WESTLAKES BROADCAST FOR OCTOBER 21ST 2012

Last weeks lucky meat tray winner Herb VK2ZVF was at the club yesterday to draw this weeks lucky winner. In went the big hand into the ticket tumbler and on the ticket of this weeks winner was Stella, our magazine proof reader. Enjoy the meat tray. Please make a note on your calender that on the 10th NOVEMBER is a CAR BOOT SALE at the club. This will be FREE so please tell all your friends and spread the word around. Anything that you wish to get rid of bring it along. Your unused items may be someone elses treasure. The starting time will be 1200 so people who work in the morning will have time to get to the club. There will be a BBQ for anyone who maybe hungry. Remember any items that you bring and don't sell MUST be taken home with you. While large scale Broadband over Powerlines has all but gone, its cousin which uses internal mains wiring is still being promoted to users in various countries. For example the D-Link adapter promises through advertising a no-hassle network in places WiFi won't reach. It offers a PowerLine AV plus Mini Adapter Starter Kit as the solution for those in need of powerline networking, such as a basement home theatre or similar purposes. The kit enables a direct connection or graft of powerline technology into an existing network, at a really cheap price. Performance is enhanced claimed D-Link by delivering speeds up to 35 per cent faster than standard powerline devices, enabling fast access to email, files, and the Internet in the farthest reaches of the home.D-Link claims that powerline technology delivers a high-performance, stable and secure signal throughout the home and connects a desktop, laptop or wired entertainment device in those hard-to-reach spots inside or in outdoor entertainment areas.Connectivity is important throughout the home according to D-Link, whether it be a basement, in the kitchen, a teenager doing homework in a bedroom, the product is the solution installed in a few minutes. Did you know that The barcode patent turns 60. The now-ubiquitous barcode patch was first patented in 1952, by Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver, but it resembled a circular bullseye. It is the distinctive black-and-white stripes that provide details on everything for purchase and even identification. There are more than five million individual barcodes in use around the world. Although patented on October 7, 1952, they did not make their first appearance until 1974 because they needed laser technology to be easily read. SKA takes shape. In remote Western Australia the world's fastest radio telescope has been launched which will greatly increase the ability to survey the universe. The Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder already has 36 antennas each 12 metres across, started peering into the universe to map holes and new light on the origins of galaxies. The telescope costing $152 million will pick up radio waves from the cosmos, spans an area of 50,000 square kilometres in a designated radio quiet zone. It was also the first in the world's largest telescope, the Square Kilometre Array, based in both Australia and South Africa. Construction of the SKA will begin in 2016 and Australia will add another 60 antennas Westlakes club members and visitors: It is very important that everyone signs the members/visitors book which is in the hallway adjacent the main doorway. This has come about due to requirements made by our Insurance provider. It also helps the club in any insurance claim that a person has made against the club. Yesterday, at the club- Project officer Norm VK2KNC has his partly built 40 meter QRP set. Some components are yet to be ordered so that the kit can be completed. WORLD NEWS AND DEVELOPEMENTS. New organic solar cell offers high voltage to recharge a lithium-ion battery directly. University of Warwick researchers in collaboration with spin-out company Molecular Solar, have created an organic solar cell that generates a sufficiently high voltage to recharge a lithium-ion battery directly, without the need to connect multiple individual cells in series. The new solar technology development will enable portable electronic devices such as e-book readers to be re-charged on the move in low light levels and partial shading. Modules of the high voltage cells perform well in different light conditions including partial shade making them well matched to consumer electronic devices such as e-book readers, cameras and some mobile phones. Organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells offer new opportunities thanks to the potential for cheap manufacture, lightweight, low profile photovoltaics compatible with flexible substrates, which means they are ideally matched to portable electronic device applications. The new OPV technology is a breakthrough as scientists have addressed the problem of low out-put voltage when the module is in low light levels or partial shading taking an important step towards rolling out cheap OPV cells in low-power portable electronics. The scientists, from the University’s Department of Chemistry, have demonstrated a cell with an open circuit voltage of more than 7 V which delivers maximum power at more than the 4.2 V needed to power a standard lithium ion battery. The scientists claim it is the first time these features have been demonstrated using ultra high voltage OPV cells. Professor Tim Jones, one of the lead researchers at University of Warwick, along with Dr Ross Hatton and Professor Mike Shipman, said: “We have taken a big step towards cheap-to-make solar chargers which can top up your devices whenever they are being used – both indoors and out”. “A small light-weight solar charger no bigger than a credit card can be fitted to the battery of an e-book reader for example, and constantly top it up with power while you are reading it - even if you are sitting inside on the sofa”. “Alternatively, this kind of solar cell could be ideal for outdoor use as it is light-weight and portable”. “The next step is to extend this technology outside the laboratory to make cheap OPV chargers available on a commercial scale through Molecular Solar.” The research is detailed in the paper Ultra-high voltage multijunction organic solar cells for low-power electronic applications and was published in the journal Advanced Energy Materials. Crucial pieces of equipment used in this research were funded through the Science City Research Alliance (SCRA) Energy Efficiency project. Molecular Solar is soon to launch a new round of fund-raising to support the commercialisation of this technology. The University received funding from the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) and the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) to go towards this research. Mobile phones news. The International Telecommunication Union reports that six billion mobile phones are in use around the world. China and India account for one billion each as it brings us closer to having the equivalent of one subscription for every person on earth with its population being seven billion. From novelty to ubiquity to become near essential devices over the last two decades they have created new industries themselves.With smartphones and mobile internet connectivity, the number of people online has increased considerably with there being twice as many mobile broadband connections than fixed ones. Papua New Guinea 5 island tour. An international team of amateur radio operators will visit 5 islands belonging to Papua New Guinea between 20 October and 4 November, 2012. The team will be: Derek G3KHZ, Hans SM6CVX, Hans-Peter HB9BXE, Eddy K5WQG, Axel DL6KVA and non-ham Stig Nyman. M/V Barbarian will convey the team, starting from Kokopo in New Britain on 18 November sailing via Kavieng to Emirau. Their schedule is as follows - 20-24 October from Emirau island (OC-103) using the callsign P29VCX; 27-31 October from Tatau island (OC-099) using the callsign P29NI; 02-04 November from Lihir island (OC-069), callsign P29VPB. The main team fly home on 6th November. Hans and Stig then continue to Buka island on the M/V Barbarian. The remaining journey will be by air. The plan the following activity as P29VCX - 06-09 November from Buka island (OC-135); 09-12 November from Manu island (OC-025) and 12-13 November from Loloata Island (OC-240). QSL P29NI and P29VPB via G3KHZ. QSL P29VCX via SM6CVX. Well that's all the news I have this week. Do you have a news items 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. Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street, TERALBA - and 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 always welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee, long-life milk, and an interesting selection of biscuits.

WESTLAKES BROADCAST FOR OCTOBER 14TH 2012

Yesterday, was the clubs general meeting and with a small number of members in attendance some of the items that were discussed were - Possible grant to get installed EMERGENCY exits at two other parts of the club building.( have to install safety ramps ). A very important matter is in regards to the signing of the ATTENDANCE book. This is very important as it covers the event of a fire as record of the number of people that are at the club at the time as well for any insurance matters. I know its pain BUT please do it for the clubs sake. The club is also looking at erecting an EVACUATION ASSEMBLY POINT sign to be put up near the container. The Westlakes Cup contest was talked about as the number of people taking part in the contest is less and less each year. The cups and engraving cost the club $100 and there were only 11 people this year. Only 2 logs have been submitted so far. Something the club is going to trial on the 10th NOVEMBER is a CAR BOOT SALE. This will be FREE so please tell all your friends and spread the word around. Anything that you wish to get rid of bring it along. Your unused items may be someone else’s treasure. The starting time will be 1200 so people who work in the morning will have time to get to the club. There will be a BBQ for anyone who maybe hungry. Remember any items that you bring and don't sell MUST be taken home with you. After the meeting there was a feast put on and prepared by Diane VK2FDNE, Penny and Leigh VK2KAL. It was superb. Thanks from everyone who was there. The next club general meeting will be held on the 3rd November commencing at 1300 hrs in the library. Please come along and support the club. Now a good news story for someone. The ticket tumbler was spun by Norm VK2KNC and a winner selected. There can only be one winner and that was Herb VK2ZVF. Congratulations Herb enjoy your winnings. The project officer Norm VK2KNC has advised the the current project now has 11 members making up the broadcast receiver. Just a reminder that judging day will be at our xmas party and yes there is a 1st prize donated by Geoff VK2GL. Norm also announced that the next club project will be QRP 40/80 meter transceiver. Richard VK2FRKO and Norm VK2KNC have just received their kits and with the purchase of some extra componets we hope to have the kit finished before Christmas. The kit is Australian made. You would be looking at about $140.00 -150.00 for everything. It is a very compact transceiver. Listen and watch out for further reports on this next project. Maurie VK2CD was at the club yesterday to show us his homebrew variable tuning capacitors for his magnetic loop which he is constructing. It just goes to show that yes homebrewing is still around. Congratulations Maurie and well done. Yesterday,Alan ex VK2PNC and now VK2ALL was at the club. Did you manage to congratulate Alan on his upgrade? I am sure he will be at the club again in the near future for you to congratulate him. JOTA around the corner. Scouts throughout the world are getting ready for the 55th Jamboree On The Air which occurs on the weekend of October 20 to 21. This year's JOTA theme is -- How Big Is Your World? -- is an invitation to scouts to reflect on how they can enlarge their own world by interacting with others, while using modern methods of communication. Stations will call 'CQ Jamboree' on preferred calling frequencies but may also pop up anywhere in the band. Most of the contacts will be via voice with scouts talking to others in the movement. Specialised communication can also be used such as video, digital, satellite, IRLP or repeater. Some individual members of scouts already have their own Foundation Licence or a higher grade, while most of those being supervised on air are mostly microphone- shy newbies. The World Scout Bureau had more than 700,000 scouts involved last year from about 6,000 amateur radio stations. New qualification for recreational boaters. A mandatory qualification for recreational boaters using VHF marine radio channels within Australian territorial waters is to be introduced and expected to start in 2013-14. The Australian Communications and Media Authority which reviewed the VHF marine radio operator qualification arrangements has found a new qualification is needed, based on submissions it has received and its own spectrum responsibilities. The ACMA will coordinate the development of the Australian Waters Qualification which will become the new mandatory qualification for recreational boaters using VHF marine radio channels. If you hold the Restricted Radiotelephony Operators Certificate of Proficiency and the Third Class Commercial Operators Certificate of Proficiency, you are still legally qualified to operate a marine radio. You may need to obtain a Satcom if operating certain types of marine satellite equipment. A person operating a VHF marine radio without an appropriate certificate of proficiency or being under the supervision of a qualified person, may be in breach of the Radio Communications Act. Penalties include significant fines and imprisonment. WORLD NEWS: Sprite satellites to be launched. A project called to KickSat plans to send into space 200 satellites in one hit to show off ChipSats called Sprites and developed at the Cornell University in the USA. A CubeSat is being built to carry and deploy the Sprites, spacecraft that include power, sensor, and communication systems. Sprites are the size of a couple of postage stamps but have solar cells, a radio transceiver, and a microcontroller with memory and sensors. After their deployment, telemetry and sensor measurements from the individual Sprites are to be received through Cornell's ground station in New York, as well as several other amateur radio ground stations. The launch date from Cape Canaveral is planned for next July. They are expected to re-enter the atmosphere and burn up within weeks. Intrusions on our bands. The Russian military using the F1B and PSK modes seemed to have increased presence on the 7, 10, 14 and 21 MHz bands with complaints being filed by the German administration BNetzA. The IARU Region 1 reports that between 7000 and 7200 kHz alone, the Russian military occupied 26 frequencies in September. To re-emerge on 40m is the Chinese over-the-horizon radar even stronger than before with 10 Hertz-wide very strong burst signals. They have also been heard with OTH radar signals on 20m and 15m. OTH radar signals have been heard from Australia, Cyprus and Turkey as well. The 10m band is being used by CB operators, taxi service, fish boats and sea pirates in many countries. Raytheon Company has received a $349 million five-year, multi-year contract to provide heavy anti-tank, wireless precision-assault missiles for the U.S. government. Under this contract, Raytheon will deliver 6,676 of the new wireless TOW (tube-launched, optically tracked, wireless-guided) missiles that receive commands from the gunner through a wireless guidance link, eliminating the wire connection in early generations of the missile. With the wireless system built into the missile and the missile case, the next-generation TOW works with existing launch platforms, including the Improved Target Acquisition System, Improved Bradley Acquisition System, TOW2 Subsystem and M220 Ground TOW. The system performs exactly like the wire-guided version, enabling soldiers and Marines to continue using the proven weapon without changing tactics or incurring additional training. The tube-launched, optically-tracked, wireless-guided (TOW) weapon system, with the multimission TOW 2A, TOW 2B, TOW 2B Aero and TOW Bunker Buster missiles, is the premier long-range, precision anti-armor, anti-fortification and anti-amphibious landing weapon system used throughout the world today. TOW is in service in more than 40 international armed forces and integrated on more than 15,000 ground, vehicle and helicopter platforms worldwide. The TOW weapon system is expected to be in service with the U.S. military beyond 2025 Well that's all the news I have this week. This is VK2ATZ. Is there anyone with any late news items? Do you have a news items 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. Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street, TERALBA - and 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 always welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee, long-life milk, and an interesting selection of biscuits.

WESTLAKES NEWS FOR THE 7TH OCTOBER 2012

The lucky winner of the clubs meat tray yesterday was Leonie VK2FHRK The winning ticket was drawn out of the ticket tumbler by new member Peter. Enjoy the meat tray Leonie. In this months edition of A.R. Magazine, the WIA are seeking input from Amateur radio operators around Australia on the current Foundation licence concept/ time for a review. Some of the ideas that have been put forward are use of Digital modes but with this brings more questions in an exam which is meant to be an entry point into Amateur radio - the hobby. Extra power etc are some of the other issues that have been put forward. If you would like to put in a submission please send it to WIA P.O. BOX 2042 BAYSWATER VICTORIA 3153 or by email to nationaloffiLeoniece@wia.org.au Next weekend Diane will be back to man the canteen. I have no idea what she will cook - just have to wait and see. The clubs next general meeting will be held on the 13th October commencing at 1330 hrs in the library. Please come along and help make some decisions as this is your club. As I write this broadcast I am not sure if the club is doing the Oceania contest or not but below are the new rules and guidelines in brief for those who are taking part in it or just given numbers away. 2012 Oceania DX Contest A reminder that the 2012 Oceania DX Contest will be bringing plenty of action to the HF bands over the next two weekends. The PHONE section is on this coming weekend (6/7 October) and the CW section is on the following weekend (13/14 October). This contest provides a unique opportunity to contact a large number of Oceania stations using SSB and CW modes on all of the non-WARC bands between 160M and 10M. As well as VK, ZL and YB stations we are expecting a good turnout from some of the rarer Oceania entities. Note: Oceania 40M PHONE operators are reminded to listen above 7125 kHz for North America stations (and above 7175 kHz for USA General Class licensees). NEW PLAQUES FOR 2012 CONTEST The contest committee is pleased to announce that a number of new plaques are being sponsored for winners in the 2012 contest, as per the following list: - Top entrant from Oceania in the PHONE M1 category (sponsored by Northern Corridor Radio Group in memory of VK6NE) - Top entrant from Oceania in the PHONE Single Operator Single Band 40M category (sponsored by Mike Mather ZL2CC) - Top entrant from Oceania in the CW Single Operator Single Band 40M category (sponsored by Mike Mather ZL2CC) - Top entrant from Oceania in the PHONE M2 category (sponsored by the South Pacific Contest Club) - Top entrant from Oceania in the CW M2 category (sponsored by the South Pacific Contest Club) - Top entrant from Asia in the PHONE M2 category (sponsored by QRO Communications and OM Power) - Top entrant from Asia in the CW M2 category (sponsored by QRO Communications and OM Power) - Top entrant from VK in the PHONE Single Operator All Band Low Power category (sponsored by the Australia Central Coast Amateur Radio Club) - Top entrant from VK in PHONE Single Operator All Band HIGH Power category (sponsored by Tony Hambling VK3VTH) Additionally, Lee Moyle VK3GK is the new sponsor of the the plaque awarded to the top entrant from Asia in the PHONE Single Operator ALL Band category, and the rules for the Australia Club plaque have been updated so that an Australian club now only requires 3 participant stations in order to compete for this award. 2012 RULES Oceania stations can work other Oceania and non-Oceania stations. Non-Oceania stations can only work Oceania stations. PHONE: 08:00 UTC Saturday 6 October to 08:00 UTC Sunday 7 October CW: 08:00 UTC Saturday 13 October to 08:00 UTC Sunday 14 October Bands: 160M to 10M (excluding WARC bands). Exchange: RS(T) + serial number. QSO points: 20 points per QSO on 160M; 10 points on 80M; 5 points on 40M; 1 point on 20M; 2 points on 15M; and 3 points on 10M. Final Score: The sum of the QSO points multiplied by the number of prefixes worked (the same prefix can be counted once on each band). Entry Categories: Single Operator All Band Low Power (max 100W) Single Operator All Band High Power Single Operator Single Band Low Power (max 100W) Single Operator Single Band High Power M1 Multiple Operators and Single Transmitter (only one transmitted signal at any time) M2 Multiple Operators and Two Transmitters (no more than two transmitted signals at any time and on different bands) MM Multiple Operators and Multiple Transmitters (no more than one transmitted signal at any time on each band) Shortwave Listener (receive only) All Band Log Submission: All logs must be emailed or postmarked NO LATER than 12 November 2012. Electronic logs are to be in Cabrillo format. Email PHONE logs to ph@oceaniadxcontest.com and CW logs to cw@oceaniadxcontest.com 73 and we look forward to seeing you in the pile ups! Oceania DX Contest Committee ZL1AZE/VK3MI, ZL3GA, VK2HN, VK3TZ, VK4TS, VK6DXI, VK7GN IARU News: Peter Lake, ZL2AZ, Appointed Chairman of IARU Region 3 The Directors in IARU Region 3 have voted to appoint Peter Lake, ZL2AZ, of Wellington, New Zealand, as the Chairman of IARU Region 3. He replaces Michael Owen, VK3KI, who passed away unexpectedly last month. Owen, who was also President of the Wireless Institute of Australia, had served as Region 3 Chairman since 2006. "I am extremely grateful to my fellow Directors for their support in this difficult time, and for the procedural work by [IARU Region 3] Secretary Ken Yamamoto, JA1CJP, to formalize an appointment," Lake said in a statement. "I will do my best to carry through all the work that we have in progress, much of it due to items and ideas put in place by Michael. It is my privilege to have the opportunity to serve you, the Member Societies and fellow amateurs in Region 3. Lake -- who has been a licensed amateur for more than 50 years -- has been involved with IARU activities for more than 25 years and a Director of Region 3 since February 2005. He began his professional career as an engineer, first with the New Zealand Post Office and then with Telecom New Zealand. He followed this with 14 years at a small and specialized telecommunications consulting company in Wellington that included a wide variety of assignments in the Pacific, Asia and Southeast Asia. “My ‘style’ will probably be different from Michael’s in some ways,” Lake explained, “but our goals are the same -- to ensure a growing and successful IARU Region 3.” Well that's all the news I have this week. Do you have a news items 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. Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street, TERALBA - and 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 of biscuits.