WESTLAKES AMATEUR RADIO CLUB Inc.
Weekly Broadcast 28th February 2010.
This is a summary of news and events for Amateur Radio Operators on behalf of Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc.
The Broadcast can be heard at 09.00 hrs Each Sunday on 146.775 MHz and is followed by the VK1WIA news. There is a replay on 80 metres Sunday morning and again at 19.00 hrs courtesy Warren VK2UWP. Tune to 3.565 +-.
Today marks one of the Amateur radio highlights of the year. Wyong Field day. This event is hosted by the Central Coast ARC and as usual it is shaping up to be another great day. The QSL bureau will be in operation throughout the day located at the Westlakes ARC stand.
Due to material being unavailable only part of the proposed antenna construction was conducted yesterday. The discussion was held in the Library as the Activity room is still awaiting a clean up.
Members are asked to keep their cool a little longer as the installation of the replacement air conditioning unit for the Common room is planned for next Saturday.
Persons wishing to study for either Standard or Advanced class licence are asked to contact the Secretary ASAP. Come on you Foundation calls here is your chance to study for your upgrade under expert tutoring. As advised classes will be held Saturday afternoons at Westlakes ARC’s classroom
This weeks meat tray was won initially by John VK2BAR who requested it be redrawn, making Col VK2YP extremely pleased that he did so. For once it paid to be second .
The March issue of Westlakes Magazine will be assemble and made ready for posting next Saturday 6th March. As advised nomination forms for Executive and Committee will be included. These positions will be filled during the May 8 AGM.
Mark your calendar for the following Westlakes events..
Lectures Library:-
March 20 Follow up lecture on Linux by Marcel VK2FMDB.
April 17 TBC. Video presentation of the 1996 Dx-pedition to Peter1 Island
Antartica. Courtesy Oscar K1 IYD
Project days Activity Room:-
March 27 Assembly of a Signal Injector probe Les Smith
April 24 TBC. Assembly of an AF-RF Signal Tracer Les Smith
May 29 TBC. Demo of above projects
June 26 TBC. Members Radio “FIX it DAY” bring in your suspect rig.
Members are requested to suggest possible future projects that may be of interest.
Another event which it is hoped will gain a good response is the CQ repeater contest 1st to 7th May. Open to all VK’s, all you need is the ability to access UHF/VHF repeaters. The rules can be found on the club’s website.
International and National News..
Swansea company builds homes from recycled plastic
Old TV sets, wiring cases and general household waste are being turned into what a Swansea-based company hopes will be the "house of the future".
Affresol has developed technology to build low carbon houses from plastic and minerals extracted from recycled rubbish.
The firm developed a material called Thermo Poly Rock (TPR) from recycled plastics and minerals for use as a structural building product.
Affresol managing director Ian McPherson said TPR was stronger and lighter than concrete, waterproof, fire retardant, did not rot and had excellent insulation properties.
The company estimated the life of the houses at more than 60 years and said the TPR elements were recyclable at the end of that period.
He said: "Every country in the world has issues with waste and we now have an opportunity to turn waste into an enduring housing resource that is 100% recyclable."
Ocean robot 'plans experiments'
Scientists in the US are using an underwater vehicle that can "plan its own experiments" on the seafloor.
The "Gulper AUV" is programmed to look for the information that scientists want and plan its own route, avoiding hazardous currents and obstacles.
The research team described this advance at the Ocean Sciences meeting in Portland.
The group explained how it could "train" the robot to bring the best science back to the surface.
Thom Maughan from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) in California was one of the engineers on the project.
He explained how the automatic underwater vehicle (AUV) used a piece of software called "T rex", which operates in a similar way to the software used to control Nasa's Mars Exploration Rovers - helping them to avoid obstacles on the surface of the Red Planet.
One main difference between the two pieces of software is that for the Mars rovers, the software ran in the control centre on Earth. With this marine vehicle, it runs onboard the robotic vehicle.
"You can tell it what to do before you put it in the water," Dr Maughan said.
Researchers at MBARI used the Gulper AUV to monitor potentially harmful algal blooms.
Kim Fulton-Bennett from MBARI explained: "We used to send out a ship for a full day every few weeks to manually take these measurements. Now we just take the AUV outside the harbour and send it on its way.
"About 24 hours later, it comes back, we hoist it on board, and download the data."
'Tuned' images from Esa's Smos water mission
The first fully calibrated images from the European Space Agency's Smos satellite have now been released.
The spacecraft's new pictures show swathes of Scandinavia, Australia and the Amazon.
The maps record the amount of moisture held in soils and of the quantity of salts dissolved in seawater.
The mission's data is expected to have wide uses and should improve weather forecasts and warnings of extreme events, such as floods.
Smos was launched on 2 November. It carries a single instrument - an interferometric radiometer called Miras. Some eight metres across, it has the look of helicopter rotor blades.
Miras measures changes in the wetness of the land and in the salinity of ocean water by observing variations in the natural microwave emission coming up off the surface of the planet.
One key problem scientists have been grappling with is interference. Although the L-band (21cm) spectrum in which Smos operates is supposed to be protected, the team has discovered many spurious signals, particularly over China, western Russia and parts of Europe.
The satellite is expected to help improve short and medium-term weather forecasts, and also have practical applications in areas such as agriculture and water resource management.
The satellite is part of Esa's Earth Explorer programme - eight spacecraft that will acquire data on issues of pressing environmental concern.
The first - a gravity satellite called Goce - launched in early 2009. The third in the series is called Cryosat-2 and will launch in the coming weeks.
It will assess the state of the world's ice cover.
If you want to learn what is happening at your club in the coming week join the group each Saturday at 8am for the EZB net on 146.775 MHz
Early risers are reminded to tune to 3.588MHz each Saturday mornings at 6am for the Stone the Crows Net.
.That concluded Westlakes segment of this week news.
To find out more about Westlakes Amateur Radio Club, or Amateur Radio in
general, leave a message on our 24 hour voice mail box on 02 49-581588. Please
wait for instructions before leaving your message. All correspondence should be
addressed to The Secretary, Box 3001, Teralba, NSW, 2284 or email: secretary@westlakesarc.org.au
Further information is available on our website at www.westlakesarc.org.au
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club is located in York Street, Teralba and is open for business on Saturday from 12:00 midday and from approximately 6.00pm Tuesdays Call in and say Hello.....Tea and Coffee are always on!
Amateur Radio is a great hobby become active and enjoy it.
De VK2FJL
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Westlakes ARC
CQ Repeater Contest 2010
Westlakes unique FM CQ Repeater Contest where all amateurs
are encouraged to put a little life into the usually quiet repeaters.
The initial CQ Repeater contest was held in 1999 for the first seven days
of the New Year. The 2010 contest will be held over the period from
midnight Friday 30th April 2010 until Midnight Friday 7th May 2010.
The aim of all contests is to promote good will between amateurs and to
encourage on air activity. The big difference with our FM CQ Repeater
contest is that all contacts must be made on repeaters.
The rules are simple.
Open to all VK's, member or not using the following bands
6m, 2m, 70cm, 23cm FM.
IRLP, Echo-link contacts are NOT valid
Station contacted can only be logged once on any one day on any repeater Contest numbers do not have to be exchanged - just keep a record of the
date, station spoken to and on which repeater and at what time the contact
was made.
It doesn't get any simpler than that!
Award certificates for place getters for each frequency
Place getters with the highest overall contacts will also receive a certificate
A participation certificate is also available for any logs received
“Amateur Radio is a great hobby, become active and enjoy it”
Logs to be sent to Contest Manager C/-Westlakes ARC
PO Box 3001 Teralba NSW 2284.
Email: contestmanager@westlakesarc.org.au
to arrive no later than Friday May 28th 2010
CQ Repeater Contest 2010
Westlakes unique FM CQ Repeater Contest where all amateurs
are encouraged to put a little life into the usually quiet repeaters.
The initial CQ Repeater contest was held in 1999 for the first seven days
of the New Year. The 2010 contest will be held over the period from
midnight Friday 30th April 2010 until Midnight Friday 7th May 2010.
The aim of all contests is to promote good will between amateurs and to
encourage on air activity. The big difference with our FM CQ Repeater
contest is that all contacts must be made on repeaters.
The rules are simple.
Open to all VK's, member or not using the following bands
6m, 2m, 70cm, 23cm FM.
IRLP, Echo-link contacts are NOT valid
Station contacted can only be logged once on any one day on any repeater Contest numbers do not have to be exchanged - just keep a record of the
date, station spoken to and on which repeater and at what time the contact
was made.
It doesn't get any simpler than that!
Award certificates for place getters for each frequency
Place getters with the highest overall contacts will also receive a certificate
A participation certificate is also available for any logs received
“Amateur Radio is a great hobby, become active and enjoy it”
Logs to be sent to Contest Manager C/-Westlakes ARC
PO Box 3001 Teralba NSW 2284.
Email: contestmanager@westlakesarc.org.au
to arrive no later than Friday May 28th 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
WESTLAKES AMATEUR RADIO CLUB Inc.
Weekly Broadcast 21st February 2010.
This is a summary of news and events for Amateur Radio Operators on behalf of Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc.
The Broadcast can be heard at 09.00 hrs Each Sunday on 146.775 MHz and is followed by the VK1WIA news. There is a replay on 80 metres Sunday morning and again at 19.00 hrs courtesy Warren VK2UWP. Tune to 3.565 +-.
Pies and sausage rolls were the pick of the menu yesterday as Gloria was away celebrating her Dad's 80th.
An application for membership was presented yesterday by Richard Armstrong who hails from Marylands. Richard this application will be tended at the March meeting.
Richard, due to the absence of last weeks meat tray winner VK2FULL was asked to draw the winning ticket, making VK2GL well pleased. Trust you remembered to take it home this time Geoff
Port Stevens ARC are celebrating their 2nd Anniversary today with a BBQ at Henderson Park commencing 09.00. All are welcome BYO. Contact Di, VK2FDNE for further details.
Dave VK2RD ably assisted by Norm VK2KNC gave a very interesting and informative talk on the various digital modes being used by the amateur fraternity. It was pleasing to see the library so well attended for the first of what we hope will be an ongoing series of interesting lectures.
No one told me that it was to be R rated.
Mark your calendar for the following Westlakes events..
Lectures Library:-
March 20 Follow up lecture on Linux by Marcel VK2FMDB.
April 17 TBC. Video presentation of the 1996 Dx-pedition to Peter1 Island
Antartica. Courtesy Oscar K1 IYD
Project days Activity Room:-
February 27 (next Saturday) Constructing simple Foxhunt antennas. Col VK2YP and VK2FJL
March 27 Assembly of a Signal Injector probe Les Smith
April 24 TBC. Assembly of an AF-RF Signal Tracer Les Smith
May 29 TBC. Demo of above projects
June 26 TBC. Members Radio “FIX it DAY” bring in your suspect rig.
Members are requested to suggest possible future projects that may be of interest.
To celebrate 100 years of Amateur Radio Dennis VK2XDW is organizing a dinner for all local amateurs and their partners. The response will determine the location and cost. The proposed date is Thursday 11th March 2010.
Contact Dennis 0407 101 811 A.S.A.P.
We announce last week that shortly a sub audible tone of 91.5Hz will be required to access Westlakes repeater VK2RTZ what was omitted was that for a time a tone of 123Hz may also allow access.
Tone generating kits will be made available for those who have transceivers not fitted with his option. These kits, plus installation if required will be made available to members at a reasonable cost.
International and National News..
MOBILE OPERATORS BEWARE
The following comes from the JARL (Japanese Amateur Radio League) website.
A timely warning, perhaps, for all VK amateurs who must operate "mobile".
It could soon happen here.
"An amendment to the Road Traffic Act has taken effect on November 1, 1999
banning the use of hand held communication equipment (including amateur radio hand held transceivers) while driving. Also the Act says "should not look at car navigation systems (including "display" of amateur radio equipment) for a long period of time."
One of the new rules driver's must observe is that "he/she must not use the
radio communication equipment e.g. portable telephone while driving. This "radio communication equipment" means the equipment which cannot transmit or receive a message without holding a part or a whole of the equipment in hand. This includes handy type transceiver which is held in hand when transmitting or receiving a message.
On the other hand, this rule is not applied to the use of the hands free equipment for the amateur radio operation and the so-called mounted type mobile transceiver which is fixed to the car.
The next rule the driver must obey is that "he/she must not watch the picture on the picture display equipment." This rule prohibits continued observation of pictures from the picture display equipment such as car navigation system and car television.
It is permissible to use the car navigation system in the usual way, but it is prohibited to see the picture display equipment continuously while the car is in motion to input information for route leading to the destination.
"The picture display equipment" in the above paragraph includes not only the car navigation system or the colour television, but the liquid crystal display equipment frequently used for recent radio equipment which provide information such as radio frequency, SWR, ALT and RS. Therefore, while the car is running, it is against the rule to see the picture of the display equipment continuously to change frequency
or to tune the antenna, or to see the picture of the display equipment continuously to send or receive data by packet communication or to read information in letters of the portable telephone.
For the person who violates the above rule and as a result
incurs a traffic risk on the road, the penal servitude of up to 3 months, or a fine not exceeding 50,000 yen will be applied.
The purpose of the revision of the rules at this time is to clarify by law the responsibility of the driver to cope with the rapid increase of traffic accidents due to the remarkable popularization of the car navigation system.
It is our earnest request that every radio amateur will enjoy mobile operation in consideration of safe driving by using hands free equipment or a mounted type transceiver for the vehicle while driving."
Well how about that? Go mobile without hands free and check the LCD display on your 2 metre radio for frequency, SWR, etc and you are up for 50k Yen and/or 3 months in the clink. Plus, you cannot look too long at the display.
Has an "eyes free" amateur radio yet been invented?
Thanks Greg VK2CW for that article.
Smart-home" technology that allows people to control household appliances via their mobile phone or other gadgets is being shown off in Germany.
The EU-funded i2home project is aimed at giving greater independence and freedom to older and disabled people.
It uses so-called "middleware" to allow heating, air conditioning, lighting, and other gadgets to be controlled by a user's chosen interface.
The researchers worked with various groups in order to match the technology to their needs, including Alzheimer's patients, blind and partially-sighted people and young people with cognitive impairments.
The technology has been installed in a mocked-up kitchen.
This platform requires all appliances in the home to be networked together.
The middleware sits between the home appliances and a controlling device, such as a mobile phone, and allows them to communicate.
So far the group has tested touch screens, mobile phones running the Windows Mobile and Android platforms, speech input and output devices and an ordinary domestic TV set with a simplified remote control.
The researches say that i2home demonstrates that technology - that has traditionally been regarded as too complex for many mainstream users - can be made usable and enjoyable for older and disabled people.
In addition, because the middleware has been built to open standards, it means that anyone can use the underlying code to build their own user interface for a device to control networked appliances.
The anticipated increase in electric powered cars has seen San Francisco adopt a new building code requiring all new buildings to be wired for electric car chargers. The release this year of the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf are promising a new ere in motoring that by 2020 could account for 10% of vehicle sales.
While urban planners want to be ahead of the game with on tap power the electricity companies are looking at it from a different perspective.
Will their ageing supply grid cope with an increased demand or go into overload?
Topping up an electric car battery from an ordinary supply source can take eight hours while the better option will be specialised rapid charging stations.
UK police drone grounded
Police on Merseyside have had to ground their new drone over concerns it was being used illegally without a licence.
Merseyside Police said they had been unaware they required a licence to fly the remote control helicopter, “Air Robot”, which is fitted with CCTV.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it needed to be consulted over any use of the drones, that can fly up to 400ft and reach speeds of 30mph.
The force's drone was used last week to catch a car thief in thick undergrowth.
All unmanned aircraft, not just ones that weigh 15lb (7kg) or more, now have to be licensed to conduct aerial surveillance work after the law changed at the start of the year.
The CAA said any breach in regulations, which came into force on 1 January 2010, would be "treated seriously".
A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "Since the force has known of the change in regulations all Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) flights have been suspended and will remain so until the appropriate licence has been granted."
Speaking of aircraft….
Aviators have Morse code all tied up
How? Well you might ask.
Well it's a neck tie that has the code printed on it. Presumably pilots can check their tie if they're a bit rusty on the code and want to verify what beacon they're receiving. These beacons transmit a two to five letter callsigns at 5-words per minute.
Lets hope that coffee stains do not obliterate too many dits and dahs.
If you want to learn what is happening at your club in the coming week join the group each Saturday at 8am for the EZB net on 146.775 MHz
Early risers are reminded to tune to 3.588MHz each Saturday mornings at 6am for the Stone the Crows net.
That concluded Westlakes segment of this week news.
To find out more about Westlakes Amateur Radio Club, or Amateur Radio in
general, leave a message on our 24 hour voice mail box on 02 49-581588. Please
wait for instructions before leaving your message. All correspondence should be
addressed to The Secretary, Box 3001, Teralba, NSW, 2284 or email: secretary@westlakesarc.org.au
Further information is available on our website at www.westlakesarc.org.au
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club is located in York Street, Teralba and is open for business on Saturday from 12:00 midday and from approximately 6.00pm Tuesdays Call in and say Hello.....Tea and Coffee are always on!
Amateur Radio is a great hobby become active and enjoy it.
And remember Walk Tall. De VK2FJL
Weekly Broadcast 21st February 2010.
This is a summary of news and events for Amateur Radio Operators on behalf of Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc.
The Broadcast can be heard at 09.00 hrs Each Sunday on 146.775 MHz and is followed by the VK1WIA news. There is a replay on 80 metres Sunday morning and again at 19.00 hrs courtesy Warren VK2UWP. Tune to 3.565 +-.
Pies and sausage rolls were the pick of the menu yesterday as Gloria was away celebrating her Dad's 80th.
An application for membership was presented yesterday by Richard Armstrong who hails from Marylands. Richard this application will be tended at the March meeting.
Richard, due to the absence of last weeks meat tray winner VK2FULL was asked to draw the winning ticket, making VK2GL well pleased. Trust you remembered to take it home this time Geoff
Port Stevens ARC are celebrating their 2nd Anniversary today with a BBQ at Henderson Park commencing 09.00. All are welcome BYO. Contact Di, VK2FDNE for further details.
Dave VK2RD ably assisted by Norm VK2KNC gave a very interesting and informative talk on the various digital modes being used by the amateur fraternity. It was pleasing to see the library so well attended for the first of what we hope will be an ongoing series of interesting lectures.
No one told me that it was to be R rated.
Mark your calendar for the following Westlakes events..
Lectures Library:-
March 20 Follow up lecture on Linux by Marcel VK2FMDB.
April 17 TBC. Video presentation of the 1996 Dx-pedition to Peter1 Island
Antartica. Courtesy Oscar K1 IYD
Project days Activity Room:-
February 27 (next Saturday) Constructing simple Foxhunt antennas. Col VK2YP and VK2FJL
March 27 Assembly of a Signal Injector probe Les Smith
April 24 TBC. Assembly of an AF-RF Signal Tracer Les Smith
May 29 TBC. Demo of above projects
June 26 TBC. Members Radio “FIX it DAY” bring in your suspect rig.
Members are requested to suggest possible future projects that may be of interest.
To celebrate 100 years of Amateur Radio Dennis VK2XDW is organizing a dinner for all local amateurs and their partners. The response will determine the location and cost. The proposed date is Thursday 11th March 2010.
Contact Dennis 0407 101 811 A.S.A.P.
We announce last week that shortly a sub audible tone of 91.5Hz will be required to access Westlakes repeater VK2RTZ what was omitted was that for a time a tone of 123Hz may also allow access.
Tone generating kits will be made available for those who have transceivers not fitted with his option. These kits, plus installation if required will be made available to members at a reasonable cost.
International and National News..
MOBILE OPERATORS BEWARE
The following comes from the JARL (Japanese Amateur Radio League) website.
A timely warning, perhaps, for all VK amateurs who must operate "mobile".
It could soon happen here.
"An amendment to the Road Traffic Act has taken effect on November 1, 1999
banning the use of hand held communication equipment (including amateur radio hand held transceivers) while driving. Also the Act says "should not look at car navigation systems (including "display" of amateur radio equipment) for a long period of time."
One of the new rules driver's must observe is that "he/she must not use the
radio communication equipment e.g. portable telephone while driving. This "radio communication equipment" means the equipment which cannot transmit or receive a message without holding a part or a whole of the equipment in hand. This includes handy type transceiver which is held in hand when transmitting or receiving a message.
On the other hand, this rule is not applied to the use of the hands free equipment for the amateur radio operation and the so-called mounted type mobile transceiver which is fixed to the car.
The next rule the driver must obey is that "he/she must not watch the picture on the picture display equipment." This rule prohibits continued observation of pictures from the picture display equipment such as car navigation system and car television.
It is permissible to use the car navigation system in the usual way, but it is prohibited to see the picture display equipment continuously while the car is in motion to input information for route leading to the destination.
"The picture display equipment" in the above paragraph includes not only the car navigation system or the colour television, but the liquid crystal display equipment frequently used for recent radio equipment which provide information such as radio frequency, SWR, ALT and RS. Therefore, while the car is running, it is against the rule to see the picture of the display equipment continuously to change frequency
or to tune the antenna, or to see the picture of the display equipment continuously to send or receive data by packet communication or to read information in letters of the portable telephone.
For the person who violates the above rule and as a result
incurs a traffic risk on the road, the penal servitude of up to 3 months, or a fine not exceeding 50,000 yen will be applied.
The purpose of the revision of the rules at this time is to clarify by law the responsibility of the driver to cope with the rapid increase of traffic accidents due to the remarkable popularization of the car navigation system.
It is our earnest request that every radio amateur will enjoy mobile operation in consideration of safe driving by using hands free equipment or a mounted type transceiver for the vehicle while driving."
Well how about that? Go mobile without hands free and check the LCD display on your 2 metre radio for frequency, SWR, etc and you are up for 50k Yen and/or 3 months in the clink. Plus, you cannot look too long at the display.
Has an "eyes free" amateur radio yet been invented?
Thanks Greg VK2CW for that article.
Smart-home" technology that allows people to control household appliances via their mobile phone or other gadgets is being shown off in Germany.
The EU-funded i2home project is aimed at giving greater independence and freedom to older and disabled people.
It uses so-called "middleware" to allow heating, air conditioning, lighting, and other gadgets to be controlled by a user's chosen interface.
The researchers worked with various groups in order to match the technology to their needs, including Alzheimer's patients, blind and partially-sighted people and young people with cognitive impairments.
The technology has been installed in a mocked-up kitchen.
This platform requires all appliances in the home to be networked together.
The middleware sits between the home appliances and a controlling device, such as a mobile phone, and allows them to communicate.
So far the group has tested touch screens, mobile phones running the Windows Mobile and Android platforms, speech input and output devices and an ordinary domestic TV set with a simplified remote control.
The researches say that i2home demonstrates that technology - that has traditionally been regarded as too complex for many mainstream users - can be made usable and enjoyable for older and disabled people.
In addition, because the middleware has been built to open standards, it means that anyone can use the underlying code to build their own user interface for a device to control networked appliances.
The anticipated increase in electric powered cars has seen San Francisco adopt a new building code requiring all new buildings to be wired for electric car chargers. The release this year of the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf are promising a new ere in motoring that by 2020 could account for 10% of vehicle sales.
While urban planners want to be ahead of the game with on tap power the electricity companies are looking at it from a different perspective.
Will their ageing supply grid cope with an increased demand or go into overload?
Topping up an electric car battery from an ordinary supply source can take eight hours while the better option will be specialised rapid charging stations.
UK police drone grounded
Police on Merseyside have had to ground their new drone over concerns it was being used illegally without a licence.
Merseyside Police said they had been unaware they required a licence to fly the remote control helicopter, “Air Robot”, which is fitted with CCTV.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it needed to be consulted over any use of the drones, that can fly up to 400ft and reach speeds of 30mph.
The force's drone was used last week to catch a car thief in thick undergrowth.
All unmanned aircraft, not just ones that weigh 15lb (7kg) or more, now have to be licensed to conduct aerial surveillance work after the law changed at the start of the year.
The CAA said any breach in regulations, which came into force on 1 January 2010, would be "treated seriously".
A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "Since the force has known of the change in regulations all Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) flights have been suspended and will remain so until the appropriate licence has been granted."
Speaking of aircraft….
Aviators have Morse code all tied up
How? Well you might ask.
Well it's a neck tie that has the code printed on it. Presumably pilots can check their tie if they're a bit rusty on the code and want to verify what beacon they're receiving. These beacons transmit a two to five letter callsigns at 5-words per minute.
Lets hope that coffee stains do not obliterate too many dits and dahs.
If you want to learn what is happening at your club in the coming week join the group each Saturday at 8am for the EZB net on 146.775 MHz
Early risers are reminded to tune to 3.588MHz each Saturday mornings at 6am for the Stone the Crows net.
That concluded Westlakes segment of this week news.
To find out more about Westlakes Amateur Radio Club, or Amateur Radio in
general, leave a message on our 24 hour voice mail box on 02 49-581588. Please
wait for instructions before leaving your message. All correspondence should be
addressed to The Secretary, Box 3001, Teralba, NSW, 2284 or email: secretary@westlakesarc.org.au
Further information is available on our website at www.westlakesarc.org.au
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club is located in York Street, Teralba and is open for business on Saturday from 12:00 midday and from approximately 6.00pm Tuesdays Call in and say Hello.....Tea and Coffee are always on!
Amateur Radio is a great hobby become active and enjoy it.
And remember Walk Tall. De VK2FJL
Saturday, February 13, 2010
WESTLAKES AMATEUR RADIO CLUB Inc.
Weekly Broadcast 14th February 2010.
This is a summary of news and events for Amateur Radio Operators on behalf of Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc.
The Broadcast can be heard at 09.00 hrs Each Sunday on 146.775 MHz and is followed by the VK1WIA news. There is a replay on 80 metres Sunday morning and again at 19.00 hrs courtesy Warren VK2UWP. Tune to 3.565 +-.
Westlakes Monthly meeting was held yesterday and attracted a pleasing number of members.
Among matters discussed was the acceptance of a membership application from past member John Murphy VK2PJM. John we trust that your renewed association with Westlakes will be a long and enjoyable one.
The Central Coast Field Day at Wyong is on the 28th February. The QSL Bureau will once again be in full swing thanks to Geoff VK2GL who has volunteered to transport the hundreds of cards and cabinets to the event. Hope to see you there.
Yesterdays meat tray went home with Bob VK2FULL while the Rickety Kate prizes were shared byVK2BRI,VK2FLTP and VK2FVON.
Following the news that long time tutor Paul VK2ATR has decided to take a well earned break from conducting the Radio classes on a Tuesday evening.
We are pleased to announce that John Trenning VK2BAR has agreed to take on the role of instructor. As a result Westlakes ARC is inviting candidates who wish to study for any of the current grades, from Foundation to Advanced to contact the Secretary. If sufficient numbers are found, these classes will be held Saturday afternoon at Westlakes club rooms suggested times are from 13.00 to 15.00 hrs.
Port Stevens ARC are celebrating their 2nd Anniversary next Sunday 21st February with a BBQ at Henderson Park commencing 09.00. All are welcome BYO. Contact Di, VK2FDNE for further details.
Mark your calendar for the following Westlakes events..
Lectures Library:-
February 20 An insight into Amateur Radio Digital modes by Dave VK2RD
March 20 Follow up lecture on Linux by Marcel VK2FMDB.
Project days Activity Room:-
February 27 Constructing simple Foxhunt antennas. Col VK2YP and VK2FJL
March 27 Assembly of a Signal Injector probe Les Smith
April 24 TBC. Assembly of an AF-RF Signal Tracer Les Smith
May 29 TBC. Demo of above projects
June 26 TBC. Members Radio “FIX it DAY” bring in your suspect rig.
Members are requested to suggest possible future projects that may be of interest.
Due to past and possibly future interference problems the meeting agreed to the following script.. which will be advertised at regular intervals on VK2RTZ in coming weeks.
“ This is Westlake’s ARC repeater VK2RTZ. Due to recent interference and the need to protect from future interference this repeater will soon require a 91.5 Hz sub audible tone to gain access”.
Tone generating kits will be made available for those who have transceivers not fitted with his option. These kits, plus installation if required will be made available to members at a reasonable cost.
International and National News..
Lithium-ion battery life could reach 20 years
Japanese research and development firm Eamex claims to have found a new way to increase the typical average life of a high-capacity lithium-ion battery. Eamex’s new technology will allow the demanding batteries to sustain over 10,000 recharges over the course of 20 years.
This rather dramatic increase in performance is made possible by new techniques such as a stabilization process of the battery’s electrodes, which in-turn puts less stress on the battery. This maintains the bonding of particles for a longer period of time and reduces the overall deterioration process. The result is a battery that lasts up to 10 times as long as most current batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries are broadly popular within various consumer electronics. They tend to hold their charge when not in use, and have a high energy-to-weight ratio. Current lithium-ion batteries can hold their charge for up to 1,000 charge cycles.
Eamex’s technology is currently designed with heavy-duty batteries in mind, such as those used in electric vehicles. However, this technology should eventually find its way into smaller devices, such as cell phones, laptops, and MP3 players.
The advantages beyond the obvious increase in battery life are also welcome, such as lower costs over time and reduced waste.
Thanks Dave VK2RD for that article.
Bad weather at Cape Canaveral, Florida, has prevented the US space agency from launching its latest Sun probe.
An Atlas rocket was due to carry the Solar Dynamics Observatory into orbit on Wednesday, but controllers abandoned the countdown because of high winds.
By now however, the SDO should be well on it way
The spacecraft is designed to acquire detailed images of our star to explain how its activity varies over time.
An active Sun can disrupt satellite, communication, and power systems on Earth - especially when it billows charged particles in our direction.
Scientists want to see if they can forecast this "space weather" better.
The Solar Dynamics Observatory will assist this drive by investigating the physics at work inside, on the surface and in the atmosphere of the Sun.
It is going to revolutionise our view of the Sun and it will reveal how solar activity affects our planet, and help us anticipate what lies ahead.
"It will observe the Sun faster, deeper and in greater detail than any previous observations, breaking barriers of time, scale and clarity that have long blocked progress in solar physics."
SDO's instruments will return images with a resolution 10 times better than the average high-definition television camera, and those pictures will come back at a rapid rate, every few seconds.
The mission will try to unravel the factors that drive the Sun's cycles of activity.
A key goal will be to probe the inner workings of the solar dynamo, the deep network of plasma currents that generates the Sun's tangled and sometimes explosive magnetic field.
It is the dynamo that ultimately lies behind all forms of solar activity, from the solar flares that explode in the Sun's atmosphere to the relatively cool patches, or sunspots, that pock the solar disc and wander across its surface for days or even weeks.
SDO is being launched at an opportune moment. Recent years have witnessed a very quiet star and the spacecraft will be able to monitor the Sun as it stirs into life.
Sat-nav devices face big errors as solar activity rises
Researchers say the Sun is awakening after a period of low activity, which does not bode well for a world ever more dependent on satellite navigation.
The Sun's irregular activity can wreak havoc with the weak sat-nav signals we use.
The last time the Sun reached a peak in activity, satellite navigation was barely a consumer product.
But the Sun is on its way to another solar maximum, which could generate large and unpredictable sat-nav errors.
It is not just car sat-nav devices that make use of the satellite signals; accurate and dependable sat-nav signals have, since the last solar maximum, quietly become a necessity for modern infrastructure.
Military operations worldwide depend on them, although they use far more sophisticated equipment.
Sat-nav devices now form a key part of emergency vehicles' arsenals. They are used for high-precision surveying, docking ships and plans are even underway to incorporate them into commercial aircraft.
Closer to home, more and more trains depend on a firm location fix before their doors will open.
Orders are at present being taken for both Club Shirts and caps. At this stage only 3 caps have been ordered and at least 5 are required to allow the order to be filled, shirts are not a problem all we need is the size.
Contact VK2FJL.
If you want to learn what is happening at your club in the coming week join us each Saturday at 8am for the EZB net on 146.775 MHz
Early risers are reminded to tune to 3.588MHz each Saturday mornings at 6am for the Stone the Crows Net.
.That concluded Westlakes segment of this week news.
To find out more about Westlakes Amateur Radio Club, or Amateur Radio in
general, leave a message on our 24 hour voice mail box on 02 49-581588. Please
wait for instructions before leaving your message. All correspondence should be
addressed to The Secretary, Box 3001, Teralba, NSW, 2284 or email: secretary@westlakesarc.org.au
Further information is available on our website at www.westlakesarc.org.au
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club is located in York Street, Teralba and is open for business on Saturday from 12:00 midday and from approximately 6.00pm Tuesdays Call in and say Hello.....Tea and Coffee are always on!
Amateur Radio is a great hobby become active and enjoy it.
And remember Walk Tall. De VK2FJL
Weekly Broadcast 14th February 2010.
This is a summary of news and events for Amateur Radio Operators on behalf of Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc.
The Broadcast can be heard at 09.00 hrs Each Sunday on 146.775 MHz and is followed by the VK1WIA news. There is a replay on 80 metres Sunday morning and again at 19.00 hrs courtesy Warren VK2UWP. Tune to 3.565 +-.
Westlakes Monthly meeting was held yesterday and attracted a pleasing number of members.
Among matters discussed was the acceptance of a membership application from past member John Murphy VK2PJM. John we trust that your renewed association with Westlakes will be a long and enjoyable one.
The Central Coast Field Day at Wyong is on the 28th February. The QSL Bureau will once again be in full swing thanks to Geoff VK2GL who has volunteered to transport the hundreds of cards and cabinets to the event. Hope to see you there.
Yesterdays meat tray went home with Bob VK2FULL while the Rickety Kate prizes were shared byVK2BRI,VK2FLTP and VK2FVON.
Following the news that long time tutor Paul VK2ATR has decided to take a well earned break from conducting the Radio classes on a Tuesday evening.
We are pleased to announce that John Trenning VK2BAR has agreed to take on the role of instructor. As a result Westlakes ARC is inviting candidates who wish to study for any of the current grades, from Foundation to Advanced to contact the Secretary. If sufficient numbers are found, these classes will be held Saturday afternoon at Westlakes club rooms suggested times are from 13.00 to 15.00 hrs.
Port Stevens ARC are celebrating their 2nd Anniversary next Sunday 21st February with a BBQ at Henderson Park commencing 09.00. All are welcome BYO. Contact Di, VK2FDNE for further details.
Mark your calendar for the following Westlakes events..
Lectures Library:-
February 20 An insight into Amateur Radio Digital modes by Dave VK2RD
March 20 Follow up lecture on Linux by Marcel VK2FMDB.
Project days Activity Room:-
February 27 Constructing simple Foxhunt antennas. Col VK2YP and VK2FJL
March 27 Assembly of a Signal Injector probe Les Smith
April 24 TBC. Assembly of an AF-RF Signal Tracer Les Smith
May 29 TBC. Demo of above projects
June 26 TBC. Members Radio “FIX it DAY” bring in your suspect rig.
Members are requested to suggest possible future projects that may be of interest.
Due to past and possibly future interference problems the meeting agreed to the following script.. which will be advertised at regular intervals on VK2RTZ in coming weeks.
“ This is Westlake’s ARC repeater VK2RTZ. Due to recent interference and the need to protect from future interference this repeater will soon require a 91.5 Hz sub audible tone to gain access”.
Tone generating kits will be made available for those who have transceivers not fitted with his option. These kits, plus installation if required will be made available to members at a reasonable cost.
International and National News..
Lithium-ion battery life could reach 20 years
Japanese research and development firm Eamex claims to have found a new way to increase the typical average life of a high-capacity lithium-ion battery. Eamex’s new technology will allow the demanding batteries to sustain over 10,000 recharges over the course of 20 years.
This rather dramatic increase in performance is made possible by new techniques such as a stabilization process of the battery’s electrodes, which in-turn puts less stress on the battery. This maintains the bonding of particles for a longer period of time and reduces the overall deterioration process. The result is a battery that lasts up to 10 times as long as most current batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries are broadly popular within various consumer electronics. They tend to hold their charge when not in use, and have a high energy-to-weight ratio. Current lithium-ion batteries can hold their charge for up to 1,000 charge cycles.
Eamex’s technology is currently designed with heavy-duty batteries in mind, such as those used in electric vehicles. However, this technology should eventually find its way into smaller devices, such as cell phones, laptops, and MP3 players.
The advantages beyond the obvious increase in battery life are also welcome, such as lower costs over time and reduced waste.
Thanks Dave VK2RD for that article.
Bad weather at Cape Canaveral, Florida, has prevented the US space agency from launching its latest Sun probe.
An Atlas rocket was due to carry the Solar Dynamics Observatory into orbit on Wednesday, but controllers abandoned the countdown because of high winds.
By now however, the SDO should be well on it way
The spacecraft is designed to acquire detailed images of our star to explain how its activity varies over time.
An active Sun can disrupt satellite, communication, and power systems on Earth - especially when it billows charged particles in our direction.
Scientists want to see if they can forecast this "space weather" better.
The Solar Dynamics Observatory will assist this drive by investigating the physics at work inside, on the surface and in the atmosphere of the Sun.
It is going to revolutionise our view of the Sun and it will reveal how solar activity affects our planet, and help us anticipate what lies ahead.
"It will observe the Sun faster, deeper and in greater detail than any previous observations, breaking barriers of time, scale and clarity that have long blocked progress in solar physics."
SDO's instruments will return images with a resolution 10 times better than the average high-definition television camera, and those pictures will come back at a rapid rate, every few seconds.
The mission will try to unravel the factors that drive the Sun's cycles of activity.
A key goal will be to probe the inner workings of the solar dynamo, the deep network of plasma currents that generates the Sun's tangled and sometimes explosive magnetic field.
It is the dynamo that ultimately lies behind all forms of solar activity, from the solar flares that explode in the Sun's atmosphere to the relatively cool patches, or sunspots, that pock the solar disc and wander across its surface for days or even weeks.
SDO is being launched at an opportune moment. Recent years have witnessed a very quiet star and the spacecraft will be able to monitor the Sun as it stirs into life.
Sat-nav devices face big errors as solar activity rises
Researchers say the Sun is awakening after a period of low activity, which does not bode well for a world ever more dependent on satellite navigation.
The Sun's irregular activity can wreak havoc with the weak sat-nav signals we use.
The last time the Sun reached a peak in activity, satellite navigation was barely a consumer product.
But the Sun is on its way to another solar maximum, which could generate large and unpredictable sat-nav errors.
It is not just car sat-nav devices that make use of the satellite signals; accurate and dependable sat-nav signals have, since the last solar maximum, quietly become a necessity for modern infrastructure.
Military operations worldwide depend on them, although they use far more sophisticated equipment.
Sat-nav devices now form a key part of emergency vehicles' arsenals. They are used for high-precision surveying, docking ships and plans are even underway to incorporate them into commercial aircraft.
Closer to home, more and more trains depend on a firm location fix before their doors will open.
Orders are at present being taken for both Club Shirts and caps. At this stage only 3 caps have been ordered and at least 5 are required to allow the order to be filled, shirts are not a problem all we need is the size.
Contact VK2FJL.
If you want to learn what is happening at your club in the coming week join us each Saturday at 8am for the EZB net on 146.775 MHz
Early risers are reminded to tune to 3.588MHz each Saturday mornings at 6am for the Stone the Crows Net.
.That concluded Westlakes segment of this week news.
To find out more about Westlakes Amateur Radio Club, or Amateur Radio in
general, leave a message on our 24 hour voice mail box on 02 49-581588. Please
wait for instructions before leaving your message. All correspondence should be
addressed to The Secretary, Box 3001, Teralba, NSW, 2284 or email: secretary@westlakesarc.org.au
Further information is available on our website at www.westlakesarc.org.au
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club is located in York Street, Teralba and is open for business on Saturday from 12:00 midday and from approximately 6.00pm Tuesdays Call in and say Hello.....Tea and Coffee are always on!
Amateur Radio is a great hobby become active and enjoy it.
And remember Walk Tall. De VK2FJL
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Weekly news
Westlakes Sunday News 7 February 2010
Good Morning from VK2ATZ with a summary of news and events for Amateur Radio Operators.Your announcer today is Greg VK2CW.
As reported in all media, today is the first commemoration of "Black Saturday", 7 February 2009 which was when Australia's worst bush fire disaster occurred in Victoria and 173 people died. But what you won't hear in the mainstream media is the activity of the Yarra Valley Amateur Radio Group which is running a Special Event memmorial station, VI3KIAH. The station will be on air today from 2 pm until 10 pm. Have a listen on HF and give VI3KIAH a call.
Adding to the problems being caused to amateur radio reception by faulty plasma television sets, now we have to put up with a new home security system being sold in Australia. This system sends pulses in the spread-spectrum mode, of 2 seconds duration and at a power of 100mw - anywhere between 7.1 and 8.5 MHz. Not only is the 40m amateur band affected, but also aeronautical and marine services. Looks like the the club writing another letter to the ACMA.
Squid poles. In this month's edition of Amateur Radio there is yet anothe article on a squid pole antenna. Westlakes has sold 70 of these things and there are only 2 left in our store. The cost is $40 each - contact the storeman Aly VK2AFZ. They won't last long.
Battery recycling - coming to a store near you! New EU rules have come into force that require stores selling batteries to provide in-store recycing bins. Anyone selling more than 32kg a year (that's one pack of 4 AA cells a day) must comply as part of targets on cutting landfill. An estimated 30,000 tonnes of batteries from electical goods are sold in the UK annually and 97% of these end up in landfill. It has been suggested that unless you hand in your old batteries you will soon pay a premium to buy new ones unless you hand the old ones in at the time of purchase.
Coming events at Westlakes this month :
Saturday 13 February - Monthly meeting 13.30
Saturday 20 February - A lecture on digital modes by Dave VK2RD 13.30
Saturday 27 February - "Project Day" - making 2 metre fox hunt antennas. Presented by Col VK2YP
and Frank VK2FJL 13.30.
Coming up in March is a lecture on LINUX by Marcel VK2FMDB and then a series of workshop project conducted by Les Smith. Firm dates for these events will be in our March Magazine.
Lightbulbs - Do you hate the those new-fangled low-energy light bulbs - the ones that are slow to light up andNovember 2009, general-service incandescent household bulbs became a prohibited import. In October 2010, fancy round and decorative incandescent bulbs are out, and in October 2012, mains voltage halogen lamps get the chop. So the future is compact fluorescent lamps which use 20% of the electricity to produce the same amount of light.
As most will know, Westlakes has secured the use of the special Call sign, VK100WIA in the last possible 3 day slot and then the call will be no more. Our allocated dates are Friday 29, Saturday 30, and Sunday, 31October. Suggestions are sought from members as to how and where the club should use this unique call sign. Send your ideas to the Secretary.
On 11 March 1910, a group of radio-minded people met at the Hotel Australia, Sydney and formed "The Institute of Wireless Telegraphy of Australia". Victoria was not far behind - November 1911, Queensland followed in 1912, and Western Australia in 1913. What can be done to mark the 100 years? Dennis VK2XDW has suggested a luncheon or dinner and is seeking expressions of interest. The plan is to pay your own way, however numbers are needed so that a venue can be selected. The date will be Thursday 11 March- 100 years to the day. Contact Dennis VK2XDW.
Next an item from the RSGB site. Will solar activity disrupt the London Olympics in 2012? Scientists in the UK have warned the Olympics will be in the middle of the next solar maximum which could interfere with satellite and terestrial communications. To protect sensitive electronic circuits up in space, the satellite tranmitters may have to be switched off.
Talk about Hi-tech! A personal internet segment has been just installed on the International Space Station's communications systems. This allows for astronauts and cosmonauts to send and receive emails to friends and family on earth. This will help ease the isolation associated with life in a prolonged closed environment. Unfortunately the Space Station's email address will not be made public.
And finally, the item everybody waits for - the drawing of the weekly meat tray. Drawn yesterday by John VK2JF, the winner of the snags, chops, and steak was Barrie VK2CXA.
Well that's all for another week - I hope to catch you all on 6 metres Hi.
73 Greg VK2CW
Good Morning from VK2ATZ with a summary of news and events for Amateur Radio Operators.Your announcer today is Greg VK2CW.
As reported in all media, today is the first commemoration of "Black Saturday", 7 February 2009 which was when Australia's worst bush fire disaster occurred in Victoria and 173 people died. But what you won't hear in the mainstream media is the activity of the Yarra Valley Amateur Radio Group which is running a Special Event memmorial station, VI3KIAH. The station will be on air today from 2 pm until 10 pm. Have a listen on HF and give VI3KIAH a call.
Adding to the problems being caused to amateur radio reception by faulty plasma television sets, now we have to put up with a new home security system being sold in Australia. This system sends pulses in the spread-spectrum mode, of 2 seconds duration and at a power of 100mw - anywhere between 7.1 and 8.5 MHz. Not only is the 40m amateur band affected, but also aeronautical and marine services. Looks like the the club writing another letter to the ACMA.
Squid poles. In this month's edition of Amateur Radio there is yet anothe article on a squid pole antenna. Westlakes has sold 70 of these things and there are only 2 left in our store. The cost is $40 each - contact the storeman Aly VK2AFZ. They won't last long.
Battery recycling - coming to a store near you! New EU rules have come into force that require stores selling batteries to provide in-store recycing bins. Anyone selling more than 32kg a year (that's one pack of 4 AA cells a day) must comply as part of targets on cutting landfill. An estimated 30,000 tonnes of batteries from electical goods are sold in the UK annually and 97% of these end up in landfill. It has been suggested that unless you hand in your old batteries you will soon pay a premium to buy new ones unless you hand the old ones in at the time of purchase.
Coming events at Westlakes this month :
Saturday 13 February - Monthly meeting 13.30
Saturday 20 February - A lecture on digital modes by Dave VK2RD 13.30
Saturday 27 February - "Project Day" - making 2 metre fox hunt antennas. Presented by Col VK2YP
and Frank VK2FJL 13.30.
Coming up in March is a lecture on LINUX by Marcel VK2FMDB and then a series of workshop project conducted by Les Smith. Firm dates for these events will be in our March Magazine.
Lightbulbs - Do you hate the those new-fangled low-energy light bulbs - the ones that are slow to light up andNovember 2009, general-service incandescent household bulbs became a prohibited import. In October 2010, fancy round and decorative incandescent bulbs are out, and in October 2012, mains voltage halogen lamps get the chop. So the future is compact fluorescent lamps which use 20% of the electricity to produce the same amount of light.
As most will know, Westlakes has secured the use of the special Call sign, VK100WIA in the last possible 3 day slot and then the call will be no more. Our allocated dates are Friday 29, Saturday 30, and Sunday, 31October. Suggestions are sought from members as to how and where the club should use this unique call sign. Send your ideas to the Secretary.
On 11 March 1910, a group of radio-minded people met at the Hotel Australia, Sydney and formed "The Institute of Wireless Telegraphy of Australia". Victoria was not far behind - November 1911, Queensland followed in 1912, and Western Australia in 1913. What can be done to mark the 100 years? Dennis VK2XDW has suggested a luncheon or dinner and is seeking expressions of interest. The plan is to pay your own way, however numbers are needed so that a venue can be selected. The date will be Thursday 11 March- 100 years to the day. Contact Dennis VK2XDW.
Next an item from the RSGB site. Will solar activity disrupt the London Olympics in 2012? Scientists in the UK have warned the Olympics will be in the middle of the next solar maximum which could interfere with satellite and terestrial communications. To protect sensitive electronic circuits up in space, the satellite tranmitters may have to be switched off.
Talk about Hi-tech! A personal internet segment has been just installed on the International Space Station's communications systems. This allows for astronauts and cosmonauts to send and receive emails to friends and family on earth. This will help ease the isolation associated with life in a prolonged closed environment. Unfortunately the Space Station's email address will not be made public.
And finally, the item everybody waits for - the drawing of the weekly meat tray. Drawn yesterday by John VK2JF, the winner of the snags, chops, and steak was Barrie VK2CXA.
Well that's all for another week - I hope to catch you all on 6 metres Hi.
73 Greg VK2CW
Coming events at your club
Coming events:
Saturday 13 February - monthly meeting 13.30
Saturday 20 February - lecture on digital modes by VK2RD 13.30
Saturday 27 February - construction project - 2 metre fox hunt antennas
led by VK2FJL and VK2YP
Saturday 20 March - lecture and demo on Linux by Marcel VK2FMDB
Saturday 27 March - commencing a series of four project workshops:
1. Assembly of a signal injector probe
2. Assembly of a AF/RF signal tracer (April)
3. Demonstration of above probes (May)
4. Fix-it day of radios supplied by club members (June)
All to be run by Les Smith.
Saturday 13 February - monthly meeting 13.30
Saturday 20 February - lecture on digital modes by VK2RD 13.30
Saturday 27 February - construction project - 2 metre fox hunt antennas
led by VK2FJL and VK2YP
Saturday 20 March - lecture and demo on Linux by Marcel VK2FMDB
Saturday 27 March - commencing a series of four project workshops:
1. Assembly of a signal injector probe
2. Assembly of a AF/RF signal tracer (April)
3. Demonstration of above probes (May)
4. Fix-it day of radios supplied by club members (June)
All to be run by Les Smith.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Weekly Broadcast 31st January 2010.
This is a summary of news and events for Amateur Radio Operators on behalf of
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc.
The Broadcast can be heard at 09.00 hrs Each Sunday on 146.775 MHz and is
followed by the VK1WIA news. There is a replay on 80 metres Sunday morning and
again at 19.00 hrs courtesy Warren VK2UWP. Tune to 3.565 +-.
Westlakes first magazine for 2010 was assembled yesterday and made ready for
posting. Apologies for the quality of the cover picture in the posted copy. Those on
the email list should receive their edition as an attachment to this cast.
For those who have not already done so there is a membership renewal reminder
enclosed in this months magazine.
This week meat tray found a home with VK2BZ who claims that he has been
keeping a vacant place in his fridge just on the off chance. If memory serves that
place would not have had time to cool from the last time. Amazing what a few
cucumbers can achieve.
Fingers crossed, that annoying sound burst has been laid to rest . Thanks in the
main to the effort of Pete VK2ZTV , ably assisted by several club members.
The following receive yesterday afternoon
Hi Barry
We have isolated the Mount Arthur 148.5625Mhz Paging tx, problem seems to have
stopped.
It appeared that the tx was keying up for a brief period only not the full length of a
page, but when manually keyed it put a full quieting signal into sugarloaf.
Tx is now disabled until their tech can replace it.
Regards
Peter S. VK2ZTV
VK2BZ our resident Sherlock Holmes was on the hunt yesterday for yet another
errant Epirb. Even without Watson he collared the villain in short time.
As announced Gloria was not in attendance yesterday however those present were
well catered for by both Barry and Dave. On occasion they even provided table
service for the humble pie or sausage roll.
Geoff VK2EO made one of his rare appearances yesterday and informs us that he is
about to upgrade the webpage. By the way, in the absence of Dennis VK2XDW
Geoff was responsible for the meat tray draw.
The club has been the recipient of a generous donation of bits and pieces from Noel
VK2BCA. Thanks Noel.
Yesterday was another afternoon of antenna experimentation where the latest
innovations from Col VK2YP, namely the "OzzieHams Maxi Pole" were put
through their paces. With very slight adjustment, yours truly VK2FJL was more
than pleased with the results, very acceptable readings were recorded across a wide
section of 40, 80 and 160 metres.
There will be an article describing this antenna in the March issue of Westlakes
magazine.
Mark the 20th March on your calendar for a follow up lecture on Linux by Marcel
VK2FMDB.
International and National News..
In a new report, a major hurdle to producing fusion energy using lasers has been
swept aside.
The controlled fusion of atoms - creating conditions like those in our Sun - has long
been touted as a possible revolutionary energy source.
However, there have been doubts about the use of powerful lasers for fusion energy
because the "plasma" they create could interrupt the fusion.
An article in Science magazine showed the plasma is far less of a problem than
expected.
The report is based on the first experiments from the National Ignition Facility (Nif)
in the US that used all 192 of its laser beams.
Along the way, the experiments smashed the record for the highest energy from a
laser - by a factor of 20.
Construction of the National Ignition Facility began at Lawrence Livermore
National Laboratory in 1997, and was formally completed in May 2008.
Star Power's goal, as its name implies, is to harness the power of the largest laser
ever built to start "ignition" - effectively a carefully controlled thermonuclear
explosion.
It is markedly different from current nuclear power, which operates through splitting
atoms - fission - rather than squashing them together in fusion.
Proving that such a lab-based fusion reaction can release more energy than is
required to start it - rising above the so-called breakeven point - could herald a new
era in large-scale energy production.
The US space agency (Nasa) has admitted defeat in its battle to free the Spirit rover
from its Martian sand trap.
The vehicle became stuck in soft soil back in May last year and all the efforts to
extricate it have failed.
Nasa says Spirit, which landed on the Red Planet just over six years ago, will now
live out its remaining days as a static science station.
The robot geologist has taken thousands of images and found evidence in Mars'
rocks of a wetter, warmer past.
"Spirit has encountered a golfer's worst nightmare - the sand trap that no matter
how many strokes you take, you can't get out of it," said Doug McCuistion, director
of the Mars exploration programme at Nasa headquarters in Washington DC.
The robot's predicament has been exacerbated by the failure of two of its six
wheels. Without the additional traction, the agency now accepts that further efforts
to try to escape the soft soil will be fruitless.
Spirit was one of two rovers that Nasa landed on the planet in the January of 2004.
The second vehicle, Opportunity, continues to roll freely on the surface.
Satellite TV 'making humans invisible to aliens on other planets'
A Telegraph article reports on a claim by the world's leading ET hunter that
Satellite television and the digital revolution is making humanity more and more
invisible to inquisitive aliens on other planets.
The article continues: That might be good news for anyone who fears an
''Independence Day'' - style invasion by little green men. But it is also likely to
make the search for extraterrestrial intelligence by Earthly scientists harder, Dr
Frank Drake believes.
Dr Drake, who founded the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence)
organisation in the US 50 years ago, said the digital age was effectively gagging the
Earth by cutting the transmission of TV and radio signals into space.
At present, the Earth was surrounded by a 50 light year-wide ''shell'' of radiation
from analogue TV, radio and radar transmissions, he said.
But although the signals had spread far enough to reach many nearby star systems,
they were rapidly vanishing before the march of digital technology.
To a race of observing aliens, digital TV signals would look like noise, said Dr
Drake. Digital transmissions were also much weaker than their terrestrial
equivalent.
While old-style TV transmitters might generate one million watts, the power of a
satellite signal was around 20 watts. Satellites also aimed their transmissions at the
Earth, with almost none being allowed to escape into space.
If you want to learn what is happening at your club in the coming week join us each
Saturday at 8am for the EZB net on 146.775 MHz
Early risers are reminded to tune to 3.588MHz each Saturday mornings at 6am for
the Stone the Crows Net.
That concluded Westlakes segment of this week news.
To find out more about Westlakes Amateur Radio Club, or Amateur Radio in
general, leave a message on our 24 hour voice mail box on 02 49-581588. Please
wait for instructions before leaving your message. All correspondence should be
addressed to The Secretary, Box 3001, Teralba, NSW, 2284 or email:
secretary at westlakesarc.org.au
Further information is available on our website at www.westlakesarc.org.au
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club is located in York Street, Teralba and is open for
business on Saturday from 12:00 midday and from approximately 6.00pm Tuesdays
Call in and say Hello.....Tea and Coffee are always on!
Amateur Radio is a great hobby become active and enjoy it.
And remember Walk Tall. De VK2FJL
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