Unfortunately today, the first item is news of a Silent Key. Bob Hockey VK2FI of Gillieston Heights passed away last
October after a short illness. Bob had been a member of Westlakes for many years and regularly attended the club on
Saturdays. Please pause with me in memory of Bob Hockey VK2FI............................................ thank you.
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It's official. Catholics cannot confess via iPhone. The Vatican on said on Friday that the iPhone is no substitute for being
present when admitting sins to a priest as technology is not a substitute for attending in person when admitting sins. This follows
the launch of an iPhone application aimed at helping Catholics through confession and sanctioned by the Catholic Church in the
United States. The Vatican added that confession required the presence of the penitent and the priest. Apple said its application
was not designed to replace going to confession but to help Catholics through the act, which generally involves admitting sins
to a priest in a confessional booth. So it seems that confession by amateur radio operators on a 2 metre net is a long way off.
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Westlakes members are reminded that nomination forms for club executive and committee positions for 2011/2012 are now available from
the secretary. The deadline for nominations is Saturday 9 April. Also, the March monthly meeting will be held on the second Saturday
of that month which will be Saturday 12 March. There is still one club cap left - cost is $20. Contact the secretary.
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Here's one for the SWL's. Medium wave tests from the USA. If you are an SWL or an amateur with a good medium wave receiver, on
Saturday 12 February at 0700 and 0800UTC, radio station KHMO on 1070kHz in Missouri will conduct a DX test for SWLs worldwide.
The test will be with Morse code, sweep tones and voice announcements. Transmissions will be made for five minutes at 0700 at 5kW
into the station's three-tower, day antenna pattern. At 0800 they will transit the same material at 1kW using the six-tower,
night time pattern. Then from 0900 to 1000UTC, WLIQ on 1530kHz in Illinois will conduct a DX test of its own. WLIQ will test for
twenty minutes using Morse code, sweep tones, voice announcement, special music, sound bites and the like at its 1.4kW, non-directional,
day power. Then WLIQ will test for twenty minutes at 290W non-directional, critical hours power. Finally, for the last twenty minutes
of the hour, they will test at 3W, non-directional, night power. If you would like to receive a QSL you can send a written report,
or a cassette or CD to the Chief Engineer of these stations. For more information, type KHMO February DX tests into your search engine.
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Would you like to test your arm? At an amateur exam that is. Exams are available at Wyong HamFest Sunday February 27. Amateur Radio
New South Wales in conjunction with the Central Coast Amateur Radio Club will hold assessments with the first session at 7am,
second session 10.30 am. This is the fourth year that ARNSW has conducted exams at the Field Day. A prior booking is desirable,
but not essential but you should make contact with the co-ordinator Brian Kelly to find out how the find the rooms, the costs
and what is needed with the paperwork. Brian's contact details are by mobile 0418 659 043 or email to 3323wbk@tpg.com.au
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Sixty tickets were sold in Westlakes weekly meat tray raffle yesterday. Richard VK2FRKO drew the winner from the ticket tumble and
the first-time winner was another Richard, VK2CRA.
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A piece of radio history arrived at the club yesterday thanks to a donation by Jim Dangerfield of Boolaroo. It includes audio CDs
spoken by Sir Allen Fairhall VK2KB and Ken Greenhalgh VK2KG (both now Silent Keys). The subject matter is the early days of of radio
in Australia and in particular, commercial radio station, 2KO. The audio on the dics runs for about 117 minutes in MP3 format.
Several copies will be made and placed in the club library for loan to members.
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And finally, a new call sign that slipped through un-noticed. Leigh VK2KAL from Tanilba Bay has picked up a two-letter call (and that's
not easy). He now has VK2KY. Wonder how he bagged that one?
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Well that's all the news I have this week. This is VK2ATZ. Is there anyone with late news items?
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