WESTLAKES NEWS FOR SUNDAY 1ST DECEMBER 2013

Well last week the broadcast almost didn't happen, but thanks to the Hunter Branch we were able use VK2RNC 146.900 MHz repeater. I have been told that VK2RTZ took a direct lightening strike which took a few components out in the repeater. The club thanks Peter VK2ZTV and Graham VK2FA who took time to go up and do the necessary work to fix the repeater. Thanks guys- job well done. Also with the numerous lightning and power outages during the week, the IRLP Node would not come up on the repeater. Dave VK2RD along with assistance of John VK2JJW tried a few things to get it going but no go.. A decision was made to throw the big switch and hope the system would reset itself and... Bingo... away she went, so IRLP Node 6040 is again operational. Thanks John. . At your club yesterday was Barry VK2BZ, back from his baby sitting duties in QLD. Hope your all relaxed now Barry. Happy Birthday to Bill VK2XT who celebrated his 101st yesterday with around 30 friends having lunch at Wests Cardiff. Quite an interesting afternoon and a chance to put a face to the name of a few attendee’s. Good on you Bill... In the library at around 2 pm were a great number of members waiting for the draw of the meat tray. Nigel VK2FNT who was chief ticket cruncher and also called to the library was Ally VK2AFZ who reached in and choose a ticket which took Greg VK2CW a good minute to un crunch. On the ticket was was written STELLA. I wonder who that ticket belongs to? Yes its another meat tray to the Smith Family again. Congratulations Stella enjoy the meat tray. Please be careful when you come to the club as the grounds are very wet due to rainfall that we have had over the last few days. Don’t forget... Only 2 weeks to the Westlakes Christmas Party to be held on Saturday 14th December commencing around 11:00 am. All supplied, Just bring your own drinks and nibbles and of course your XYL too. Vandalism at Radio Club. Around the weekend of November 17 considerable damage was done to the club rooms of the Summerland A R C at Lismore. Club President Ross Dowse on VK2WI News reported much equipment was stolen and a major inspection and clean-up has been held during the past days. Club activities were put on hold until the next general meeting planned for today, Sunday the 1st of December. You should be on the lookout for strange offers or possible unusual activity with the radio equipment. You should inform the Summerland club executives or the authorities of any information you may become aware of. It is only a few weeks since Summerland club member John VK2JWA was attacked by intruders in his home which they subsequently set on fire causing considerable damage. ILLW reaches 100 on its list. The honour of being the 100th registration in the annual International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend goes to South Australia's Point Lowly Lighthouse, to be activated by the Whyalla Amateur Radio Club VK5BWR. Club President Alex Glinski VK5ALX says the activation will be within the heritage listed caretaker's cottage. Previously club members put VK5BWR on air from an emergency generator room, and some spent the night rugged up in sleeping bags or on the back seat of their cars. Alex VK5ALX claims that with the more comfortable overnight accommodation available for members it will be the best weekend ever. Whyalla's annual show which attracts 20,000 people is also on the same weekend and some of the visitors will also come to the Point Lowly Peninsula and lighthouse. This means that VK5BWR set-up in a courtyard has a great opportunity to promote Amateur Radio activity and a bit of lighthouse history. Built in 1883 the lighthouse is Whyalla's oldest structure standing 15 metres tall, made of local sandstone, and on a point jutting into the northern end of the Spencer Gulf. Powered these days by electricity and a powerful tungsten halogen lamp, it started with a wick burner fuelled by mineral oil and then a kerosene vaporising light unit. Made redundant by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority in 1993, it was bought by the Whyalla City Council in 1995 with help of the South Australian Government. Under local control the light was reactivated after it and two cottages had been beautifully restored. If you want join 22 countries which have already registered a lighthouse, lightship or marine beacon, or to see the event guidelines for August the 16th and 17th, visit the website www.illw.net That item from Jim Linton VK3PC For those of you that like chasing a bit of DX try making contact with Indian special event station AU2JCB. Look for the Indian special event station AU2JCB, which will be active until December 10th. Activity will be on 80-6 meters SSB, SSTV, PSK and FM. Suggested frequencies are (depending on the propagation): 3710, 7040, 7150, 14220, 14250, 14310, 21280, 21310, 28490, 28510 and 28545 kHz. FM mode: 50800, 51500 and 29700 kHz. If higher bands are open, operations will be on those bands. The operator will be Surabhi, VU2DSI. QSL direct (with 2 IRCs) to VU2DSI. Operations are to celebrate the 155th anniversary of the birth (November 30th) of Sir Jagadeesh Chandra Bose, India's great scientist and inventor who they consider the "Father of Wireless Communication". Also try listening out for Kiritimati (Christmas) Island Tim, NL8F reports that he plans to be active as T32TM from the Captain Cook Hotel, located on Kiritimati [Christmas] Island (OC-024), Republic of Kiribati, between 27th November and 4th December, 2013. QRV on 160-10 metre SSB or RTTY. Tim plans to operate part of the day and spend the rest of his time seeing the island or trying out the world class Bone fishing in between QRV periods. QSL via K8NA. Website: www.t32-2013.com/ Lissenung Island P29VNX. IOTA frequencies 30/10m CW, RTTY & PSK31. Further information: http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~yy7a-ysd/P29VNX-2013 Event date: Sunday, December 1, 2013 (Starts today). Event end: Friday, December 6, 2013 Infant airlifted after swallowing "button" battery: Parents are being warned of the dangers of button batteries ahead of Christmas after RACQ CareFlight Rescue airlifted a baby boy who swallowed one on the Sunshine Coast recently. It's prompted a warning on the dangers of the tiny toxic objects. "Button batteries can lodge in the oesophagus of infants and cause serious injury or even death if they go undetected," CareFlight's Chief Medical Officer Doctor Allan MacKillop said. A four year old Sunshine Coast girl died in July after swallowing one of the small batteries which are used in toys, games and many household items such as torches, car keys, TV remotes, watches and calculators. "If they become stuck in the oesophagus they can immediately begin to burn,doing serious damage," Dr MacKillop said. Each week four children are taken to emergency departments across Australia after swallowing the tiny batteries. The elderly are also urged not to store the batteries in pill containers as the small objects can easily be mistaken for medication. AUSTRALIA TO SAVE WINAMP: The fate of the veteran media player app Winamp remain in limbo after AOL's announcement last week that it would shut down Nullsoft and end support of these products called winamp AND shoutcast. Although there have been reports that Microsoft is in talks to buy both Winamp and Shoutcast, neither company has commented publicly. So a Melbourne, VK3 based web developer and the owner of a web hosting company Peter Zawacki, has started a Change.org petition urging AOL to either keep Winamp alive or release its code as open source. Zawacki and a group of like-minded developers have created a website to simply explain their cause, writing, "The history of digital music started with Winamp. Winamp is still one of the best music players out there. It's SIMPLE TO USE And lots of people still use it." Well that's all the news we have this week. Do you have a news items that you would like read out on a future broadcast? Then 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. Thank you for listening. Good morning...

WESTLAKES NEWS FOR 17TH NOVEMBER 2013

Today we begin the the broadcast with the sad news of two silent keys. Terry Ryeland VK2UX. It is with great sadness that Terry Ryland VK2UX, a doyen of amateur radio education and very active in Institute and club affairs, passed away on Sunday 10 November, 2013. He built his first crystal broadcast receiver at the age of 12, and then progresses to a two-valve shortwave receiver. He was inspired by his father who listened to the US baseball games on shortwave. In 1954, after listening to a pair chatting on air he gained the courage to ride his bicycle to a radio amateur nearby and they formed a long friendship. That led to more home-brewing and sourcing bits and pieces through war surplus. It was about 1974 that Terry joined a class of prospective radio amateurs under the famed Rex Black VK2YA (SK), gained the callsign VK2ZMR, then with Morse code became VK2NER and VK2BRQ. Joining the Blue Mountains Amateur Radio Club (BMARC) in about 1975-76, just after it ceased as a branch of the WIA. He served with distinction, including being its President and Education Officer. If anything drove him it was his belief that encouraging newcomers to become radio amateurs was a way to make the hobby grow. The BMARC made him a Life Member in 1992. In the honour, mention was made of his education work that helped many to be qualified, and his commitment to building antennas and the like. Terry had a long commitment to the WIA NSW, where he was President at the time and also the Education Officer. In June this year, Amateur Radio New South Wales (formerly the WIA NSW Division) at its annual general meeting bestowed Life Membership on him for his many years of service. At a subsequent ARNSW committee meeting Terry VK2UX was again elected as President. Over the years he was a tutor and class organiser. At one time he wrote and had approved exam papers, using them at both BMARC and WIA NSW Division. In fact he closely influenced the running of examinations. Terry continued this work with renewed endeavour when the Foundation Licence was introduced, and had been trainer and assessor for the Standard and Advanced licences too. He had plenty of work ahead of him as a Nominated Assessor of the WIA Exam Service, at which he excelled. Terry Ryeland VK2UX will be sorely missed by clubs and organisations, the many new radio amateurs he helped, and all who knew him. His Funeral took place last Friday at Leura in the Blue Mountains. Also news that John Cannon VK2JRC of Blackalls Park passed away earlier this month. He was an active member of Westlakes many years ago and worked in the VK2 QSL Bureau. He was an active member of Hunter WICEN, promoting the organisation to the various Rescue units.. Vale’ Terry Ryeland VK2UX and John Cannon VK2JRC. Quite a good roll up yesterday with many varied discussions taking place.Chef Mikes Super Size Burgers were again popular. while Herb VK2ZVF was in the activity room playing with an Eprom Programmer. Michael VK2CCW again brought his now almost complete ‘Man Pak’ comms system. Norm VK2KNC tried it on for size and reports that it sat well on the back. Steve VK2LW arrived with some very impressive Li-on High capacity batteries and charger for the back pack. To be continued.. A full report soon in an upcoming article in the Club Magazine. Yesterday's meat tray raffle saw another first time winner. The Draw was made by Alex VK2ZM and the winner was the holder of the last ticket sold, Nigel VK2FNT. Enjoy the meat tray Nigel. Speaking of Alex VK2ZM, he had on display in the club shack his newly-completed MST400 40 metre QRP transceiver with an addition. Alex has installed the optional LED S meter/ RF meter as doesn't it look good. Coloured lights green, yellow, orange, and red certainly make a difference to this radio. Sounds good on air too. Stop Press News!! The 2014 Call Books have arrived and are ready for pick up at the club. If you ordered a book see Greg VK2CW next Saturday. A Reminder that the Club will not be open on Tuesday nights for the next 4 weeks as Warren VK2UWP is away on Holidays. Now to some better news. Further to the amateur examinations held at Westlakes last month, the following members have received their new call signs: Barry Finlay VK2VBF, Barry Gilbert VK2MHA, Michael George VK2FMRG, Marcel Post VK2HAQ, Paul Vidler VK2FBUZ, Peter Waeger VK2FAEH and Tony O’Donnel VK2NTD will now be VK2QW. Congratulations to all. While on the subject of new callsigns, do you know who VK2PE is? It is none other than Gary VK2DBI who has finally received his 2 letter call. Congratulations to everyone. The clubs annual Christmas party for this year will be held on Saturday the 14th December commencing at around 11:00 am. The club will be supplying the soft drinks, BBQ and Salads and you supply your nibbles and whatever you wish to drink. There may well be one or two surprises for your entertainment. Be there... Saturday 14th December. That’s only three weeks away! Grab the XYL and (Grand) Harmonics or a friend and have a day out. Plans are still being put together for the 50 year celebration of the founding of the club. A special Call Sign VK2ATZ50 has been approved by WIA/ACMA to be used throughout the month of April next year. Other events are planned and will be advised as we get closer to next year. Keep tuned... WESTLAKES 40 METER NET: Our new net is up and running with a reasonable daily attendance. Last Monday and Wednesday was quite good with 8 stations calling in each day, with good propagation and signals but Friday did not fare well at all. Conditions on 40 metres were bad to say the least. Dave VK2RD took control in Barries absense, Get well soon Baz. With only 4 stations calling in. Alex was using his home brew 40 metre kit transceiver and it performed very well Norm VK2KNC tried calling in but was barely audible as he was running QRP with his 817. So... EVERY Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 0:930 hrs local on 7.150 Mhz our net will run, with Barrie VK2ABD as net control and Dave VK2RD as Backup. Please call in and have a chat. Nothing formal, discuss the weather or whatever or just let your mates know you are still around and ok. Look forward to hearing you on 7.150. WORLD NEWS: A prototype garment incorporating an embroidered antenna has been produced by researchers from Nottingham Trent and Loughborough Universities. The antenna is said to be fully flexible, lightweight and water resistant. “In a bid to transform how wearable radio communications are sent and received, the two universities and several industry partners have developed the technology to design an efficient antenna that can be applied directly onto clothing using a mass production process,” said the scientists, who have been working on it for three years. - See more at: http://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/design/communications/antenna-embroidered-in-the-midlands-2013-11/#sthash.k8dP0iGQ.dpuf Microwave signals turned into electrical power: The BBC report that an electrical current capable of charging a mobile phone has been created from microwave signals. They say a team from Duke University said the technology they had used had been as efficient as using solar panels. The device they created used metamaterials, which capture various forms of wave energy and convert them for other applications. Read the BBC story at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24897584 NEW TINY PACEMAKER DEVELOPED THAT REQUIRES NO WIRING: A miniaturized wireless pacemaker that can be inserted into the body without invasive surgery has been given approval for use in the European Union. Amateur Radio Newsline's Heather Embee, KB3TZD, says it was developed in the United States by the company Nanostim, and that the tiny device is less than 10% of the size of a conventional pacemaker, uses a built-in battery and is designed to be implanted intravenously directly in the heart. Currently more than four million people around the world have some sort of cardiac rhythm device with an additional 700,000 people getting one each year. Well that's all the news we have this week. Do you have a news items that you would like read out on a future broadcast? Then 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. Thank you for listening. Good morning...

WESTLAKES NEWS FOR NOVEMBER 10TH 2013

Yesterday at the club was our 3rd car boot sale. There were about 8 or 9 sellers all up and a lot of bargains were on show. The Westlakes Committee would like to thank all those who attended to make this another successful event. Greg VK2CW was walking around selling tickets in the meat tray raffle. Penny was at the club to draw this weeks lucky meat tray winner. The winner this week was Alex VK2ZM. Congratulations Alex. Enjoy the meat tray. Penny and Michael were busy in the kitchen cooking and giving away free sausage sandwiches. Thanks Penny and Michael for a job well done. Michael VK2CCW had his new back pack for his FT 817. This I think is model 6 and it is almost complete. He may be taking orders when he gets it right. CHRISTMAS PARTY: The clubs annual Christmas party for this year will be held on Saturday the 14th December. Please note the date in your Diary. Geoff VK2GL and Penny Smith have been seen in deep conversation and a little bird tells me that they are organising one of the events for the day. Come along and bring the Family or even a friend. The club will be supplying the soft drinks, BBQ and Salads and you supply your nibbles and whatever you wish to drink. There may well be one or two other surprises for you entertainment. Be there... Saturday 14th December. That’s only four weeks away! C.C.A.R.C. Have you marked your calendar for the CENTRAL COAST A.R.C. BIG DAY OUT. The Wyong Field day will be held on February 23rd 2014! Clean your shack or shed out and turn the ‘Gunna use it one day’ items into cash with a Flea Market stall. Call books 2014. To those members who have ordered call books! They should here at the club next weekend so see Greg in the library next Saturday. WESTLAKES 40 METER NET: Our new net is up and running with a reasonable daily attendance. Last Monday was the first airing and we had about 8 stations call in. Wednesday was much the same but Friday did not fare well at all. Conditions on 40 metres were bad to say the least. Dave VK2RD took control with only 4 stations being heard. We were informed that there were 2 other stations trying to call in but were not audible at control. Thanks to Ron VK3MRH who has called in every day to help us establish the net. Ron is the net controller for the Albury Wodonga net held on 40 metres (7.055 10:30 am) EVERY DAY. Thanks Ron for the support and promotion within your groups net. So... EVERY Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 0:930 hrs local on 7.150 Mhz our net will run, with Barrie VK2ABD as net control and Dave VK2RD as Backup. Please call in and have a chat. Nothing formal, discuss the weather or whatever or just let your mates know you are still around and ok. Look forward to hearing you on 7.150. NEW ANTENNA DESIGNS: New AOWA Yagis. Derek G4CQM continues with his AOWA yagi development project releasing new designs that raise the bar even higher. Derek says that he is more than ever convinced that the perfect 50-Ohm yagi does exist and these new designs are getting really close to that goal!. If you are a keen 2M DXer you can see the new designs here... http://g4cqm.www.idnet.com/NEW%20DESIGNS/index.html SDR TRANSCEIVERS UPDATE: Standard for an SDR to External Programs Interface. Recently I've had the pleasure of collaborating with Jonathan Naylor, G4KLX on adding functionality for the CCW SDR-4+ receiver and the Sentry SDR transceiver to his SDR program, UWSDR. During the email discussions and software testing I raised the possibility of using a TCP/IP connection to transfer the PTT information between a data mode program and a SDR program. Jonathan then suggested the use of UDP/IP and also suggested that the audio connection between the two programs could also go over UDP/IP. After a lot of thought he has come up with a proposed standard that would allow authors of SDR and data mode programs to add a simple to use audio and PTT interface. I've posted his document "A Standard for an SDR to External Programs Interface" on the CCW website: http://www.crosscountrywireless.net/A%20Standard%20for%20an%20SDR%20to%20External%20Programs%20Interface.pdf We want to contact as many software authors as we can to give them information on the standard so that it can be implemented on as many ham radio programs as possible. I've also suggested the CCW forum as a possible area for authors to discuss the standard: http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/cross_country_wireless/ Regards, Chris, G4HYG Well that's all the news we have this week. do we have any late news items? Do you have a news item that you would like read out on a future broadcast? Then 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 always welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee, long-life milk, a good Canteen and an interesting selection of biscuits.