This is VK2ATZ, The official callsign of
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club located at Teralba, Lake Macquarie. Your reader this morning is Barrie VK2BXD. There
wil not be a simulcast being transmitted this morning on 3.565 MHz but the HF relay by courtesy of Warren VK2UWP
should go to air this evening. Callbacks follow at the conclusion of this news and it's all repeated again at 7 pm tonight.
Westlakes local news can be heard each Sunday on this repeater, VK2RTZ, at 9am local. Following at 9.30am is a relay of the
Australia-wide amateur radio news from VK1WIA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first item today is about "Anderrson House".WIA members and friends are invited to attend the formal opening of the WIA
premises at Unit 20, 11-13 Havelock Road, Bayswater, Victoria at 4:00pm Saturday, April 2nd. The premises will be named "Andersson House"
in honour of Henry Andersson VK8HA. Henry was an Honorary Life Member of the WIA, who passed away in October 2004. He left his property
at Humpty Doo, near Darwin, to the WIA. That generous bequest provided much of the funds needed to enable the purchase. Light refreshments
will be served between 4:00pm and 6:00pm, and a memorial plaque will be unveiled at a ceremony commencing at 4:30pm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And while on matters about the WIA, Westlakes has ordered a copy of the double-disc Centenary DVD. The boxed set includes footage
from the Centenary Dinner, historic presentations, and the trip to Dick Smith's property. There will be a showing od the DVD's in the
Westlakes Library on a Saturday afternoon to be named. It will give the club's new DVD projector another run. After the viewing the
DVD set will be placed in the library for members to borrow.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Did you see "The pink dot tree" in the club grounds yesterday? This follows a request to Lake Macquarie City Council to lop
the giant gum because of concerns that a branch may fall and injure someone - or even worse, damage an antenna. Coucil has advised
that the tree has been marked with a pink dot and has been scheduled for for a trim. We must thank Geoff VK2GL for bringing the matter
to the council's attention.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Was it lights out for Earth Hour at at your place last night? From its debut in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour has become a global movement,
embracing 128 countries and territories in 2010. It all happened (or didn't happen) at 8.30 pm last night.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Several members of the Westlakes theory class tried their arm at amateur examinations at Booral last weekend. Some results are trickling
in. Passing were Joe VK2FJOE, Bill VK2FWGJ, and Shaun who already has a Foundation call but we can't remember it. Perhaps someone can
tell of Shaun's call on callbacks and it will be included in tonight's news.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The ACMA has announced that an increasing numbers of Australians are choosing to do away with their fixed-line phone altogether,
with an estimated 14 per cent of Australians without a fixed-line phone at home at June 2010, an increase of 40 per cent since June 2009.
Increasing functionality of mobile phones and continued handset innovations, including the emergence of the smartphone, tablets
and internet-enabled mobile devices, is underpinning the importance of mobile technology to the lifestyles of many Australians,’
say the ACMA. Young adults (aged 18–24) are leading the trend away from the fixed-line phone, with one in three now choosing not to
connect a fixed-line phone when they move out of the parental home. This figure has risen by 33 per cent in the past 12 months, with
the highest incidence occurring among young adults living alone or in share households
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And while on phones, Optus will add a new satellite, Optus 10, to it's fleet making it the largest in the company's and Australia's
history. Optus 10 will be delivered in 2013 and built in Palo Alto, California. Optus provides satellite services to Australia and
NZ government departments. It launched the first of Australia's satellite fleet 25 years ago. So now you know why the number of
fixed line phones is diminishing.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The April edition of Westlakes Monthly Magazine is in the mail following a stapling and enveloping session in the club library
yesterday. The should arrive Monday. The electric version in full colour should be sent to those who choose email on Monday as well.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And some stunning statistics about the awesome power of this earthquake. According to the BBC, experts they interviewed say that the
massive shaker may have shifted Japan's main coastline by up to 13 feet to the east. This is based on the country's network of 1,200
GPS monitoring stations. Also, the quake may have knocked the planet off its axis by about 6.5 inches. This will cause the Earth to
rotate a tiny bit faster and thereby shortening the day by about 1.8 millionths of a second.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And finally, the meat tray result for yesterday. A total of 64 tickets were in the barrel and the winning ticket was drawn by Herb VK2ZVF.
When the ticket was unscrunched, it Said VK2VON. Lucky Mal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well that's all the news I have this week. And a word of warning, our repeater is not well, so up the power for callbacks - it is not
the morning for QRP. This is VK2ATZ. Is there anyone with late news items?
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
WESTLAKES NEWS SUNDAY 20 March 2011
Good Morning and wecome to this week's local news broadcast . This is VK2ATZ, The official callsign of
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club located at Teralba, Lake Macquarie. There
may be a simulcast being transmitted today on 3.565 MHz and if you can hear it, the relay by courtesy of Warren VK2UWP.
Callbacks follow at the conclusion of this news and it's all repeated again at 7 pm this evening. Westlakes local news
can be heard each Sunday on this repeater, VK2RTZ, at 9am local. Following at 9.30am is a relay of the Australia-wide
amateur radio news from VK1WIA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A reduced crowd attended WEstlakes yesterday. Numbers were down probably because of the John Moyle Field Day taking place this
this weekend. The meat tray draw was was won by Herb VK2ZVF - a first time time winner. There were second and third prizes, two
bags of buns which were won by Brian VK2FG and Geoff VK2GW.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next Tuesday at 9am the club grounds are going to be mowed - weather permitting. All help would be appreciated. So if are looking
for a couple of hours of fun, turn up and lend a hand. Mowers, snippers and petrol are all provided. If the weather is doubtful,
There will be a mower meeting on Westlakes repeater 6775 at 8am. So that's 8am next Tuesday on this repeater for a "go or no go" and a
9am start for the lawn mowing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was announced this week that Microsoft's IE9 browser is now live and ready for use. The release comes as Microsoft's browser
market share is being whittled down by a growing roster of rivals.Competition is also coming from non-browser traffic generated
by mobile phones and tablets. Microsoft said one key feature in IE9 was tools to stop people being tracked as they move from site
to site. Estimates from web analysis firm Net Applications suggest that Internet explorer has about a 56% share of the global market.
The same study suggests Firefox has about 22%, Chrome 11% and Safari 6%. IE9 does not run on Windows XP and can only be used with
Windows 7 and Vista.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next Saturday afternoon in the club library, that's 26th March, will be the assembly and enveloping of the April magazine. All help
would be appreciated. It all starts around midday.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The club shack had a brief activation yesterday in the form of Derek VK2MLA who was heard rattling along in CW to a VK3 station who
was calling CQ in the John Moyle Field Day. Well done Derek. And speaking of the John Moyle, The Hunter Radio Group contest team are
operating VK2AWX portable at Booral for this weekend's Contest. They should be on air this morning. And speaking of Booral, several
members of Westlakes current radio theory class are attending Booral for examinations this weekend. We wish them well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Radio Amateurs assist in earthquake relief. The JARL (Japan Amateur Radio League) website reports that the Ministry of Internal Affairs
and Communications Director Infrastructure, Emergency traffic center has asked for assistance from JARL members in the affected area.
It is understood that communications in the disaster area are being hampered by a lack of electricity. Ham radio operator JA1DOT in Japan
was able to make contact with a US operator WB2REM hours after horrible 8.9m quake. HAM radio always works!JARL has requested to keep
clear the frequency 7.030 MHz as it is used for emergency traffic related to the Japan earthquake and tsunami.
ICOM, Kenwood, and Yaesu, have issued statements how the natural disaster has affected their operations. Yaesu had reported that one of
their factories in Fukushima was damaged and will be closed for one to two weeks.No one from ICOM is known to be injured. No damage has
been reported at ICOM’s headquarters in Osaka, or at either of their two main factories in Wakayama.
Most of ICOM’s facilities and systems are ready to get back to normal business.
Kenwood says that Power outages and interruptions to transport have kept most staff at home since the earthquake and operations will
will fully resume in a week. Since Kenwood’s primary manufacturing facilities are in Malaysia, electronics production is unaffected.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 14th annual Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend will be held as a fun event in the weekend of 20-21 August. Westlakes will once again
activate VK2ATZ at the lighthouse at Norah Head. Already 135 registrations have been received and it is on track to nudge last year's
total of 447. For some obscure reason, Germany and Australia traditionally account for most entries.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And finally, there are two items for sale. First Up for auction is one space shuttle, designated "Discovery". Shuttle is used, but
only travelled 148 million miles. Fresh paint with minor scuffs and dings. Fully restored interior featuring six 80 watt stereo amplifiers
and more than 61 speakers total.Height 184.2 ft, Diameter 28.5 ft, weight 2,000 tons. Winning Bidder must meet certain requirements including
the ability to pay $40 million in shipping and handling charges. Apply to NASA with your offer.
The second item is more practical. Is there anyone listening who would like a 2-section triangular tower? It extends to 10 metres and
the best thing is the price....free. It is also delivered to your QTH free. There is only one condition, you have to use it - in other words,
no on-selling. Telephone Kingsley on 6558 1979. Again, telephone Kingsley on 6558 1979.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well that's all the news I have this week. This is VK2ATZ.
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club located at Teralba, Lake Macquarie. There
may be a simulcast being transmitted today on 3.565 MHz and if you can hear it, the relay by courtesy of Warren VK2UWP.
Callbacks follow at the conclusion of this news and it's all repeated again at 7 pm this evening. Westlakes local news
can be heard each Sunday on this repeater, VK2RTZ, at 9am local. Following at 9.30am is a relay of the Australia-wide
amateur radio news from VK1WIA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A reduced crowd attended WEstlakes yesterday. Numbers were down probably because of the John Moyle Field Day taking place this
this weekend. The meat tray draw was was won by Herb VK2ZVF - a first time time winner. There were second and third prizes, two
bags of buns which were won by Brian VK2FG and Geoff VK2GW.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next Tuesday at 9am the club grounds are going to be mowed - weather permitting. All help would be appreciated. So if are looking
for a couple of hours of fun, turn up and lend a hand. Mowers, snippers and petrol are all provided. If the weather is doubtful,
There will be a mower meeting on Westlakes repeater 6775 at 8am. So that's 8am next Tuesday on this repeater for a "go or no go" and a
9am start for the lawn mowing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was announced this week that Microsoft's IE9 browser is now live and ready for use. The release comes as Microsoft's browser
market share is being whittled down by a growing roster of rivals.Competition is also coming from non-browser traffic generated
by mobile phones and tablets. Microsoft said one key feature in IE9 was tools to stop people being tracked as they move from site
to site. Estimates from web analysis firm Net Applications suggest that Internet explorer has about a 56% share of the global market.
The same study suggests Firefox has about 22%, Chrome 11% and Safari 6%. IE9 does not run on Windows XP and can only be used with
Windows 7 and Vista.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next Saturday afternoon in the club library, that's 26th March, will be the assembly and enveloping of the April magazine. All help
would be appreciated. It all starts around midday.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The club shack had a brief activation yesterday in the form of Derek VK2MLA who was heard rattling along in CW to a VK3 station who
was calling CQ in the John Moyle Field Day. Well done Derek. And speaking of the John Moyle, The Hunter Radio Group contest team are
operating VK2AWX portable at Booral for this weekend's Contest. They should be on air this morning. And speaking of Booral, several
members of Westlakes current radio theory class are attending Booral for examinations this weekend. We wish them well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Radio Amateurs assist in earthquake relief. The JARL (Japan Amateur Radio League) website reports that the Ministry of Internal Affairs
and Communications Director Infrastructure, Emergency traffic center has asked for assistance from JARL members in the affected area.
It is understood that communications in the disaster area are being hampered by a lack of electricity. Ham radio operator JA1DOT in Japan
was able to make contact with a US operator WB2REM hours after horrible 8.9m quake. HAM radio always works!JARL has requested to keep
clear the frequency 7.030 MHz as it is used for emergency traffic related to the Japan earthquake and tsunami.
ICOM, Kenwood, and Yaesu, have issued statements how the natural disaster has affected their operations. Yaesu had reported that one of
their factories in Fukushima was damaged and will be closed for one to two weeks.No one from ICOM is known to be injured. No damage has
been reported at ICOM’s headquarters in Osaka, or at either of their two main factories in Wakayama.
Most of ICOM’s facilities and systems are ready to get back to normal business.
Kenwood says that Power outages and interruptions to transport have kept most staff at home since the earthquake and operations will
will fully resume in a week. Since Kenwood’s primary manufacturing facilities are in Malaysia, electronics production is unaffected.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 14th annual Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend will be held as a fun event in the weekend of 20-21 August. Westlakes will once again
activate VK2ATZ at the lighthouse at Norah Head. Already 135 registrations have been received and it is on track to nudge last year's
total of 447. For some obscure reason, Germany and Australia traditionally account for most entries.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And finally, there are two items for sale. First Up for auction is one space shuttle, designated "Discovery". Shuttle is used, but
only travelled 148 million miles. Fresh paint with minor scuffs and dings. Fully restored interior featuring six 80 watt stereo amplifiers
and more than 61 speakers total.Height 184.2 ft, Diameter 28.5 ft, weight 2,000 tons. Winning Bidder must meet certain requirements including
the ability to pay $40 million in shipping and handling charges. Apply to NASA with your offer.
The second item is more practical. Is there anyone listening who would like a 2-section triangular tower? It extends to 10 metres and
the best thing is the price....free. It is also delivered to your QTH free. There is only one condition, you have to use it - in other words,
no on-selling. Telephone Kingsley on 6558 1979. Again, telephone Kingsley on 6558 1979.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well that's all the news I have this week. This is VK2ATZ.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
WESTLAKES NEWS SUNDAY 6 March 2011
Good Morning and wecome to another local news broadcast for 2011. This is VK2ATZ, The official callsign of
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club located at Teralba, Lake Macquarie. Your reader this morning is Leonie VK2FHRK. There is a fair chance
that an HF simulcast being transmitted today on 3.565 MHz and if you can hear it,the relay by courtesy of Warren VK2UWP. Callbacks
follow at the conclusion of this news and it's all repeated again at 7 pm this evening when the reader will be Brian VK2FG.
Westlakes local news can be heard each Sunday on this repeater, VK2RTZ, at 9am local. Following at 9.30am is a relay of the
Australia-wide amateur radio news from VK1WIA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And speaking of the WIA, it has just been announced that the Secretary, Geoff Atkinson VK3TL, has resigned.Geoff Atkinson has been
WIA secretary since February 2008 and only accepted the position on a temporay basis following the death of the previous incumbent.
The new Secretary is Sarah Thompson VK3AUD, recently retired from Telstra. In 1977 sarah spent a year with the Antarctic Division
as a Radio Officer at Macquarie Island. She is currently Secretary of the Moorabbin and District Radio Club, and among her many
interests she is a certified Marriage Celebrant, a member of the RSL, holds a current St Johns Senior First Aid certificate and,
wait for it, holds a Black Belt in Taekwondo. Obviously Sarah VK3AUD is obviously a person not to argue with.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Westlakes March Magazines are in the mail after the assembly and post out working bee in the club library yesterday. The electric version
in colour, should also be on its way via the mysteries of the Internet.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Any member chasing a Westlakes club badge, Please listen carefully. There are now new arrangements - quicker and slicker, staight from
the manufacturer to you. If you want a club badge, write to RT Signs, PO Box 119, Stockton 2295. Ask for a blue and white Westlakes ARC
badge. Give you callsign and your first name that you wish to be on the badge plus your postal address.Include $10.30 and your new badge
will appear in your letter box in a few days. It is that easy. The $10.30 charge covers the badge, GST and postage back to you. A message
detailing this information has been placed on the noticeboard in the club's common room.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's getter close - Jeff's Walk Number Two. Jeff Johnson VK4XJJ, with the Gympie Radio Club supporting, is getting set to walk across
Australia from Cape Byron to Steep Point operating his FT817. He steps off 24th April and is expected to last 162 days. The crossing
is approximately 5,000 kms. Geoff will transmit on 7045Khz each evening at 1730 AEST. 20m and 80m will also be used on some sections.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Every year at the Wyong and at Westlakes Field Days there is a lucky draw for those members who front at the club's desk wearing a
blue and white Westlakes club badge. This bit of fun has been running for over 10 years and there were 24 badges registered last Sunday
at Wyong. The winner was David VK2UDW who will receive his prize when he next attends the club.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART) has announced that amateurs assisting in communications in the aftermath
of the 6.3 earthquake in Christchurch are using 2 metres only. No HF frequencies are being used. Amateurs and shortwave listeners
around the world have been contacting the NZART enquiring what HF frequencies are being used.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>From the ARRL comes the unfortunate news that four Americans including three amateur radio operators who were being held hostage on
their yacht by pirates off the coast of Oman have been killed. Scott Adam, K9ESO and his wife Jean, KF6RVB, along Bob Riggle, KE7IIV
and Phylis Macay were on board the vessel "Quest" when Somali pirates boarded their vessel last week.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statistics from Wyong. It eas a busy day the combined VK2QSL/Westlakes stand at the Field Day last Sunday. 147 amateurs picked up
approximately 4,000 QSL cards while 18 Westlakes members paid their 2011/12 fees.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has been involved in trials of 3D TV and will continue to authorise further 3D tests
using unassigned digital television channels in a limited number of locations until the end of 2011. ACMA considers it important that
when purchasing 3D TV receivers, consumers understand the current generation of 3D receivers might be not be compatible with future
transmission methods.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The weekly meat tray raffle. As there was no club broadcast last Sunday, there are two results to announce. A week ago, the winner was
Ted VK2UI and it was Ted who drew yesterday's winner who was Barry VK2BZ.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Solar panels. There are only four 20 watt solar panels left in the Westlakes store. The cost is $85 each and there will be no more -
these are the last.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And finally, next Saturday 12th March is the date set aside for the March Monthly meeting. It gets underway in the club library at
1.30 pm. A committee meeting will be held at 11.30 pm. From April, the monthly meetings will return to the usual 1st Saturday of
the month.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club located at Teralba, Lake Macquarie. Your reader this morning is Leonie VK2FHRK. There is a fair chance
that an HF simulcast being transmitted today on 3.565 MHz and if you can hear it,the relay by courtesy of Warren VK2UWP. Callbacks
follow at the conclusion of this news and it's all repeated again at 7 pm this evening when the reader will be Brian VK2FG.
Westlakes local news can be heard each Sunday on this repeater, VK2RTZ, at 9am local. Following at 9.30am is a relay of the
Australia-wide amateur radio news from VK1WIA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And speaking of the WIA, it has just been announced that the Secretary, Geoff Atkinson VK3TL, has resigned.Geoff Atkinson has been
WIA secretary since February 2008 and only accepted the position on a temporay basis following the death of the previous incumbent.
The new Secretary is Sarah Thompson VK3AUD, recently retired from Telstra. In 1977 sarah spent a year with the Antarctic Division
as a Radio Officer at Macquarie Island. She is currently Secretary of the Moorabbin and District Radio Club, and among her many
interests she is a certified Marriage Celebrant, a member of the RSL, holds a current St Johns Senior First Aid certificate and,
wait for it, holds a Black Belt in Taekwondo. Obviously Sarah VK3AUD is obviously a person not to argue with.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Westlakes March Magazines are in the mail after the assembly and post out working bee in the club library yesterday. The electric version
in colour, should also be on its way via the mysteries of the Internet.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Any member chasing a Westlakes club badge, Please listen carefully. There are now new arrangements - quicker and slicker, staight from
the manufacturer to you. If you want a club badge, write to RT Signs, PO Box 119, Stockton 2295. Ask for a blue and white Westlakes ARC
badge. Give you callsign and your first name that you wish to be on the badge plus your postal address.Include $10.30 and your new badge
will appear in your letter box in a few days. It is that easy. The $10.30 charge covers the badge, GST and postage back to you. A message
detailing this information has been placed on the noticeboard in the club's common room.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's getter close - Jeff's Walk Number Two. Jeff Johnson VK4XJJ, with the Gympie Radio Club supporting, is getting set to walk across
Australia from Cape Byron to Steep Point operating his FT817. He steps off 24th April and is expected to last 162 days. The crossing
is approximately 5,000 kms. Geoff will transmit on 7045Khz each evening at 1730 AEST. 20m and 80m will also be used on some sections.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Every year at the Wyong and at Westlakes Field Days there is a lucky draw for those members who front at the club's desk wearing a
blue and white Westlakes club badge. This bit of fun has been running for over 10 years and there were 24 badges registered last Sunday
at Wyong. The winner was David VK2UDW who will receive his prize when he next attends the club.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART) has announced that amateurs assisting in communications in the aftermath
of the 6.3 earthquake in Christchurch are using 2 metres only. No HF frequencies are being used. Amateurs and shortwave listeners
around the world have been contacting the NZART enquiring what HF frequencies are being used.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>From the ARRL comes the unfortunate news that four Americans including three amateur radio operators who were being held hostage on
their yacht by pirates off the coast of Oman have been killed. Scott Adam, K9ESO and his wife Jean, KF6RVB, along Bob Riggle, KE7IIV
and Phylis Macay were on board the vessel "Quest" when Somali pirates boarded their vessel last week.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statistics from Wyong. It eas a busy day the combined VK2QSL/Westlakes stand at the Field Day last Sunday. 147 amateurs picked up
approximately 4,000 QSL cards while 18 Westlakes members paid their 2011/12 fees.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has been involved in trials of 3D TV and will continue to authorise further 3D tests
using unassigned digital television channels in a limited number of locations until the end of 2011. ACMA considers it important that
when purchasing 3D TV receivers, consumers understand the current generation of 3D receivers might be not be compatible with future
transmission methods.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The weekly meat tray raffle. As there was no club broadcast last Sunday, there are two results to announce. A week ago, the winner was
Ted VK2UI and it was Ted who drew yesterday's winner who was Barry VK2BZ.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Solar panels. There are only four 20 watt solar panels left in the Westlakes store. The cost is $85 each and there will be no more -
these are the last.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And finally, next Saturday 12th March is the date set aside for the March Monthly meeting. It gets underway in the club library at
1.30 pm. A committee meeting will be held at 11.30 pm. From April, the monthly meetings will return to the usual 1st Saturday of
the month.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, February 19, 2011
WESTLAKES NEWS SUNDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2011
The first item today is news of a most interesting web site. It's The Australian Geographical RadioFrequency Map and is a site that
overlays all registered RF transmitters on top of Google Maps. Generic antenna sites are shown with the red RF icon, all
amateur stations are shown by a yellow icon. A mouse-over will give you the site's description, and a click will tell you who
broadcasts from there, and at what frequencies. People interested in the position of every antenna or interested in checking
how close they are to their nearest amateur station or to see where possible interference is coming from, should have a look.
So here it is, every transmitter site in the ACMA database, which is fully searchable on Google Earth by location, site name, client
details, frequency range, emission designator and callsign. This site is definitely one to include in your favourites.
Type in : australian geographical radiofrequency map
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Westlakes members are reminded that nomination forms for club executive and committee positions for 2011/2012 are now available from
the secretary. Fresh blood, in the form of a new member, nominated for a position yesterday. The deadline for nominations is Saturday
9 April.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our maintenance man Barry VK2BZ was literally up a ladder yesterday at the club replacing dud security lights. Seen assisting were
ladder holders, and electical advisors. Well done men. No comments please on callbacks about the number of Irishmen needed to change
a light bulb.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now listen carefully. Wyong Field Day is next Sunday. There are no trains running from Newcastle according to information delivered
to Westlakes yesterday. Yes, there will a substitute bus service but that will add some time to the trip. You have been warned.
The gates at Wyong Racecourse will open at 6.30 am to allow entry and setup for Traders / Exhibitors and Flea Marketeers.
The Trader/ Exhibitor areas will open to the public at 9am. Admission is $12 for Adults with free admission for those under 17.
Amateur radio examinations will be conducted on the day by Brian Kelly who can be contacted on 0418659043 for further information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's in sTock in the Westlakes Store. There are No caps, but three Foundation Licence Books, and four Solar panels.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In a surprise move, Gloria announced that she will attend the club canteen next Saturday (her usual day off). But she will not be there
a week later, that's 4th March. So it's pies and mushey peas only on 4th March! Luckily, the March monthly meeting has been postponed
until the second Saturday of that month which is 12th March so there will be the usual post-meeting afternoon tea, Confusing isn't it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over the past few days, there has been a lot of activity on the Sun. On Sunday, February 13 at 1738 UTC, sunspot 1158 unleashed an
M6-level blast and on Tuesday, February 15, the same sunspot unleashed an X-class flare, the strongest solar flare in more than
four years. The source of this activity -- sunspot 1158 -- is growing rapidly. There have been warnings that Earth's communications
What does this mean to radio amateurs? The absorption rate will be most severe on 160 meters, less on 80 and somewhat better on 40 meters.
The maximum usable frequency (MUF) -- the highest frequency by which a radio wave can propagate between given terminals by ionospheric
propagation alone, independent of power -- will be lower and auroral propagation on the VHF bands is quite possible. The latest news on
this solar radiation is that it will mainly miss the Earth so there will be little effect on communications after all. Business will be
as usual. Much ado about nothing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The store strkes back. Yesterday's meat tray raffle was drawn by Bill VK2XT who plucked from the barrel, the ticket belonging to
Ken VK2KJ. Ken wins again.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the current edition of Amateur Radio Magazine is a clever article about making a HF antenna from a pair of those "slinky" wire toys.
A slinky is a spring thing that walks down steps by itself. The article was co-written by Westlakes member, Allan VK2VEC. The antenna
is simple to make and apparently works well. It's not often that you come across a radio construction article where the component supplier
is a toy shop. Well done allan.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And finally, the best news is last. By a stroke of luck, a local prawn fisherman, has promised a delivery of 20 kg of freshly cooked prawns
which may arrive the club at 9 am tomorrow. Yes, free prawns to all members who turn up. By coincidence, the lawns are going to be mown,
clipped, and snipped at a working bee at the same time. We cannot guarantee the arrival of the prawns. But the lawn mowers, trimmers, and
petrol will definitely be there. So how about it? A couple of new faces to help would be nice to see. That's 9 am tomorrow.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
overlays all registered RF transmitters on top of Google Maps. Generic antenna sites are shown with the red RF icon, all
amateur stations are shown by a yellow icon. A mouse-over will give you the site's description, and a click will tell you who
broadcasts from there, and at what frequencies. People interested in the position of every antenna or interested in checking
how close they are to their nearest amateur station or to see where possible interference is coming from, should have a look.
So here it is, every transmitter site in the ACMA database, which is fully searchable on Google Earth by location, site name, client
details, frequency range, emission designator and callsign. This site is definitely one to include in your favourites.
Type in : australian geographical radiofrequency map
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Westlakes members are reminded that nomination forms for club executive and committee positions for 2011/2012 are now available from
the secretary. Fresh blood, in the form of a new member, nominated for a position yesterday. The deadline for nominations is Saturday
9 April.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our maintenance man Barry VK2BZ was literally up a ladder yesterday at the club replacing dud security lights. Seen assisting were
ladder holders, and electical advisors. Well done men. No comments please on callbacks about the number of Irishmen needed to change
a light bulb.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now listen carefully. Wyong Field Day is next Sunday. There are no trains running from Newcastle according to information delivered
to Westlakes yesterday. Yes, there will a substitute bus service but that will add some time to the trip. You have been warned.
The gates at Wyong Racecourse will open at 6.30 am to allow entry and setup for Traders / Exhibitors and Flea Marketeers.
The Trader/ Exhibitor areas will open to the public at 9am. Admission is $12 for Adults with free admission for those under 17.
Amateur radio examinations will be conducted on the day by Brian Kelly who can be contacted on 0418659043 for further information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's in sTock in the Westlakes Store. There are No caps, but three Foundation Licence Books, and four Solar panels.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In a surprise move, Gloria announced that she will attend the club canteen next Saturday (her usual day off). But she will not be there
a week later, that's 4th March. So it's pies and mushey peas only on 4th March! Luckily, the March monthly meeting has been postponed
until the second Saturday of that month which is 12th March so there will be the usual post-meeting afternoon tea, Confusing isn't it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over the past few days, there has been a lot of activity on the Sun. On Sunday, February 13 at 1738 UTC, sunspot 1158 unleashed an
M6-level blast and on Tuesday, February 15, the same sunspot unleashed an X-class flare, the strongest solar flare in more than
four years. The source of this activity -- sunspot 1158 -- is growing rapidly. There have been warnings that Earth's communications
What does this mean to radio amateurs? The absorption rate will be most severe on 160 meters, less on 80 and somewhat better on 40 meters.
The maximum usable frequency (MUF) -- the highest frequency by which a radio wave can propagate between given terminals by ionospheric
propagation alone, independent of power -- will be lower and auroral propagation on the VHF bands is quite possible. The latest news on
this solar radiation is that it will mainly miss the Earth so there will be little effect on communications after all. Business will be
as usual. Much ado about nothing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The store strkes back. Yesterday's meat tray raffle was drawn by Bill VK2XT who plucked from the barrel, the ticket belonging to
Ken VK2KJ. Ken wins again.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the current edition of Amateur Radio Magazine is a clever article about making a HF antenna from a pair of those "slinky" wire toys.
A slinky is a spring thing that walks down steps by itself. The article was co-written by Westlakes member, Allan VK2VEC. The antenna
is simple to make and apparently works well. It's not often that you come across a radio construction article where the component supplier
is a toy shop. Well done allan.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And finally, the best news is last. By a stroke of luck, a local prawn fisherman, has promised a delivery of 20 kg of freshly cooked prawns
which may arrive the club at 9 am tomorrow. Yes, free prawns to all members who turn up. By coincidence, the lawns are going to be mown,
clipped, and snipped at a working bee at the same time. We cannot guarantee the arrival of the prawns. But the lawn mowers, trimmers, and
petrol will definitely be there. So how about it? A couple of new faces to help would be nice to see. That's 9 am tomorrow.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, February 12, 2011
WESTLAKES NEWS SUNDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2011
Unfortunately today, the first item is news of a Silent Key. Bob Hockey VK2FI of Gillieston Heights passed away last
October after a short illness. Bob had been a member of Westlakes for many years and regularly attended the club on
Saturdays. Please pause with me in memory of Bob Hockey VK2FI............................................ thank you.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's official. Catholics cannot confess via iPhone. The Vatican on said on Friday that the iPhone is no substitute for being
present when admitting sins to a priest as technology is not a substitute for attending in person when admitting sins. This follows
the launch of an iPhone application aimed at helping Catholics through confession and sanctioned by the Catholic Church in the
United States. The Vatican added that confession required the presence of the penitent and the priest. Apple said its application
was not designed to replace going to confession but to help Catholics through the act, which generally involves admitting sins
to a priest in a confessional booth. So it seems that confession by amateur radio operators on a 2 metre net is a long way off.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Westlakes members are reminded that nomination forms for club executive and committee positions for 2011/2012 are now available from
the secretary. The deadline for nominations is Saturday 9 April. Also, the March monthly meeting will be held on the second Saturday
of that month which will be Saturday 12 March. There is still one club cap left - cost is $20. Contact the secretary.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's one for the SWL's. Medium wave tests from the USA. If you are an SWL or an amateur with a good medium wave receiver, on
Saturday 12 February at 0700 and 0800UTC, radio station KHMO on 1070kHz in Missouri will conduct a DX test for SWLs worldwide.
The test will be with Morse code, sweep tones and voice announcements. Transmissions will be made for five minutes at 0700 at 5kW
into the station's three-tower, day antenna pattern. At 0800 they will transit the same material at 1kW using the six-tower,
night time pattern. Then from 0900 to 1000UTC, WLIQ on 1530kHz in Illinois will conduct a DX test of its own. WLIQ will test for
twenty minutes using Morse code, sweep tones, voice announcement, special music, sound bites and the like at its 1.4kW, non-directional,
day power. Then WLIQ will test for twenty minutes at 290W non-directional, critical hours power. Finally, for the last twenty minutes
of the hour, they will test at 3W, non-directional, night power. If you would like to receive a QSL you can send a written report,
or a cassette or CD to the Chief Engineer of these stations. For more information, type KHMO February DX tests into your search engine.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would you like to test your arm? At an amateur exam that is. Exams are available at Wyong HamFest Sunday February 27. Amateur Radio
New South Wales in conjunction with the Central Coast Amateur Radio Club will hold assessments with the first session at 7am,
second session 10.30 am. This is the fourth year that ARNSW has conducted exams at the Field Day. A prior booking is desirable,
but not essential but you should make contact with the co-ordinator Brian Kelly to find out how the find the rooms, the costs
and what is needed with the paperwork. Brian's contact details are by mobile 0418 659 043 or email to 3323wbk@tpg.com.au
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sixty tickets were sold in Westlakes weekly meat tray raffle yesterday. Richard VK2FRKO drew the winner from the ticket tumble and
the first-time winner was another Richard, VK2CRA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A piece of radio history arrived at the club yesterday thanks to a donation by Jim Dangerfield of Boolaroo. It includes audio CDs
spoken by Sir Allen Fairhall VK2KB and Ken Greenhalgh VK2KG (both now Silent Keys). The subject matter is the early days of of radio
in Australia and in particular, commercial radio station, 2KO. The audio on the dics runs for about 117 minutes in MP3 format.
Several copies will be made and placed in the club library for loan to members.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And finally, a new call sign that slipped through un-noticed. Leigh VK2KAL from Tanilba Bay has picked up a two-letter call (and that's
not easy). He now has VK2KY. Wonder how he bagged that one?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well that's all the news I have this week. This is VK2ATZ. Is there anyone with late news items?
October after a short illness. Bob had been a member of Westlakes for many years and regularly attended the club on
Saturdays. Please pause with me in memory of Bob Hockey VK2FI............................................ thank you.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's official. Catholics cannot confess via iPhone. The Vatican on said on Friday that the iPhone is no substitute for being
present when admitting sins to a priest as technology is not a substitute for attending in person when admitting sins. This follows
the launch of an iPhone application aimed at helping Catholics through confession and sanctioned by the Catholic Church in the
United States. The Vatican added that confession required the presence of the penitent and the priest. Apple said its application
was not designed to replace going to confession but to help Catholics through the act, which generally involves admitting sins
to a priest in a confessional booth. So it seems that confession by amateur radio operators on a 2 metre net is a long way off.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Westlakes members are reminded that nomination forms for club executive and committee positions for 2011/2012 are now available from
the secretary. The deadline for nominations is Saturday 9 April. Also, the March monthly meeting will be held on the second Saturday
of that month which will be Saturday 12 March. There is still one club cap left - cost is $20. Contact the secretary.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's one for the SWL's. Medium wave tests from the USA. If you are an SWL or an amateur with a good medium wave receiver, on
Saturday 12 February at 0700 and 0800UTC, radio station KHMO on 1070kHz in Missouri will conduct a DX test for SWLs worldwide.
The test will be with Morse code, sweep tones and voice announcements. Transmissions will be made for five minutes at 0700 at 5kW
into the station's three-tower, day antenna pattern. At 0800 they will transit the same material at 1kW using the six-tower,
night time pattern. Then from 0900 to 1000UTC, WLIQ on 1530kHz in Illinois will conduct a DX test of its own. WLIQ will test for
twenty minutes using Morse code, sweep tones, voice announcement, special music, sound bites and the like at its 1.4kW, non-directional,
day power. Then WLIQ will test for twenty minutes at 290W non-directional, critical hours power. Finally, for the last twenty minutes
of the hour, they will test at 3W, non-directional, night power. If you would like to receive a QSL you can send a written report,
or a cassette or CD to the Chief Engineer of these stations. For more information, type KHMO February DX tests into your search engine.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would you like to test your arm? At an amateur exam that is. Exams are available at Wyong HamFest Sunday February 27. Amateur Radio
New South Wales in conjunction with the Central Coast Amateur Radio Club will hold assessments with the first session at 7am,
second session 10.30 am. This is the fourth year that ARNSW has conducted exams at the Field Day. A prior booking is desirable,
but not essential but you should make contact with the co-ordinator Brian Kelly to find out how the find the rooms, the costs
and what is needed with the paperwork. Brian's contact details are by mobile 0418 659 043 or email to 3323wbk@tpg.com.au
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sixty tickets were sold in Westlakes weekly meat tray raffle yesterday. Richard VK2FRKO drew the winner from the ticket tumble and
the first-time winner was another Richard, VK2CRA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A piece of radio history arrived at the club yesterday thanks to a donation by Jim Dangerfield of Boolaroo. It includes audio CDs
spoken by Sir Allen Fairhall VK2KB and Ken Greenhalgh VK2KG (both now Silent Keys). The subject matter is the early days of of radio
in Australia and in particular, commercial radio station, 2KO. The audio on the dics runs for about 117 minutes in MP3 format.
Several copies will be made and placed in the club library for loan to members.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And finally, a new call sign that slipped through un-noticed. Leigh VK2KAL from Tanilba Bay has picked up a two-letter call (and that's
not easy). He now has VK2KY. Wonder how he bagged that one?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well that's all the news I have this week. This is VK2ATZ. Is there anyone with late news items?
Saturday, February 5, 2011
WESTLAKES NEWS SUNDAY 6 FEBRUARY 2011
Good Morning and wecome to another local news broadcast for 2011. This is VK2ATZ, The official callsign of
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club founded at Booragul in 1964 and now located at Teralba, Lake Macquarie.
There is a chace that an HF simulcast being transmitted today on 3.565 MHz and if there is, it is by courtesy of Warren VK2UWP.
Callbacks follow at the conclusion of this news and it's all repeated again at 7 pm this evening. Westlakes local
news can be heard each Sunday on this repeater, VK2RTZ, at 9am local. Following at 9.30am is a relay of the
Australia-wide amateur radio news from the VK1WIA.
The first monthly meeting for 2011 was held in the air conditioned club's library yesterday where the air conditioner
struggled to hold its own. A test thermometer placed under the the rear awning, recorded 43 degrees mid-afternoon.
There were two new membership applications approved being: Edward Herivel VK2ZVF of Edgeworth,and Fred Mirande VK2FEDC
ex Wollongng but now living locally. Welcome to Westlakes.
During the meeting, it was decided to hold a lawn mowing and trimming working bee for the club grounds next Tuesday.
That has been cancelled after an inspection of the browned-off grass and the 43 degree thermometer. Just repeating that,
the lawn mowing planned for next Tuesday has been cancelled.
Two new toys were at the meeting yesterday. Steve displayed his Icom Quad-bander hand-held radio (wonder if was one of
those fake ones?) and Geoff VK2EO demonstrated the latest of iPhones. He caught a fish with the iPhone and never left
chair. It's getting hard to tell what's real or not these days.
Old technology (that's us) has found a role in the current protests in Egypt. On 27 January, Egypt fell off the internet
as virtually all international connections were cut following an order from the government. But Protesters circulated
information about how to avoid communication controls inside Egypt. The suggestions included Dial-up modems,Twitter messages
tagged with hashes related to the protests such as #egypt and #jan25, and good old ham radio by voice or Morse code. Who knows,
a whole new Q-code could develop ........ QMR send more rocks.
A total of 73 tickets were sold in yesterday's meat tray. Last weeks winner, Diane VK2FDNE drew the winner. And selected her
own ticket. That's two in a row.
Last week, amateur radio operators kept in touch via HF radio and keeping a vital link alive during the passage of one of the
more fierce and expansive severe tropical cyclones to hit the North East coast of Australia. Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi,
named by the Regional Specialist Meteorological Centre at Nadi, Fiji, tracked from its breeding ground east of Vanuatu to make
landfall on the Far North Queensland Coast, last Wednesday. The system was so vast that it affected communities along a
900km stretch of coast from Cooktown to Mackay and 500km inland to Croydon, Richmond, Charters Towers and Clermont. Whilst making
sure that their families and houses were safe, radio amateurs within the warning area and across the country kept in touch via
HF Radio with a listening watch on Queensland WICEN frequency 7075kHz and regular contact via the morning Gnarly Net on 3600kHz
and the afternoon Friendly Net on 7115kHz. This regular contact has kept the communication lines open just in case the cyclone
rated commercial telecommunication networks failed. Operators also maintained operations on VHF and UHF during the phenomenal
weather conditions. A number of Radio Amateurs who are members of the Australian Defence Force have been involved with flood relief
operations during the previous weeks and are now assisting with the relief effort following the passage of the cyclone.
Yet another warning from Microsoft has been released. In a security advisory, the company warned of a loophole that could be used
by malicious hackers to steal private information or hijack computers. The bug potentially affects every user of the Internet Explorer
web browser - around 900 million people worldwide. But help is at hand. Microsoft has issued a software patch to defend against attacks,
and said it was working to develop a long-term fix.The security advisory, which was published last Friday, details how the vulnerability
can be used to manipulate users and take over their machines. Although the flaw is actually inside Windows itself, it only appears to
affect the way that Internet Explorer handles some web pages and documents. Microsoft admitted that the problem meant users could easily
be fooled into downloading malicious files by doing something as simple as clicking on a web link. When the user clicked that link,
the malicious script would run on the user's computer for the rest of the current Internet Explorer session. All Windows users -
particularly those who use Internet Explorer - are being urged to download the fix while the company's security team develop a way to
plug the hole permanently.
Westlakes members are reminded that nomination forms for club executive and committee positions for 2011/2012 are now available from
the secretary. The deadline for nominations is Saturday 9 April. Also, the March monthly meeting will be held on the second Saturday
of that month which will be Saturday 12 March. A final also, there is one club cap left - cost is $20. Contact the secretary.
Well that's all the news I have this week And remember, Wyong Field Day is on three weeks today.
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club founded at Booragul in 1964 and now located at Teralba, Lake Macquarie.
There is a chace that an HF simulcast being transmitted today on 3.565 MHz and if there is, it is by courtesy of Warren VK2UWP.
Callbacks follow at the conclusion of this news and it's all repeated again at 7 pm this evening. Westlakes local
news can be heard each Sunday on this repeater, VK2RTZ, at 9am local. Following at 9.30am is a relay of the
Australia-wide amateur radio news from the VK1WIA.
The first monthly meeting for 2011 was held in the air conditioned club's library yesterday where the air conditioner
struggled to hold its own. A test thermometer placed under the the rear awning, recorded 43 degrees mid-afternoon.
There were two new membership applications approved being: Edward Herivel VK2ZVF of Edgeworth,and Fred Mirande VK2FEDC
ex Wollongng but now living locally. Welcome to Westlakes.
During the meeting, it was decided to hold a lawn mowing and trimming working bee for the club grounds next Tuesday.
That has been cancelled after an inspection of the browned-off grass and the 43 degree thermometer. Just repeating that,
the lawn mowing planned for next Tuesday has been cancelled.
Two new toys were at the meeting yesterday. Steve displayed his Icom Quad-bander hand-held radio (wonder if was one of
those fake ones?) and Geoff VK2EO demonstrated the latest of iPhones. He caught a fish with the iPhone and never left
chair. It's getting hard to tell what's real or not these days.
Old technology (that's us) has found a role in the current protests in Egypt. On 27 January, Egypt fell off the internet
as virtually all international connections were cut following an order from the government. But Protesters circulated
information about how to avoid communication controls inside Egypt. The suggestions included Dial-up modems,Twitter messages
tagged with hashes related to the protests such as #egypt and #jan25, and good old ham radio by voice or Morse code. Who knows,
a whole new Q-code could develop ........ QMR send more rocks.
A total of 73 tickets were sold in yesterday's meat tray. Last weeks winner, Diane VK2FDNE drew the winner. And selected her
own ticket. That's two in a row.
Last week, amateur radio operators kept in touch via HF radio and keeping a vital link alive during the passage of one of the
more fierce and expansive severe tropical cyclones to hit the North East coast of Australia. Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi,
named by the Regional Specialist Meteorological Centre at Nadi, Fiji, tracked from its breeding ground east of Vanuatu to make
landfall on the Far North Queensland Coast, last Wednesday. The system was so vast that it affected communities along a
900km stretch of coast from Cooktown to Mackay and 500km inland to Croydon, Richmond, Charters Towers and Clermont. Whilst making
sure that their families and houses were safe, radio amateurs within the warning area and across the country kept in touch via
HF Radio with a listening watch on Queensland WICEN frequency 7075kHz and regular contact via the morning Gnarly Net on 3600kHz
and the afternoon Friendly Net on 7115kHz. This regular contact has kept the communication lines open just in case the cyclone
rated commercial telecommunication networks failed. Operators also maintained operations on VHF and UHF during the phenomenal
weather conditions. A number of Radio Amateurs who are members of the Australian Defence Force have been involved with flood relief
operations during the previous weeks and are now assisting with the relief effort following the passage of the cyclone.
Yet another warning from Microsoft has been released. In a security advisory, the company warned of a loophole that could be used
by malicious hackers to steal private information or hijack computers. The bug potentially affects every user of the Internet Explorer
web browser - around 900 million people worldwide. But help is at hand. Microsoft has issued a software patch to defend against attacks,
and said it was working to develop a long-term fix.The security advisory, which was published last Friday, details how the vulnerability
can be used to manipulate users and take over their machines. Although the flaw is actually inside Windows itself, it only appears to
affect the way that Internet Explorer handles some web pages and documents. Microsoft admitted that the problem meant users could easily
be fooled into downloading malicious files by doing something as simple as clicking on a web link. When the user clicked that link,
the malicious script would run on the user's computer for the rest of the current Internet Explorer session. All Windows users -
particularly those who use Internet Explorer - are being urged to download the fix while the company's security team develop a way to
plug the hole permanently.
Westlakes members are reminded that nomination forms for club executive and committee positions for 2011/2012 are now available from
the secretary. The deadline for nominations is Saturday 9 April. Also, the March monthly meeting will be held on the second Saturday
of that month which will be Saturday 12 March. A final also, there is one club cap left - cost is $20. Contact the secretary.
Well that's all the news I have this week And remember, Wyong Field Day is on three weeks today.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
WESTLAKES NEWS SUNDAY 30 January 2011
Good Morning and wecome to another local news broadcast for 2011. This is VK2ATZ, The official callsign of
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club founded at Booragul in 1964 and now located at Teralba, Lake Macquarie.
There is no HF simulcast being transmitted today because of the absence of Warren VK2UWP.
Callbacks follow at the conclusion of this news and it's all repeated again at 7 pm this evening. Westlakes local
news can be heard each Sunday on this repeater, VK2RTZ, at 9am local. Following at 9.30am is a relay of the
Australia-wide amateur radio news from the VK1WIA.
The February edition of Westlakes monthly magazine is in the mail after a working bee in the club library yesterday.
The electonic version will appear, as if by magic, in email inboxes tomorrow for those members who choose to receive
the magazine in that format. The front page features a dramatic photo of "Dare-Devil Ted", VK2UI, plummeting to earth
after leaping from a plane at 14,000 feet last Saturday. Ted was at the club yesterday, looking none the worse for wear
and displaying a collection of amazing colour photos of his leap.
Beware of fake Icom IC-V8 hand held radios. Icom is out to stop whoever is supplying counterfeit copies of its popular
IC-V8 2 meter hand-held radios. Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm Seeley, KI7UP, reports that fake transceivers, battery packs
and chargers began being reported in 2010. Icom says that the difference between a real model IC-V8 handheld and the
knock-off phoney radios are so small that a blind user might not know they are using a fake radio. For example, the number
2 key on the real IC-V8 is for the " Beep" function. On the fake radio number 2 is "VOX". Also, on the back of the real Icom
product the serial number tag is black while it is white on the fake radio. Even accessories are being cloned. The F21 Battery
Pack looks like an Icom but there are two differences. The fake does not have the ICOM logo, and carries the Part Number
BP-208 instead of BP209N as found on the real Icom battery. Lastly, the optional factory remote microphone is designated by
Icom as the HM-133 while the counterfeit is HM-133V. Icom says that a real HM-133V is for other radios in their product line.
Icom asks that if you find a product that you may suspect is counterfeit, report it to the company's support centre.
Why would anyone buy a fake Icom .... probably because they are half price.
The first monthly meeting for 2011 will be held in the Westlakes Club Library next Saturday afternoon. Afternoon tea a-la-
Gloria follows. Among the matters to be decided are two applications for membership. As the club's financial year ends
tomorrow, the treasurer will detail the financial results of the years activities. Although the books have yet to be audited,
The annual turnover for the year was approximately $25,000 - another record.
Rember the "woodpecker", that horrible interference from "OVER THE HORIZON RADAR" both ours and theirs that could be heard on
HF 20 years agO? It looks like it's back. The latest issue of the free IARU Monitoring System newsletter reports on Russian
radar noise on 7 MHz. The newsletter says that the Over the Horizon Radar from Russia was active between 7000 and 7200 kHz
with burst transmissions on 5 different frequencies on December 30th of 2010. The pulse rate was, as always 66.66 pulses per
second. Meantime, another Over the Horizon Radar that is based in Cyprus has been destroying communications on the 10 MHz band
every afternoon. It seems like the price of eternal vigilence must be amateur radio interference.
Did you know that one third of "snow spotters" (not snow droppers) in the USA are radio amateurs? There are 6,000 snow spotters
across north America whose job it is to predict approaching snowfalls. Spotters must be at least 16 years old and undergo a free
training course. They then log onto the National Weather Service site and report their observations. Of the 6,000 spotters, 2,000
are ham radio operators. The number of "snow droppers" who are amateurs remains unknown.
A total of 81 tickets were sold in Yesterday's meat tray raffle - a near record. The winner was drawn by Dave VK2RD who plucked
the ticket of Diane VK2FDNE from the ticket tumble barrel. Congratulations Diane.
Nanosail-D is a NASA nanosatellite that ejected unexpectedly on January 17 from a larger NASA satellite. Nasa has asked Amateur
Radio operators world-wide to try to hear the baby signal. The NanoSail-D beacon sends an AX.25 packet every 10 seconds. So far,
NASA received almost 470 reports from amateurs in 11 countries. This tiny satellite is 650km above earth and the beacon should
transmit up to 120 days before the battery dies. The frequency to monitor - if you have nothing better to do is 437.20 MHz.
Well that's all the news I have this week.
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club founded at Booragul in 1964 and now located at Teralba, Lake Macquarie.
There is no HF simulcast being transmitted today because of the absence of Warren VK2UWP.
Callbacks follow at the conclusion of this news and it's all repeated again at 7 pm this evening. Westlakes local
news can be heard each Sunday on this repeater, VK2RTZ, at 9am local. Following at 9.30am is a relay of the
Australia-wide amateur radio news from the VK1WIA.
The February edition of Westlakes monthly magazine is in the mail after a working bee in the club library yesterday.
The electonic version will appear, as if by magic, in email inboxes tomorrow for those members who choose to receive
the magazine in that format. The front page features a dramatic photo of "Dare-Devil Ted", VK2UI, plummeting to earth
after leaping from a plane at 14,000 feet last Saturday. Ted was at the club yesterday, looking none the worse for wear
and displaying a collection of amazing colour photos of his leap.
Beware of fake Icom IC-V8 hand held radios. Icom is out to stop whoever is supplying counterfeit copies of its popular
IC-V8 2 meter hand-held radios. Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm Seeley, KI7UP, reports that fake transceivers, battery packs
and chargers began being reported in 2010. Icom says that the difference between a real model IC-V8 handheld and the
knock-off phoney radios are so small that a blind user might not know they are using a fake radio. For example, the number
2 key on the real IC-V8 is for the " Beep" function. On the fake radio number 2 is "VOX". Also, on the back of the real Icom
product the serial number tag is black while it is white on the fake radio. Even accessories are being cloned. The F21 Battery
Pack looks like an Icom but there are two differences. The fake does not have the ICOM logo, and carries the Part Number
BP-208 instead of BP209N as found on the real Icom battery. Lastly, the optional factory remote microphone is designated by
Icom as the HM-133 while the counterfeit is HM-133V. Icom says that a real HM-133V is for other radios in their product line.
Icom asks that if you find a product that you may suspect is counterfeit, report it to the company's support centre.
Why would anyone buy a fake Icom .... probably because they are half price.
The first monthly meeting for 2011 will be held in the Westlakes Club Library next Saturday afternoon. Afternoon tea a-la-
Gloria follows. Among the matters to be decided are two applications for membership. As the club's financial year ends
tomorrow, the treasurer will detail the financial results of the years activities. Although the books have yet to be audited,
The annual turnover for the year was approximately $25,000 - another record.
Rember the "woodpecker", that horrible interference from "OVER THE HORIZON RADAR" both ours and theirs that could be heard on
HF 20 years agO? It looks like it's back. The latest issue of the free IARU Monitoring System newsletter reports on Russian
radar noise on 7 MHz. The newsletter says that the Over the Horizon Radar from Russia was active between 7000 and 7200 kHz
with burst transmissions on 5 different frequencies on December 30th of 2010. The pulse rate was, as always 66.66 pulses per
second. Meantime, another Over the Horizon Radar that is based in Cyprus has been destroying communications on the 10 MHz band
every afternoon. It seems like the price of eternal vigilence must be amateur radio interference.
Did you know that one third of "snow spotters" (not snow droppers) in the USA are radio amateurs? There are 6,000 snow spotters
across north America whose job it is to predict approaching snowfalls. Spotters must be at least 16 years old and undergo a free
training course. They then log onto the National Weather Service site and report their observations. Of the 6,000 spotters, 2,000
are ham radio operators. The number of "snow droppers" who are amateurs remains unknown.
A total of 81 tickets were sold in Yesterday's meat tray raffle - a near record. The winner was drawn by Dave VK2RD who plucked
the ticket of Diane VK2FDNE from the ticket tumble barrel. Congratulations Diane.
Nanosail-D is a NASA nanosatellite that ejected unexpectedly on January 17 from a larger NASA satellite. Nasa has asked Amateur
Radio operators world-wide to try to hear the baby signal. The NanoSail-D beacon sends an AX.25 packet every 10 seconds. So far,
NASA received almost 470 reports from amateurs in 11 countries. This tiny satellite is 650km above earth and the beacon should
transmit up to 120 days before the battery dies. The frequency to monitor - if you have nothing better to do is 437.20 MHz.
Well that's all the news I have this week.
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