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...