Westlakes News for 22nd June 2014.

The meat tray raffle. It was another controversial result. In the absence of last week's winner, Barrie VK2QG, Aly VK2AFZ was asked to make the draw. Closely observed by those in the library,he reached into the ticket tumbler and SELECTED.........yes, his own ticket! Enjoy the meat tray Aly. As well, two new members joined the club yesterday. They were John Saunders of Kotara South and Luke Beston of Cameron Park. Welcome to you both. In the absence of Michael VK2CCW the Canteen dispensed Pies And Sausage Rolls. These went down well, judging by the amount of used plates in the sink. They are good tucker from Thompsons Bakery at Gateshead. Five candidates sat for their Foundation Assessments at Westlakes yesterday. It was a busy day day for the assessors, Geoff VK2GL, Steve VK2LW and Dave VK2RD (on the Radio) who were still on the job at 4.00 pm. The good news is that “almost” all candidates were successful. The club lawns had a much needed mowing yesterday. Our junior mowing contractor,Sam, was on the job and has most of the job done. Only a bit more left to mow plus the whipper snipping and it should all be completed today. The July Magazines will be dispatched next weekend. In it is an article on the ZS6BKW antenna which can be supplied by Maple Leaf Communications in Canada. A copy of the magazine was forwarded to the owner of Maple Leaf, Bob VE3WY who was impressed with the content and asked if he could distribute our magazine to other Canadian amateurs. Fame at last! WIA NEWS: Good morning all ACMA have advised that the Amateur Radio Licence fee has been increased to $74.00. Variation to licence fee remains at $49.00. Regards Fred. As foreshadowed a few months ago, AR magazine will be available in digital format from the July issue. From the 26th of June - that's next week - you will be able to view or download the July 2014 edition of AR Magazine in PDF format from the WIA website, http://www.wia.org.au Here's how you collect your digital edition. First, you need to be registered for Memnet. Haven't done that yet? Never mind. It's easy. On the WIA website, under the "For Members" menu, you will see - right at the top - "Log into Memnet". This opens a page where you can register by clicking on the "Register" link. Obvious, isn't it? This will get you a Memnet password once you have entered your WIA Member Number, name and callsign. You will find your member number on the address flysheet that came with your previous print editions of AR magazine. Armed with your Memnet password - on or after the 26th of June, go to the WIA website. Look under the "For Members" menu and select "AR Magazine". Look just below the page headline for "Digital Edition" and click the link there. Once you have downloaded your July AR digital edition, you will see that it has been personalized with your Name, WIA member number and date you downloaded it. That will happen for each digital edition of AR you download in future. The WIA Board decided to synchronise the release date for the digital edition with the expected date that the print edition will be available in member's letterboxes in the eastern states. AR digital edition - another of the many growing benefits of WIA membership. Increased EMR knowledge in our syllabus The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has amended the Amateur Radio regulations syllabus, to expand the demonstrated knowledge of Electromagnetic Radiation or EMR.Safety has been on ACMA's agenda for a considerable time, and it is seeking to minimise risk and promote safety across all its operations, including Amateur Radio. The process to include EMR in the existing Amateur Radio Syllabus at all three licence levels, commenced about 18 months ago. One of the outcomes of the high-power trial for Advance Licence holders, the ACMA in consultation with the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA), found that EMR knowledge could be increased. The teaching of prospective radio amateurs already includes the importance to keep all persons (and animals) a safe distance from antennas, their orientation, the role of Effective Radiated Power, and radio wave danger with higher frequencies and power levels. The ACMA has gone further with its amended syllabus to spell out that knowledge of EMR is a condition for all classes of amateur licence, and recall where to locate the ACMA document titled "EMR Assessment Guide for Amateur Radio". It also wants known that the "Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency" ARPANSA sets the standard for Maximum Exposure Levels, 100 kHz to 300 GHz, its principles and methods of measurement. New licence assessment papers from the WIA Exam Service issued to assessors from June 2014 will reflect the new EMR provisions. The additional teaching time should be minor, but it will reflect knowledge of the licence requirements and community concern about radiation from transmitters. Reminder to ALL MEMBERS: Westlakes annual field day will be held on the 14th September 2014 in the club grounds. Have a look through your equipment and see what you are not using or better still look in you garage and see what is taking up valuable space. Perhaps you would like to donate it to the club. What the club does NOT ACCEPT - CRT computer monitors, video players,old TVs of the CRT type. Remember to bring your own tables and a chair to sit on and you must take away ALL your own rubbish as the club WILL NOT be getting a skip. If your are interested in a stall, please contact the club secretary for further details. ARNSW Balun Construction Day June 29 (Sunday) A technical day provided by ARNSW at the Dural site with lectures on the operation of baluns and practical construction of a balun from a kit. Bookings needed for the course and to reserve a kit. Send email to balun@arnsw.org.au to register. Lunch provided. Don’t forget the club 40 metre nets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays commencing at 0930 hrs, on 7.150 Mhz. Please call in and discuss any topic that you wish to bring up. We have many experts on any discussion. Also, the EZBEE net at 0800 am every Saturday morning on 146.775 where we discuss what is happening at the club that day. And for the early risers we can’t forget the Stone the Crows net on 80 metres, 3.588 Mhz at 0600 am Do you have a news item 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.

WARC NEWS FOR THE 15TH JUNE 2014

At the club yesterday there were quite a number of members. VK2FRKO was there showing his 1st place winning cup which he won at last weekends Oxley Region Field day. The entry was in the homebrew section. Also Richard was showing his latest medal which was presented to him by the Mayor of Port Stephens for his help in last years bush fires around Port Stephens. In the activity room Norm VK2KNC was trying to fix Michaels Ato tuner. Michael decided to modify his tuner so that it would fit nicely into his man pack BUT the drill bit went straight through a diode and the tuner stopped working. Anyway, this time they were unsuccessful in repairing the Auto Tuner. See Michael as he has a cheap auto tuner for sale. Also in the activity Norm again (a busy person) was trying to fix up Max's SDR program that was on his laptop. Not sure if it was sorted out or not - maybe Norm if you are listening today can tell us in the call back section. Chef Michael was cooking in the kitchen again - hamburgers of cause along with pies and sausage rolls. Remember if you would like a hamburger see Michael early as sometimes a small number of patties are made. In the classroom the next group of Foundation licence candidates were put through paces by Steve VK2LW and Geoff VK2GL. Last I heard Steve was looking for a hand held radio for the candidates to practice their calling procedures. Hope everything went well Steve? Remember if you want to upgrade to either a Standard or Advanced licence please see Steve or Geoff so that you can be booked into the next class. In the absence of Greg (VK2CW ) the other Greg Smith VK2FGJS was put in charge of selling tickets for the meat tray. Joanne, Diane's friend was asked to draw a ticket out of the ticket tumbler. This weeks winner was Barrie - VK2QG. Congratulations Barrie enjoy the meat tray. ARNSW Balun Construction Day June 29 (Sunday) A technical day provided by ARNSW at the Dural site with lectures on the operation of baluns and practical construction of a balun from a kit. Bookings needed for the course and to reserve a kit. Send email to balun@arnsw.org.au to register. Lunch provided. Reminder to ALL MEMBERS: Westlakes annual field day will be held on the 14th September 2014 in the club grounds. Have a look through your equipment and see what you are not using or better still, look in you garage and see what is taking up valuable space. Perhaps you would like to donate it to the club. What the club does NOT EXCEPT - CRT computer monitors, video players,old TVs of the CRT type. Remember to bring your own tables and a chair to sit on and you must take away ALL your own rubbish as the club WILL NOT be getting a skip. If your are interested in a stall please contact the club secretary for further details. INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to IARU, RSGB, SARL, Southgate AR Club, ARRL, Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART and the WW sources of the WIA. NASA has successfully beamed a high-definition video 260 miles from the International Space Station to Earth using a new laser communications instrument. Transmission of "Hello, World!" as a video message was the first 175-megabit communication for the Optical Payload for Lasercomm Science (OPALS), a technology demonstration that allows NASA to test methods for communication with future spacecraft using higher bandwidth than radio waves. Optical communication tools like OPALS use focused laser energy to reach data rates between 10 and 1,000 times higher than current space communications which rely on radio portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Because the space station orbits Earth at 17,500 mph, transmitting data from the space station to Earth requires extremely precise targeting. The process can be equated to a person aiming a laser pointer at the end of a human hair 30 feet away and keeping it there while walking. CQ Ohm is reporting that production of the popular Yaesu FT-897D/DM/DS transceivers is to cease. They say there no immediate plans for a successor model. QRZ.COM ANNOUNCES RIGHT CLICK CHROME BROWSER EXTENSION If you' are a user of Google's Chrome browser, then QRZ.com publisher. Fred Lloyd, AA7BQ has something that will make using this website a lot more efficient and enjoyable. Lloyd announced that he has published a free browser extension that will let you highlight and right click on any callsign, on any web page from any web site, and instantly perform a QRZ lookup. No copying and pasting or typing in the call on a separate page is required. The new app is now available now in the Chrome Web Store. Showing children our wonderful hobby. The ARRL Kids Day operating event sponsored by the Boring Oregon Amateur Radio Club was yesterday Saturday 21st June. Kids Day is not a contest but rather a twice yearly way for licensed amateurs to share the fun and excitement of our hobby with those who could be the next generation of licensees. What with time zones etc., if you hear "CQ Kids Day", please answer! Up in the Philippine's Amateur Radio Association, PARA, a member of the IARU, holds its 2014 PARA Kids Day in July to expose youngsters to the world of modern Ham Radio. I wonder if the WIA are taking note of whats happening overseas and try this in Australia. The ILLW increases in numbers: With just ten weeks to go, the number of International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend registrations is nearly 280 coming from 36 countries, putting the premier fun-event ahead of this time last year. The first ever registration from Barbados in the Caribbean, is South Point Lighthouse activated by the Amateur Radio Club of Barbados 8P6AW. The country's oldest lighthouse began life at London's Great Exhibition, before being reassembled in 1832. This landmark and tourist attraction features on the Barbados 5-cent coin. Four lighthouses in Barbados are endangered by neglect and in need of restoration. Activating lighthouses during the ILLW event helps raise public awareness of these historic maritime navigation structures and the need for their preservation. Germany remains in the lead with 51 registrations, closely followed by the US 48, Australia 46, England 20, Argentina 15, plus at double figures for Scotland, The Netherlands and Sweden. To learn more about this fun-event that began two decades ago, or to register for the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend on August the 16th and 17th, visit the website illw.net That item from Jim Linton VK3PC Australian radio ham's vintage radio collection: Radio Amateur Kevin Dickson has donated his extensive collection of radio equipment to the Tweed Regional Museum Kevin's interest in amateur radio was nurtured at school by his teacher Norm Smith in 1937 and he later went on to get his amateur license. Kevin Dickson's life story can be read at .. http://www.murwillumbahhistoricalsociety.org.au Do you have a news item 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 always welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee, long-life milk, a good Canteen and an interesting selection of biscuits.

WESTLAKES NEWS FOR JUNE 1ST 2014

At the club yesterday was almost a record number of members and visitors for a normal Saturday. One would have thought that it was the club general meeting day. Adam (VK2YK) was visiting the club with his son Josh and Adam was showing his version of his man pack but in Adam's case it was a man bag. Also out for display was Adams LINK COUPLED MULTIBAND ANTENNA made out of light weight materials, LIPO batteries and Match Maker manual tuner for his SOTA work. Michael VK2FMRG ( who has advanced forward to the advanced licence) was also talking to Adam about working the birds. For those who don't know what this means - it is working the HAM SATELLITES. Michael (VK2CCW) was in the kitchen cooking his famous hamburgers( which are ONLY available from Westlakes A.R.C. Club) along with Thompsons sausage rolls and pies. All are very delicious. In the activity room Norm (VK2KNC - the clubs PROJECT OFFICER ) was demonstrating a couple of new SDR receiving programmes that run off your PC. In the middle of that Dave (VK2RD) gave Norm a file which Barry ( VK2BZ) did for Baofeng UV-5R hand helds radios. We did try the program on Dave's radio but the programming lead FAILED so it looks like Dave has to buy a new programming lead. Most of you by the time the news has been read should have received your electronic version of the WESTLAKES MAGAZINE. It has some very good reading in it. If you have a good article that you think is worth sharing please send it along to the club mag editor so that it can be included in a future edition. FROM THE WIA NEWS DESK: The countdown is on for users of wireless microphones, with only seven months to go until new arrangements take effect on 1 January 2015. >From this date, it will be illegal to use spectrum in the 694-820 MHz frequency range. ACMA have a handy info graphic which explains what you need to do to get ready and still be heard. So if you or an organisation you belong to use a wireless microphone, be warned. From THE CENTRAL COAST ARC. Central Coast Repeaters to be Switched Off. Starting from Late May the following changes will be made to VK2RAG repeaters. These measures are being introduced to reduce overall power consumption at the installation, whilst minimising inconvenience to users. We are also investigating Solar Power for the site to further improve consumption and costs. Between Midnight and 0600, all the un-used low usage repeaters will be turned off. To be switched off in frequency order will be 53.725 (6M), 145.600 B’Cast RX’s (FM-814 and FM-92), 439.725 (6M link), 439.950 (APCO 25), 441.00 (Rylstone link) and 1273.4 (23 cm.) This will leave on only 146.725, 438.075 repeaters, 145.175 APRS, 439.150 Packet regenerator,146.6375 (D- Star port C), 438.325 (D- Star Port B), D – Star Gateway. REMINDERS: The ORARC 2014 Field Day will be an excellent weekend again this year - 7TH -8TH JUNE. The venue is the same as last year, the Tacking Point Surf Life Saving Club hall on Matthew Flinders Drive, Lighthouse Beach, Port Macquarie. The Field Day dinner will be on Saturday night the 7th of June from 6pm at the Port Macquarie Golf Club with the same arrangements as last year. Sunday is the trading day with both VK4ICE and Radio Supply bringing extra stock this year. There will be all the other usual Field Day attractions with fox hunts both days. We are expecting a good field of Home Brew projects so everyone is encouraged to bring their latest projects along for the display. There will be a sausage sizzle lunch on the Saturday. On Sunday there will be bacon and egg sandwiches for breakfast and sausage and steak sandwiches with fruit salad and ice cream for lunch. There is no charge or commission for disposals. Looking forward to seeing a good contingent from Westlakes at our Field Day again. Everyone is welcome. 73 Henry VK2ZHE ARNSW BALUN DAY. AR NSW is having a ‘Balun spectacular’ on Sunday 29 June at the Dural site, 63 Quarry Road starting at 10 am. Gates open at 0845 hrs for breakfast Yes, bacon and eggrolls are on the breakfast menu with a variety of sauces. Not only will you learn everything you need to know about the care and feeding of a balun, you will also have the opportunity to make your own 1:1 one kilowatt rated balun, at a subsidised price. As usual, AR NSW have sourced the best presenters from around the world. As usual, they are all from Sydney. Bookings are essential. Register by email to balun@arnsw.org.au Please include your callsign and a contact number. Admission free to AR NSW members. In accordance with numerous requests from mbers, we have organised a beautiful pair of Asian strippers to be raffled on the day. And there will be both chocolate and vanilla ice cream, but not for breakfast. Further details in later bulletins. Keep the date, Sunday 29 June for the ‘Balun spectacular’ That’s balun@arnsw.org.au NEW PRODUCT REVIEW. RIG EXPERT WTI-1 wireless transceiver interface. Connect your transceiver to the internet via WI-FI. Use your laptop to operate phone, CW, or digital modes from anywhere in the world. Analog audio interface is a connection to transceiver audio output (external speaker connector or line output) and transceiver audio input ( microphone connector or line input. Audio interface enables operating digital modes, recording and playing voice, as well as other useful functions ( such as measuring levels of a signalfrom the air) by using a computer. You may use a conventional headset on your computer to operate voice modes. A virtual soundcard drives is provided to support operating digital modes.CAT interface for various transceiver models. CAT (Computer Aided Transceiver) system provides control of transceiver frequency, operating mode and other functions by computer software. Normally, modern transceivers have serial (with various signal levels) link providing CAT interface. In RigExpert WTI-1, CAT interface port is seen as a COM port by computer software. FSK output FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) is a popular method of transmitting digital messages over radio primarily used in radioteletype (RTTY) mode. Most transceivers provide FSK modulator feature to make the RTTY signal stable and clear. A separate COM port is assigned for the FSK output when using RigExpert WTI-1. PTT and CW output functions. Transceivers provide PTT (Push To Talk) and CW (Continuous Wave) keyer inputs to allow setting the transmitter on or off and operating CW using external device (PTT pedal, CW bug or paddle, terminal node controller, or personal computer). In RigExpert WTI-1, PTT and CW outputs are assigned to the RTS and DTR lines of a separate COM port. In addition, the user may press the PTT button on the screen to activate transmission. WinKey emulation. To operate CW, you may use software which either directly manipulates the DTR line, or uses the WinKey protocol. A separate COM port is created in the system to support the WinKey data exchange. 9A5N Solid state CW paddle is a completely new product in the world of telegraphy keys. Innovative idea of detection finger pressing to paddle lever(s) eliminates moving parts typical for mechanical keys. Solid State CW Paddle advantages: - standstill lever(s) has no travel time and moving inertia - fingers movement is diminished - keying is absolutely silent, without clicking sound produced by moving parts - keying pressure on the lever(s) is adjustable in range from 10 to 50 grams by software algorithm - no maintenance and periodical readjustments typical for mechanical keys Keying technique with Solid State CW Paddle is equivalent to the mechanical paddle technique. User will easily and quickly correct keying style according to the Solid State CW Paddle advantages and increase possible maximum keying speed. Keying with lower finger pressure on lever(s) and diminished fingers movement will make keying less fatigue and more enjoyable. The paddle “brain” based on microcontroller technology is situated in a head made of aluminium to protect sensitive electronic from influence of RF signals. Paddle base is made of stainless steel/coated steel. Total paddle weight of 1.8kg gives outstanding paddle stability on surface during keying. Solid State CW Paddle, available in single and twin lever version, will provide you many hours of CW keying pleasure for years to come. In order to generate CW code with Solid State CW Paddle, external electronic keyer must be in use. Dimensions: 90 x 90 x 60 mm Weight: 1,8 kg Supply: 2 x AAA (LR03) batteries built in paddle base There you are Greg, a new toy to play with. Well that's all the news I have this week. Do you have a news item 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.

WESTLAKES BROADCAST NEWS FOR MAY 25TH 2014

Last week's lucky meat tray winner Maurice VK2FTLC was not at the club yesterday to draw this weeks lucky meat tray winner. In his absence Dennis VK2XDW drew out the ticket belonging to non other than his good friend Greg VK2CW. Congratulations Penny and Greg enjoy the meat tray. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Yesterday morning on Stone the Crows net ( 3588KHz ) we had the pleasure of Barry VK2BZ who was portable up in VK4. Enjoy your break Barry and it will be good to see your completed kit row boat when you return. Remember ANYONE CAN JOIN THE NET AND ITS COMMENCES AT 0600 AND RUNS FOR AN HOUR ON SATURDAY MORNINGS. -------------------------------------------------------------------- While talking about nets, our club WESTLAKES A.R.C. also has a net on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on the frequency of 7150KHz commencing at 0930. We don't charge a cent for joining and having a chat. --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Foundation licence class was in full swing in the education room thanks to Steve VK2LW and Geoff VK2GL In fact the number in the group has now risen to six. Don't forget if you have a Foundation or Standard licence have you thought of upgrading? Just see Steve of Geoff at the club on Saturdays or leave a message on the clubs answering machine. Remember, we ONLY check for messages on a SATURDAY morning so if you ring on a Monday please be patient and we will get back to you OR your can snail mail to the club address which is Westlakes Amateur Radio Club P.O. Box 5 BOOLAROO NSW 2284. Yes the secretary does have an email which is secretary@westlakesarc.org.au ---------------------------------------------------------------------- New member. Joining Westlakes yesterday was Gerard Wheeler of Mount Hutton. He already holds a Foundation Licence from the UK but the ACMA requires him to re-sit and be assessed for the VK Foundation test. Strange, but true. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The monthly club magazine for June is completed - that's half the year gone already - and will be dispatched to members in its various forms next weekend. --------------------------------------------------------------------- A meeting of the committee formed to plan Westlakes attendance at the out town model show was held in the library yesterday. The modellers will gather at the Broadmeadow Racecourse over two days on 23rd and 24th August. At least this event is undercover unlike the washout we had at the Newcastle Regional show in February. --------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM THE WIA. Telstra has confirmed its plans to spend $100 million to get a public Wi-Fi network up and running by 2015. The plan will see up to 8000 new wireless installations to connect customers to two million Wi-Fi hot-spots while in the air across Australia.Telstra customers, who choose to join Telstra Wi-Fi, will be provided compatible modems to access their allowance at no extra charge via domestic hotspots and connect to more than 12 million Fon-enabled hotspots globally. Non Telstra customers and Telstra customers who have not joined the Wi-Fi community will be able to connect to Fon-enabled Telstra Wi-Fi hotspots for a small charge using 'day passes.' --------------------------------------------------------------------- Don't forget AR NSW is having a ‘Balun spectacular’ on Sunday 29 June at the Dural site, 63 Quarry Road starting at 10 am. Gates open at 0845 hrs for breakfast Yes, bacon and egg rolls are on the breakfast menu with a variety of sauces. Not only will you learn everything you need to know about the care and feeding of a balun, you will also have the opportunity to make your own 1:1 one kilowatt rated balun, at a subsidised price. Advised by Al HirschelVK2KAM Event commanderAR NSW. -------------------------------------------------------------------- The Oxley Region ARC 2014 Field Day will be an excellent weekend again this year. The venue is the same as last year, the Tacking Point Surf Life Saving Club hall on Matthew Flinders Drive, Lighthouse Beach, Port Macquarie. The Field Day dinner will be on Saturday night the 7th of June from 6pm at the Port Macquarie Golf Club with the same arrangements as last year. Sunday is the trading day with both VK4ICE and Radio Supply bringing extra stock this year. There will be all the other usual Field Day attractions with fox hunts both days. We are expecting a good field of Home Brew projects so everyone is encouraged to bring their latest projects along for the display. There will be a sausage sizzle lunch on the Saturday. On Sunday there will be bacon and egg sandwiches for breakfast and sausage and steak sandwiches with fruit salad and ice cream for lunch. There is no charge or commission for disposals. That item comes from Henry VK2ZHE --------------------------------------------------------------------- The NSW government announced on Sunday that it will be spending $4 million over two years to roll-out the body worn video (BWV) cameras for frontline police. The cameras will be attached to the vest of the officers. Video captures events that can often defuse potentially violent situations without the need for force to be used. It will also show police dealing with difficult and dangerous situations every day and it will also provide clearer evidence when it's been alleged that police got things wrong. Officers attached to the Public Order and Riot Squad, Police Transport Command and other highly mobile frontline officers will be given priority for the cameras. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Transport for NSW is using the Illawarra to test a high-tech system that will allow truck drivers to "see" up to a kilometre ahead. The initiative uses Co-operative Intelligent Transport Systems (CITS) technology, which will allow trucks to transmit and receive warnings about road hazards and conditions ahead. It aims to increase safety and traffic flow because it will mean drivers can "see" over the crests of hills and around corners. The trial, due to start in the next few months, will involve several trucks fitted with CITS equipment travelling along a 42-kilometre route between Port Kembla and the Picton-Hume Highway interchange. A second phase of the project will include up to 120 heavy vehicles,will see up to three intersections "signalised" which will enable vehicles to be warned when approaching a red light even though the drivers can't see them. Whatever Next? ----------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a news item 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------- 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.

WESTLAKES BROADCAST NEWS FOR 18th MAY 2014

In the activity room yesterday Norm VK2KNC was re installing HDSDR on Lloyd's PC after Lloyd VK2XAA had spent days trying to get it to work. After the reinstallation of the program Norm showed Lloyd how it all worked. Now Lloyd will have many hours of listening. Thank you Norm for your assistance. ------------------------------------------------------- Michael VK2CCW was outside with his MAN PACK version 2. Michael was all set and ready to tune his antenna when there was a failure. The failure was in the tuner not powering up. Bad luck Michael, looks like you got to put the tuner out of the rack, open it up and see why it was not working. Oh and yes, a hammer won't fix the problem. ------------------------------------------------------- The draw for this weeks meat tray was made by a substitute in the absence of Richard VK2FRKO (he was there but had to go to a 21st birthday party). Substitute David VK2UDW reached in a grabbed a ticket.The callsign of this weeks ticket was Maurice VK2FTLC. Congratulations Maurice enjoy your meat tray and see you next week for the draw. ------------------------------------------------------- No sooner has the map and compass course concluded, Geoff VK2GL was busy in the class room with a new bunch of prospective Foundation Course candidates. One or two more Saturdays, and the Licence Assessments will be held in June. ------------------------------------------------------- Got something you would like to build as a possible PROJECT? Why not discuss it with the clubs project officer - Norm VK2KNC. -------------------------------------------------------- Lost and found department. Who left a pair of fold-up reading glasses at the club yesterday? They are in the possession of Greg VK2CW who will have them at the club next Saturday. -------------------------------------------------------- A new supply of Foundation Licence Manuals arrived at Westlakes yesterday. They are available from Aly at the club store. They cost $25. ------------------------------------------------------- From the WIA: WI-FLY. Telstra has begun trialling the use of mobiles on planes, including the ability to deliver a broadband signal to aircraft that allows phone users to use 4G to browse the web, send and receive emails, make video calls, watch movies and download music and photos. The testing of the network on mock flights between Melbourne and Sydney has so far delivered fast speeds of up to 15 megabits per second. Special antennas have been erected on four phone towers between the two capitals to deliver broadband signals to passengers en route. Trials were conducted on a twin-propeller aircraft and a Cessna mustang jet that flew at the height of a commercial flight at 30,000 feet. Testing has not yet extended to include sending and receiving text messages and making phone calls. --------------------------------------------------------- CANADIAN HAMS GRANTED ACCESS TO 472 TO 479 KHZ. Hams in Canada will soon have access to the 472 to 479 Kilohertz band. This with the release of the new Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations by telecommunications regulator Industry Canada. Radio Amateurs of Canada says that its Zero to Thirty Megahertz Band Planning Committee will be proposing a suitable band plan to enable best use of this new very narrow band. Canadian hams with comments and suggestions can send them to the committee via e-mail to rachq@rac.ca Canadian amateur operators have recently secured two new segments of spectrum thanks to the hard work of their national society. The 60 meter band channels were made official a few month ago as well. --------------------------------------------------------- The Mt Gambier Convention in South Australia has a special event callsign VI 50 CONV is to be on air throughout the month. The convention is over the Queens Birthday Weekend with Australian Fox Hunting Championships on June the 7 and 8 and Sniffer Hunt at 11am on the Saturday. The Scout Hall in Margaret Street, Mount Gambier is the event venue, with foxhunts, stalls, a homebrew competition and catering. ---------------------------------------------------------- Young hams seem to be missing these days. The latest Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) figures tend to indicate that Amateur Radio is currently not overly attractive to young people, despite the Foundation Licence showing some promise in earlier years. This entry level has been a welcome stepping-stone into the hobby with a healthy upgrading to a higher licence, or for some, having had a taste of the hobby then deciding it's not for them. The WIA annual figures show it has only 27 student members, and those aged 10 to 29 account for 3% of all members. Since 2009, when about 750 Foundation Licences assessment were held, there had been a steady decline with 414 new Foundation Licences issued in 2013. With the passage of 10 years the question is being asked whether the Foundation Licence has the right mix of privileges and its relativity to the Standard and Advanced Licences. The WIA plans to celebrate the first decade of the Foundation Licence in 2015. The Foundation Licence remains popular with 2,300 on issue or slightly more than the Standard or middle-level licence, with nearly 10,000 Advanced Licences. ------------------------------------------------------------- Reminders: A.R. NSW balun day on the 29th June commencing at 1000 hrs. Bookings are required for this day. Please send email to balun@arnsw.org.au and the address is Dural site, 63 Quarry Road. ------------------------------------------------------------- Jun 7- 9 VK2 Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club field day Port Macquarie. Its a great place to go. Diane VK2FDNE and Richard VK2FRKO will be attending. The address is Tacking Point Surf Lifesaving Club Hall, Mathew Flinders Drive, Port Macquarie. Registrations from 1000 Saturday morning - $5.00 this covers tea, coffee and biscuits- unlimited I have been told. --------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a news item 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. -------------------------------------------------------------- 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.

WESTLAKES BROADCAST NEWS FOR 11 MAY 2014

This weeks lucky meat tray was a double draw. The first ticket drawn by Winstone VK2BS belonged to Russell VK2VK but he had already left. A re-draw resulted in the winner finally being Richard VK2FRKO. Enjoy the meat tray Richard. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yesterday the club held its 3rd boot sale day. 6 boot sale operators were there. Around 30 people attended in perfect weather. The BBQ went well and everyone went home happy.Thank you Diane VK2FDNE for stepping up to the hot-plate and proving that women can cook after all. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- While all this was going on, assessments for licence upgrades were being held in the Westlakes classrom under Steve VK2LW and Geoff VK2GL. There were two candidates, Peter VK2FMOO and Michael VK2FMRG. Needless to say the both were successful. Look for two new call signs coming up. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Two new members. Applications for club membership were received yesterday from Tim O'Connell of Morisset and Luke Groeneveld of Holmesville. Both are keen to get their Foundation Licence. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And Just to prove yesterday was a busy day, the new Foundation Licence course started in the classroom at 1pm with a room full of prospective amateurs, so many that the store ran out of Foundation Manuals. An urgent order for more will be placed with the WIA tomorrow morning. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last night was the 80 meter Trans Tasman 80 meter phone contest. I wonder how many of you are stayed up til midnight or gave numbers out. Once upon a time Westlakes use to enter all these contests so come on everyone lets get back to doing it again. Do you have an interest in operating in a contest then see a committee member. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From the W.I.A.NEWS DESK. How many of you that are members filled in the survey either online of from AR magazine? Here are some of the results. A total of 834 completing it by the closing date – some 18.4% of the membership, a significant sample. 654 completed it online, while 180 returned the paper-based option published in Amateur Radio magazine. Seven of the most important issues were - 1. Protecting our Spectrum 2. ACMA Liaison / Lobbying3. Publicising the Hobby 4. AR Magazine 5. WIA Website 6. International Representation 7. Promoting the WIA . Full WIA members accounted for 76% of survey respondents, 19.8% were concessional members, with the balance made up of student, family and overseas memberships. Approximately 30% of respondents had been WIA members for less than five years; the next largest group had been members for over 30 years in total. A surprising result was the response to Question 19, about how much money respondents spent in 2013 – on books, magazines, parts, equipment, subscriptions and attending events. More than 30% spent $1000-$4999; the next largest group, 28.9% of respondents, spent $100-$499. While those with a modest spend of $500-$999 amounted to 18.82% of respondents, 12.23% spent less than $100, while 6.35% spent more than $5000. So much for amateurs having deep pockets and short arms! It should be no surprise that, as amateurs, we have embraced the computer world. The bulk of respondents own one or more computers; only 11 respondents – 1.32% – did not own any sort of computing device. Over 80% own a desktop PC and a similar number a laptop/notebook. Ownership of a tablet was just over 30%, an iPad just under 29%. Of operating systems, almost 94% run Windows, followed by Android (38%), IOS (26%), Linux or variant (24%), followed by Apple at 20%. Full WIA members accounted for 76% of survey respondents, 19.8% were concessional members, with the balance made up of student, family and overseas memberships. Approximately 30% of respondents had been WIA members for less than five years; the next largest group had been members for over 30 years in total A surprising result was the response to Question 19, about how much money respondents spent in 2013 – on books, magazines, parts, equipment, subscriptions and attending events. More than 30% spent $1000-$4999; the next largest group, 28.9% of respondents, spent $100-$499. While those with a modest spend of $500-$999 amounted to 18.82% of respondents, 12.23% spent less than $100, while 6.35% spent more than $5000. It should be no surprise that, as amateurs, we have embraced the computer world. The bulk of respondents own one or more computers; only 11 respondents – 1.32% – did not own any sort of computing device. Over 80% own a desktop PC and a similar number a laptop/notebook. Ownership of a tablet was just over 30%, an iPad just under 29%. Of operating systems, almost 94% run Windows, followed by Android (38%), IOS (26%), Linux or variant (24%), followed by Apple at 20%. The Internet is ubiquitous, with 90% of respondents using it every day, the bulk of whom have ADSL speeds or better. Almost all respondents use the Internet at home, with 40-50% also using it at work and on the move. The most commonly-used amateur radio related websites are the WIA Website, with 90% of respondents accessing it regularly over each month, followed by VK Ham (70%), VK Classifieds (69%), VK Logger (42%) and VK Logger Forums (32%). The vast majority of respondents (over 80%) hold Advanced licenses, followed by Standard (12%), and Foundation (6%). The Internet is ubiquitous, with 90% of respondents using it every day, the bulk of whom have ADSL speeds or better. Almost all respondents use the Internet at home. Over 70% of respondents prefer to pay their WIA membership subscription annually, with 24% taking the 5-year option, and 7% using the recently introduced quarterly automatic payment option. Surprisingly, 30% of respondents are not members of a radio club, and 25% who said they were a member of a club were not aware if their club was WIA affiliated. And finally, More than a third of respondents (37%) are aged between 61-70, with the next peak (25%) between 51-60. About 6% are under 40, while 3.5% are over 80. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A R NSW BALUN DAY SUNDAY 29 JUNE 2014 Hi Pentodes. In response to requests from members, AR NSW is having a ‘Balun spectacular’ on Sunday 29 June Held at the Dural site, 63 Quarry Road starting at 10 am. Gates open at 9 am. Not only will you learn everything you need to know about the care and feeding of a balun, you will also have the opportunity to make your own 1:1 one kilowatt rated balun, at a subsidised price. As usual, AR NSW have sourced the best presenters from around the world. As usual, they are all from Sydney. Bookings are essential. You can indicate your interest by email to balun@arnsw.org.au Please include your callsign and a contact number. Keep the date, Sunday 29 June for the ‘Balun and barbeque day’ Admission free to AR NSW members. In accordance with requests from some members, there may be strippers on the day. And there will be ice cream, both chocolate and vanilla. If you have any other choice of ice cream…Keep it to yourself. That item came from by Al Hirschel, Event commander AR NSW --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a news item 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 always welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee,long-life milk, a good Canteen and an interesting selection of biscuits.

WESTLAKES NEWS FOR THE 4TH MAY 2014

Yesterday at the club was the clubs A.G.M. As there were no extra members being put up for Executive positions and for the Committee, there was no need for a ballot. President - VK2LW - Steve, Vice President- Geoff VK2GL, Treasurer- Greg VK2CW, Secretary - Barrie VK2QG. Committee. Barrie VK2VBF, Diane VK2FDNE, Warren VK2UWP, Allan VK2JED, Herb VK2ZVF, Leonie VK2FHRK, Barry VK2BZ, Michael VK2CCW. Steve VK2LW was renominated as the clubs Public Officer. Congratulations to everyone. The meat tray winner was drawn by Dennis VK2XDW and this weeks winner was Michael VK2CCW. Good on you Michael enjoy the meat tray. After the AGM a great spread was prepared by Penny in the kitchen. Thanks Penny very much from everyone that were there. Well the clubs special event callsign has expired. With some 1400 contacts made it was a grand effort from every member who took part and made advantage of the special event callsign - either from their QTH or from their home QTHs. Now Dave needs all the logs sent to him so that a final tally can be counted and the QSL cards ordered. Thanks very much for a job well done. Speaking of AGM meetings locally - from the Hunter Group- Their President is Len VK2ZFD, Vice President- Maurie- VK2CD, Secretary/Treasurer - Rodney -VK2CN. A number of other members were elected to various positions. In the Port Stephens A.R.C. Elected to the Presidents Position was Richard VK2FRKO, Treasurer- Allan VK2FLTP, Secretary - Leigh VK2KAL/VK2KY. Committee - Garry VK2PE and Diane VK2FDNE. Once again, Congratulations to all of you. Outside in the cold was the man pack shootout. In corner 1 was Max VK2TTI and in corner 2 was Michael with his version 1 and 2 of his man pack. Great work guys and thanks for bringing your packs in to show everybody. Also at the club yesterday was Tony who recently passed his regulations.Tony received his callsign this week - VK2ABM Congratulations Tony and welcome to the ranks of Amateur radio. From the WIA. Its only days away until the 2014 WIA Annual Conference up on the Sunshine coast. Dates-16,17and 18th May. There is still time for you to register your name and go along. Check the link to check accommodation details and register. http://www.wia.org.au/joinwia/wia/2014agm/ The clubs Boot sale will be on next SATURDAY commencing at 10:00 hrs in the club grounds. Got something to sell, well now is your opportunity to sell your unwanted items. It can be anything. Bring your own table and chairs and yes, remember to take away all your rubbish. The famous WESTLAKES BBQ will be in action and tea and coffee will be available. A R NSW BALUN DAY SUNDAY 29 JUNE 2014 In response to requests from members, AR NSW is having a ‘Balun spectacular’ on Sunday 29 June. Not only will you learn everything you need to know about the care and feeding of a balun, you will also have the opportunity to make your own 1:1 one kilowatt balun, at a subsidised price. As usual, AR NSW have sourced the best presenters from around the world. As usual, they are all from Sydney. Bookings are essential. You can indicate your interest by email to secretary@arnsw.org.au Keep the date Sunday 29 June for balun and barbeque day. Admission free to AR NSW members. Further details in later bulletins. Richard VK2FRKO and Leigh VK2KAL both went to the antenna building day at ARNSW and both have said how good that day was. ALARA meet 2014: This year ALARA will be meeting at Nelson Bay for YLs and their OMs.The 4 day meet will include a cruise and dinner on a charter vessel, OMs to go to Fighter world - Williamtown, bus trip around Nelson Bay with local identity John “STINKER” Clarke, trip to Maitland Goal, and a scenic Hunter Valley bus trip. Remember YLs and OMs get your deposits in now and don't miss out on a great 4 days in the HOLIDAY WONDERLAND. The date of this event is 24-27 OCTOBER 2014. Check out details on the ALARA website. ANTENNAS - THE Fan Dipole. The Fan Dipole antenna is basically 3 or more dipoles using 1 feed line. Usually builders of this antenna have the 80 meter at the top, followed by 40 meter and then either 20 meter,15 meter or 10 meter. You can have any configuration that you wish. By using a 1:1 balun or an ugly balun you can generally tune these so that you don't require an ATU. This antenna is very easily built and by using a VSWR meter or antenna analyzer you can tune your antenna down to at least 1:5 to 1. Tune the top wire 1st and then work your way down until they are all tuned. There are some great sites on the web where they give you step by step instructions on making this proven antenna. I wonder how many of you managed to take part in the Harry Angel contest last night. It is 106 minutes of fun on 80 meters. If you missed out you will have to wait until 2015. Do you have a news item 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. 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.