NEWS BROADCAST FOR AUGUST 25TH 2013.

At your club yesterday were members painting and doing the final touches to the e-gress doors. Greg VK2CW must of been painting as he had more paint on him than the door. Many thanks must go to everyone involved in getting these doors finished to lock up stage. Well yesterday was the start of many Foundation Licence examinations and in attendance were Graham O'Brien VK2FA and Kim Piper VK2ZW who were putting the clubs new assessors and trainers through their 1st paces so that they know what is required for future examinations. Am not sure of the results but hopefully ALL candidates passed. Thanks Graham and Kim for taking the time to assist the Westlakes Club. Dave VK2RD was seen in a car in the car park trying to chase up some rare DX. Dave was in fact talking to the Foundation candidates on HF. Thanks Dave for your help yesterday. Last week the cry went out for more ice creams to be purchased and yesterday Diane delivered 4 boxes to the club. Remember if you run out of anything please let a Committee person know. In the canteen Michael was cooking up a feast, not sure what was cooked but as a guess I would say hamburgers. Les Smith was also at the club to show everyone one of our next projects - a receiver on 80 meters. Soon this will be made available to everyone as a kit so listen out for in these future broadcasts for the release date of this kits. In the library Ted VK2UI reached into the ticket tumbler and drew a ticket out. How could this person win as this person was not at the club. Leonie VK2FHRK was the lucky winner but Alan VK2JED bought the ticket. As Alan said I always like to get in for my chop. Enjoy the meat tray Leonie. In last weeks broadcast call backs Col, VK2YP reported that Norm VK2ZG was taken to the Royal North Shore hospital. Michael VK2CCW is pleased to advise that he spoke to Norm yesterday and Norm is back at home. We wish you a speedy recovery Norm from everyone at the club. International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend (ILLW) organisers express thanks to the record number registered for the fun-event, and many thousands who contacted them. Held last weekend the annual event saw 526 registrations, more than 50 above the 2012 record, or a 10 per cent jump. At Alice Springs a novelty lighthouse was built for the dry river boat race, the Henley-on-Todd Regatta. It contacted other lighthouses in the Canary Islands, Spain, Portugal, Europe, the Pacific and right around Australia. A total of 54 countries were listed. The Green Cape Lighthouse in the Ben Boyd National Park south of Eden in New South Wales Australia saw a two-day celebration to mark its 130th anniversary. Australia's first cast concrete lighthouse tower has been in the ILLW since it began in 1998. On its birthday it was lit up using a million candela beams that swept the Pacific Ocean. Some 150 people present on Saturday included the Mayor Ken Taylor, the local Member of Parliament Andrew Constance and ILLW Organiser Kevin Mulcahy VK2CE - who was quoted in the local media. Many others gained very positive news media stories throughout the world. They included King Island's Currie Lighthouse by Tony Hambling VK3VTH/7, who worked other lighthouses in Europe and elsewhere in 447 contacts. ABC Radio Hobart looked at Tasmanian lighthouses. Among them were Ray Smith VK7VKV from Low Head Lighthouse VK7LH and Andrew Boon VK7AW at the Iron Pot. On the weekend Malaysia had 16 registrations returning in force. Also back after an absence were the Canary Islands, Estonia, Malta, The Philippines, Sardinia, Slovenia and Taiwan. New countries were Algeria 7T9A at Cape Falcon and Serbia YU/IZ1VUC activating the Tamis River West lighthouses. Those and others registered for their debuts and hopefully most will again. Germany led on 72, followed by Australia 69, USA 66 and England 38. About 20 each were listed for Argentina, Canada, Netherlands, Scotland, South Africa and Sweden. On the air there was a greater awareness and participation. Despite poor weather at some locations, most likened them to the lifestyle of yesteryear lighthouse keepers. Reports from participants are being accepted and uploaded to the website. Photos and comments are most welcome to vk2ce@illw.net Already 35 have registered for 2014 - will we achieve another 500 - only time will tell. Westlakes Club have already rebooked Norah Head Lighthouse for next year and already all the beds have been taken with club members. NEWS FROM THE ACMA: ACMA guards the spectrum. All radio amateurs have knowledge of the spectrum, that the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) issues licences and is responsible for its orderly use. The ACMA monitors spectrum use according to the planning guidelines of the International Telecommunications Union, and it aims to avoid harmful interference between the myriad of users. Each January it publishes the Australian Radio Frequency Spectrum Plan for general information showing the uses and further direction of its management. Because of the potential for interference, spectrum is described in economic terms as being a finite, instantly renewable, natural resource. It has significant value and must be managed to maximise its overall benefit, including the sale of the so-called ‘digital dividend’. The other reason for managing the spectrum is the harmonisation between countries. Generally speaking, Australia's various industry sectors, and ultimately consumers, benefit from international agreements for spectrum arrangements and standards. Now the ACMA has a plain language video to explain this complex area which it calls Spectrum 101, giving a good overview and highly recommended viewing by all. www.acma.gov.au/Citizen/Consumer-info/All-about-spectrum/What-is-it-and REMEMBER EVERYONE IF YOU DON'T USE IT WE WILL LOOSE IT New Comms for Victorian fire fighters: New GPS radios for Victorian fire fighters. The installation has begun of 6,000 new radios in fire fighting vehicles, aircraft, incident control centres, fire towers and work centres.The project, led by the Department of Primary Industries and Environment, is to be compatible with CFA systems, the SES and other neighbouring states to simplify communications between the fire fighting agencies. It manages the Network Emergency Organisations radio terminal fleet which includes Parks Victoria, VicForests and Melbourne Water. The $24.6 million project sees the current 19 year-old radio fleet replaced with a digital-capable system in vehicles and handheld radios for operational staff. Each radio fitted with GPS will enable their tracking in real time to improve operations, logistics and safety. The program calls for 2,000 radios to be fitted in the next six months, with the rest in 2014/15. Richard VK2FRKO would like to report that a installer of this equipment has told him that if smoke gets between the tower and the FIRE TANKER ALL comms ARE LOST. Also when the trucks are driving around the scrub, unless they have line of sight of the radio tower, comms are also lost. They call this modern technology. REMINDERS: Not forgetting our club Field Day which will be held on the 15th September ( this is a Sunday ) and the club is looking for donations of equipment for the auction table. Remember no TVs, computer monitors, VCRs. Why not come and have your stall. If you are interested please contact Barrie VK2ABD to book your spot and remember to bring your own table for your goods. The famous Westlakes BBQ will be cooking steak and sausages and serving fresh salad for sandwiches. The guessing competition for the number of jelly beans in the jar will once again be there as a fund raising venture. Andrews Communications WILL NOT BE HERE THIS YEAR AND THIS IS DUE TO OTHER COMMITMENTS. PRODUCT REVIEW: Designed, manufactured and assembled entirely the UK, the GEMINI linear amplifier is an all new solid state linear amplifier with 300 Watt output available in 6, 4 and 2 mtr versions. Designed to fill a market gap between the low power outputs of transverters and smaller rigs and the 1kW plus amplifiers that not all users want or can afford, the Gemini range combines low drive requirements with instant on solid state performance. Furthermore GEMINI is a complete turnkey solution incorporating a complete integral 50V linear power supply so no external PSU is required. First production will be a 4m (70MHz) version to be followed with 6m (50MHz) and 2m (144MHz) versions. Key features: Solid state instant-on design Integral 50V linear power supply Advanced cooling design ensures high duty cycle operation for MGM modes with low fan noise In-built sequencer Full protection against overdrive, high SWR and over-temperature Ultra compact all aluminium chassis measuring just 270w x 300d x 120h mm Input drive levels from 3W – 25W can be specified Pricing has yet to be confirmed. Full details are available at www.linearamp.co.uk Want something to read? Go to this site and download this article- CQ-DATV issue 5 now available. CQ-DATV issue 5 is now available as a free eBook download from www.cq-datv.mobi This time it's bigger than ever 20Mb + please download your copy now. 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 from around 11:00 am. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6:00 pm. 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, a good Canteen and an interesting selection of biscuits.