LOCAL NEWS:
The club was open for business yesterday after the Easter break and the rain managed to hold off. Gloria was on hand in the canteen to feed the many members that were there.
Now while talking about Gloria, it was time to meat tray to be won and Ted VK2UI was there to pick out of the barrell a winner. After 3 attempts a ticket
was selected. The winning ticket was Gloria. You may be wondering how come there were 3 draws? Ted mananged to pick two tickets out twice instead of one ticket. Congratulations Gloria.
A second prize was then bought forward, freshly cooked buns from the bakery. Two winners were selected from the barrel, 1st packet of buns went to VK2FCWC and the second pack went to Vk2 ZVF. Congratulations.
Foundation Licence Course. A Foundation Licence course will be held at the club on the weekend of the 14 and 15th May commencing at 0845. On Saturday the day will finish about 1600 and on Sunday around 1400 or when examinations are marked. However, this course is full so for any budding amateur operators another course will be organised in due course. Anyone wishing to attend the next course or know of anyone wishing to do there Foundation licence please contact Michael VK2OI or contact the club and will will pass on your details.
The store was open for business with many specials on offer. Listen here next week for up and coming bargains.
.................................................................................................................................
WORLD NEWS
International Marconi Day (IMD) is a 24-hour amateur radio event held annually to celebrate the birth of Guglielmo Marconi on the 25th April 1874.
The IMD event is not a contest: it is an opportunity for amateurs around the world to make point-to-point contact with historic Marconi sites and gain an attractive Award for achieving the requisite number of Marconi stations worked. Did anyone take part in this?
Now for something very interesting.
Fighting fire.. with electricity
Harvard researchers are looking to replace the fireman's hose with a hand-held wand that shoots beams of electricity.
The idea that electricity can control a fire first came about 200 years ago. It was observed that electricity could twist, bend and even kill a flame.
Scientists believe electric currents make particles of soot within a flame move, which produces a flow of gas that weakens the flame and can cause it to die out. But in previous studies, chemists used direct current instead of
alternating current to generate electric fields.
Now Harvard researchers have created an electric wand that puts these ideas to the test, but utilizes AC voltage instead.
The wand was connected to a 600-watt power source, and when shot at flames as high as 18 inches tall, the electric field produced a flow of charged particles that put the fire out completely, and almost instantly.
While the research is still in its early stages, it's noted that this technology has already shown greater benefit over water because it causes less damage to people's property.
In addition, the wand allows fire-fighters to work from safer distances, and can even manipulate the flame to bend so
they can enter burning buildings.
Danny’s Digital Packet
UK Radio Amateur Danny Knaggs, 2E0DPK, has developed a new free, open source protocol called 'DDP' that provides a modern alternative to the existing packet radio protocol.
DDP interfaces with fldigi to provide the backend. Packets are sent and received in plain text so they can be seen by eye (on the waterfall, console, etc) and also for ease of use and implementation.
Article on DDP by Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU
http://www.arrl.org/news/surfin-moving-packets-with-ddp
You can download Danny's Digital Packet from
http://code.google.com/p/ddp/
Danny's Digital Voice
http://code.google.com/p/ddv/
......................................................................................................................................
Do you have a news item that you would like read out on a broadcast? Contact Richard VK2FRKO on email address vk2frko@tpg.com.au
or give the item to Richard at the club.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
WESTLAKES NEWS SUNDAY 24TH APRIL 2011
Good Morning and wecome to this week's local news broadcast. This is VK2ATZ, The callsign of Westlakes Amateur Radio Club located at Teralba, Lake Macquarie.
Hope everyone is enjoying their Easter break.
There was no meat raffle on Saturday even though there were a couple of people there. The club will be re open for business next Saturday 30th April.
Did anyone manage to make contact with Greg VK2CW in Nundle? Richard Vk2FRKO/Portable managed to on Friday afternoon.
On ANZAC Day afternoon from around 1230 the Port Stephens A.R.C. will be working portable from Fort Scratchley. Bands been used will be 40 and 20 meters, 2 meters and 70 cm. Visitors are welcome.
What activities would you like to see at the club? Is it antenna building or do you need help building baluns. Don't be shy, come forward and I am sure someone will help you.
World News - Amateur Radio suffers setback in surveillance robot battle
A robot used to covertly transmit live video during military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan was approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for use by local and state firefighters and police, ending a legal battle between amateur radio operators and law enforcement over the device. Called the Recon Scout Throwbot, the robot transmits over the 430-448 MHz portion of the 420-450 MHz frequency band, which is primarily used by the federal radiolocation service. The spectrum is also utilized by amateur radio enthusiasts. The latter group, spearheaded by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), opposed a waiver request filed with the FCC by Recon Scout maker ReconRobotics Inc. to use the band.The ARRL argued that ReconRobotics’ claims that the device would be useful in public safety and anti-terrorism operations didn’t prove that a waiver to use the frequency bands was in the public interest. The FCC admitted, in its order approving the waiver, that while some interference in the frequency bands may occur, it isn’t a reason to prohibit the use of the Recon Scout. The FCC approval does come with some limitations, however. The robot can only be used by state and local police and firefighters on the specific band. Operators must also first use the Recon Scout on 436-442 MHz bands. If those frequencies are inaccessible, then the 430-436 MHz and 442-448 MHz bands — where interference is more likely — can be accessed.In a subsequent Order on Reconsideration released April 15, the FCC granted the ARRL’s request for changes in the labeling and instruction manual requirements to ensure that users of the Recon Scout are aware of the interference limitations. Use of the device is also limited to emergencies involving threats to the safety of life and training purposes. In addition, the Recon Scout is restricted from use near various radar installations and Air Force bases, and the amount of units that can be sold is limited to 2,000 the first year and 8,000 the second year. After that period of time, future sales will be re-evaluated, according to the FCC.
LYRID METEOR SHOWER: Earth is entering a stream of debris from Comet Thatcher, source of the annual Lyrid meteor shower. Forecasters expect the shower to peak on Friday morning, April 22nd, with as many as 20 meteors per hour. Unfortunately, bright moonlight will interfere with the display.
Well that's all the news I have this week.
Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street an is open on Saturday Afternoons from around 12 noon. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6pm. To make contact at other times, try dialling (02) 49 581588 where an answering service operates. Visitors are alway welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee, long-life milk, and an interesting selection ofbiscuits.
Hope everyone is enjoying their Easter break.
There was no meat raffle on Saturday even though there were a couple of people there. The club will be re open for business next Saturday 30th April.
Did anyone manage to make contact with Greg VK2CW in Nundle? Richard Vk2FRKO/Portable managed to on Friday afternoon.
On ANZAC Day afternoon from around 1230 the Port Stephens A.R.C. will be working portable from Fort Scratchley. Bands been used will be 40 and 20 meters, 2 meters and 70 cm. Visitors are welcome.
What activities would you like to see at the club? Is it antenna building or do you need help building baluns. Don't be shy, come forward and I am sure someone will help you.
World News - Amateur Radio suffers setback in surveillance robot battle
A robot used to covertly transmit live video during military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan was approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for use by local and state firefighters and police, ending a legal battle between amateur radio operators and law enforcement over the device. Called the Recon Scout Throwbot, the robot transmits over the 430-448 MHz portion of the 420-450 MHz frequency band, which is primarily used by the federal radiolocation service. The spectrum is also utilized by amateur radio enthusiasts. The latter group, spearheaded by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), opposed a waiver request filed with the FCC by Recon Scout maker ReconRobotics Inc. to use the band.The ARRL argued that ReconRobotics’ claims that the device would be useful in public safety and anti-terrorism operations didn’t prove that a waiver to use the frequency bands was in the public interest. The FCC admitted, in its order approving the waiver, that while some interference in the frequency bands may occur, it isn’t a reason to prohibit the use of the Recon Scout. The FCC approval does come with some limitations, however. The robot can only be used by state and local police and firefighters on the specific band. Operators must also first use the Recon Scout on 436-442 MHz bands. If those frequencies are inaccessible, then the 430-436 MHz and 442-448 MHz bands — where interference is more likely — can be accessed.In a subsequent Order on Reconsideration released April 15, the FCC granted the ARRL’s request for changes in the labeling and instruction manual requirements to ensure that users of the Recon Scout are aware of the interference limitations. Use of the device is also limited to emergencies involving threats to the safety of life and training purposes. In addition, the Recon Scout is restricted from use near various radar installations and Air Force bases, and the amount of units that can be sold is limited to 2,000 the first year and 8,000 the second year. After that period of time, future sales will be re-evaluated, according to the FCC.
LYRID METEOR SHOWER: Earth is entering a stream of debris from Comet Thatcher, source of the annual Lyrid meteor shower. Forecasters expect the shower to peak on Friday morning, April 22nd, with as many as 20 meteors per hour. Unfortunately, bright moonlight will interfere with the display.
Well that's all the news I have this week.
Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street an is open on Saturday Afternoons from around 12 noon. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6pm. To make contact at other times, try dialling (02) 49 581588 where an answering service operates. Visitors are alway welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee, long-life milk, and an interesting selection ofbiscuits.
Monday, April 11, 2011
WESTLAKES NEWS SUNDAY 10th April 2011
.
Good Morning and wecome to this week's local news broadcast. This is VK2ATZ, The callsign of Westlakes Amateur Radio Club
located at Teralba, Lake Macquarie. ..................................................
Now for the result of the meat tray raffle yesterday. A total of 80 something tickets were in the barrel and the winning ticket was drawn
by last week's winner, VK2VON - Mal. And the winner was Steve VK2LW. Thanks everyone for supporting your club.
..........................................................................
Local News-
Nominations closed on yesterday for the club executive and committee positions for the 2011/12 year.
Those who have been nominated and who have agreed to stand are:
President Geoff Clark VK2EO
Vice President Steve Beveridge VK2LW
Secretary Barrie Downward VK2BXD
Treasurer Greg Smith VK2CW
Committee Barry Sullivan VK2BZ
Dave Myers VK2RD
Diane Worley VK2FDNE
Fred Mirande VK2FEDC
Leonie McGuiness VK2FHRK
Michael Clarke VK2OI
These being the required number of nominations, the conducting of a ballot at the Annual General Meeting
on 7 May 2011 will not be necessary.”
......................................
There will be a working B on Monday commencing at 0900. What's happening? The rigger is meeting Barry ( VK2BZ ) to look at replacing the guywires on the 160 mast and to give us a cost for carrying out the work. Also to remove nylon cord that is around the log periodic yagi. But wait theres more: Also mowing of the club grounds will be done. We need volunteers, don't leave it up to the same crew. Bring your aeroguard as the mozzies are very thirsty.
....................................
Have you checked out whats on special at the club store? Are you building or thought about building a power supply? Then you will need meters to see whats going on. We have MU 45 panel meters scaled 0 - 30 Volts and 0 - 20 Amps. Two for the bargain price of $20.00. Thats a saving of $10.00. The normal cost of theses are $29.95 for the pair. Dimensions 45mm X 37.5mm complete with mounting hardware. If you need help with your supply contact Ali in the store and he will build you one.
......................................
Overseas News -
New Costs for Amateur Radio Operators: This correct as of the 3rd April 2011
Foundation (Pack) - Theory/Regulations and Practical $70.00 Under 18 $35.00
Foundation - Theory/Regulations only $70.00 Under 18 $35.00
Practical Assessment - taken alone $65.00 Under 18 $35.00
Standard and Advanced Regulations $70.00 Under 18 $35.00
Standard and Advanced Theory $70.00 Under 18 $35.00
Emergency Communications Training – Level 1 and 2 T.B.A.
Level One - Next, any available Callsign. $5.00
Level Two - Selected two, three or four letter Callsign,
except two letter Callsign in Vic, NSW & Qld. $20.00
Level Three - two letter Callsign Vic, NSW & Qld. $48.00
Level Four - Special event callsign $25.00
- Application for Recognition of Prior Learning $100.00
- Replacement certificate of proficiency $10.00
Application for a new apparatus licence(s). $66.00
Application to vary an existing apparatus licence(s). $41.00
Student members were defined as full time students under 25, and they will be charged a special fee of $35 a year. 5 year memberships will not be available to student members. While the other changes come into effect on 1 June 2011, this change comes into effect immediately.
New WIA Membership Fees
Full Membership
1 Year - Current Fee $75.00 - New fee from 1 June 2011 $80.00
5 Year - Current Fee $356.00 - New fee from 1 June 2011 $380.00
Overseas Member
1 Year - Current Fee $85.00 - New fee from 1 June 2011 $90.00
5 Year - Current Fee $403.00 - New fee from 1 June 2011 $427.00
Concessional Membership
1 Year - Current Fee $70.00 - New fee from 1 June 2011 $70.00
5 Year - Current Fee $332.00 - New fee from 1 June 2011 $332.00
Student Membership
1 Year - Current Fee $70.00 - New fee from 9 April 2011 $35.00
Family Membership
1 Year - Current Fee $30.00 - New fee from 1 June 2011 $30.00
A Family Member is a second or further person living at the same address as a Member or Concession Member receiving AR (the Primary Member). A Family Membership must be linked to a particular Primary Member at the same address. A Family Member does not receive AR. The Board decided that those increases would only apply to subscriptions paid on and after 1 June 2011.
This means that if a member wishes to pay a subscription before it becomes due (even a 5 year subscription) so long as it is paid before 1 June 2011 the WIA will accept the subscription at the lower and now current rate.
..............................
Well that's all the news I have this week. This is VK2ATZ.
...................................
Got something that you want in next weeks broadcast? Email Richard at vk2frko@tpg.com.au
.................................
Good Morning and wecome to this week's local news broadcast. This is VK2ATZ, The callsign of Westlakes Amateur Radio Club
located at Teralba, Lake Macquarie. ..................................................
Now for the result of the meat tray raffle yesterday. A total of 80 something tickets were in the barrel and the winning ticket was drawn
by last week's winner, VK2VON - Mal. And the winner was Steve VK2LW. Thanks everyone for supporting your club.
..........................................................................
Local News-
Nominations closed on yesterday for the club executive and committee positions for the 2011/12 year.
Those who have been nominated and who have agreed to stand are:
President Geoff Clark VK2EO
Vice President Steve Beveridge VK2LW
Secretary Barrie Downward VK2BXD
Treasurer Greg Smith VK2CW
Committee Barry Sullivan VK2BZ
Dave Myers VK2RD
Diane Worley VK2FDNE
Fred Mirande VK2FEDC
Leonie McGuiness VK2FHRK
Michael Clarke VK2OI
These being the required number of nominations, the conducting of a ballot at the Annual General Meeting
on 7 May 2011 will not be necessary.”
......................................
There will be a working B on Monday commencing at 0900. What's happening? The rigger is meeting Barry ( VK2BZ ) to look at replacing the guywires on the 160 mast and to give us a cost for carrying out the work. Also to remove nylon cord that is around the log periodic yagi. But wait theres more: Also mowing of the club grounds will be done. We need volunteers, don't leave it up to the same crew. Bring your aeroguard as the mozzies are very thirsty.
....................................
Have you checked out whats on special at the club store? Are you building or thought about building a power supply? Then you will need meters to see whats going on. We have MU 45 panel meters scaled 0 - 30 Volts and 0 - 20 Amps. Two for the bargain price of $20.00. Thats a saving of $10.00. The normal cost of theses are $29.95 for the pair. Dimensions 45mm X 37.5mm complete with mounting hardware. If you need help with your supply contact Ali in the store and he will build you one.
......................................
Overseas News -
New Costs for Amateur Radio Operators: This correct as of the 3rd April 2011
Foundation (Pack) - Theory/Regulations and Practical $70.00 Under 18 $35.00
Foundation - Theory/Regulations only $70.00 Under 18 $35.00
Practical Assessment - taken alone $65.00 Under 18 $35.00
Standard and Advanced Regulations $70.00 Under 18 $35.00
Standard and Advanced Theory $70.00 Under 18 $35.00
Emergency Communications Training – Level 1 and 2 T.B.A.
Level One - Next, any available Callsign. $5.00
Level Two - Selected two, three or four letter Callsign,
except two letter Callsign in Vic, NSW & Qld. $20.00
Level Three - two letter Callsign Vic, NSW & Qld. $48.00
Level Four - Special event callsign $25.00
- Application for Recognition of Prior Learning $100.00
- Replacement certificate of proficiency $10.00
Application for a new apparatus licence(s). $66.00
Application to vary an existing apparatus licence(s). $41.00
Student members were defined as full time students under 25, and they will be charged a special fee of $35 a year. 5 year memberships will not be available to student members. While the other changes come into effect on 1 June 2011, this change comes into effect immediately.
New WIA Membership Fees
Full Membership
1 Year - Current Fee $75.00 - New fee from 1 June 2011 $80.00
5 Year - Current Fee $356.00 - New fee from 1 June 2011 $380.00
Overseas Member
1 Year - Current Fee $85.00 - New fee from 1 June 2011 $90.00
5 Year - Current Fee $403.00 - New fee from 1 June 2011 $427.00
Concessional Membership
1 Year - Current Fee $70.00 - New fee from 1 June 2011 $70.00
5 Year - Current Fee $332.00 - New fee from 1 June 2011 $332.00
Student Membership
1 Year - Current Fee $70.00 - New fee from 9 April 2011 $35.00
Family Membership
1 Year - Current Fee $30.00 - New fee from 1 June 2011 $30.00
A Family Member is a second or further person living at the same address as a Member or Concession Member receiving AR (the Primary Member). A Family Membership must be linked to a particular Primary Member at the same address. A Family Member does not receive AR. The Board decided that those increases would only apply to subscriptions paid on and after 1 June 2011.
This means that if a member wishes to pay a subscription before it becomes due (even a 5 year subscription) so long as it is paid before 1 June 2011 the WIA will accept the subscription at the lower and now current rate.
..............................
Well that's all the news I have this week. This is VK2ATZ.
...................................
Got something that you want in next weeks broadcast? Email Richard at vk2frko@tpg.com.au
.................................
Saturday, April 2, 2011
WESTLAKES NEWS SUNDAY 3 April 2011
Good Morning and wecome to this week's local news broadcast. This is VK2ATZ, The callsign of Westlakes Amateur Radio Club
located at Teralba, Lake Macquarie. Your reader this morning is Greg VK2CW. There may be a simulcast being transmitted this
morning on 3.565 MHz courtesy of Warren VK2UWP Callbacks follow at the conclusion of this news.Then at 9.30am is a relay
of the Australia-wide amateur radio news from VK1WIA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whacko, yippee and hooray, the club's books are back from the auditor. I can report that the Treasurer (me) has not been arrested,
and We have a clean bill of health - in fact the auditor said, "I have never seen more accurate or neater set of records." Well he said
somethinglike that. The accounts will be presented to members at the Annual General Meeting which is on 7th MAY.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overseas News. The World’s first shower-powered radio has been launched.The team behind the award winning Wind-Up Radio, using new
micro turbine technology, has officially launched the world’s first water-powered radio. The H2O™ brand and its earlier product range
has also previously showcased on the hit BBC TV programme Dragon’s Den.The H2O™ Shower Powered Radio provides users with a convenient,
and energy-efficient, means of listening to their favourite radio stations whilst in the shower. Using a patented micro turbine concept,
the FM radio is powered solely through the motion of water flowing through a small H2O™ micro turbine; driving a generator that creates
energy to power the radio. The radio dispels the need for disposable batteries, as the integral battery recharges as the shower runs.
Turning on automatically when the shower is used, the H2O™ Shower Powered Radio memorises the last chosen radio station and speaker
volume. The radio even allows users to carry on listening after the shower is turned off; using any excess energy stored in an integral
Ni-Mh rechargeable cell.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Did you see "The pink dot tree" in the club grounds yesterday? It is still there. The pink dot on the tree follows a request to
Lake Macquarie City Council to lop the giant gum because of concerns that a branch may fall and injure someone. After all it's their
tree and their land. At the meeting yesterday, Council's reply was read and I quote," the tree in question has been scheduled for
attention by 11 November 2011." I can't think of anything funny to say.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back overseas.City imposes SmartMeter installation moratorium. The City of Clearlake in California has imposed an immediate moratorium
on the installation of SmartMeters. Among the many findings cited in the City Council's statement on the moratorium, is one which will
be of particular interest to the amateur radio community. It reads: "There is now evidence showing that problems with Smart Meters
could adversely impact the amateur radio communication network that operates throughout California and neighboring states, as well as
other radio emergency communication systems that serve first responders, government agencies, and the public."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A new member - VK2CCW and with a callsign like that, I was tempted to pay his joining fee. Welcome aboard Michael Welsh VK2CCW who hails
from - wait for it - HALEKULANI on the Central Coast. Michael was admitted to membership of Westlakes at yesterday's monthly meeting.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back overseas - are you giddy yet? A new 3-D printing method advances electrically small antenna design. Science Daily reported on a new
technique to produce compact antennas that are a twelfth of a wavelength or less. The report says:"Recent attention has been directed
toward producing antennas by screen-printing, inkjet printing, and liquid metal-filled microfluidics in simple motifs, such as dipoles
and loops," explained Jennifer T. Bernhard, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Illinois."However, these fabrication
techniques are limited in both spatial resolution and dimensionality, yielding planar antennas that occupy a large area relative to the
achieved performance.""Omnidirectional printing of metallic nanoparticle inks offers an attractive alternative for meeting the demanding
form factors of 3D electrically small antennas," stated Jennifer A. Lewis, the Hans Thurnauer Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
and director of the Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory at Illinois."To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of 3D
printed antennas on curvilinear surfaces," Lewis stated. So there it is - get hold of some metal ink and print your own Yagi.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was another unusual result in the meat tray raffle yesterday. A total of 79 tickets were in the barrel and the winning ticket was drawn
by last week's winner, Mal VK2VON. How unusual? Mal drew from the barrel his own ticket. That's two in a row for Mal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More of yesterday at Westlakes. Allan VK2JED presented to the meeting the 2010 Remembrance Day Certificate awarding 2nd place in the HF
multi-operator phone section to VK2ATZ. The club scored 391 points and was beaten only by the the Hunter Radio Group station VK2AWX.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More drama from the drinks fridge in the club's common room. Our canteen "hostess", Gloria, gave her canteen report at yesterday's meeting
at Westlakes. To put it bluntly, the money has been short! Please, please pay for you takings of ice-blocks and cans, they are only $1 -
beat that price anywhere! The meeting canvassed many options - a lock on the fridge, secret keys to the drinks, you name it.
A suggestion from Gloria was that we put a donation box on the table for the free "afternoon tea" after our monthly meetings. It had it's
first trial 10 minutes after the meeting adjourned - guess how much was in there?.............. $38 good Heavens!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And finally - perhaps finally for a while, many will know that I have been preparing the Westlakes Sunday News for some time and I am taking
a break. I announced at the meeting yesterday, that today's script will be my final effort and asked for a volunteer to take over. It seems
that No one is prepared to step forward and do the job - a sorry situation. So there will be no 7pm re-run tonight and I supect no more
Sunday News from Westlakes. May I thank those who have offered to help read and relay these broadcasts.
Also thanks to the regulars who call back every week, even when they may have not been listening. Perhaps no Sunday news for a few weeks
will attract a volunteer script writer. If someone does step forward, I will give all the help I can. So sadly, it's over and out from me
on the Sunday News from Westlakes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well that's all the news I have this week. This is VK2ATZ.
located at Teralba, Lake Macquarie. Your reader this morning is Greg VK2CW. There may be a simulcast being transmitted this
morning on 3.565 MHz courtesy of Warren VK2UWP Callbacks follow at the conclusion of this news.Then at 9.30am is a relay
of the Australia-wide amateur radio news from VK1WIA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whacko, yippee and hooray, the club's books are back from the auditor. I can report that the Treasurer (me) has not been arrested,
and We have a clean bill of health - in fact the auditor said, "I have never seen more accurate or neater set of records." Well he said
somethinglike that. The accounts will be presented to members at the Annual General Meeting which is on 7th MAY.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overseas News. The World’s first shower-powered radio has been launched.The team behind the award winning Wind-Up Radio, using new
micro turbine technology, has officially launched the world’s first water-powered radio. The H2O™ brand and its earlier product range
has also previously showcased on the hit BBC TV programme Dragon’s Den.The H2O™ Shower Powered Radio provides users with a convenient,
and energy-efficient, means of listening to their favourite radio stations whilst in the shower. Using a patented micro turbine concept,
the FM radio is powered solely through the motion of water flowing through a small H2O™ micro turbine; driving a generator that creates
energy to power the radio. The radio dispels the need for disposable batteries, as the integral battery recharges as the shower runs.
Turning on automatically when the shower is used, the H2O™ Shower Powered Radio memorises the last chosen radio station and speaker
volume. The radio even allows users to carry on listening after the shower is turned off; using any excess energy stored in an integral
Ni-Mh rechargeable cell.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Did you see "The pink dot tree" in the club grounds yesterday? It is still there. The pink dot on the tree follows a request to
Lake Macquarie City Council to lop the giant gum because of concerns that a branch may fall and injure someone. After all it's their
tree and their land. At the meeting yesterday, Council's reply was read and I quote," the tree in question has been scheduled for
attention by 11 November 2011." I can't think of anything funny to say.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back overseas.City imposes SmartMeter installation moratorium. The City of Clearlake in California has imposed an immediate moratorium
on the installation of SmartMeters. Among the many findings cited in the City Council's statement on the moratorium, is one which will
be of particular interest to the amateur radio community. It reads: "There is now evidence showing that problems with Smart Meters
could adversely impact the amateur radio communication network that operates throughout California and neighboring states, as well as
other radio emergency communication systems that serve first responders, government agencies, and the public."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A new member - VK2CCW and with a callsign like that, I was tempted to pay his joining fee. Welcome aboard Michael Welsh VK2CCW who hails
from - wait for it - HALEKULANI on the Central Coast. Michael was admitted to membership of Westlakes at yesterday's monthly meeting.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back overseas - are you giddy yet? A new 3-D printing method advances electrically small antenna design. Science Daily reported on a new
technique to produce compact antennas that are a twelfth of a wavelength or less. The report says:"Recent attention has been directed
toward producing antennas by screen-printing, inkjet printing, and liquid metal-filled microfluidics in simple motifs, such as dipoles
and loops," explained Jennifer T. Bernhard, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Illinois."However, these fabrication
techniques are limited in both spatial resolution and dimensionality, yielding planar antennas that occupy a large area relative to the
achieved performance.""Omnidirectional printing of metallic nanoparticle inks offers an attractive alternative for meeting the demanding
form factors of 3D electrically small antennas," stated Jennifer A. Lewis, the Hans Thurnauer Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
and director of the Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory at Illinois."To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of 3D
printed antennas on curvilinear surfaces," Lewis stated. So there it is - get hold of some metal ink and print your own Yagi.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was another unusual result in the meat tray raffle yesterday. A total of 79 tickets were in the barrel and the winning ticket was drawn
by last week's winner, Mal VK2VON. How unusual? Mal drew from the barrel his own ticket. That's two in a row for Mal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More of yesterday at Westlakes. Allan VK2JED presented to the meeting the 2010 Remembrance Day Certificate awarding 2nd place in the HF
multi-operator phone section to VK2ATZ. The club scored 391 points and was beaten only by the the Hunter Radio Group station VK2AWX.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More drama from the drinks fridge in the club's common room. Our canteen "hostess", Gloria, gave her canteen report at yesterday's meeting
at Westlakes. To put it bluntly, the money has been short! Please, please pay for you takings of ice-blocks and cans, they are only $1 -
beat that price anywhere! The meeting canvassed many options - a lock on the fridge, secret keys to the drinks, you name it.
A suggestion from Gloria was that we put a donation box on the table for the free "afternoon tea" after our monthly meetings. It had it's
first trial 10 minutes after the meeting adjourned - guess how much was in there?.............. $38 good Heavens!
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And finally - perhaps finally for a while, many will know that I have been preparing the Westlakes Sunday News for some time and I am taking
a break. I announced at the meeting yesterday, that today's script will be my final effort and asked for a volunteer to take over. It seems
that No one is prepared to step forward and do the job - a sorry situation. So there will be no 7pm re-run tonight and I supect no more
Sunday News from Westlakes. May I thank those who have offered to help read and relay these broadcasts.
Also thanks to the regulars who call back every week, even when they may have not been listening. Perhaps no Sunday news for a few weeks
will attract a volunteer script writer. If someone does step forward, I will give all the help I can. So sadly, it's over and out from me
on the Sunday News from Westlakes.
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Well that's all the news I have this week. This is VK2ATZ.
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