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.
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