WESTLAKES NEWS FOR THE 20TH OCTOBER 2013

Yesterday at the club were a large gathering of SDR radio fanatics to listen to Norm VK2KNC give a lecture on various types of SDR software and how it is used. The library was almost filled to capacity which is good to see. Towards the end of lecture Marcel VK2FMDB gave demonstration via the internet of WEB SDR receivers. To finish up on this lecture - job well done Norm and Marcel. The meat tray raffle was conducted and Greg VK2CW reached in selected this weeks lucky meat tray winner. In the right hand of VK2CW was the ticket of Herb VK2ZVF ( another of the clubs regular winners ). Enjoy the meat tray Herb. Also at the club yesterday was a very tired Richard VK2FRKO who just finished doing a 12 hr stint fighting the Cabbage Tree Road fires. Richard had some interesting stories to tell us. Richard said that he needed a holiday. Michael told of the wildfire that destroyed the service station near Doyalson. Michael complained that they sold cheap fuel and that was where he bought it from. Now I have to pay top dollar and buy it elsewhere. The IRLP Node has been very quiet this last few days, The reason was found yesterday morning... Someone had turned the radio off. It is situated in the Computer room with it’s own computer. PLEASE... DO NOT TURN IT OFF!!! I know that you feel you are doing the right thing but please do not touch. Some will notice a length of coax running down the hallway and into the shack. This is also for the IRLP to connect to an outside antenna using the Patch Panel in the shack. Again...please do not touch the coax going into the panel. This is only a temporary measure and will be corrected soon. That plea is from Dave VK2RD and Geoff VK2EO There are still a number of next years call books which the club is taking orders for. Please see or ring Greg VK2CW to order you book. Candidates doing the Foundation licence were busily being instructed by Geoff and Steve and Geoff had a group in the radio shack. Great work guys. PR4AmateurRadio Expo will take place on April 13-15, 2014 The WIA is strongly behind this Expo which harnesses its many affiliates as they showcase the benefits of modern amateur radio and engage the community. A commitment of up to 12 hours is being sought on a day by them. Like other promoted activities people do better understand, appreciate and may join them. The promotion of amateur radio relies on having the right messages and trained radio amateurs to effectively give them. Apart from having knowledgeable radio amateurs on hand, please also consider that they should reflect the community by their different age groups, both sexes, and that they are trained in what to say on the day.At all times act and look professional. For the best image a display must be neat, tidy, and always safe. This is an excellent opportunity to expose the public to the many diverse positive elements of amateur radio and how it fits into the community. Part of the effort should be designed to get people interested in and taking up amateur radio. It helps to have Foundation Licence training and assessments ready to go after Easter giving those attending the Expo or reading about it in the local newspaper a chance to give us a try. The choice of a location is important to give amateur radio good exposure to the public. The opportunities exist, however it does require advance planning including site owner approvals. The guidelines and other details about how to join for the PR4AmateurRadio Expo will be issued later. AIM: To publicise modern and diverse amateur radio that is easily accessible to people from all walks of life. Through exhibitions, showcase the very diverse hobby enjoyed by those of all ages, gender and ability. On air support may be given by WIA Directors, Office-bearers and members. WHEN: The weekend of April 11, 12 & 13 April 2014 gives the choice of using any time on the Friday, Saturday or Sunday. A public event on one of those days should provide good exposure for the hobby. REGISTRATION: Now invited on the form on the webpage. After the Expo send a report of the event to the WIA to receive a Certificate of Appreciation. Each Foundation Licence holder having contributed to the Expo, and proven media coverage, will be recognise. PLEASE READ THE FULL STORY ON THE WIA WEBSITE. JOTA: 19th - 20th October 2013. JOTA is the annual event in which about 500,000 Scouts and Guides around the world speak to each other by way of amateur radio. News from VK3. TV switch-off to catch some: When Australia’s final analogue TV transmitters now serving Melbourne, Geelong and surrounds are closed on December 10, at least 5 per cent of people will get caught with no television.The old transmissions are to disappear in favour of new TV with its multitude of channels. The former analogue frequencies are up for sale in the so-called digital dividend. Being found frequently in Melbourne-Geelong are those who use to watch Community Television Broadcaster Channel 31, but are unaware it earlier shut-down and moved to 44 digital. The experience elsewhere in Australia found at 5-10 per cent of people still watched analogue TV, but get caught by the switch-over which requires a desk-top device or a new receiver. On YouTube of course there will be news reports of people ignoring the warnings or leaving their purchase late after analogue TV ends. Have you got any friends in VK3 you had better send them a reminder. There have been some members asking of a net that Westlakes was going run on 40 meters. As far as I know we are still waiting from ideas from members e.g. time date and frequency. Got some ideas please contact the club secretary at the clubs postal address or see Barrie in person at the club. It is on again - a Car Boot Sale at Westlakes. Free to sellers and to all who attend. Not only that, there is a free sausage sizzle for all. It will be held in the club grounds, York Street Teralba on Saturday 9th November starting at 9 am. Full details will be in our November Magazine. WORLD NEWS: SSTV Handbook Martin Bruchanov, OK2MNM, has written a Free e-book for ham radio operators and radio listeners interested in special communication modes for image transmission – SSTV, radio facsimile (WEFAX) and digital SSTV (HamDRM).You can download the entire book or view on line... http://www.sstv-handbook.com/ Thanks to US shutdown, pirate radio activity reaches an all-time high. As frustrated as many are over the US government shutdown, it nonetheless offers one unique benefit to the shortwave radio community, and to pirate radio in particular - no FCC enforcement: Read the full story at: http://swling.com/blog/2013/10/thanks-to-us-shutdown-pirate-radio-activity-reaches-an-all-time-high/ 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 6:00pm. 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, a good Canteen and an interesting selection of biscuits.