WESTLAKES AMATEUR RADIO CLUB Inc.
Weekly Broadcast 6th June 2010.
Good morning this is VK2ATZ. Here is a summary of news and events for Amateur Radio Operators brought to you by Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc.
Unfortunately we begin today’s broadcast with news of another of our members becoming a Silent Key. Barry Wilson VK2BBA from Croudace Bay was a long time member of Westlakes and over the past few years was a regular at the club of a Saturday. Barry had been dealing with Cancer the last few years. There was a ceremony last Friday morning for Barry's friends and family at Lambton Rd Broadmeadow then a Muslim funeral at the Mosque in Mayfield. Later in the afternoon.
Vale Barry VK2BBA
As most know, the Field day set down for last Sunday was called off owing to the condition of the grounds. Apparently there were a few souls who turned up on the day, only to find the area bare. We tried to contact everyone that we had email and phone contact details for but unfortunately, not all could be reached. Please accept our apologies and note that the date has now been set for Sunday 20th June (weather permitting).
Thanks to Peter VK2ZTV, the interference to the 146.775 repeater has again been attended to. It appears that the problem stems from Microwave equipment co-sited with the repeater. Peter has fitted a new receiver which has the previously advertised features fitted. That being CTCSS tones for 123 Hz, 91.5Hz and access for untoned signals with a strong carrier. The carrier and 123 Hz features will be withdrawn in the future. If you have an older 2 metre radio without CTCSS ability, then the club can provide a small board at cost to fit your radio and allow you this feature. 91.5 Hz has been chosen as the standard access tone Australia wide.
Last week’s meat tray winner, Greg VK2CW was on hand to draw the winning ticket for this week and the prize went to Les VK2LT. Came to brag about Dayton, Bought a ticket and wins the prize…. The BBQ is on this afternoon BYO drinks.
The club purchased a number of Fred Swainston's popular Radio Theory Handbook. This is the 5th edition which has been completely revised and comes with a CD. The members of our current theory class have received their copies and the other members who ordered one are advised to pick their copy up from the Treasurer.
We still have a room available at Norah Head lighthouse for the weekend of 21st through 23rd August for the ILHLS activity. You can book this with Barry VK2CXA or Allan VK2JED. If you like you can come along and operate for the day if you wish. A good weekend is on offer from a very scenic location.
What is the difference between http and https?
Don't know how many of you are aware of this difference, but it is worth alerting any that do not.... The main difference between http:// and https:// is it’s all about keeping you secure. HTTP stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol. The S (big surprise) stands for "Secure"... If you visit a Website or webpage, and look at the address in the web browser, it will likely begin with the following: http://. This means that the website is talking to your browser using the regular 'unsecure' language. In other words, it is possible for someone to "eavesdrop" on your computer's conversation with the Website. If you fill out a form on the website, someone might see the information you send to that site. This is why you never ever enter your credit card number in an Http website! But if the web address begins with https:// that basically means your computer is talking to the website in a secure code that no one can eavesdrop on. You understand why this is so important, right? If a website ever asks you to enter your credit card information, you should automatically look to see if the web address begins with https://. If it doesn't, you should NEVER enter sensitive information ... such as a credit card number. PASS IT ON (You may save someone a lot of grief).
AMATEUR RADIO ASTRONOMERS FIND SUPER SECRET SPACE PLANE
The following from ARNewsline...
A group of amateur radio-astronomers have accomplished what the military was likely hoping would not happen. They have spotted the super-secret U.S. Air Force X-37B mini space plane on-orbit. Amateur Radio Newline’s Frank Haas, KB4T, says the un-piloted X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle 1 was lofted on April 22 atop an Atlas launcher. It is being flown under the auspices of the U.S. Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. From there it entered a proverbial cone of silence regarding its on-orbit duties. But thanks to a worldwide network of amateur sky watchers, the spacecraft is reportedly in a 39.99 degree inclination, circling the Earth in an orbit 401 kilometres by 422 kilometres. The next phase in the amateur astronomers tracking of the X-37B will be an attempt to see if the space plane is emitting any radio signals! The US Air Force has not said what the robotic ship is for, but most analysts guess that it is likely a high altitude spy craft.
BUSTED: Item courtesy Southgate Amateur news...
The Australian Communications and Media Authority have cancelled an Amateur radio station licence following an investigation that uncovered continuing breaches by the licensee. In the case of the recent cancellation, crucial information was provided by other radio amateurs that alerted the ACMA to the ongoing non-compliance and assisted the investigation. The breaches included causing interference to other stations, failing to use a call sign and transmitting an unmodulated carrier. The ACMA made the decision to cancel the amateur licence when other compliance and enforcement measures had failed. The ACMA say in their reporting that every effort had been made to assist, encourage and educate the licensee to understand the importance of compliance with licence conditions. Despite repeated warnings to the licensee, the ACMA found that non-compliance continued over an extended period of time. "While it is extremely unusual for amateurs to ignore their obligation to comply with the law, the fact is that there have been instances of extreme behaviour that requires enforcement action. This action by the ACMA should remind us all that it will act when necessary" It is good to see the Australian regulator acting to enforce Amateur Radio regulations.
While on Enforcement.
The New Zealand regulator has been busy too.
A New Zealand ham is in trouble for running his station at power levels in excess of that nation’s maximum for radio amateurs. Alan Potter, ZL3II, of Christchurch, has been fined $1500 dollars NZ and ordered to pay $100 in court costs and had had his station confiscated by the government. This, after being found guilty of breaching Section 113 of the Radio communications Act 1989 by running power in excess of 3100 watts out of his station in a nation where 500 Watts is the absolute limit. Specifically, Potter was charged in the Christchurch District Court on April 14th after being found in possession of radio transmitting equipment that was capable of operating at a significantly higher power than the Amateur Radio Operators General License allows. He was found guilty of transmitting outside the terms and conditions of the General User Radio License for Amateur Radio Operators. Potter might have gotten away with his illegal high power activities a bit longer if not for one little mistake. Instead of just keeping quiet and operating, news reports say that New Zealand's Radio Spectrum Management agency became aware of Potter after he reportedly posted on YouTube. One video showed his amplifier operating at the 3100 watt level. That video has since been removed.
This month’s Business meeting will take place next Saturday 12th June at 13:30 hours. Normally, when the meeting falls on a Long Weekend it is transferred to the following week but with the postponed Field day falling on Sunday 20th June the Saturday will be required to get ready for Sunday. So see you all at the Monthly meeting NEXT week 12th June.
Don’t forget to join in with the group each Saturday at 8am for the EZB net on 146.775 MHz where those participating have a round table discussion of what they have been doing during the past week and what is ahead for the next one. There is no set Net Controller, whoever is there first takes the net for the morning. Please join us. Also early risers are reminded to tune to 3.588MHz each Saturday morning at 6am for the Stone the Crows Net with Ted VK2UI as Master of Ceremonies.
That concludes Westlakes segment of this week news.
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