The first item today is news of a most interesting web site. It's The Australian Geographical RadioFrequency Map and is a site that
overlays all registered RF transmitters on top of Google Maps. Generic antenna sites are shown with the red RF icon, all
amateur stations are shown by a yellow icon. A mouse-over will give you the site's description, and a click will tell you who
broadcasts from there, and at what frequencies. People interested in the position of every antenna or interested in checking
how close they are to their nearest amateur station or to see where possible interference is coming from, should have a look.
So here it is, every transmitter site in the ACMA database, which is fully searchable on Google Earth by location, site name, client
details, frequency range, emission designator and callsign. This site is definitely one to include in your favourites.
Type in : australian geographical radiofrequency map
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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. Fresh blood, in the form of a new member, nominated for a position yesterday. The deadline for nominations is Saturday
9 April.
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Our maintenance man Barry VK2BZ was literally up a ladder yesterday at the club replacing dud security lights. Seen assisting were
ladder holders, and electical advisors. Well done men. No comments please on callbacks about the number of Irishmen needed to change
a light bulb.
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Now listen carefully. Wyong Field Day is next Sunday. There are no trains running from Newcastle according to information delivered
to Westlakes yesterday. Yes, there will a substitute bus service but that will add some time to the trip. You have been warned.
The gates at Wyong Racecourse will open at 6.30 am to allow entry and setup for Traders / Exhibitors and Flea Marketeers.
The Trader/ Exhibitor areas will open to the public at 9am. Admission is $12 for Adults with free admission for those under 17.
Amateur radio examinations will be conducted on the day by Brian Kelly who can be contacted on 0418659043 for further information.
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What's in sTock in the Westlakes Store. There are No caps, but three Foundation Licence Books, and four Solar panels.
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In a surprise move, Gloria announced that she will attend the club canteen next Saturday (her usual day off). But she will not be there
a week later, that's 4th March. So it's pies and mushey peas only on 4th March! Luckily, the March monthly meeting has been postponed
until the second Saturday of that month which is 12th March so there will be the usual post-meeting afternoon tea, Confusing isn't it.
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Over the past few days, there has been a lot of activity on the Sun. On Sunday, February 13 at 1738 UTC, sunspot 1158 unleashed an
M6-level blast and on Tuesday, February 15, the same sunspot unleashed an X-class flare, the strongest solar flare in more than
four years. The source of this activity -- sunspot 1158 -- is growing rapidly. There have been warnings that Earth's communications
What does this mean to radio amateurs? The absorption rate will be most severe on 160 meters, less on 80 and somewhat better on 40 meters.
The maximum usable frequency (MUF) -- the highest frequency by which a radio wave can propagate between given terminals by ionospheric
propagation alone, independent of power -- will be lower and auroral propagation on the VHF bands is quite possible. The latest news on
this solar radiation is that it will mainly miss the Earth so there will be little effect on communications after all. Business will be
as usual. Much ado about nothing.
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The store strkes back. Yesterday's meat tray raffle was drawn by Bill VK2XT who plucked from the barrel, the ticket belonging to
Ken VK2KJ. Ken wins again.
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In the current edition of Amateur Radio Magazine is a clever article about making a HF antenna from a pair of those "slinky" wire toys.
A slinky is a spring thing that walks down steps by itself. The article was co-written by Westlakes member, Allan VK2VEC. The antenna
is simple to make and apparently works well. It's not often that you come across a radio construction article where the component supplier
is a toy shop. Well done allan.
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And finally, the best news is last. By a stroke of luck, a local prawn fisherman, has promised a delivery of 20 kg of freshly cooked prawns
which may arrive the club at 9 am tomorrow. Yes, free prawns to all members who turn up. By coincidence, the lawns are going to be mown,
clipped, and snipped at a working bee at the same time. We cannot guarantee the arrival of the prawns. But the lawn mowers, trimmers, and
petrol will definitely be there. So how about it? A couple of new faces to help would be nice to see. That's 9 am tomorrow.
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