Good Morning this is VK2ATZ, the official station of Westlakes Amateur Radio Clublocated at Teralaba, Lake Macquarie. There should be a HF simulcast on 3.565 MHz this morning courtesy of Warren VK2UWP which will be repeated at 7 pm this evening. Westlakes local news is read each Sunday on this repeater, VK2RTZ, at 9am local. Following at 9.30 am is a relay of the Australia-wide amateur radio news from the WIA.
The first item today is information about next Saturday's activities at Westlakes. Although next Saturday will be the first in the month of October, there will be no monthly meeting. The reason being that it is a long weekend and numbers will be down. The next monthly meeting will be on Saturday 6th November. -
However, what will be on next Saturday is the assembly and enveloping of the October edition of Westlakes Magazine in the club library. That gets underway at about 1.30. Anyone who can helpwill be appreciated.
The next item will be heard on the WIA news today. Police from the Fraud and Corporate Crime Group are issuing a warning to the public following a dramatic increase in reports of a fake Microsoft scam currently targeting Queensland victims. The scam involves a victim receiving a phone call from a person purporting to represent well known computer company (most commonly Microsoft or a company contracted by Microsoft) telling the person they have a problem with their computer. The caller outlines the victim's computer is infected with a virus that has been brought to the company's attention - often via the Microsoft fault reporting process. The caller then offers to assist the victim and will "fix the problem" by directing them to a website where the caller remotely takes over the victim's computer. The representative then shows the victim the "issues" with their computer and suggests they pay a fee to have the problem fixed or need to purchase software to prevent this from happening in the future. "This is all just a scam. Microsoft has confirmed they are not cold-calling members of the community regarding viruses, computer problems or any other issue.
Quite simply, these offenders are just looking to trick you into giving them money," Detective Superintendent Brian Hay of the Queensland Crime Operations Command's Fraud and Corporate Crime Group said. "Giving someone you don't know remote access to your computer is basically the same as handing your credit card details over to them. With this access, an offender can easily search your computer for banking or personal details or quite easily load Malware or Trojan software onto your computer. You may as well give them the key to your front door while you're there.
Now listen carefully. Last Friday Greg VK2CW received a telephone call from a female with an Asian accent. She said, "this is Microsoft, you have a problem with your computer. Greg told her to go away, and hung up. He can certainly vouch for the accuracy of this Police warning.
Quite a large turnout of members and visitors to the club yesterday. Three new intending members applied for membership and 2 other visitors were made welcome as well. Thank you for becoming part of the Westlakes Family.
The new stove was installed yesterday morning and is working well. Many thanks to Keith VK2BKF and Barry VK2BZ for the installation work. Gloria is more than pleased. Speaking of Gloria, she was kept busy in the Canteen all afternoon with tasty treats being served to all. I think that is what encouraged the new members to join up!
All the carpeted areas of the club received a good vacuum by Dave VK2RD to clean up all the grass carried in over the wet weather of the past few months. Looks good too. This was started by having to clean up the mess in the Canteen left by the tradesman installers. Nudge Nudge!
The mower was temporarily put back into service until the cutting deck finally collapsed. Looks like a trip to the repair centre is coming up. While on the mowing, Ken VK2UCF has joined the team that gets together to keep the grounds tidy. Anyone else wishing to lend a hand are most welcome. See Barry VK2BZ or Barrie VK2BXD to be put on the list.
Col VK2YP was again playing with antennas in the car park area. He has developed some more modifications to the Squid pole system. Keep at it Col and thanks for the effort.
Yesterday's meat tray went to a deserving first time winner. New member Jim, VK2JIM drew the ticket of Richard VK2CRA who was most pleased with the result. He made sure he did not forget to take it home and sat next to the fridge so no one else could grab it.
Diane VK2FDNE has started work on organizing this years Christmas party set down for the 11th of December. If you would like to see some particular treat, activity or just to help out for the day, please contact Diane.
Last weeks Westlakes Cup attracted at least 17 participants. Many thanks to Paul VK2HV who picked up the running of the event for the night until he was harassed by a Lid making contacts difficult. Dave VK2RD then took over the Club Call to finish the 1 hour contest. The call in afterwards gave some close results. These are only preliminary at this time until all logs are received and scrutinized. Remember that all logs must be in by the 29th of October. Send to contestmanger@westlakesarc.org.au or to Allan vk2oj@exemail.com.au
The Amateur spirit lives on with a team of volunteers arriving yesterday at the QTH of Bill VK2XTBill, who lives at Coal Point, needed some repairs to his 4 element Quad, but at almost 97 years old was beyond him. Enter the makeover team... Allan VK2FLTP, Lloyd VK2FLYD and Richard VK2FRKO who promptly set to work and had the job done in no time. They were then treated to a tour of Bill's shack and other storage areas on the site. Notice they are all F Calls? Many thanks Gentlemen, a big pat on the back to you all.
Well that's all the news we have this week.
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street an is open on Saturday Afternoons from around 12 noon until everyone goes home. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6pm again until everyone goes home. Although a Radio Club, we are on the telephone. Try dialling (02) 49 581588. An answering service operates after hours. Visitors are alway welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee, and long-life milk. Plus, there are biscuits too.
Dave VK2RD
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
WESTLAKES NEWS SUNDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2010
Those who attend the WIA Annual General Meeting in 2011 will be going to Darwin. After consulting a number of the State Advisory Committees, the WIA have chosen Darwin as the location for the weekend event event, the dates are 27 to 29 May. The directors were influenced to head north by a submission from the Darwin Amateur Radio Club.
A smaller than usual number of members were at the club yesterday, reduced in size perhaps by the annual airshow at Williamtown. So if you are looking for something to do today, It's day two of The air show at Williamtown which is expected to attract a Sunday crowd of 30,000 people. But it has not been entirely clear skies for the event. The Newcastle Herald reported yesterday that trackwork would disrupt the region's public transport on one of its biggest tourism weekends.All trains on the Hunter and Newcastle and Central Coast lines will be replaced with buses, forcing an influx of commuters onto the region's roads. Parking for the show opened at 7am this morning. And we may hear a couple of "stationary mobile - stuck in a traffic jam" callbacks to this morning's news.
Now some Overseas news about Fish with chips. British scientists will implant fish with sensors similar to those used in computer game consoles to better understand their movements under water. Predictions about future fish stocks.The fish will be equipped with three-axis accelerometer sensors, which can detect movement in any direction. Already trialed is an electronic tag that can log every time a fish opens its mouth, which can use to tell when a fish is breathing, feeding, coughing or yawning. The tags cost $1,300 to produce. A fish that yawns? Now that would be a sight to see!
Still overseas and the RSGB reports that computer experts are warning that the Internet may "collapse" at some point within the next decade. They claim that the Internet routing method that connects any two computers in the world is severely stressed and cannot sustain another 10 years as millions more users pile onto it. Well, there's something to think about before you rush out and buy a new computer.
Closer to home....yesterday's meat tray. It was drawn by Ken VK2KJ in front of six observers in the Westlakes library. The winner was Ted VK2UI who did not leave it behind when he left the club. Well done Ted.
Who's got the engraver? Two new tables purchased by the club were set to be engraved yesterday but the engraver could not be located in the store. The Storeman was missing too! But we know where he was. Aly VK2AFZ was at the last day of trading of the Germania Club at Warners Bay. Yes, the Germania Club is no more and we understand that it was free beer on tap yesterday - for members only of course.
The club's new oven has not arrived. So in the absence of the canteen manageress, Ms Brown, Barry VK2BZ had to do battle with the old oven. It was pies and mushy peas or, pies and mushy peas on offer.
Last night the 2010 Westlakes Cup Contest was held. As the contest manager, Allan VK2JED, was unable to be on air, Dave VK2RD volunteered to run the event. No results are known at this stage. We hope to have a report in next Sunday's News and in the October Westlakes magazine. Speaking of the magazine, the next edition will be assembled and enveloped in the club library on Saturday week - that is 2nd of October. And remember, there is no Monthly meeting in October.
Computer news. During the week Microsoft released its new Internet Explorer 9 claimed to be better, faster, slicker, and more secure, than Firefox or Google web browsers. Time will tell.
And finally, you would think when a well-known member walks around the club all Saturday afternoon with a new call sign on a brand new club badge, someone would notice. No one did. However, those with keen ears may tumble to who it is after this morning's news reading.
Well that's all the news we have this week. This is VK2ATZ. Is there anyone with late news items?Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street an is open on Saturday Afternoons from around 12 noon until everyone goes home. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6pm again until everyone goes home. Although a Radio Club, we are on the telephone.Try dialing (02) 49 581588. An answering service operates after hours. Visitors are always welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee, and long-life milk. Plus, there are biscuits too.
Thank you for listening.
A smaller than usual number of members were at the club yesterday, reduced in size perhaps by the annual airshow at Williamtown. So if you are looking for something to do today, It's day two of The air show at Williamtown which is expected to attract a Sunday crowd of 30,000 people. But it has not been entirely clear skies for the event. The Newcastle Herald reported yesterday that trackwork would disrupt the region's public transport on one of its biggest tourism weekends.All trains on the Hunter and Newcastle and Central Coast lines will be replaced with buses, forcing an influx of commuters onto the region's roads. Parking for the show opened at 7am this morning. And we may hear a couple of "stationary mobile - stuck in a traffic jam" callbacks to this morning's news.
Now some Overseas news about Fish with chips. British scientists will implant fish with sensors similar to those used in computer game consoles to better understand their movements under water. Predictions about future fish stocks.The fish will be equipped with three-axis accelerometer sensors, which can detect movement in any direction. Already trialed is an electronic tag that can log every time a fish opens its mouth, which can use to tell when a fish is breathing, feeding, coughing or yawning. The tags cost $1,300 to produce. A fish that yawns? Now that would be a sight to see!
Still overseas and the RSGB reports that computer experts are warning that the Internet may "collapse" at some point within the next decade. They claim that the Internet routing method that connects any two computers in the world is severely stressed and cannot sustain another 10 years as millions more users pile onto it. Well, there's something to think about before you rush out and buy a new computer.
Closer to home....yesterday's meat tray. It was drawn by Ken VK2KJ in front of six observers in the Westlakes library. The winner was Ted VK2UI who did not leave it behind when he left the club. Well done Ted.
Who's got the engraver? Two new tables purchased by the club were set to be engraved yesterday but the engraver could not be located in the store. The Storeman was missing too! But we know where he was. Aly VK2AFZ was at the last day of trading of the Germania Club at Warners Bay. Yes, the Germania Club is no more and we understand that it was free beer on tap yesterday - for members only of course.
The club's new oven has not arrived. So in the absence of the canteen manageress, Ms Brown, Barry VK2BZ had to do battle with the old oven. It was pies and mushy peas or, pies and mushy peas on offer.
Last night the 2010 Westlakes Cup Contest was held. As the contest manager, Allan VK2JED, was unable to be on air, Dave VK2RD volunteered to run the event. No results are known at this stage. We hope to have a report in next Sunday's News and in the October Westlakes magazine. Speaking of the magazine, the next edition will be assembled and enveloped in the club library on Saturday week - that is 2nd of October. And remember, there is no Monthly meeting in October.
Computer news. During the week Microsoft released its new Internet Explorer 9 claimed to be better, faster, slicker, and more secure, than Firefox or Google web browsers. Time will tell.
And finally, you would think when a well-known member walks around the club all Saturday afternoon with a new call sign on a brand new club badge, someone would notice. No one did. However, those with keen ears may tumble to who it is after this morning's news reading.
Well that's all the news we have this week. This is VK2ATZ. Is there anyone with late news items?Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street an is open on Saturday Afternoons from around 12 noon until everyone goes home. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6pm again until everyone goes home. Although a Radio Club, we are on the telephone.Try dialing (02) 49 581588. An answering service operates after hours. Visitors are always welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee, and long-life milk. Plus, there are biscuits too.
Thank you for listening.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
WESTLAKES NEWS SUNDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 2010
Good Morning this is VK2ATZ, the official station of Westlakes Amateur Radio Club located at Teralaba, Lake Macquarie. Your reader of this morning's local news is Greg VK2CW. There should be a HF simulcast on 3.565 MHz this morning courtesy of Warren VK2UWP which will be repeated at 7 pm this evening. Westlakes local news is read each Sunday on this repeater, VK2RTZ, at 9am local. Following at 9:30am is a relay of the Australia wide amateur radio news from the WIA.
VK100WIA news. Richard VK2FRKO advised yesterday that the 3-day operation with the special call sign by Port Stephens Amateur Radio Club last weekend resulted in 686 contacts. Also the Port Stephens operators notched up the 15,000th contact with the special call. It was well-known amateur, Martin Luther VK7GN. PSARC had an excellent result, made all the better because "day one" was a rotter - wind, rain, storms and lightning. 686 contacts will take some beating by Westlakes on its 3-day turn at the end of October.
The storeman, Aly VK2AFZ continued to flog solar panels yesterday. So much so, that all eighteen of the 20 watt panels are gone - there are no more available. But hope springs eternal - perhaps another batch could be ordered? That question has been asked but the answer at this stage is,
"We don't know".
Yesterday morning, the 1109th edition of the "Stone the Crows" went to air at 6am. There were 13 starters. A quick calculation reveals that this net has been running every Saturday for over 21 years with Edward VK2UI at the helm. That must be some sort of record. Another quick calculation
Reveals that episode 1111 (remember that silly poem about racehorses) will go to air on Saturday week.
Coming up next Saturday night, the 18th September, is the 2010 Westlakes Cup. This contest has as a prize, two engraved cups that are awarded and retained by the winning Standard/Advanced and Foundation licence holders the contest only runs for one hour and the rules appeared in the August Amateur Radio Magazine and in the September Westlakes Magazine. So don't forget this year's Westlakes Cup - Saturday 18th September, from 10.30 UTC to 11.30 UTC, only on one band and then only between the frequencies of 3.535 to 3.620 MHz.
Now some overseas news that sounds like a breakfast cereal. Google has announced an improvement to its Internet search engine called "Google Instant". The search results change what you are shown as you type. The technology giant claims the new feature will reduce the time spent on search by two to five seconds per request, saving its more than 1 billion weekly users about 350 million hours a year. ‘Google Instant,' is available to all users on google.com in English in the US, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Russia and the UK. It will be available here in six weeks. The only visual change to the familiar multi-colour Google screen and logo will be the additional word, "Instant." 66 per cent of computer owners world-wide currently use Google.
Still overseas and the RSGB reports that computer experts are warning that the Internet may "collapse" At some point within the next decade. They claim that the Internet routing method that connects any two computers in the world is severely stressed and cannot sustain another 10 years as millions more users pile onto it. Well, there's something to think about before you rush out and buy a new computer.
Next time you visit the club, take a peek in the canteen. Arriving next Thursday will be the club's brand new oven. It's a sort of silvery /stainless steel thing with a fan blower and goodness knows what else. Handpicked by the canteen manageress, Gloria, it is certain to please.
A squid pole antenna was raised in the club grounds yesterday. The main purpose was to check the veracity of a report by vk2CW of a near 1:1 SWR on 40 metres all the way from 7 to 7.3 MHz.Barry VK2BZ attacked the coiless, trapless antenna with his deluxe antenna analyser which measures
Everything from Ohms to phases of the moon. Sure enough, Barry's device agreed with the SWR meter in the attached QRP FT817 radio - around 1:1.3 right across the 40 metre band. I told you so!
Yesterday's meat tray raffle result. In an effort to break the hold on the meat tray by the troglodyte inhabitants in the Westlakes store, a vegetarian, John VK2EV, was asked to draw the winning ticket. You guessed it - it belonged to the store troglodyte number four, Ken VK2KJ,
And finally, the club's deluxe wooden sign, carved, painted, varnished, and erected by Mal VK2VON, is still affixed to the building and remains unharmed after a week despite predictions that, "it won't last 5 minutes." Any bets on another week?
Well that's all the local news we have this week.
Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street and is open on Saturday Afternoons from around 12 noon until everyone goes home. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6pm again until everyone goes home. Although a Radio Club, we are on the telephone.
Try dialling (02) 49 581588. An answering service operates after hours. Visitors are always welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee, and long-life milk. Plus, there are biscuits too.
VK100WIA news. Richard VK2FRKO advised yesterday that the 3-day operation with the special call sign by Port Stephens Amateur Radio Club last weekend resulted in 686 contacts. Also the Port Stephens operators notched up the 15,000th contact with the special call. It was well-known amateur, Martin Luther VK7GN. PSARC had an excellent result, made all the better because "day one" was a rotter - wind, rain, storms and lightning. 686 contacts will take some beating by Westlakes on its 3-day turn at the end of October.
The storeman, Aly VK2AFZ continued to flog solar panels yesterday. So much so, that all eighteen of the 20 watt panels are gone - there are no more available. But hope springs eternal - perhaps another batch could be ordered? That question has been asked but the answer at this stage is,
"We don't know".
Yesterday morning, the 1109th edition of the "Stone the Crows" went to air at 6am. There were 13 starters. A quick calculation reveals that this net has been running every Saturday for over 21 years with Edward VK2UI at the helm. That must be some sort of record. Another quick calculation
Reveals that episode 1111 (remember that silly poem about racehorses) will go to air on Saturday week.
Coming up next Saturday night, the 18th September, is the 2010 Westlakes Cup. This contest has as a prize, two engraved cups that are awarded and retained by the winning Standard/Advanced and Foundation licence holders the contest only runs for one hour and the rules appeared in the August Amateur Radio Magazine and in the September Westlakes Magazine. So don't forget this year's Westlakes Cup - Saturday 18th September, from 10.30 UTC to 11.30 UTC, only on one band and then only between the frequencies of 3.535 to 3.620 MHz.
Now some overseas news that sounds like a breakfast cereal. Google has announced an improvement to its Internet search engine called "Google Instant". The search results change what you are shown as you type. The technology giant claims the new feature will reduce the time spent on search by two to five seconds per request, saving its more than 1 billion weekly users about 350 million hours a year. ‘Google Instant,' is available to all users on google.com in English in the US, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Russia and the UK. It will be available here in six weeks. The only visual change to the familiar multi-colour Google screen and logo will be the additional word, "Instant." 66 per cent of computer owners world-wide currently use Google.
Still overseas and the RSGB reports that computer experts are warning that the Internet may "collapse" At some point within the next decade. They claim that the Internet routing method that connects any two computers in the world is severely stressed and cannot sustain another 10 years as millions more users pile onto it. Well, there's something to think about before you rush out and buy a new computer.
Next time you visit the club, take a peek in the canteen. Arriving next Thursday will be the club's brand new oven. It's a sort of silvery /stainless steel thing with a fan blower and goodness knows what else. Handpicked by the canteen manageress, Gloria, it is certain to please.
A squid pole antenna was raised in the club grounds yesterday. The main purpose was to check the veracity of a report by vk2CW of a near 1:1 SWR on 40 metres all the way from 7 to 7.3 MHz.Barry VK2BZ attacked the coiless, trapless antenna with his deluxe antenna analyser which measures
Everything from Ohms to phases of the moon. Sure enough, Barry's device agreed with the SWR meter in the attached QRP FT817 radio - around 1:1.3 right across the 40 metre band. I told you so!
Yesterday's meat tray raffle result. In an effort to break the hold on the meat tray by the troglodyte inhabitants in the Westlakes store, a vegetarian, John VK2EV, was asked to draw the winning ticket. You guessed it - it belonged to the store troglodyte number four, Ken VK2KJ,
And finally, the club's deluxe wooden sign, carved, painted, varnished, and erected by Mal VK2VON, is still affixed to the building and remains unharmed after a week despite predictions that, "it won't last 5 minutes." Any bets on another week?
Well that's all the local news we have this week.
Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street and is open on Saturday Afternoons from around 12 noon until everyone goes home. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6pm again until everyone goes home. Although a Radio Club, we are on the telephone.
Try dialling (02) 49 581588. An answering service operates after hours. Visitors are always welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee, and long-life milk. Plus, there are biscuits too.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
WESTLAKES NEWS SUNDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2010
Good Morning this is VK2ATZ, the official station of Westlakes Amateur Radio Club located at Teralaba, Lake Macquarie.There should be a HF simulcast on 3.565 MHz this morning courtesy of Warren VK2UWP which will be repeated at 7 pm this evening. Westlakes local news is read each Sunday on this repeater, VK2RTZ,at 9am local. Following at 9:30 am is a relay of the Australia-wide news from the WIA.
First this morning is news of three things that are NOT on. Today's scheduled monthly meeting of the Port Stephens Amateur Radio Club has been cancelled - the reason being that the members are exhausted from call "CQ from VK100WIA". The special call has been on air for three days since 10 am last Thursday. The last count seen yesterday afternoon was that over 550 contacts had been logged. The second thing that is not on is the October monthly meeting at Westlakes. The change to future meetings being held on the first Saturday of the month has clashed with the October Day long weekend and a number of the committee and members will be absent. And the third thing that is not on is Gloria's "jumbo" hamburgers for the next two Saturdays. She will be away, so it looks like BZ's pies and mushy peas will be the go for the next fortnight.
Something that is on (we hope it's still on) is the new wooden sign manufactured by Mal VK2VON that was attached to the rear wall of the club yesterday. It reads, not surpringly, "Westlakes Amateur Radio Club" and looks very smart indeed. There was plenty of advice given to Mal as to the best location and method of affixture of the sign by the "footpath foremen". The storeman, Aly VK2AFZ was doing a brisk trade in solar panels yesterday. Eighteen panels were available and ten of these have been paid for and collected. Another five have been reserved by members leaving (at last count) three remaining solar panels that are available. The panels are brand new and have a 20 watt capacity. The cost is $85. See the storeman next Saturday afternoon they won't be there much longer than that.
Coming up on Saturday week is the 2010 Westlakes Cup. This contest has as a prize two engraved cups that are awarded and retained by the winning Standard/Advanced and Foundation licence holders. The contest only runs for one hour and the rules appeared in the August Amateur Radio Magazine and in the September Westlakes Magazine.So don't forget this year's Westlakes Cup Saturday 18th September, from 10.30 UTC to 11.30 UTC, only on one band and then only between the frequencies of 3.535 to 3.620 MHz.
Following the photo that appeared in this month's club magazine of Louie, the Lithgow Yowie, one member, Allan VK2JED has declared the picture of the beast had been "doctored". The magazine editor denies any complicity in this as the the image was accepted in good faith. And for any who doubt Louie's existence, look no further than next month's magazine when a second photo will appear. And, if further corroboration is needed, purchase a copy of this week's Lithgow Mercury or the Western Advocate (which circulates in the Bathurst region) for news of additional sightings of Louie.
It is just as well that yesterday's monthly meeting was a short one, otherwise the club would have ran out of money. The attendees were in a spending mood - among things approved for purchase were a new oven for the canteen, blinds for the common room, a photo copier, oscilloscope probes, a wall clock, two tables, an air conditioner, a garbage skip, and a load of filling. Narrowly rejected was a dish washer.
The earthquake event yesterday in New Zealand is a reminder to us all be aware of the amateur radio emergency frequencies for our region which is called Region 3? The frequencies to listen to or call on on are 3.600, 7.110, 14.300, 18.160 and 21.360 MHz. Amateur radio can have an important role to play in emergencies when other communications systems go down. And finally, yesterday's meat tray raffle. Drawn by our man from the store, Geoff VK2GL, with his sleeves rolled up managed to select the ticket that belonged to Ken VK2UCF. Congratulations once again Ken.Well that's all the local news we have this week.
Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street and is open on Saturday Afternoons from around 12 noon until everyone goes home. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6pm again until everyone goes home. Although a Radio Club, we are on the telephone.Try dialling (02) 49581588. An answering service operates after hours. Visitors are always welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee, and long-life milk. Plus, there are biscuits too.
Thank you for listening.
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