY had now also arrived in the amateur radio
    service.

    With the advent of personal computers at the beginning of the 1980s,
    they replaced the previously widespread electromechanically
    generated RTTY with very simple RTTY programs. With the introduction
    of digital technology and the development of new types of
    transmission such as PSK31 and later FT8, RTTY has lost its previous
    importance in amateur radio. It's different in the maritime radio
    service: Despite modern and fast digital processes, RTTY
    transmissions still have their place there, e.g. to warn of dangers
    or to transmit current sea weather reports to the skippers.

    loc.gov/pictures/item/2002697173/
    darc.de/

    ------------------------------------------------------------*

    2022 Social Scene
    VK5 - AREG Car Boot Sale Sept 3 (THREE) David Roche Park Kilburn (vk5tr)
    VK4 - SunFest Sunday 18 September 10:00 AM Mountain Creek State
    School (noreply email)
    VK6 - PerthTech October 21-23 (vk6pop)

    VK7 - November 5-6 Tassie Ham Radio Conference and Expo.
    Hobart reast.asn.au/news-events/tassie-ham-radio-conference-and-expo/
    VK3 - Rosebud RadioFest November 20 9.3Oam. (vk3pdg)
    2023

    VK - ALARAMeet2023 4/5 November in HOBART ([email protected])

    ------------------------------------------------------------*

    _______________________________________________
    Vk1wia-news mailing list
    [email protected] http://lists.wia.org.au/mailman/listinfo/vk1wia-news

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From National News Broadcast Email List@21:1/5 to All on Fri Jan 5 01:56:31 2024
    XPost: aus.radio.amateur.misc, rec.radio.info

    Weekly news from the WIA:
    MP3 edition of news available at: http://www.wia-files.com/podcast/wianews-2024-01-07.mp3 Text edition:

    -------------------------------------------------------------------69

    2024 JANUARY 7 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

    ------------------------------------------------------------*

    And so it's welcome, welcome, welcome
    How do you do hellow
    We'll give you all the pertinent facts in this
    The first edition for 2024 of
    NATIONAL NEWS FOR WEEK COMMENCING JANUARY 7
    IN OUR 29th YEAR OF NON STOP NEWS

    THIS WEEK:-

    WIA Director and President Scott Williams VK3KJ. -

    WIA Returning Officer John Marshall. -

    WIA Director Giles Kirby VK5GK. -

    WIA's manager of VHF-UHF Field Days Roger Harrison VK2ZRH.

    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

    Hi there, this is WIA Director and President Scott Williams VK3KJ
    and welcome to the WIA broadcast for the first time in 2024.

    I hope all WIA members and broadcast listeners had a very enjoyable
    Christmas and celebrated the commencement of the New Year.
    Our thoughts certainly go out to all of those that have been impacted
    by these adverse weather events leading up to Christmas and in the
    past week.

    I know Queensland has been hit very hard with of course cyclone Jasper
    causing significant damage and flooding in the region around Cairns.
    And then just to top things off, Christmas day brought significant
    damage to the Gold Coast region with monsoon type rain fall and severe
    damaging winds. I know the Tamborine mountains and slightly inland
    from the Gold Coast was most impacted with many houses lost and many
    tens of thousands of people without power for many many days. In fact,
    I have a friend on the Gold Coast in the Hinterland who is still
    running on generator power whist they try and rebuild the electricity
    supply network in his area.

    Let hope these extreme weather events end soon and we can all enjoy
    this holiday and festive season a little more.

    I want to share some very sad news that we have received at the WIA
    in the past days. Patrick Emery (Manager, Licensing Allocation
    Section) of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), experienced a medical event on Christmas Eve and was subsequently
    diagnosed with an advanced brain tumour. He was rushed to Austin
    Hospital in Melbourne however, Patrick passed away peacefully
    surrounded by his beloved family. Our thoughts and condolences are
    with Patricks wife, two daughters, family, friends and colleagues
    at this tragic and very sad time.

    Patrick was 52 years of age, a qualified Lawyer and someone that at
    the WIA we respected tremendously. He has been instrumental in leading
    the recent consultations in class licensing and someone that we at the
    WIA considered very engaging, professionally competent and fair.

    Patrick was also a well-known music writer and published articles in
    The Australian, The Age and a range of other print media. I know the
    music industry are in shock with Patricks passing and of course at
    the WIA we will miss him immensely.

    Thats it for me this week and I will keep it short and sharp. I am
    still on annual leave and enjoying some time around the property and
    of course making that odd contact on air.

    The new DXCC and awards year has kicked off for 2024 and already I see
    some VKs have worked over 100 countries within 24 hours. There is
    plenty of activity on the bands so hopefully between thunderstorms,
    bolts of lightning and heavy rain, you will find a moment to enjoy
    this great hobby.

    I hope everyone has a prosperous and safe 2024.

    Thats it for me this week and this has been Scott Williams, WIA
    President for this weeks WIA National News.

    DECLARATION of ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

    Clause 14 of the Constitution of the WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA
    (WIA) specifies the way in which Directors of the WIA are to be
    elected to that position.

    Three (3) directors will retire at the conclusion of the next Annual
    General Meeting which will be held in May 2024, namely Lee Moyle
    VK3GK, Steven Green VK2TSG and Chris Dimitrijevic VK3FY. Each retiring
    director was eligible for re-nomination. A call for nominations for
    the position of Directors of the WIA was made in the WIA National News Broadcast and in Amateur Radio Magazine in accordance with the
    Election Regulations.

    I advise that I have received Three (3) valid nominations from WIA
    members for the position as director of the WIA by the advertised
    closing date for nominations, as follows:-

    Steven Green VK2TSG
    Lee Moyle VK3GK
    Chris Dimitrijevic VK3FY
    As advised in the Call for Nominations there will be three (3)
    vacancies at the conclusion of the AGM to be held in May 2024 and
    therefore no election will be necessary. I therefore formally declare
    these Three (3) nominees as having been elected to the position of
    Director of the Wireless Institute of Australia. These Directors elect
    will take up their role at the conclusion of the Annual General
    Meeting in May 2024. They will remain in that role for a period of
    two (2) years.

    The existing four (4) continuing Directors are:-
    Scott Williams VK3KJ
    Peter Schrader VK4EA
    Peter Clee VK8ZZ
    Giles Kirby VK5GK

    These continuing four (4) directors will retire at the conclusion of
    the Annual General Meeting in 2025.

    I, John Marshall, the duly appointed returning Officer of the
    Wireless Institute of Australia confirm that these results are valid
    and in accordance with the Constitution of the Wireless Institute of
    Australia and the Election Regulations.

    The Constitution and Election Regulations of the WIA provide that it
    is mandatory for the announcement of the incoming directors be made at
    the Annual General Meeting. However, is has been the norm to announce
    the results prior to the AGM once they have been finalised by the
    Returning Officer.

    I wish the incoming directors well in there forthcoming 2-year term.
    This is John Marshall, WIA Returning Officer

    This is WIA Director Giles Kirby VK5GK.

    Happy 2024 to everyone. Just a short one from me today.

    Wed like to remind members that nominations for the WIA Merit Awards
    to be presented at this years AGM in Bundaberg should be submitted to
    the WIA secretary ( [email protected] ). Nominations for this award
    will close on March 1st 2024. Details are available on the WIA web
    pages.

    wia.org.au/members/wiaawards/about/

    I look forward to meeting many of you in Bundaberg this May 4th.

    It will also be interesting to see what solar cycle 25 holds for us
    this year. Will it be larger than predicted or just sooner. Hopefully
    the New Years Eve solar flare was a good omen.

    Best wishes everyone. This was Director Giles Kirby (VK5GK). 73s.

    ------------------------------------------------------------*
    INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to IARU, RSGB, RAC,
    ARRL, NZART, eHam, AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE, eHam,
    Radioworld.com Hackaday and the World Wide sources of the WIA.

    WIRELESS WEATHER AFFECTING THE PACIFIC OCEON AREA.

    Mere hours after emerging over the sun's eastern limb on Dec. 31st,
    big sunspot AR3536 erupted, producing a major X5-class solar flare.

    This is the strongest flare of Solar Cycle 25 (so far) and the most
    powerful eruption the sun has produced since the great storms of
    Sept. 2017.

    Radiation from the flare caused a deep shortwave radio blackout over
    the Pacific Ocean.

    spaceweather.com/images2023/31dec23/blackoutmap.jpg

    Ham radio operators noticed loss of signal at all
    frequencies below 30 MHz for more than 60 minutes after the flare's
    peak.

    It was too soon to know for sure, but this explosion probably
    launched a coronal mass ejection into space. Because the blast site
    is located near the extreme eastern edge of the sun, the CME was
    unlikely to have a significant Earth-directed component.

    Update: This explosion caused a solar tsunami. You can see the shock
    wave in this animation from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.

    spaceweather.com/images2023/31dec23/tsunami_red_strip.gif
    Last week on the news we, whilst doing an item on CQ Magazine
    mentioned how CQ-DATV ceased its free online publication in 2021.

    Although that IS still to be read on the net, clarification re
    'Status of CQ-DATV is in error.

    Terry Mowles VK5TM, as the PDF editor for the magazine, made contact
    to advise that CQ-DATV is an independent publication out of the UK and
    has no association at all with CQ Communications, Inc.

    The free magazine is still produced every month by Ian Pawson G8IQU,
    Trevor Brown G8CJS, Terry Mowles VK5TM and Jim Andrews KH6HTV.

    Now even further...

    Mark WC3W from dxmarathon.com says the annual DX Marathon Program will
    remain viable with or without CQ Magazine.

    The program does not receive any financial support from CQ nor do they
    draw any resources to operate the DX Marathon program from them. They
    do publish the rules in usually the November issue (still to be
    printed) for the following year, and the program results in the June
    issue.

    Bottom linedo not be concerned with regard to the DX Marathons
    viability, Mark WC3W says, "We will do just fine with or without
    CQ Magazine."

    In this weeks operational news from the WIA National News Service,
    Felix VK4FUQ will have more on this current years DXMARATHON...
    Stay Tuned.

    dxmarathon.com/
    Hams Help Community Radio Station Get Back on Air

    ICQPODCAST have reported that because of amateur radio, community
    radio station KNYO, is going to start this new year very differently
    from the way it did last year.

    Eleven months ago, the low-power FM station in Fort Bragg, California
    lost its antenna after the collapse of the 70-foot pine tree which was
    being used as its tower. The FCC authorised a temporary fix that
    authorised the antenna to be installed on a mast, but, only one-third
    that height, but it did get the all-volunteer station back on the air.

    Then an October thunderstorm struck and the signal went silent again.

    That's when hams from the Mendocino County Amateur Radio Communication
    Service, NC 6 MC, stepped in.

    After station volunteers could not determine what had gone wrong, the
    club's president Derek, KE6EBZ, sent a team over to help investigate.
    These hams discovered that lightning had struck the antenna during the
    storm. The lightning arrestor was damaged and several connectors had
    been knocked out. Repairs quickly got underway.

    Hopefully, 2024 will begin with smoother operation - and better
    weather - for station KNYO.

    If not, amateur radio is standing by.
    WEIRD AND WONDERFULL

    The Lost Cosmonauts of the USSR: dramatic transmissions picked up from
    outer space.

    Have you heard about the secret space programs of the USSR?
    Lost Cosmonauts in Space?

    It is almost a plot out of a science fiction movie. There are hundreds
    of books and publications around the world which have talked about the
    space race and the numerous incidents that occurred. The Story about
    'Lost Cosmonauts' begins with two Italian Brothers, Giovanni and
    Achille Judica-Cordiglia who were amateur radio operators with an
    incredible passion for picking up transmission from space: specifically transmission between Russian cosmonauts and Soviet Ground control.

    Utilizing a very limited set up, the two Italian brothers allegedly
    intercepted signals which were sent by the Sputnik Satellite and even
    eavesdrop on Laika, the canine explorer aboard Sputnik II.

    Some believe that somewhere in the vast darkness of space, currently
    over 9,000 million kilometres away from the Sun, the first human being
    is reaching the limits of our Solar System. The Cosmonauts body,
    perfectly preserved, is frozen at 270 degrees below zero, and the tiny spaceship drifted for over 50 years away from Earth at a speed of
    almost 30,000 km per hour. This would mean that this is the first
    cosmonaut lost in space, forgotten in the secret history of
    mankinds attempt to conquer space.

    According to many conspiracy theories, early missions of the Soviet
    Space Program experienced terrible accidents in their attempt to
    conquer space. These failures resulted in loss of life: many
    Cosmonauts made it to space but never actually made it back home.

    A mysterious signal picked up May 1961, is a dramatic transmission
    where the voice of a woman can be heard the transmission features
    the last minutes of a Russian female cosmonaut as her capsule burned
    up during re-entry into Earths atmosphere.

    During a period of four years, the Cordiglia brothers released a total
    of nine recordings but THAT ONE is the most interesting of all.

    Links to the story and to the recordings are in this weeks Text
    Edition.

    tinyurl.com/4jkvdd7y -------------------------------------------------------------------*
    HAM RADIO OPERATIONAL NEWS - IT'S A CONTACT SPORT

    --------------
    --------------
    NOW CONTEST WISE:- 2024
    --------------
    --------------

    The 2024 CQ DX Marathon

    The CQ DX Marathon is designed to promote DXing activity throughout
    the year. Credit is given for contacts on all amateur bands
    (160 to 6 metres) including those not normally used for contesting
    (60, 30, 17 and 12 metres). Contesting QSOs can be used as long as
    they are made from the same station operation.

    The CQ DX Marathon is a yearlong activity, it began at Zero Hours
    UTC Monday last, the first of January and ends at 23:59 UTC
    Tuesday 31 December 2024.

    Contacts through repeaters or satellites are not allowed for credit,
    nor are contacts with maritime or aeronautical mobile stations. All
    contacts must be made entirely over amateur radio frequencies.

    EchoLink-type, DMR, All-Star, etc., contacts do NOT count.

    Modes for which the operator is licensed may be used.

    Examples of the modes to be used in the DX Marathon programme are
    CW (utilises the International Morse Code)
    Phone (USB, LSB, DSB, FM (voice), AM)
    Digital: PSK, RTTY, FT8, FT4

    (SARL)
    VKCC The VK Contest Club have just held their annual luncheon, VK4TS
    Trent Sampson joins us:-

    Hello everyone! Despite Mother Natures fury hitting the Gold Coast
    with tornadoes and heavy flooding, a resilient group defied the odds
    to gather at Mango Hill Tavern for our annual meet-up on Saturday,
    December 30th, 2023.

    In the face of adversity, these intrepid souls embraced the day:
    VK4CT, John, accompanied by his partner in crime, XYL Liz; VK4CZ,
    Scott; VK4DX, Mike; VK4TS, along with his better half, XYL Lorraine;
    VK4XU, Sonny; VK4UH, Kevin, and VK4UV, Colin formed the core of our
    indomitable group. Not forgetting VK4DI, Di, and VK4ZD, Bill, who
    added their vibrant personalities to the mix.

    The weather might have tried to dampen our spirits, but it couldnt
    deter this bunch of enthusiasts passionate about all things radio.
    We might have been fewer in number, but the camaraderie and enthusiasm
    were undiminished. Stories were shared, knowledge exchanged, and the
    day was a testament to the resilience and determination of our
    community.

    While some couldnt join due to the adverse conditions, the spirit of togetherness and passion for our hobby burned bright in Mango Hill
    Tavern. Here's to the unbreakable spirit of the amateur radio
    community, weathering storms both literal and metaphorical, always
    coming together stronger.

    Until next time, keep those radios buzzing and spirits high!

    (Trent VK4TS)
    --------------
    Ross Hull Memorial Contest.
    Running on VHF and above for the month of January.
    You nominate the best 7 day or 2 day period per category.

    For more information visit the contest page at wia.org.au/members/contests/rosshull/

    (VK2TBC)

    -----------------------------------
    JANUARY 2024 VHF-UHF Summer Field Day.
    13 - 14 January.
    0100 UTC Saturday to 0059 UTC Sunday BUT to make it a
    little fairer in VK6, they add 3 hours onto start and
    end times.

    This is Roger Harrison VK2ZRH, manager of the VHF-UHF Field Days.

    The Summer 2024 event will proceed as planned.

    In the meantime, renewed efforts to catch up preparing results for past
    contest are under way thanks to a small team of volunteers. Keep an eye on
    the Field Days web page.


    So, get your gear together for the Summer VHF-UHF Field Day and enjoy it!

    This is Roger Harrison VK2ZRH for VK1WIA News.

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

    AUSTRALIA DAY CONTEST

    This contest is to encourage Amateur Radio promotional Activity
    around the world and is designed to encourage friendly participation
    and help improve the operating skills of participants.

    It is held on the Australia Day Public Holiday, 26th of January.

    Amateurs here in in VK will endeavour to contact other amateurs
    around the world. Some VK operators will be using the AX prefix to
    celebrate Australia day, as its wanted by many amateurs.

    Scoring is distance based and calculated using 4-character grid
    squares.

    (wia.org.au)

    --------------
    DX WINDOW TO THE WORLD.
    --------------

    FRENCH AMATEUR'S SPECIAL EVENT HONOURS POLISH MARTYR

    Several special event stations go on the air from around the world
    each year in August, coinciding with the anniversary of the death of
    St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe. He was born, however, in January and an
    event is on marking the 130th anniversary of that day.

    He was a Polish priest, Maximilian Maria Kolbe, martyred in Auschwitz
    during World War II.

    Hams often hold special event stations in August to mark the date of
    his death. One ham in France -- Jeff, F 4 IIQ chose to mark his
    birth on January 8th. He is on air with callsign TM 130 SMK to the
    9th of January, Tuesday this week.

    The Franciscan priest, who was canonized in 1982, is considered the
    patron saint of amateur radio for having founded a monastery in Poland dedicated to communications. The monastery housed a short-wave radio
    station with the callsign SP 3 RN. When the monastery was shut by the
    Nazis in 1941, Maximilian Maria Kolbe was arrested and sent to
    Auschwitz where he volunteered to take the place of another man who
    was marked to die. The priest was executed by lethal injection after
    having been placed in a starvation bunker.

    Father Kolbe is also the inspiration for the Saint Maximilian Kolbe
    Net, which was founded by two amateurs in the US in 1998. It meets on
    80 and 20 metres Sundays.

    (ARNewsLine)

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

    EAST KIRIBATI.

    Members of the Rebel DX Group are QRV as T 32 TT from Christmas
    Island, IOTA OC-024, until January 12 on 160 to 6 meters using CW,
    SSB, FT8, and FT4.

    QSL via OQRS.

    (eHam and vk4bb)

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

    MOROCCO.

    Yannick, F6FYD is QRV as CN 2 YD until March 15.

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

    THE VAAL DAM CELEBRATES ITS 85TH BIRTHDAY

    The Sasolburg ARC will be operating ZS 85 VDAM now to 1 April
    to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the opening of the Vaal Dam.

    There is a special QSL Card available - send your QSL card to the
    Sasolburg ARC to receive the ZS 85 VDAM QSL Card.

    --------------
    NAMIBIA.

    QRV is V 51 WH from Omaruru until the end of April Activity is on
    160 to 10 meters, including 60 meters for those in the world able to
    use that band.

    V51WH.

    QSL to Gunter, home call is DK2WH

    (eHam)
    --------------

    MALAWI.

    Don, 7Q6M is QRV until May 13, 2024 and has also been active on 160
    meters. QSL via LoTW. ------------------------------------------------------------*

    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

    Midway through last month, December, we brought you news of SOTA's
    2024 10 Metre SOTA Challenge.

    Yes Summits on the Air are holding a year-long challenge taking place
    on the 10 metre band from 1st January 2024 to 31st December 2024.
    SOTA is encouraging the use of 10 meters as solar cycle 25 is
    projected to peak.

    NOW AN UPDATE.

    This in from SOTA.

    There will be a special 10m Challenge results page but note, lots of
    you said you DON'T WANT SOTA contests and we listened. There will NOT
    be an overall winner or association winners.

    BUT

    Have fun climbing and working... the mountain tops if not the winning
    ladder.

    (sourced to icqpodacst)
    WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS LOW DOWN

    A TREASURED TRANSMITTER'S ENDURING MESSAGE

    As we step across the threshold of a new year, it's a comfort to know
    that some things endure. They were built to last - and in fact, they
    DO last. One example is the tradition of a message of Christmas peace, transmitted from a historic transmitter in Sweden.

    On Christmas Eve morning, the World Heritage Grimeton Radio station
    carried a message to the world, older than the 100-year-old
    transmitter herself. It was a message of peace sent via Morse Code.
    Hams and non-hams alike from around the world tuned in via SDR or
    other means to hear the code being sent via the Alexanderson
    Alternator SAQ signal on 17.2 kHz long wave.

    Others simply witnessed the event on YouTube, where spectators from
    Poland, Belgium, Colombia, Brazil and Australia left words of support
    and appreciation.

    The history behind this transmitter is as cherished as the message it
    carries several times each year: With every transmission it
    underscores the progress we have made over the years in wireless
    communication -- while affirming the progress the world still needs to
    make in so many other areas.

    (ARNewsLine)
    WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - MARITIME
    INCLUDING ILLW NEWS - ILLW 17th August 2024 to 18th August 2024

    Australian lights planned and advised to WIA :-
    AU 0102 Point Charles NT - Darwin AR Club

    SO If YOUR VK ZL club has plans for this years ILLW let us now PRONTO
    so we can help promote to the world, SURELY (Shirley) they is more
    than just Darwin already to pop on air lighting up the bands August
    17.
    Maritime Radio Historical Society old KPH Over the Air Cryptographic
    Challenge.

    January 20, KPH will transmit a coded message consisting of 5-digit
    groups. The message will be encrypted using typical Cold War numbers
    station cryptographic procedures. All KPH listeners are invited to try
    their hand at receiving and decrypting the message. Certificates will
    be awarded to those who successful decode the message. Additionally, a
    special certificate will be awarded to the first person to decode it.

    Broadcast frequencies for the January 20 event, starting 2100 UTC
    are:-

    CW: 425.0, 6477.5, 8642.0, 12808.5, 17016.8, and 22477.5

    RTTY: Following the CW transmission: 6324.5, 8427.0 and 12585.5

    Additional details and rules can be found on the Maritime Radio
    Historical Society website.

    radiomarine.org/mrhs-events

    (ard)
    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

    Just as Youth on the Air month ended on the last day of December,
    Ham Radio Kids Day was just getting warmed up.

    The annual ARRL event took place yesterday, Saturday the 6th of
    January as a way of showing youngsters the kind of fun they can have
    on the air - and to interest them in science and technology. One
    group, The New Providence Amateur Radio Club in New Jersey operated
    the event with the youngsters at the Salt Brook School.

    During the event, youngsters were on the air under the supervision of
    licensed hams. Kids called "CQ Kids Day" and the kid-friendly exchange
    was name, age, location and favourite colour.

    (sourced to ARNewsLine) ------------------------------------------------------------*
    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 - BARG HamFest 4th of February next door to BARG clubrooms
    at Ballarat Airport 10:00 am.
    barg.org.au/ (vk3kqt)
    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.

    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
    [email protected]
    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 [email protected] and don't JUST send url's links or
    posters, but take the time to pen YOUR contribution.

    To submit audio, email [email protected]
    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
    [email protected]

    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 [email protected]
    How do I join this National News List?
    (subscribe for an automatic weekly feed.)
    Email to [email protected]
    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 [email protected]
    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.

    ------------------------------------------------------------*

    _______________________________________________
    Vk1wia-news mailing list
    [email protected] http://lists.wia.org.au/mailman/listinfo/vk1wia-news

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From National News Broadcast Email List@21:1/5 to All on Mon Jun 17 20:50:11 2024
    XPost: aus.radio.amateur.misc, rec.radio.info

    Weekly news from the WIA:
    MP3 edition of news available at: http://www.wia-files.com/podcast/wianews-2024-06-23.mp3 Text edition:

    Test message - please ignore this message

    _______________________________________________
    Vk1wia-news mailing list
    [email protected] http://lists.wia.org.au/mailman/listinfo/vk1wia-news

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From National News Broadcast Email List@21:1/5 to All on Fri Dec 6 17:49:00 2024
    XPost: aus.radio.amateur.misc, rec.radio.info

    Weekly news from the WIA:
    MP3 edition of news available at: http://www.wia-files.com/podcast/wianews-2024-12-08.mp3 Text edition:

    2024 DECEMBER 8 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

    ------------------------------------------------------------*

    WIA

    JOIN THE WIA
    tinyurl.com/yyj87b9y
    NEXT WES DIRECTOR TOB HERD ON NEWS WILL BE

    Giles VK5GK
    15-Dec-2024

    Then roster is
    Scott VK3KJ WIA PRESIDENT
    22-Dec-2024

    Peter VK8ZZ WIA SECRETARY
    29-Dec-2024

    Lee Vk3GK
    5-Jan-2025

    Chris VK3FY
    12-Jan-2025

    Peter VK4EA
    19-Jan-2025

    Steve VK2TSG
    26 Jan-2025

    AUSTRALIANA

    VK6SANTA

    Santa has a summer home and here in Australia, you can find him in
    Wangara, Western Australia, where he is in his shack, excited to have
    finally got his Australian callsign.

    It's VK6SANTA and he's making good use of it right now through to the
    24th of December, yes he HAS to start delivering presents then so hop
    to it now and give VK6SANTA a shoutout

    Visit his page on QRZ.com and you'll find that Santa is eager to work
    local hams as well as some DX - he's on 2 metres as well as 10, 20 and
    40 metres.

    Quoting SANTA from his qrz.com page, "I will be operating an Amateur
    Radio Net each day, giving children (and the young at heart) a chance
    to talk directly with me over the airwaves. Whether you'd like to share
    your Christmas wishes, ask about life here at the North Pole, or just
    chat with me, Santa, Id love to hear from you!

    The net will be operated daily from the 1st to the 24th of December
    with the below schedule of frequencies and times (AWST - UTC+8):

    2 meters: 146.550 MHz ( QRM)
    Saturdays & Sundays: 16:00 - 16:30

    10 meters: 28.916 MHz ( QRM)
    Monday through Friday: 18:00 - 18:30
    Saturday & Sunday: 17:00 - 17:30

    20 meters: 14.316 MHz ( QRM)
    Monday through Friday: 18:45 - 19:15
    Saturday & Sunday: 17:45 - 18:15

    40 meters: 7.190 MHz ( QRM)
    Monday through Friday: 19:30 - 20:00
    Saturday & Sunday: 18:30 - 19:00
    (newsline/qrz.com)

    Sands, VU2WXW / VK9WX is currently on deployment at the Giles Weather
    Station in Western Australia and is operating as VK6GWX.

    Giles Weather Station is near the Northern Territory border, about
    330 kilometres west of Ayers Rock.

    It is the only staffed weather station within an area of about
    970,000 sq miles and is situated mid-continent and near the core of
    the subtropical jetstream. This means it plays an important role as a
    weather and climate observatory for the country.

    So keep an ear out for Sands, (great name isn't it) VK6GWX in the
    foothills of the Rawlinson Ranges.

    ( m0oxo.com/ )
    ALARA

    Sunday December 22 will be WIA National News Services ALARA edition.

    Michelle VK2AYL
    Linda VK7QP
    Lyn VK4SWE and
    Shirley VK5YL

    will be awaiting your check in that day for the news service.

    THE RETIRING TYPE

    VK4BAT Trevor Taege who is the voice of all our WIA NATIONAL NEWS
    and QNEWS station identifications has just announced his retirement
    from Radio 4GY Gympie / Sunshine Coast's mainstream breakfast show.

    Congratulations Trev on a job well done but you will still hear him
    each week announcing things on WIA such as.....> ------------------------------------------------------------*
    INTERNATIONAL NEWS is 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.

    . . .

    Radio enthusiasts from Cornwall are celebrating the 123rd anniversary
    of the first radio transmission across the Atlantic this month.

    In December of 1901 Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi and two
    assistants travelled from Poldhu Wireless Station near Mullion, in
    Cornwall, to the Canadian province of Newfoundland. It was on December
    12 that history was made, when a pre-arranged signal of three dots
    (the letter 'S' in Morse code) was heard by Marconi on Signal Hill
    at St John's, Newfoundland - having been transmitted from Poldhu.

    In doing so, Marconi was able to disprove the previously common held
    belief that radio waves could only travel in straight lines.

    His work laid the foundation for the development of radio, television
    and all modern wireless communication systems since.
    American Radio Relay League (ARRL) has warned its membership the
    impending import tariffs of the Trump administration will cause
    major disruptions to the cost of Amateur Radio gear due to almost all
    radio equipment being manufactured in Asian countries.

    Given the wildly fluctuating statements the US President-elect has
    made, ranging from 20% to 100%, import tariffs will undoubtedly make
    millions of products go up in cost to the American consumer and
    Amateur Radio will be no exception.

    Bart Jahnke, W 9 JJ, ARRL Director of Regulatory Affairs, has stated
    that "All manufacturing brands will be affected and the long list of
    items includes much more than radios, it will touch things like
    Raspberry Pi computers and Hot Spots.

    Expected big winners will be Canadian retailers along border states,
    US Hams are expected to just drive up North to such places as Toronto
    and buy gear there, thus avoiding the import tariff that Trump says
    he will impose. Jahnke said.

    Actually I'd take that story with a grain of salt, sourced to the
    online ham news service "The Dipole" out of Canada, a satirical blog at
    best. HiHi.

    The FCC has intensified its focus on the 5.9 GHz band where new rules
    are being finalized for the use of cellular delivery of communications
    to and from cars and trucks on the road.

    Intelligent Transportation Systems, or ITS, scored a big gain late
    November as the FCC voted on a proposal enabling the use of
    "cellular vehicle-to-everything" or C-V2X, on the 5.9 GHz band.
    This would establish new rules for the use of ITS within 30 MHz of that spectrum.

    The system is already in use by many automakers, sending and receiving
    messages over existing 5G cellular networks with alerts about traffic
    issues, weather conditions, road hazards or speeding cars.

    The FCC measure also sets out the technical parameters for the use of
    C-V2X, including power and emission limits. The system permits vehicles
    to communicate with roadside infrastructure and the cell phones of
    pedestrians, cyclists and road workers, enabling safety communications
    even when there are no line-of-sight warnings.

    In the heart of the Amazon, amidst the dense foliage and the symphony
    of nature's whispers, a silent revolution unfoldsone that transcends
    borders, defies regulations, and challenges the very essence of
    communication.

    At the centre of this enigma lies the tale of the South American
    satellite pirates, a clandestine network of individuals who have
    ingeniously tapped into retired UHF MilSat bands to extend their
    radio range deep into the heart of the rainforest.

    vapor95.com say for decades, Brazilian loggers have employed 2m radios
    modified with frequency doublers and directional antennas, turning the once-secret communication channels of the U.S. Navy Satcom uplink
    frequencies (280-310MHz) into conduits for their own purposes.

    Dubbed "Bolinha" or "little ball" by its users, the FLTSATCOM geo-sync satellites, once a pinnacle of military communication prowess, now find themselves unwitting accomplices in this subversive endeavour.

    What began as a means for Brazilian loggers to enhance their radio
    range has evolved into a phenomenon that spans the breadth of Brazilian society. Truck drivers, seeking superior communication capabilities in
    remote regions beyond the reach of traditional infrastructure, flock to
    these satellites. Rogue loggers, wary of authorities encroaching on
    their illicit activities, deploy them as covert communication channels
    to evade detection. Drug dealers, organized crime factions, and
    ordinary citizens alike have found utility in this illicit network, transforming it into an integral part of the Brazilian communication
    landscape.

    tinyurl.com/4sz6596n

    820 WNYC(AM) plans to conduct an all-digital MA3 test of AM HD Radio
    TODAY, December 8.

    On the day of the test, New Yorks Public Radio's engineering team
    plan to drive around New York Citys perimeter in what is described
    as a corkscrew route. They will assess the digital signals
    performance in the outer boroughs of the city and then turn inward to
    areas like downtown Brooklyn, Manhattans Wall Street and
    Lower Broadway. The trip will conclude by going directly north
    through midtown.

    Representatives from the HD Radio developer will provide a vehicle
    and equipment to measure and record observations during the test.

    820 WNYC runs 10 kW directional daytime and 1 kW directional at night.
    Under the test, WNYC will turn OFF its analogue transmitter and run the
    IBOC digital standard exclusively.
    Due to an ongoing Canada Post strike, mail services have been disrupted nationwide, delaying the delivery of letters, packages, magazines and
    other materials to and from Radio Amateurs of Canada.
    Delay in delivery of The Canadian Amateur (TCA) magazine is but one
    service effected.

    In a recent episode of This Week in Tech, the panel explored what is
    being called the worst hack in US history China's "Salt Typhoon."

    twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech/episodes/1007?autostart=false

    This massive cyber espionage campaign has compromised US
    telecommunications infrastructure, leaving officials increasingly
    concerned about the far-reaching implications for national security.

    The "Salt Typhoon" hack, first reported in October, has been ongoing
    for months, with some instances dating back a full year. Chinese
    hackers have exploited vulnerabilities in the outdated US telecom
    system, gaining access to the communications of high-profile
    individuals, including those in politics, intelligence, and
    law enforcement.

    During the discussion, the panel highlighted the challenges of securing
    aging infrastructure against sophisticated cyber threats. They noted
    that the US telecom system is built on a patchwork of older
    technologies, making it difficult to implement modern cybersecurity
    measures.

    This has left the nation vulnerable to attacks like "Salt Typhoon,"
    which has allowed Chinese hackers to surveil targeted individuals with
    ease.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
    OPERATIONAL NEWS - A FELIX VK4FUQ PRESENTATION

    --------------
    --------------
    NOW CONTEST WISE:- 2024
    --------------
    --------------

    RSGB HF CONTEST CHANGES.
    Not only as we have previously noted are there changes to the popular Commonwealth Contest where one change is you are encouraged to use
    CC rather than BERU when calling, but changes also in their
    FT4 series contests where there will be 12 (one per month) run,
    with the best nine results contributing to each entrants final score
    for the year.

    Other changes are in the 1.8MHz Contests
    along with Self-spotting

    Self-spotting will be permitted on a trial basis in 2025, for both
    assisted and unassisted entrants in all RSGB HF Contests and using
    all modes.

    I suggest if you do participate in RSGB contests to visit rsgb.org and
    brush up on the 2025 rules of engagement.

    tinyurl.com/2tm4tdbf

    (rsgb)
    SOUTH AFRICA

    Still looking at changes in world-wide activity although the SARL has
    five VHF/UHF operating trophies they have but ONE HF operating trophy.
    At their Council meeting on 22 and 23 November, it was decided to add
    TWO new HF operating awards - Council is now busy finalising the
    criteria for these awards.

    (sarl)
    -------------------

    ARRL 160 METER CW ON NOW

    It is ALWAYS the first full weekend of December.

    Beginning 2200 UTC Friday, ending 1559 UTC Sunday.

    This is a forty-two hour period with no time limitation.

    Logs MUST be returned within seven days

    (arrl)

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

    10 METER ARRL CONTEST

    For Amateurs worldwide to exchange QSO information with as many
    stations as possible on the 10 meter band.

    Second full weekend of December. Starts 0000 UTC Saturday; runs
    through 2359 UTC Sunday (December 14-15)

    Again as in most ARRL Tests logs are to be completed and returned
    within 7 days.

    (arrl)
    --------------
    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.
    Our I.A.R.U. celebrates its centenary in 2025.

    Since its founding in Paris, France, IARU has worked tirelessly to
    promote innovation in amateur radio and to encourage the growth of
    the service in communities throughout the world.

    VI 100 IARU is a special event callsign transmitting from VK3 to help
    celebrate the IARU Centennial.

    qsl via MO 0 OXO

    (qrz.com)

    ----------
    XMAS IN ENGLAND

    The Humber Fortress DX Amateur Radio Club are once running the
    special callsign GB 0 MC until 26 of December.

    The MC in the callsign stands for Merry Christmas.

    The Club would like to invite you to call in and give them a
    hearty HoHoHo and tell them what radio equipment you would like
    from Santa this year.

    The Club will also be livestreaming on its YouTube Channel

    youtube.com/@humberfortressdxarc

    (rsgb)
    --------------

    Listen throughout the rest of 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)
    -------------

    AUSTRIA

    OE100RADIO [OSCAR-ECHO-ONE-HUNDRED-ROMEO-ALPHA-DELTA-INDIA-OSCAR] is
    active until the 31st of December celebrating the 100th anniversary
    of beginning of regular radio transmissions in Austria in 1924.
    The station has heard recently on the 40m band using CW.

    QSL via the Bureau.

    (gb2rs)

    ------------
    Y
    The Radio Club des Ardennes, ON4RCA, will be on the air as
    OO 8 BB now through to the 15th of December, commemorating the
    80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge during World War II.

    QSLs can only be requested via Club Log's OQRS until the 31st of
    January 2025.

    (newsline 2455)

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

    Y
    In the World of DX, be listening for members of the Zurich City
    Police Radio Amateur Club who have been operating as HB 2 SP
    the club is marking its 20th anniversary. NO Bureau QSL's but you can
    use Logbook Of The World, and HB20SP runs until months end,
    December 31.

    (sourced to ARNewsLine 2410)
    -------------------

    Y
    Special callsign HB 50 VC is active until 31 December celebrating the
    50th anniversary of the Swissair Amateur Radio Club, HB 9 VC.

    A growing trend these days is that QSL cards will not be provided
    but QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook of the World.

    You can also download a certificate for working this special event
    station from the link we like in the text editions of
    WIA National News

    tinyurl.com/HB50VC-24.

    (rsgb)
    ------------------------------------------------------------*
    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
    Organisers will be watching the weather forecast in the days between
    Christmas and the New Year to see what day is most suitable for the return of Gaulfest, a SOTA tradition first held in 2003. Over the years, the event's purpose has become one-half SOTA and one-half social. Since the beginning, activators have set up operations on summits in the Shropshire area or on summits near the border of England and Wales, staying close enough to one another for a convenient meet-up afterward in Church Stretton for coffee and cake.


    Organisers Tom, M1EYP, and Jimmy, MHGY, are hoping for a turnout that even attracts SOTA first-timers. They expect lots of opportunities for summit-to-summit contacts. If you wish to participate, Tom advises following the discussion thread on the SOTA Reflector to coordinate with other
    activators as to which summits everyone is going to be on.


    By the way, Tom explains that the name for the event actually originates from the ancient name for Wales: "Pay de Galles" - but someone misspelled it when the first SOTA event was launched. Gaul - spelled "G A U L" was actually the name for a region of western Europe. Tom said no one ever bothered to correct the mistake and so the name Gaulfest simply became permanent.


    (newsline 2457)

    WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - FAITH.

    In anticipation of Christmas, special event stations 4 X 8 X
    from the Latrun Monastery and 4 X 9 X rom the Yardenit Baptismal Site
    will this weekend 6-8 December.

    Latrun is a strategic hilltop in the Latrun salient overlooking the
    road between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, 25 kilometres west of Jerusalem
    whilst Yardenit is situated on the banks of the Jordan River in which
    Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.

    4X9X will be followed by 4 X 7 X from the Abbey of the Dormition
    on 20-22 December.

    All QSLs via 4 X 6 ZM.

    A certificate will be available:
    iarc.org/xmas2024.

    (425 dxnews)

    WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - FINAL FRONTIER
    AMSAT-VK Secretary - [email protected]

    Consider this:

    It is now four decades ago that astronaut Owen Garriott, callsign
    W5LFL, pioneered amateur radio communication from space.
    He was a crewmember on the space shuttle program's STS-9 mission.

    During that space shuttle flight in 1983, Garriott became the first
    ever person in space to communicate with amateur radio operators on the
    ground. He was also the first person to be heard directly from space
    by members of the public using simple radio receivers and scanners.

    That event transformed astronaut communications from space, forever,
    allowing amateur radio operators and the public to communicate with
    people in space.

    But don't change that dial!

    Much more is coming in terms of amateur radio and the
    International Space Station.

    tinyurl.com/2xtduash

    (space.com)
    IM-2.

    Intuitive Machines second CLPS lunar mission, IM-2, carries the
    Nova-C lander (Athena) and is now targeting a launch in February.

    IMs first CLPS mission landed, albeit roughly, on the Moon in February
    this year, becoming the first soft landing on the Moon by a private
    company (and the first American landing since Apollo 17 in 1972).
    For IM-2, IM is seriously upping their game, with multiple rovers and
    hoppers on board and a target of the Moons south pole in an area
    around 89S where water ice could be within the range of the landers
    1 meter Honeybee Robotics TRIDENT drill.

    (orbitalindex.com)

    WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - INTERNET, THE HAMS DOMAIN

    In a fascinating and disturbing segment on a podcast from Security Now,

    twit.tv/shows/security-now/episodes/1002?autostart=false

    the hosts exposed the inner workings of a sophisticated cyber espionage campaign by Russian state-sponsored hacking group known as Fancy Bear.

    Using an exploit dubbed the "nearest neighbour" attack, the hackers
    were able to breach the Wi-Fi network of their target organization from thousands of miles away by compromising an organization located in a
    building physically adjacent to their ultimate target.

    BUT here's where it gets even more devious - the hackers had previously obtained the credentials to log into the target's Wi-Fi via password
    spraying attacks.

    Once on the network, the attackers moved laterally, searched for key
    data, and exfiltrated it back to Russia. They relied heavily on
    "living off the land" techniques, utilizing common Windows tools to
    help cover their tracks. As Steve explained, this attack demonstrates
    that a sufficiently motivated adversary with enough time and resources
    can find a way to penetrate almost any network.

    (twit)

    WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - IOTA
    iota-world.org/

    AS-140 S21DX DHAL CHAR ISLAND

    Dhal Char is the southernmost island of the Bhola district in
    Bangladesh. The island has attracted the attention of researchers, environmentalists and tourists alike for its unique position as one of
    the country's remotest permanently inhabited islands, far out in the
    Bay of Bengal.

    It also one of the most threatened pieces of land in the world as a
    result of rising sea levels.

    The S21DX IOTA AS-140 DXpedition is scheduled for 13-19 December 2024.

    s21dx.org/

    (dx-world)

    -----
    7X7N MARQUESAS ISLAND OC-027

    The Marquesas Islands are a group of volcanic islands in French
    Polynesia.

    Word is that the DXPedition to Marquesas is underway with their
    700kg maritime crate on board the ARANUI, a mixed cargo ship which
    is heading for Hiva Oa, arrival scheduled for December 16.

    They are preparing 17 radio bags that will travel with them by plane
    to carry transceivers, amplifiers, EME equipment, microphones/headsets,
    mains power supply, antenna analyser, multimeters etc. The antenna
    installation team will arrive on January 3, the other Operators will
    arrive on January 11.

    tx7n.com

    (dx-world)

    WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO AMATEUR YOUNG TIMERS - YOTA
    (Youngsters On The Air)
    WIA committee:- Steve VK6SJ, Alec VK2MV and Pete VK2LP. ham-yota.com/category/yota-region-3/
    facebook.com/groups/YOTAOC/
    youtube.com/channel/UClAapljf0VQ751sOgu2IzaA

    EIGHT students from Kairi State School are now Australias youngest
    amateur radio operators after they competed in the largest
    amateur radio contest in the world.

    The Year 5 and 6 students took part in the CQ Worldwide Radio Contest
    and contacted a total of 31 different countries with the help and
    mentoring from the older amateur radio operators from the Tableland
    Radio and Electronics Club.

    To the sound of CQ Contest. CQ Contest. This is Victor, Kilo, Four,
    Kilo, Sierra, Sierra, the students belted out their identifier club
    name to make radio contact to countries from Alaska to Ogasawara
    Island.

    In the previous years competition, Kairi State School Amateur Radio
    Club came in at 4th in Australia in their category. However, the
    competition conditions this year were more challenging due to
    high solar winds and geomagnetic activity.

    Since the inception of Kairis school radio program, they have gone
    from strength to strength, winning the 2022 Encouragement Award
    in the Queensland State Finals of the Resilient Australia Award.

    The school library now has a fully functioning radio in the school
    library.

    theexpressnewspaper.com.au/conversations-from-another-world-2024-11-29

    (the Express) ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    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.

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

    VK4 TODAY

    Brisbane VHF Group Showcase Day December 8 at Redcliffe and District
    Radio Club. (VK2ZRH)

    2025

    VK7 - REAST CAR BOOT SALE January 19 @ 11 am (vk7news)

    VK - Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association 50th anniversary
    Glen Waverly July 26 [email protected] (vk2ayl)

    VK4 - GOLD COAST AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY 2025 HAMFEST NOV 9 (vk4dmh)
    Country Paradise Parklands 231 Beaudesert Nerang Road.
    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
    [email protected]
    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 [email protected] and don't JUST send url's links or
    posters, but take the time to pen YOUR contribution.

    To submit audio, email [email protected]
    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
    [email protected]

    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 [email protected]
    How do I join this National News List?
    (subscribe for an automatic weekly feed.)
    Email to [email protected]
    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 [email protected]
    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.

    ------------------------------------------------------------* _______________________________________________
    Vk1wia-news mailing list
    [email protected] http://lists.wia.org.au/mailman/listinfo/vk1wia-news

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From National News Broadcast Email List@21:1/5 to All on Thu Jan 9 16:36:34 2025
    XPost: aus.radio.amateur.misc, rec.radio.info

    Weekly news from the WIA:
    MP3 edition of news available at: http://www.wia-files.com/podcast/wianews-2025-01-12.mp3 Text edition:

    2025 JANUARY 12 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 and shown on all good ATV outlets
    around the globe.

    ------------------------------------------------------------*

    AUSTRALIANA

    In VK6, utility company Western Power is looking to expand its use of
    drone technology, with its arsenal of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
    playing a critical role in monitoring network faults and maintaining reliability this summer.

    Western Powers network in WA is among the largest in Australia, with
    several rural distribution feeders that are more than 100 km in length
    and pass through areas of bushfire risk. Drone technology already plays
    a significant role for the network operator, with 24 UAVs used for asset inspections, patrols, powerline stringing, fault finding and reporting.

    Now, through these new trial, Western Power is exploring whether UAVs
    can be used to:

    remotely apply silicone to live insulators to reduce the risk of
    pole top fires;

    map powerlines to accelerate decision-making; and
    install attachments to powerlines to deter wildlife and increase
    visibility.

    UAVs are of particular importance over these summer months,
    the WA Government said, as drone monitoring is quicker than vehicle
    or foot patrols in reducing the duration of power outages.

    Having sweltered through record-breaking heat last summer, Im glad to
    see Western Power is on the front foot in investigating whether these
    drones could be used to reduce the risk of fires or faults and ensure
    power supply in the states south-west is as reliable as possible,
    said WA Energy Minister Reece Whitby.

    The drone technology complements Western Powers annual $1 billion network investment, which covers regular insulator replacement and treatment,
    as well as vegetation pruning near wires.

    Our network is large and complicated, and these investments will ensure
    we can make it as reliable as possible, Whitby said.

    (critical comms)

    SERVICE UPGRADES IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

    South Australia Ambulance Service is to implement its own cloud-based electronic records system, replacing handwritten documentation.

    The electronic patient care record (ePCR) system is to be built and
    managed by health IT specialist Dedalus as part of a 10-year,
    $16.2 million contract, the system, which will run on Microsoft Azure,
    is currently being developed and tested for clinical requirements and governance. However, the roll-out to the service's 500-vehicle fleet is
    not expected to commence until the middle of 2026.

    Upon deployment, ambulance crews will be able to electronically record patients' data on the road rather than hand-write clinical case cards
    that need to be later uploaded. The SA Government said that "in time"
    the ePCR will be integrated with hospitals' electronic medical records.

    (itnews.com.au)
    ------------------------------------------------------------*
    INTERNATIONAL NEWS is with thanks to ARRL, eHam, IARU, NEWSLINE,
    RSGB, SARL and the World Wide sources of the WIA.

    A CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

    April 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the International Amateur Radio Union. To commemorate this milestone, a ceremony will be held in Paris on
    25 and 26 April, where delegates from IARU Member Societies will hold a
    formal reception. During 2025, there will be two on-the-air celebrations.

    The IARU 100th Anniversary Centennial QSO Party.
    The IARU CQP will be held for nine days, beginning Saturday 12 April and
    ending Sunday 20 April. This event will celebrate 100 years of the IARU promoting the interests of amateur radio worldwide, seeking to protect and enhance our spectrum privileges. Amateur radio operators worldwide are encouraged to be active on the air. A website will track participants' accumulated contact points and provide participation certificates for
    download. The CQP also encompasses World Amateur Radio Day Friday,
    18 April.

    IARU HF World Championship. The 24-hour IARU HF World Championship
    Saturday 12 July and Sunday 13 July. This annual contest supports
    amateur self-training in radio communications, improving operating skills, conducting technical investigations and inter-communicating with other
    amateurs around the world using the 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 metre
    bands.

    iaru.org for updates on IARU activities planned for 2025.

    SECURITY!

    Cybersecurity experts have seen a significant increase in sophisticated phishing scams using AI to generate hyper-personalized messages mimicking people's communication styles, with over 90% of successful cyberattacks
    now beginning with phishing emails.

    Tech news weekly say many cybersecurity training and email filtering is
    being used by companies to combat this.

    Also 'passkeys', that new login technology which is aiming to replace passwords, have seen increasing adoption but face usability challenges
    and inconsistent implementation across sites and devices. The
    recommendation for now is to just use password managers for now, as
    maybe passkeys aren't quite ready for mainstream adoption yet. https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly.

    ARE YOU READY FOR A $20US WINDFALL?

    Depending how many users in the class action against Apple have filed
    the $20 may be all each gets from the US$95 million in cash to settle
    a proposed class action lawsuit claiming that APPLE's voice activated
    Siri assistant violated users' privacy.

    Mobile device owners had complained that Apple routinely recorded their
    private conversations after they activated Siri unintentionally, and
    disclosed these conversations to third parties such as advertisers.

    Two plaintiffs said their mentions of Air Jordan sneakers and Olive Garden restaurants triggered ads for those products. Another said he got ads for
    a brand name surgical treatment after discussing it, he thought privately,
    with his doctor.

    The class period ran from September 17, 2014 to December 31, 2024. It
    began when Siri incorporated the "Hey, Siri" feature that allegedly led to
    the unauthorised recordings.

    Class members, estimated in the tens of millions, may receive up to US$20
    per Siri enabled device, such as iPhones and Apple Watches.

    Apple denied wrongdoing in agreeing to settle.
    CQ DX MARATHON RETURNS FOR YEAR-LONG RUN

    Lace up your running shoes and sit down in your shack - and get ready for
    an on-the-air marathon that encourages operators to go the distance
    through December 2025.

    From Amateur Radio Newsline we 'share the we share the details.

    Just as the marathon for 2024 comes to an end, the new one has begun.

    Avid DXers are already on the hunt through until the end of the end of
    December 2025, hoping to work as many countries and CQ zones as possible.
    The idea, of course, is to see who can work the most countries, or DX
    entities, and CQ zones by the time 23:59 rolls around on December 31st.

    Keep in mind that contacts through repeaters and satellites do not count,
    nor do contacts with aeronautical mobile or maritime stations. Only the
    use of amateur radio frequencies is permitted.

    Organizers made some changes in mid-December to rules that affect the
    awards, operating class and youth participation. For a full description of
    the rules and who is affected, see the link in the text version of this
    week's wia national news service

    (wia.org.au)
    HAM CLUB AT DEUTSCHES MUSEUM CALLS QRZ FOR CENTENNIAL

    Amateur radio station DL DM recently finished celebrating two
    anniversaries in December: the club's 75th year as a radio licensee and
    its 35th year of operating from its home at the Deutsches Museum in
    Munich.

    Now the ham radio station is getting ready for another celebration:
    the centennial of the museum, one of the world's major showcases of
    science and technology by putting the callsign DL 100 DM on the air
    throughout 2025.

    The museum is marking its 100th anniversary, a time particularly for
    amateurs to remember its longstanding connection to radio. Even before the
    ham radio club had established a permanent presence there, the museum was proudly featuring a 100-watt shortwave transmitter, that had been built by
    a student in 1938, which CW operators would occasionally put on the air.
    The transmitter is still at the museum and it is on view in the
    electronics exhibition area. -------------------------------------------------------------------

    OPERATIONAL NEWS - A FELIX VK4FUQ PRESENTATION

    DX WINDOW TO THE WORLD.-------------------

    VI 2025 AJ is on air from the Australian Scout Jamboree in Queensland
    until January 15.
    (wia news)

    --------------------
    The Czech DXpedition Group will be using the callsign C 8 K from
    Mozambique the 17th of January through to the 2nd of February. Find them
    on 160 through 6 metres and via the QO-100 satellite for our overseas
    viewers. C8K will be using CW, SSB, FT8 and RTTY.
    (newsline 2462)

    --------------
    Rwanda 9 X 2 AW and be on the air from the 27th of January through to the
    15th of February, holiday style on 10 through 160 metres.

    (newsline 2462)

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

    PC 80 TT is the special callsign for members of VERON Leiden to celebrate
    the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands during
    World War II (5 May 1945).

    Look for activity now until June One

    QSL PC80TT via the bureau to PI4LDN.

    The special call sign honours the memory of Rudolf Tappenbeck (PCTT),
    a pioneer of Dutch amateur radio who died in Neuengamme concentration
    camp 1944.

    (425dxn)

    --------------
    y
    Our I.A.R.U. celebrates its centenary this year (2025).

    Since its founding in Paris, France, IARU has worked tirelessly to
    promote innovation in amateur radio and to encourage the growth of
    the service in communities throughout the world.

    VI 100 IARU is a special event callsign transmitting from VK3 to help
    celebrate the IARU Centennial.

    qsl via MO 0 OXO

    (qrz.com)

    ----------
    y
    During 2025 the SARL will be on the air with special event callsign
    ZS 100 SARL, as well as the permanent callsigns ZS6SRL and ZS9HQ and
    possibly other special event callsigns.

    (sarl)
    ----------
    y
    Callsign 6W1RD

    Senegal on the 11th and 12th will be using callsign 6 W 1 RD.

    SSB and FT8/FT4 on 80-10 metres and all QSLs are via EA7FTR.

    (newsline 2461)
    ----------

    y
    8 R 1 TM from Georgetown, Guyana, now until the 8th of February.
    CW, SSB and digital modes on all bands.
    (newsline 2461)

    ------------------------------------------------------------*

    REPEATING>

    OXLEY REGION AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

    Between Tare and Port Macquarie in VK2 lies MIDDLE BROTHER

    VK2News are reporting that ALL of the Middle Brother VK2RPM repeaters
    are still off air following the damage to the site hosts power
    distribution system during the severe storms on the night of Wednesday
    the 13th of December last year.

    Mainly due to lightning damage to the hosts mains power distribution
    system.

    The repeaters will remain out of service until later this month when
    site works should be completed and power will again be available for
    the VK2RPM repeaters.

    This is the first major interruption in 52 years at the site
    NOW CONTEST WISE:- 2025
    --------------
    --------------

    VHF UHF Field Day

    Upcoming Contest Date & Time

    Summer 2025 - 0100 UTC Saturday 18 January through 0059 UTC Sunday 19
    January (0400 / 0359 in VK6).

    wia.org.au/members/contests/vhfuhf/
    -----------

    CQ 160 METER CONTEST

    CW January 24 - 2200Z January 26.

    SSB February 21 - 2200Z February 23.

    (cq)
    ---------------------

    AUSTRALIA DAY CONTEST JANUARY 26.

    Amateurs in VK will endeavour to contact other amateurs around the
    world. Some VK operators will be using the AX prefix to celebrate
    Australia day, as its wanted by many amateurs around the world.
    Scoring is distance based and calculated using 4-character grid
    squares.

    Contest Manager Alan Shannon VK4SN

    It is held on the Australia Day Public Holiday that being 26 of
    January.

    wia.org.au/members/contests/australiaday/
    -----------

    CQ 160 METER CONTEST

    SSB February 21 - 2200Z February 23.

    (cq)
    ---------------------

    The IARU 100th Anniversary Centennial QSO Party.

    The IARU CQP will be held for nine days, beginning Saturday 12 April and
    ending Sunday 20 April. This event will celebrate 100 years of the IARU

    (sarl)

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

    HARRY ANGEL MEMORIAL 80 Meter Sprint, Saturday May 3. (vk4uh)

    wia.org.au/members/contests/harryangel/
    -------------------------

    VK Shires Contest 7th - 8th June 2025

    wia.org.au/members/contests/wavks/

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

    NZ Straight Key Night

    Next New Zealand Straight Key Night will be held Sunday 8 June
    from 9pm to 10pm NZDT (0800 to 0900 UTC) on 80 metres.

    Polish and lubricate that old morse key and enjoy an evening of
    old-time radio fun.

    Straight Key Night is an informal event which honours the roots of
    amateur radio: Morse Code sent with a straight key (no bugs,
    sideswipers, keyers or keyboards).

    When.
    Winter SKN is the second Sunday in June, 8-9pm NZ time.
    Summer SKN is always the first Sunday in December, 9-10pm NZ time.

    SKN honours the original amateur radio mode in an easy-going style.
    Operators send signal report, name, location, type of key, type of
    transmitter and power output. Stations are limited to 100W output
    power.

    SKN is not a contest - but the operator who gets the most votes for the
    quality of their sending will win the Bruce Scahill Best Fist Award.
    This certificate honours Bruce ZL1BWG (SK), who was a dedicated
    supporter of SKN. Please email your nomination to ZL1NZ within one week following the event.

    (Neil ZL1NZ, SKN Manager)

    ------------------------------------------------------------*

    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/
    ADVENTURE ISLAND - SAGAR.

    A Team of West Bengal Radio Club members are active from Sagar Island,
    West Bengal now until the 20th of January.

    Special Event Callsign is AU 2 WBRC

    The adventure schemes being participated in are:-
    Islands On the Air AS-153;

    Beaches On the Air, Gangasagar Island Beach 60572

    World Lighthouse on the Air Sagar Island WLOTA 2262.qrz.com/db/AU2WBRC

    Check details for AU2WBRC are
    ITU Zone 41, CQ Zone 22, Grid NL41ap

    All contacts will be verified through QRZ.com only

    (ard)

    WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ASTRONOMY (and Wireless Weather)

    The Parker Solar Probe, launched by NASA in 2018, ended 2024 by nearly
    touching the untouchable - the sun.

    It was Christmas Eve - NASA's solar probe set a record by flying
    6.1 million kilometres, from the sun. That approach made the small probe
    the first - and fastest - object created by humans to come that close to
    the sun, according to a report in Forbes magazine. Its speed was clocked
    at 692,000 kilometres per hour.

    Nicola Fox, NASA's associate administrator for science missions, said
    that the probe had achieved the very mission it was intended for with
    its unprecedented flight so close to the sun.

    This solar pass came as the probe made its 22nd approach since its launch
    more than six years ago. The probe is well-shielded for this latest plunge
    into the sun.

    (newsline 2462)

    WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- CW
    www.morsecodeclassnet.com

    CWops Announces 2024 Advancing the Art of CW Award

    Each year, CWops, the international organization that promotes and
    advances Morse code in amateur radio communications, accepts nominations
    for individuals, groups, and organizations for the CWops Award for
    Advancing the Art of CW.

    The Radio Officer's Association (ROA) is the recipient of the 2024
    CWops Award. ROA honours and preserves the history and accomplishments
    of radio professionals from across the Merchant Navy, Coast Station
    Service, and Civil Aeronautical industry. Its membership includes nearly
    400 former professional radio officers, half of whom hold amateur radio licenses.

    The 2024 award was recently accepted by ROAs Bill Cross, G0ELZ, at the organizations annual meeting in Liverpool, England, presented by
    CWops President Stew Rolfe, GW0ETF.

    (arrl)

    WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - DIGITAL

    SCAMP Digital Mode Available in Fldigi

    Simple Conversational Amateur Message Protocol (SCAMP) is a weak signal
    digital mode developed by KW4TI. Originally integrated with the
    RFBitBanger transceiver, SCAMP is now available for broader use through
    the Fldigi software suite.

    Like other weak signal propagation modes such as the popular FT8,
    SCAMP is an orthogonal frequency shift keying mode with a low symbol rate, forward error correction, and synchronous signalling.

    Unlike FT8 which has been designed to exchange signal reports, SCAMP must
    be able to communicate arbitrary messages that may be required in an
    emergency situation.

    For additional information, view KW4TI's video presentation on the
    RFBitBanger and SCAMP.

    (ARD)
    WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO AMATEUR YOUNG TIMERS - YOTA
    (Youngsters On The Air)
    WIA committee:- Steve VK6SJ, Alec VK2MV and Pete VK2LP. ham-yota.com/category/yota-region-3/
    facebook.com/groups/YOTAOC/
    youtube.com/channel/UClAapljf0VQ751sOgu2IzaA

    Alan VK2COD:-

    As you may know, Alec VK2MV is in Maryborough attending the 26th Australian Jamboree in Queensland.


    AJ2025 is on until 15 January.

    Keep your radio on and listen for their callsign VI2025AJ.

    The amateur station will be running from 8:30 until late afternoons each day until the end of AJ2025


    The frequencies they are on are listed in the QRZ page for VI2025AJ

    Even though AJ2025 is happening, this week has been quiet, especially with VK YOTA news.


    As Alec has asked, please send in your YOTA news to Alec or myself and the
    news team so we can spread the word about VK YOTA activity to the amateur
    radio community.


    Help make our hobby a lifelong journey for YOTAs rather than just getting a callsign or participating in Jota-Joti once a year.


    For VK1WIA National News, I am Alan VK2COD in Sydney. Now back to you Bruce. aj2025.com.au/
    qrz.com/db/VI2025AJ

    WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - FINAL FRONTIER
    AMSAT-VK Secretary - [email protected]

    WHAT'S "UP" IN 2025?

    From the on line podcast "This Week In Space" comes a list of upcoming
    'things to look out for".

    That list includes things like:-

    25 Starship launches and landings, if they can secure FAA approval,
    with flight 7 featuring Starlink satellite deployment tests coming
    within weeks.

    Several commercial and international robotic missions to the Moon are
    planned, some of which will help fill the void left by NASA's cancelled
    VIPER rover.

    NASA's expensive and long-delayed Mars sample return mission is in doubt
    as China aims to complete its own by 2027.

    The company "Vast Space" aims to be the first to launch a private space
    station module in 2025 without NASA funding, providing a potential
    ISS replacement.

    and Rocket Lab plans to launch a small, privately financed probe to Venus
    to look for signs of life and organic molecules in the atmosphere

    This Week in Space
    twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space

    WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - MEDICAL

    In the US, the Handiham Program ended 2024 by reporting on gains and
    successes in its services and initiatives to disabled amateur radio
    operators.

    The Handiham Program has served the disabled ham community since 1967.

    The year just passed included a number of new classes held virtually,
    including one in basic Morse Code and another for Technician Class
    candidates. Handiham said that its radio club also achieved gains,
    reaching a milestone membership level of 158. The Handiham program itself welcomed 65 new participants.

    For more details about the program, visit handiham.org.

    (newsline 2462)

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

    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.

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

    2025

    VK7 - REAST CAR BOOT SALE January 19 @ 11 am (vk7news)

    VK3 - BARG HamFest the 2nd of February ate Ballarat Polo-Crosse Pavilion
    next door to the BARG clubrooms at Ballarat Airport. (wiacal)

    VK6 - PARGFEST PEEL AMATEUR RADIO GROUP held February 15 9AM at
    Mandurah Bowling Club 89 Allnutt Street ( parg.org.au/ )
    VK4 - Redcliffe & Districts Radio Club REDFEST April 12 (wiacal)
    Greetings from the Redcliffe Radio Club VK4RC.

    Robert Thomson VK4TFN here.

    We hope you're a happy New Year.

    REDFEST 2025 will be held on the 12th April 2025

    The Theme will be "Fun on HF"
    We have a new venue.
    REDFEST 2025 will be held at the
    Deception Bay North State School in
    Old Bay Road Deception Bay.

    We will Raffle a very nice ICOM radio TxRx.

    Go to redclifferadioclub.org.au for more information.

    73's and bye for now from the Redcliffe & Districts Radio Club VK4RC.
    VK - WIA AGM May 3 - 4. Hosted by Bendigo Amateur Radio & Electronics
    Club and their Technology Expo (vk3gtv/wiacal)

    VK - Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association 50th anniversary
    Glen Waverly July 26 [email protected] (vk2ayl)

    VK4 - GOLD COAST AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY 2025 HAMFEST NOV 9 (vk4dmh)
    Country Paradise Parklands 231 Beaudesert Nerang Road.

    VK3- Rosebud RadioFest, Eastbourne Primary School, Rosebud (wiacal)
    November Sixteen.
    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
    [email protected]
    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 [email protected] and don't JUST send url's links or
    posters, but take the time to pen YOUR contribution.

    To submit audio, email [email protected]
    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
    [email protected]

    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 [email protected]
    How do I join this National News List?
    (subscribe for an automatic weekly feed.)
    Email to [email protected]
    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 [email protected]
    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.

    ------------------------------------------------------------* _______________________________________________
    Vk1wia-news mailing list
    [email protected] http://lists.wia.org.au/mailman/listinfo/vk1wia-news

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)