WESTLAKES NEWS FOR SETPTEMBER 29TH 2013

Yesterday's meat tray. Who won? None other than Ted VK2UI... AGAIN... Enjoy Ted. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Next weekend is the Oceania DX contest and the Club is mounting an entry. Op’s are needed for a spot shift during the weekend. This is a 48 hour event so if you can help out please contact Alan VK2JED. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Maurie VK2CD was busy at the club finishing off the installation of the emergency exit doors. Only problem was that during the Field day weekend clean up, all the weatherboard pieces that Maurie had hidden for use on the wall were tossed out. A full clean up HI... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Barry VK2BZ and Dave VK2RD were busy installing the paper towel dispenser above the wash basin. Thanks to Jamie VK2YCJ for the donation of the unit. The fire extinguisher that was near the store has been relocated to the entry to the Toilets / was room area. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Echolink error. The Westlakes Echolink number shown in our monthly magazine has been wrong. In fact it's been wrong for years.If you have tried to access Echolink on the club's 146.775 repeater without success, now you know why. The correct number is 356838. A correction has been made in the October Monthly Magazine. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Speaking of the October Magazine, The paper black and white version has been posted early this morning at my local Post Office and should appear in letter boxes tomorrow morning. The electric, all-colour version of the magazine which most members receive, will be sent via the magic of the Internet later today. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Looking a little further ahead, there will be another Boot Sale held at Westlakes on Saturday 9 November. This is a free event to the sellers and also a free "sausage sizzle" will be provided for all who attend. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Please remember to check the "for sale" board when visiting Westlakes. It is in the common room. There are always bargains listed there which are often snapped up before they can be advertised in our magazine. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Coming events. October is going to be a busy month. The Monthly Meeting will be held on Saturday 12th which is a week later than usual because of the long weekend. Then on 19th October we have a demonstration and lecture by Norm VK2KNC. It is all about Software Defined Radios and it starts at 1pm in the library. Aso over that weekend, 19th and 20th October is JOTA and JOTI. It will be the 56th year for JOTA and the 17th year for JOTI. Finally on Saturday 26th October, Foundation and licence upgrade examinations will be be held at Westlakes and that will be an all-day affair. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Antenna matters. Did you know that your 40 meter dipole will work very well on 15 meters. By using the 3rd harmonic e.g. 21.250MHz divided by 3 = 7.083 MHz. So if your 40 meter dipole is resonant at 7.080 MHz then your antenna will work on 15 meters. Some of the other antennas on other bands also work in that manner. Try it out sometime. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Richard VK2FRKO advises that on the APRS.FI ( http://aprs.fi ) program you can see MARINE RESCUE vessels. So why not check it and follow the white vessels around. -------------------------------------------------------------------- A little news from VK6. VI6WA100 a special event callsign will be used to celebrate the centenary of organised Amateur Radio in Western Australia. In October 1913, the Perth Radio Club (name changed to WIA VK6 Division a few years later) held its first meeting. The call VI6WA100 will be on air from next Wednesday October 1st untill the end of the year. Yes, there is a Special Event QSL card on offer to all who make a contact. --------------------------------------------------------------------- ACMA proposes regulations changes. The Australian Communications and Media Authority has announced a set of changes to the Amateur Licence Condition Determinations (Regulations). Each are important but relatively minor in nature. As anticipated holders of the Advanced Licence have added to their available bands, 135.7 kHz to 137.8 kHz. That low frequency band was allocated by the World Radiocommunications Conference in 2007 but is not yet included in the LCD. Currently those wanting to use the band must apply for a licence variation and pay a fee. The amendment will enable Advanced category stations, under their amateur callsign, access to the LF band with a power of up to 1 watt pX EIRP and any emission mode with a bandwidth of no greater than 2.1 kHz. This will be on a Secondary basis that amateur stations do not cause interference to other radio services that have Primary status on that spectrum. The amendments also concern changes to the station identification arrangements for overseas radio amateurs in Australia for short-term holidays or business visits. Visiting radio amateurs will need to identify by putting VK in front of their home callsign, which is more consistent with the practice used overseas for visitor licensing arrangements.The use of an alternative repeater access control is proposed to better manage situations that may result in an amateur station accessing a repeater for which they are not authorised to transmit on the repeater output frequency.The ACMA is also to provide through the amendments some clarity on third part traffic messages. It will receive written comments on the changes up until 1 November 2010. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Componets: Taiyo Yuden Co., Ltd. has released the 330 µF-capacitance EIA 1210 size as another addition to the company's high-end product group of high-capacity multilayer ceramic capacitors. The company has improved the capacitance by more than 50% in the same size capacitor. The large capacitance 330 µF super high-end product claims to be the first of its kind in the world. The product is used to smooth the output and ensure the stable operation in power supplies. The applications for these power supplies include industrial equipment such as surveillance cameras and broadcast equipment, as well as PCs and servers, and all-in-one printers. Production will commence from September 2013 onward at a production rate of one million units per month. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well that's all the news I have this week. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street, TERALBA - and is open on Saturday from around 11:00 am. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6:00pm. To make contact at other times, try dialling (02) 49 581588 where an answering service operates. Visitors are always welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee, long-life milk, a good Canteen and a dwindling, but interesting selection of biscuits. Thank you for listening. We hope that you can all join us again next Sunday.

WESTLAKES BROADCAST NEWS FOR SEPTEMBER 8TH 2013

Last weeks meat tray raffle winner Herb VK2ZVF was at the club yesterday to draw this weeks meat tray winner. Herb reached in and drew out the ticket belonging to Warren VK2UWP. Congratulations Warren and enjoy the meat tray. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Westlakes club is finally in the business of conducting amateur radio licence exams following the appointment of Geoff VK2GL and Steve VK2LW as approved WIA assessors. A list has been placed on the notice board in the common room for anyone who wishes to register for a Foundation, Standard, or Advanced Licence. For more details contact Steve VK2LW at the club. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Next Sunday is the clubs major field day at the club. EVERYONE is invited. The famous Westlakes BBQ will once again be lit and steak and sausage sandwiches along with fresh salad will be served. Tea and coffee as well as cold drinks will also be available. The field day will open at 0900 so don't be late. It is still not too late to register your boot sale spot so if you are interested please contact a club committee member. The long range forecaster has advised that its going to be a great day. See you there. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOTA now active in VK2 Sunday 1st. September 10am local (UTC 00:00) saw the start of summits being activated in the Summits on the Air scheme in Australia's VK2 (New South Wales) area. This start coincided with Fathers Day in Australia and so there were less activators and chasers present than may have been but there were still enough stations active for several hours of interesting communication. The SOTA "activators" and "chasers" only got to know the previous week that VK2 may be accepted into the award scheme on September 1st. (having had its summits verified and accepted)and the final "green light" only came on Saturday evening at 23:30 local. Despite this those who have been preparing for some time for this day managed to get passes from their families to be away for a few hours and were rewarded with a beautiful first day of spring for their efforts. Activators in VK3 (Victoria) and VK5 (South Australia) also came on air either on mountain tops or at least out portable to take part in the party as well. The third already authorised state (VK1 - Australian Capital Territory) was almost empty of SOTA operators as they took the short trip over the border into VK2 to activate some of the new summits. The VK2 "association" adds 1100 new Summits to those available in this world wide award scheme. As well as VK2 (New South Wales, Australia), VK4 (Queensland, Australia), KH6 (Hawaii, USA), W5A (Alabama, USA) and K8O (Ohio, USA) also went "live" on September 1st. This could be the most new associations to join the scheme in one day, so far. Thanks to the UK based Management Team for making this happen so quickly. The data for New South Wales (VK2) association was only submitted one month ago. 73 Ed VK2JI Hunter region of VK2 SOTA regional manager. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE N CONNECTOR PLUG: The N connector was invented by and named for Paul Neill of Bell Labs. It was the first connector capable of true microwave performance. N connectors have threaded coupling interfaces and are 50 ohms in impedance. There are also 75 ohm versions available, but they will not mate with the more common 50 ohm version. N connectors operate up to 11 GHz in the common 50 ohm impedance design. Although less common, there are also precision versions of the N connector available which operate up to 18 GHz. Applications for the N connector include Local Area Networks (LANs); test equipment; broadcast, satellite and military communication equipment. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Would you like to see regular Presentations and Demonstrations on various topics through-out the year at the club? These can take the format of Antenna design, various Digital modes, the inside details of Contesting, APRS and many other topics. If so, please contact a committee member to show your interest. The next lecture scheduled is on Saturday 19 October in the club library and it is a "show and tell" on SDR (Sotware Defined Radios" which will be conducted by Norm VK2KNC. Full details will be included in our October Magazine. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ WORLD NEWS: Summer 2013 edition of The 5 MHz Newsletter now available. Hi all, I'm pleased to announce the latest - Summer 2013 - edition of The 5MHz Newsletter is now available to freely download in pdf format. This is Edition No.7. This edition includes the latest news about 5 MHz Amateur Allocations, the latest update of the Worldwide Amateur 5 MHz Allocations Chart, stories on 5 MHz usage in South Africa, plus items on UK and German changes. Beacon Spot features the last in the UK chain, GB3ORK, in Orkney and G3ENI investigates the ground beneath him. It can be found at httpp://tinyurl.com/q87jbuj (Dropbox) or http://tinyurl.com/pt4nbry (Google Docs/Drive) and in the 5 MHz Section of The Southgate Ham Forum. Cheers, Paul Gaskell G4MWO Editor, The 5 MHz Newsletter. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Faraday transformed. The first electrical transformer was shown to the world by Michael Faraday on August 26, 1831, contributing greatly to our knowledge of electromagnetism and electrochemistry. Although Michael Faraday had little formal education he was one of the most influential scientists in history. His research on the magnetic field around a conductor carrying a direct current established the basis for the concept of the electromagnetic field in physics. Faraday found that magnetism could affect rays of light and the link between the two. He similarly discovered the principle of electromagnetic induction, diamagnetism, and the laws of electrolysis. Faraday’s inventions of electromagnetic rotary devices formed the foundation of electric motor technology, and it was largely due to his efforts that electricity became practical for use in technology. The unit of capacitance, the farad, is named in his honour. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NZ Ham Radio Licence update The New Zealand regulator, MED, has recently updated the GURL for Amateur Radio Operators This specifies the terms, conditions and restrictions that amateur radio operators must comply with when operating their radio stations to reflect changes to visiting amateur callsign requirements. General User Radio Licence (GURL) for Radio Amateur Operators http://www.rsm.govt.nz/cms/licensees/types-of-licence/general-user-licences/amateur-radio-operators --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VOICE OF RUSSIA TO CEASE SHORTWAVE RADIO SERVICE TO GO QRT. It appears the Voice of Russia will cease shortwave radio service January 1st, 2014. The shortwave service is closing due to government mandated funding cuts. The Voice of Russia was known as Radio Moscow in the Cold War era but actually first took to the shortwave bands back in 1922 with a single transmitter located in Moscow. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Microsoft will buy Nokia's mobile phone business for 5.44 billion euros ($8 billion AU), and the Finnish firm's CEO, Stephen Elop, will join Microsoft when the transaction is closed. Finland's Nokia, once the undisputed leader in mobile phones, has been struggling to respond to the challenge from smartphone makers such as Apple and Samsung. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well that's all the news I have this week. Do you have a news items that you would like read out on a broadcast? Contact Richard VK2FRKO on email address vk2frko@tpg.com.au or give the item to Richard at the club. Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street, TERALBA - and is open on Saturday from around 11:00 am. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6pm. 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 BROADCAST FOR SEPTEMBER 1ST 2013.

Last week VK2RTZ went off the air unexpectedly and the Westlakes Club would like to thank WICEN for the use of their repeater to do our broadcast on. Peter VK2ZTV was notified and by the middle of the WIA news VK2RTZ was back on the air. I guess a little gremlin had crept into the system somewhere. At the club yesterday it was all antennas full steam ahead. Richard VK2FRKO was outside showing a few operators the Multiband Tilted Folded dipole. On hand to see how it performed was Norm VK2KNC, Dave VK2RD ( already knows how well this antenna performs ) along with a number of other members. Norm had his FT-817 and using the battery from my car we checked all the bands and VSWR and on every band the VSWR was less than 1:5 to 1 . The 80 meter Morse Beacon on 3.699khz was an S9 at 11:30 am. When we pulled the antenna down out came the measuring tape and all measurements were taken, checked and then photo copied. I'd say this antenna will be a club project very soon. Listen out on these broadcasts for further information on this up and coming project. In the library Morrie VK2CD gave an excellent talk on his screwdriver antenna and showed everyone how it went together. Morrie is no longer producing this antenna and was going to sell off his stock to anyone that wanted a screwdriver antenna. The talk went for an hour with about 26 people listening and asking questions. Thanks Morrie for the great lecture. The club is always looking for members or even non members to give lectures on various topics. Know someone? please contact a committee member or write to the club address with details. Last weeks meat tray winner Alan, was at the club to select this weeks lucky winner. Alan reached in and selected a home made ticket ( made by Greg VK2CW ) and the winner was Herb VK2ZVF ( another regular winner of the meat tray ). Enjoy Herb. A club SHOW and Tell Day at the club is in the planning and the show and tell topic and demonstrations will be SDR radios whether on the PC on a Flex Radio etc. The date has not been set yet so if you are using a SDR transmitter/receiver we would like to see you at the club. Once again listen here for the date of this event. Michael was once again cooking hamburgers in the kitchen as well as serving pies and sausage rolls. From Richard - absolutely delicious. Ice creams were once again selling pretty fast too. The Westlakes bikers were once again ( Greg VK2CW and Robert VK2MF ) at the club showing each other there fancy features etc. There was only one thing missing from the bikes and that was that they had no antennas on them. Is this going to be a future project for the club to design and produce efficient antenna for them? Two weeks tomorrow will be our clubs Field Day which will be held on the 15th September ( this is a Sunday ) and the club is looking for donations of equipment for the auction table. Remember no TVs, computer monitors, VCRs. Why not come and have your stall. If you are interested please contact Barrie VK2ABD to book your spot and remember to bring your own table for your goods. The famous Westlakes BBQ will be cooking steak and sausages and serving fresh salad for sandwiches. The guessing competition for the number of jelly beans in the jar will once again be there as a fund raising venture. Andrews Communications WILL NOT BE HERE THIS YEAR, THIS IS DUE TO OTHER COMMITTMENTS. Do we know of another vendor who would like to attend the club and sell there products? Please let a committee member know. kEN VK2KJ advisers that the store still has a quantity of power supplies/battery chargers,they are ex-government supply using quality transformers & rugged construction. They cover 0 - 16 volt & have been marked down from $15 to $10. These power supplies will be available on the day. WORLD NEWS: A Ham Radio AX.25 Open Source Soundcard Modem. Alejandro Santos LU4EXT is developing extmodem an open source APRS compatible AX.25 amateur radio packet modem. It is currently capable of both sending and receive packets. The main feature of the software is that it is currently running three different demodulators in parallel, increasing the quality of reception. The first modem is Thomas Sailer HB9JNX / AE4WA's multimon, the other two are described by Sivan Toledo 4X6IZ in an article in the July/August 2012 issue of QEX. Download extmodem for Windows from http://extradio.sourceforge.net/extmodem.html Electronic News. Wireless nodes take power from ambient TV broadcast signals 04 September: 13 Ambient Researchers at the University of Washington have communicated wirelessly using only ambient energy harvested from broadcast TV transmissions. The technology demonstrators communicated over around 50cm at 1kbit/s using a packet protocol. Communication is bi-directional and includes reception acknowledge as well as a simple anti-collision technique which allows point-to-point communication in an environment where multiple nodes operating. Like passive RFID, the nodes ‘transmit’ by changing the reflectance of their antenna – in this case by briefly shorting (making it reflect) the two electrodes of a 258mm dipole tuned to a 50MHz band of UHF TV signals around 539MHz. Changing reflectance effectively amplitude-modulates the field around the dipole, radiating an AM signal. The dipole is busy as it is not only the transmit antenna, it is also the receive antenna and the source of power for the on-board microcontroller and receiver. UHF power it extracted straight from the dipole through a four-stage passive diode-capacitor charge pump, the result of a previous University of Washington research project that was done on conjunction with Intel. In the original case, connected to a TV-top log-periodic antenna, the circuit delivered 60µW of dc 4km from the TV transmitter. The receiver relies on the huge difference in modulation frequency between the ambient TV signal (6MHz) and the bit rates of the nodes (1kbit/s). It is simply a crystal set – a diode and capacitor connected across the antenna (see diagram) followed by a self-adjusting comparator (a TS881) acting as a detector. The resistors of the comparator act to load the demodulator capacitor, and the various time constants are set to reject any AM from the TV modulation while allowing through AM at the desired data rate. In practice the circuit can extract a signal that is invisibly buried in the TV signal. The squared comparator sends its output to a MSP430 microcontroller for preamble correlation, header decode, data decode, and packet cyclic redundancy checking (CRC). The modulation scheme chosen – at least one transition per bit and two transitions if the bit is a ’1' – gives a fairly even stream of 1s and 0s during transmission. The anti-collision scheme involves listening before transmission until the comparator output is largely 1s, or largely 0s, which means no nearby node is transmitting. This is not computationally intensive and needs little power. Sending the message involves transmitting a 10101010 sequence before the traditional pre-amble to give receivers a good chance of synchronising. Then the 64bit pre-amble, address, and 96bit data are sent. A range of 45cm was demonstrated indoors and 65cm outdoors, and at up to 10km from the TV transmitter. Power consumption of the comparator and microcontroller is under 1µW most of the time. The scheme is described in a paper: “Ambient backscatter: Wireless communication out of thin air“. The prototype nodes also include three touch pads and an LED (flashing only briefly) for interactivity, and were limited by the microcontrollers need for 1.8V. In a proposed smartcard application, the team suggest power would be shared: transmit modulator <1%, demodulator 1%, power management 8%, LEDs and touch sensors 26%. HackRF is a radio for all frequencies. Michael Ossmann, co-founder of Great Scott Gadgets, is developing HackRF, a software-defined radio (SDR) that lets you switch between radio frequencies on the fly. Most wireless gadgets, like the 3G antenna in a phone, operate using a fixed radio frequency band. But HackRF could potentially receive and transmit any radio frequency from 100 megahertz to 6 gigahertz – a range that includes broadcast and amateur radio, GSM, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and remote garage-door openers. Ossmann presented the device at ToorCon in San Diego, California, last weekend. There are other SDRs out there, but HackRF is intended to hit the sweet spot between versatility and cost – around the size of a USB hard drive and with a $300 price tag, the device could sit squarely in the consumer electronics bracket. Ossmann suggests SDR technology will bring about a revolution in the radio communications industry similar to the one that digital audio brought to the music industry. For now, HackRF remains a work-in-progress and isn’t yet being pitched at the mainstream market. “HackRF is designed to meet the needs of wireless communication security professionals, researchers and hobbyists,” says Ossmann. “It is for hackers, in the widest sense of the term.” Early applications range from identifying vulnerabilities in proprietary wireless control systems to listening in on police radio. Indeed, wireless security protocols that rely on obscure frequencies could be in danger. US military research instituation DARPA was interested enough to invest $200,000 in Ossmann’s use of HackRF for research into wireless communication security. But since the project is open source, hackers and researchers are free to take the device where they like. Ossmann thinks people will come up with uses he hasn’t yet thought of. Well that's all the news I have this week. Do you have a news items that you would like read out on a broadcast? Contact Richard VK2FRKO on email address vk2frko@tpg.com.au or give the item to Richard at the club. Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street, TERALBA - and is open on Saturday from around 11:00 am. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6:00pm. To make contact at other times, try dialling (02) 49 581588 where an answering service operates. Visitors are alway welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee, long-life milk, a good Canteen and an interesting selection of biscuits.

NEWS BROADCAST FOR AUGUST 25TH 2013.

At your club yesterday were members painting and doing the final touches to the e-gress doors. Greg VK2CW must of been painting as he had more paint on him than the door. Many thanks must go to everyone involved in getting these doors finished to lock up stage. Well yesterday was the start of many Foundation Licence examinations and in attendance were Graham O'Brien VK2FA and Kim Piper VK2ZW who were putting the clubs new assessors and trainers through their 1st paces so that they know what is required for future examinations. Am not sure of the results but hopefully ALL candidates passed. Thanks Graham and Kim for taking the time to assist the Westlakes Club. Dave VK2RD was seen in a car in the car park trying to chase up some rare DX. Dave was in fact talking to the Foundation candidates on HF. Thanks Dave for your help yesterday. Last week the cry went out for more ice creams to be purchased and yesterday Diane delivered 4 boxes to the club. Remember if you run out of anything please let a Committee person know. In the canteen Michael was cooking up a feast, not sure what was cooked but as a guess I would say hamburgers. Les Smith was also at the club to show everyone one of our next projects - a receiver on 80 meters. Soon this will be made available to everyone as a kit so listen out for in these future broadcasts for the release date of this kits. In the library Ted VK2UI reached into the ticket tumbler and drew a ticket out. How could this person win as this person was not at the club. Leonie VK2FHRK was the lucky winner but Alan VK2JED bought the ticket. As Alan said I always like to get in for my chop. Enjoy the meat tray Leonie. In last weeks broadcast call backs Col, VK2YP reported that Norm VK2ZG was taken to the Royal North Shore hospital. Michael VK2CCW is pleased to advise that he spoke to Norm yesterday and Norm is back at home. We wish you a speedy recovery Norm from everyone at the club. International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend (ILLW) organisers express thanks to the record number registered for the fun-event, and many thousands who contacted them. Held last weekend the annual event saw 526 registrations, more than 50 above the 2012 record, or a 10 per cent jump. At Alice Springs a novelty lighthouse was built for the dry river boat race, the Henley-on-Todd Regatta. It contacted other lighthouses in the Canary Islands, Spain, Portugal, Europe, the Pacific and right around Australia. A total of 54 countries were listed. The Green Cape Lighthouse in the Ben Boyd National Park south of Eden in New South Wales Australia saw a two-day celebration to mark its 130th anniversary. Australia's first cast concrete lighthouse tower has been in the ILLW since it began in 1998. On its birthday it was lit up using a million candela beams that swept the Pacific Ocean. Some 150 people present on Saturday included the Mayor Ken Taylor, the local Member of Parliament Andrew Constance and ILLW Organiser Kevin Mulcahy VK2CE - who was quoted in the local media. Many others gained very positive news media stories throughout the world. They included King Island's Currie Lighthouse by Tony Hambling VK3VTH/7, who worked other lighthouses in Europe and elsewhere in 447 contacts. ABC Radio Hobart looked at Tasmanian lighthouses. Among them were Ray Smith VK7VKV from Low Head Lighthouse VK7LH and Andrew Boon VK7AW at the Iron Pot. On the weekend Malaysia had 16 registrations returning in force. Also back after an absence were the Canary Islands, Estonia, Malta, The Philippines, Sardinia, Slovenia and Taiwan. New countries were Algeria 7T9A at Cape Falcon and Serbia YU/IZ1VUC activating the Tamis River West lighthouses. Those and others registered for their debuts and hopefully most will again. Germany led on 72, followed by Australia 69, USA 66 and England 38. About 20 each were listed for Argentina, Canada, Netherlands, Scotland, South Africa and Sweden. On the air there was a greater awareness and participation. Despite poor weather at some locations, most likened them to the lifestyle of yesteryear lighthouse keepers. Reports from participants are being accepted and uploaded to the website. Photos and comments are most welcome to vk2ce@illw.net Already 35 have registered for 2014 - will we achieve another 500 - only time will tell. Westlakes Club have already rebooked Norah Head Lighthouse for next year and already all the beds have been taken with club members. NEWS FROM THE ACMA: ACMA guards the spectrum. All radio amateurs have knowledge of the spectrum, that the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) issues licences and is responsible for its orderly use. The ACMA monitors spectrum use according to the planning guidelines of the International Telecommunications Union, and it aims to avoid harmful interference between the myriad of users. Each January it publishes the Australian Radio Frequency Spectrum Plan for general information showing the uses and further direction of its management. Because of the potential for interference, spectrum is described in economic terms as being a finite, instantly renewable, natural resource. It has significant value and must be managed to maximise its overall benefit, including the sale of the so-called ‘digital dividend’. The other reason for managing the spectrum is the harmonisation between countries. Generally speaking, Australia's various industry sectors, and ultimately consumers, benefit from international agreements for spectrum arrangements and standards. Now the ACMA has a plain language video to explain this complex area which it calls Spectrum 101, giving a good overview and highly recommended viewing by all. www.acma.gov.au/Citizen/Consumer-info/All-about-spectrum/What-is-it-and REMEMBER EVERYONE IF YOU DON'T USE IT WE WILL LOOSE IT New Comms for Victorian fire fighters: New GPS radios for Victorian fire fighters. The installation has begun of 6,000 new radios in fire fighting vehicles, aircraft, incident control centres, fire towers and work centres.The project, led by the Department of Primary Industries and Environment, is to be compatible with CFA systems, the SES and other neighbouring states to simplify communications between the fire fighting agencies. It manages the Network Emergency Organisations radio terminal fleet which includes Parks Victoria, VicForests and Melbourne Water. The $24.6 million project sees the current 19 year-old radio fleet replaced with a digital-capable system in vehicles and handheld radios for operational staff. Each radio fitted with GPS will enable their tracking in real time to improve operations, logistics and safety. The program calls for 2,000 radios to be fitted in the next six months, with the rest in 2014/15. Richard VK2FRKO would like to report that a installer of this equipment has told him that if smoke gets between the tower and the FIRE TANKER ALL comms ARE LOST. Also when the trucks are driving around the scrub, unless they have line of sight of the radio tower, comms are also lost. They call this modern technology. REMINDERS: Not forgetting our club Field Day which will be held on the 15th September ( this is a Sunday ) and the club is looking for donations of equipment for the auction table. Remember no TVs, computer monitors, VCRs. Why not come and have your stall. If you are interested please contact Barrie VK2ABD to book your spot and remember to bring your own table for your goods. The famous Westlakes BBQ will be cooking steak and sausages and serving fresh salad for sandwiches. The guessing competition for the number of jelly beans in the jar will once again be there as a fund raising venture. Andrews Communications WILL NOT BE HERE THIS YEAR AND THIS IS DUE TO OTHER COMMITMENTS. PRODUCT REVIEW: Designed, manufactured and assembled entirely the UK, the GEMINI linear amplifier is an all new solid state linear amplifier with 300 Watt output available in 6, 4 and 2 mtr versions. Designed to fill a market gap between the low power outputs of transverters and smaller rigs and the 1kW plus amplifiers that not all users want or can afford, the Gemini range combines low drive requirements with instant on solid state performance. Furthermore GEMINI is a complete turnkey solution incorporating a complete integral 50V linear power supply so no external PSU is required. First production will be a 4m (70MHz) version to be followed with 6m (50MHz) and 2m (144MHz) versions. Key features: Solid state instant-on design Integral 50V linear power supply Advanced cooling design ensures high duty cycle operation for MGM modes with low fan noise In-built sequencer Full protection against overdrive, high SWR and over-temperature Ultra compact all aluminium chassis measuring just 270w x 300d x 120h mm Input drive levels from 3W – 25W can be specified Pricing has yet to be confirmed. Full details are available at www.linearamp.co.uk Want something to read? Go to this site and download this article- CQ-DATV issue 5 now available. CQ-DATV issue 5 is now available as a free eBook download from www.cq-datv.mobi This time it's bigger than ever 20Mb + please download your copy now. Well that's all the news I have this week. Do you have a news items that you would like read out on a broadcast? Contact Richard VK2FRKO on email address vk2frko@tpg.com.au or give the item to Richard at the club. Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street, TERALBA - and is open on Saturday from around 11:00 am. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6:00 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.

NEWS BROADCAST FOR AUGUST 11TH 2013

IMPORTANT NEWS FROM THE WIA. Phil Waite announced that the ACMA have told the WIA that the High Power Trial will *NOT*_ be extended past the end of August. The reason given, was that the ACMA believe that some of the respondents in the test did not understand EMR and the regulations related thereto. It was added that this lack of knowledge was not just related to Amateur Radio but other areas as well. The WIA will be allowed to re-apply for the KW permit next year - presumably by proving education around EMR has taken place.Naturally this will be a disappointment to many Advanced licensees, not the least for those who participated in the trial over the past year. The WIA is also disappointed. The ACMA revealed that its decision was reached after reviewing data it obtained during an assessment process that began back in March this year. According to the ACMA, the trial demonstrated a lack of awareness by some Advanced Licensees of their licence conditions. Of particular concern to the ACMA were issues related to compliance with electromagnetic energy requirements and that this lack of awareness is not confined to the use of higher power than the 400 watts already permitted. The ACMA said that the results of the trial demonstrate there is a need to raise awareness among licensees of their licence conditions, and that this should not be confined to Advanced Licensees, adding that the ACMA looks forward to working with the WIA to achieve that objective. It is important to realize that radio amateurs are not being singled out here. Compliance with electromagnetic energy requirements applies to all apparatus licensees, including broadcasting, maritime services and others. The ACMA also remarked on the lack of awareness of electromagnetic energy compliance generally among other licensees. To address this issue, and to prepare for another approach to the ACMA next year, the Institute has begun implementing plans to promote widespread awareness of the necessary compliance with electromagnetic energy requirements for amateur stations. Electromagnetic radiation is not just a technical issue, it also a political issue among sectors of the community, as you may be aware, and we as licensed amateurs need to be mindful of that. Maybe a ACMA rep can attend the club to tell and show us exactly what they want. Now back to Club news. Yesterday at your club the lighthouse crew were getting items ready for the track down to Norah Head next weekend. Also the working bee team were discussing cutting of the new doors that will hopefully be done this Tuesday all going well. Lasts weeks meat tray winner Ted VK2UI was at the club to draw a lucky number out of the ticket tumbler. This weeks meat tray winner was Aly VK2AFZ. Enjoy the meat tray Aly and remember who your friends are next week if there is a raffle. From the canteen manageress. Diane has asked that if supplies have run out in the kitchen i.e. ICE CREAMS would you please let her know. If Diane doesn't know what’s needed she cannot get the goods. Diane's email address is worley51@tpg.com.au Geoff VK2EO has got a better deal from our current internet provider Exetel so watch out for the faster speeds when surfing the web. Thanks Geoff job well done. Remembrance Day Contest is on next weekend as is the Lighthouse and Lightships weekend. Westlakes A.R.C. will be taking part in both the RD Contest and Lightships weekend next weekend from Norah Head Lighthouse. A small number of members from the club will be at the Lighthouse from Friday arvo through to mid Sunday morning and working as many lighthouses as they possibly can as well as other stations that may call in. So listen out for VK2ATZ portable from Norah Head Lighthouse. There will be a broadcast from Norah Head next Sunday at 09:00 hrs. RD - Final Reminder from VK4SN. This is the last reminder for the Remembrance Day Contest next weekend, the 17th and 18th of August. Six points to note are. 1. Read the rules and info on the website. 2. Remember the start and finish times are 03:00Z. (1:00 pm local) 3. Please try and use the supplied computer loggers and not Excel spread sheets. 4. Nominate your team members to me prior to the start of the contest. 5. Remember that the exchange is the number of years as a ham - not a serial number. and above all, 6. Please remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Because the ILLW is on the same weekend, May I suggest calling cq Remembrance Day, or CQ lighthouse depending on your choice of activity. I wish you a great time in the RD and PLEASE, send me your log after the contest. 73's and hope to exchange numbers with you soon. This from Alan, VK4SN Remembrance Day Contest Manager. Your Wireless Gear Soon to be Obsolete and AudioTechnology Magazine has a plan! The Governments spectrum selloff will see an estimated 150,000 wireless devices around the country being made obsolete, clearly this isn't just an 'industry' problem. Around 150,000 wireless audio devices currently in use (4 in every 5) will need to be scrapped. Cost to replace? Up to $220m. To continue to use radio mics beyond December 31st 2014 users will need to: Ensure your devices operate between 520 and 694MHz, or Buy new equipment that will operate within the new approved spectrum. If you operate illegally, then under the 1992 Radiocommunications Act it could mean a hefty fine. If you replace your equipment, you'll be doing so without any compensation whatsoever. But how to express your outrage? Google AWAG. AWAG has an online petition which will allow us to collectively get the government's attention. www.wirelessaudioaustralia.org/ New (and fun) Contest Recently, the Manly-Warringah Radio Society made a bulk purchase of portable flagpoles for use as antenna masts. This inspired the club to create a new radio contest, specifically aimed at encouraging fun, portable operations, preferably using a flagpole as part of your antenna system. Full details of the contest are on the club web site at www.mwrs.org.au, but a few key points are: - that this is a FUN contest, and not to be taken too seriously - any mode and frequency is permitted - extra points will be awarded for contacts with flagpole stations - more extra points for contacts with F-calls (Flagpole-calls? HI) - even more extra points will be awarded for submitting (by email, SSTV, or any other means) a photo of your station showing your station's flagpole. There will be calling frequencies on 40 and 80 metres, as well as the club 2m repeater for those of you in Sydney with only VHF access. The first MWRS Flagpole Contest will take place on 21 September. Because this date is close to International Talk-like-a-Pirate Day (on the 19th), extra points may also be awarded if your station photo includes a Jolly Roger or other humorous flag of your choice. Details again are at www.mwrs.org.au. Just enter 'flagpole' in the search box. (Richard Murnane VK2SKY) (Direct link: http://www.mwrs.org.au/2013/08/04/mwrs-flagpole-contest/) REMINDERS: Not forgetting our club Field Day which will be held on the 15th September ( this is a Sunday ) and the club is looking for donations of equipment for the auction table. Remember no TVs, computer monitors, VCRs. Why not come and have your stall. If you are interested please contact Barrie VK2ABD to book your spot and remember to bring your own table for your goods. The famous Westlakes BBQ will be cooking steak and sausages and serving fresh salad for sandwiches. The guessing competition for the number of jelly beans in the jar will once again be there as a fund raising venture. Andrews Communications WILL NOT BE HERE THIS YEAR AND THIS IS DUE TO OTHER COMMITMENTS. Well that's all the news we have this week. Do you have a news items that you would like read out on a broadcast? Contact Richard VK2FRKO on email address vk2frko@tpg.com.au or give the item to Richard at the club. Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street, TERALBA - and is open on Saturday from around 11:00 am. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6pm. 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. We hope that you can all join us again next Sunday. Remember- Keep your radios signals above the clouds.

WESTLAKES NEWS BROADCAST FOR 4TH AUGUST 2013.

Yesterday at the club was the monthly meeting and some of the topics up for discussion were. The egress doors were discussed and hopefully by our September meeting we will have them completed thanks to Dave VK2RD and Maurie VK2CD who will put their wood working skills to task. The coming weekend at the Norah Head was discussed, rates for Lake Macquarie Council were discussed, the 160 meter tower in the swamp was discussed as the club pays rent on the ground in the swamp,the ride on mower is now usable buts needs a little more work done on it and thanks to Herb VK2ZVF, there was some talk THE IRLP computer which is now completed and operating. The move to the club will give access so maintenance can be done more easly. Geoff VK2EO made a request that he chase up a better deal for internet and that the club moves towards a internet phone and this was granted.Also discussed was Westlakes A.R.C. 50th Anniversary so if anyone has any ideas please contact a committee member with your ideas. Some ideas put forward so far are that the club applies for the a special callsign to be used for 1 year or for a period and let the members use the callsign at their own QTH using the clubs special callsign. At the end of the meeting the draw for the meat tray went ahead. Diane VK2FDNE spun the ticket tumbler and the winner of the clubs last 2 meat trays reached in and selected a ticket. It just happened to be the oldest person at the meeting yesterday... Ted VK2UI... congratulations and enjoy the meat. Just to add a foot note to this, Ted left the club without the meat tray and Diane VK2FDNE kindly dropped off the tray to Ted's QTH. After the drawing of the meat tray a grand feast was then presented to everyone to eat. Thanks Penny for a job well done. During the afternoon Geoff VK2EO connected back up the clubs internet with a brand new modem. Geoff with the help of VK2JJW and VK2RD were seen carrying in a pc - most probably the IRLP pc and soon afterwards Geoff was seen walking around with a yagi's folded dipole section to be used as the antenna as temporary measure. In the activity room Marcel VK2FMDB was demonstrating to Richard VK2FRKO and Geoff VK2YFA his voice recorder that he had constructed to be used in contesting. With a press of a button Marcel's CQ message came to life. The recorder has a delay in which his message could be repeated at certain intervals. If someone answers him, just by pressing the PTT button stops the recorder and then you can pass on each details. If anyone is interested in Marcel's voice recorder please contact Marcel or see someone on the committee. Marcel also had a signal generator which can be used to work a relay on another transmitter. Good to see some great ideas been developed by club members. MORSE CODE CLASSES TO COMMENCE: Anyone wishing to learn morse code or pick up their pace a bit John Trinnie will be holding classes shortly so if you are intersted please pass on your details to our club secretary. Who invented the mobile phone? Nathan Stubblefield was granted a patent May 12, 1908 for a wireless telephone able to transmit calls using radio giving him the recognition he deserves. The large transmitter used is the first proper long-distance phone network. It made possible to broadcast and receive voice and music without wires from home, a car, ships and trains. Stubblefield, a Kentucky melon farmer also invented devices that worked through audio frequency induction. Lighthouse in the middle of Australia. Known as a very big island nation, at the geographic centre of Australia and 1,500 kilometres from the coast is Alice Springs, which hosts the famous Henley-On-Todd Regatta each August - albeit on a usually dry river bed. The Northern Territorians and many visitors take the annual iconic event very seriously with up to 3,000 witnessing the regatta, which began in 1962. There is an interesting story of how this location, in one of the driest parts of Australia, deserves a registration this year in the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend. Greg Mair VK8GM explains that with the help of the Henley-On-Todd team, a lighthouse has been built to promote the spirit of amateur radio and lighthouses. The Alice Springs lighthouse joining nearly 500 others around the world this year and is certain to attract the attention of local, national and international news media. Australia on 62 and Germany 61 remain the leaders, followed by the USA (46), England (34), Argentina (24), Malaysia, Sweden and Netherlands (15), Scotland and South Africa (14), Canada (13) and Ireland (10). Organisers expect many more registrations in the annual fun event that publicises both the old sea-going navigation methods and portable amateur radio. If you want to register a lighthouse, lightship or marine beacon in this year's event on August the 17th and 18th then visit the website www.illw.net New AOWA yagis for 2m band. Following on from G4CQM's R&D work during 2013, five new AOWA designs for the 2M Band are revealed on Derek's website. These latest designs offer extraordinary performance by any standard. With straight elements, construction is uncomplicated and repeatable. If you are a keen 144MHz Dxer looking for an advantage, you can check out the new beams here...http://g4cqm.www.idnet.com/144NX14X/index.html FOR THE AVID SPACE WATCHER: Curiosity first anniversary event NASA officials and crew members aboard the International Space Station will observe the first anniversary of the Curiosity rover's landing on Mars at a public event in Washington from noon-1:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday, August 6. The event will be broadcast on NASA Television and streamed live on the agency's website. Media and the public are welcome to attend to hear highlights from the Mars Science Laboratory's first year of investigations, learn about upcoming NASA robotic missions to the red planet, and speak with astronauts conducting experiments in space that will enable human exploration of Mars in the 2030s. Those interested in attending should plan to arrive at NASA Headquarters, 300 E St. SW, by 11:30 a.m. Seating is limited. Participating will be: • Charles Bolden, NASA administrator • Chris Cassidy, KF5KDR and Karen Nyberg, NASA astronauts, live from the space station • Jim Green, director, Planetary Division, NASA's Science Mission Directorate • Sam Scimemi, director, NASA's International Space Station Program • Prasun Desai, acting director, Strategic Integration, NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate The Mars Science Laboratory mission successfully placed the one-ton Curiosity rover on the surface of Mars on Aug. 6, 2012, UTC and EDT (evening of Aug. 5, 2012, PDT), about 1 mile from the center of its 12-mile-long target area. Within the first eight months of a planned 23-months primary mission, Curiosity met its major science objective of finding evidence of a past environment well-suited to support microbial life. With much more science to come, Curiosity's wheels continue to blaze a trail for human footprints on Mars. To follow the conversation online about Curiosity's first year on Mars, use hashtag #1YearOnMars or follow @NASA and @MarsCuriosity on Twitter. For NASA TV streaming video, schedule and downlink information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv HERES AN IDEA FOR YOU. The G8VHI tower cam. Reg, G8VHI has installed a video camera on the top of his tower.This video shows the 360 degree view and take off seen from the top of Reg's 23cms beam. The beam is on top of his 40ft tower and 20ft pole out the top at 145 meters asl from his QTH in IO92FM Blue Mountains rescue efforts continue As many readers in Australia's VK2 area are aware, there has been an ongoing and prolonged search in the Blue Mountains, West of Sydney, for a missing person from the Fairmont resort near Leura. The search has been reported as one of the largest searches undertaken by NSW Police rescue. WICEN has been providing communications support for the BWRS who are being tasked into the difficult to access areas within the search area. These include canyons and cliffs which are being searched by repetitive abseiling. WICEN has contributed well over 250 hours so far of operational time. Steven Heimann, VK2BOS is the WICEN commander. 5-6 WICEN operators are involved each day and set up radio points that can look into the areas the BWRS are operating in so that comms with BWRS and the command post at the Fairmont resort are maintained. WICEN has a radio point at Sublime Point which is logging the radio traffic between the search teams and the command post utilising relays as needed from the 3-4 WICEN radio points in use. There are many news items on this search in the media. The following is a typical one. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-22/still-hope-for-man-missing-in-blue-mountains/4834468?section=nsw WHO STARTED YOUTUBE: YouTube was invented by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley and Jawed Karim out of a garage in Menlo Park. The inventors became millionaires when they sold their invention for 1.65 billion dollars to the search engine Google. According to their fact sheet, YouTube was founded in February 2005, as a destination to watch and share original videos worldwide through the Web. Users can upload and share video clips on www.YouTube.com and YouTube enables video embedding that allows YouTube videos to be placed on non-YouTube pages. REMINDERS: Not forgetting our club Field Day which will be held on the 15th September ( this is a Sunday ) and the club is looking for donations of equipment for the auction table. Remember no TVs, computer monitors, VCRs. Why not come and have your stall. If you are interested please contact Barrie VK2ABD to book your spot and remember to bring your own table for your goods. The famous Westlakes BBQ will be cooking steak and sausages and serving fresh salad for sandwiches. The guessing competition for the number of jelly beans in the jar will once again be there as a fund raising venture. Andrews Communications WILL NOT BE HERE THIS YEAR AND THIS IS DUE TO OTHER COMMITTMENTS. Do you have a news items that you would like read out on a broadcast? Contact Richard VK2FRKO on email address vk2frko@tpg.com.au or give the item to Richard at the club. Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street, TERALBA - and is open on Saturday from around 11:00 am. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6pm. 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. Have a safe week and we hope that you can all join us again next Sunday......

BROADCAST NEWS FOR 28TH JULY 2013.

This weeks lucky meat tray winner was carefully selected from the ticket tumbler by Barry VK2BZ. This weeks meat tray winner is, you Guessed it, Barry VK2BZ. Congratulations Barry and enjoy the meat tray. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What happened at your club yesterday. It was all go on a few fronts. In the classroom, Geoff VK2GL took a couple of prospective "F"calls through the Foundation Licence Manual in preparation for their assessment which should be in a week or two. Andrew VK2UAI demonstrated that his eyesight is spot on when he replaced the finals board in his FT817 in the activities room. And the August club magazine was assembled and posted. Keep an eye on your letter box tomorrow for the Australia Post black and white version or you email inbox for the version in colour. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Things coming up. Next Saturday, 3rd August is Westlakes Monthly Meeting commencing at 1.30 pm in the club library. And Look for a lecture by Maurice VK2CD on how he makes his popular "screw driver" antenna. The date will be set at this meeting and will be advertised in the September Magazine. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ILLW is only a month away. The online registrations for the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend on August 17-18 this year stands at 350 - with more to come setting the scene for another record year. In the lead is Germany on 53, just ahead of Australia with 52. Those arch rivals are followed by the USA (40), England (31), Argentina (21), with Sweden and a lot of late interest from Malaysia (both 15). So far portable amateur radio stations are lined-up in 34 countries. The aims of the fun event include raising the public awareness of the old structures, their need for preservation, and engender goodwill. A small but important representation comes from Belgium (2), Chile (2), Curacao (1), Gibraltar (1), Honduras (1), Panama (1), Sri Lanka (2), Taiwan (1), Turkey (1) and Ukraine (2). Westlakes A.R.C. will once again be operating out of Norah Head Lighthouse from Friday night till about 10am on the Sunday on the weekend of 16th -18th August and yes that is less than 1 month away. Everyone is welcome to come down and assist operate the radios or just come down and enjoy the scenery. You never know you might just see a whale or two swimming out there. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Not forgetting our club Field Day which will be held on the 15th September ( this is a Sunday ) and the club is looking for donations of equipment for the auction table. Remember no TVs, computer monitors, VCRs. Why not come and have your stall. If you are interested please contact Barrie VK2ABD to book your spot and remember to bring your own table for your goods. The famous Westlakes BBQ will be cooking steak and sausages and serving fresh salad for sandwiches. The guessing competition for the number of jelly beans in the jar will once again be there as a fund raising venture. Andrews Communications WILL NOT BE HERE THIS YEAR AND THIS IS DUE TO OTHER COMMITTMENTS. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WIA NEWS High Power Trial - Compliance Level Re-assessment.As part of the evaluation of the High Power Trial over 2012-13, the ACMA has been auditing the applications of amateur licensees holding temporary high power licence variations. As a result, the EMR Calculator, developed by Doug McArthur VK3UM and available via the WIA website, has been updated to provide improved guidance to all amateurs undertaking assessment of their stations’ compliance with electromagnetic radiation (EMR) requirements, whether or not they hold or wish to seek a high power licence variation. The ACMA’s intention from the audit is to gauge Amateurs’ level of understanding of, and compliance with, the EMR exposure requirements as part of its decision in considering a permanent power increase for Advanced amateur licensees. The requirements of EMR compliance are complex, and the audit found that a number of stations that believed they were operating under a Level 1 (low risk) Compliance should have, in fact, been classed as Level 2 (medium risk) Compliance. Many of these licensees used the EMR Calculator on the WIA website, developed by Doug McArthur VK3UM. Upon investigation, it was found there was a discrepancy between the requirements of the Amateur Licence Conditions Determination (the LCD) and the output of the EMR Calculator, with respect to antenna accessibility. This discrepancy appears to have arisen from the exposure levels specified in the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) Standard, on which the EMR Calculator’s results are based, and the exposure compliance requirements in the Amateur LCD. The EMR Calculator provided an accurate calculation of exposure levels for various station scenarios and drew a conclusion about the ACMA compliance, based on the actual calculated exposure levels. However, in the LCD, the exposure compliance level is determined by a set of simplified station conditions, rather than actual exposure levels, and this is the requirement that the ACMA determined should apply. For more information on the Power Trial please check out the WIA website. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ACMA looks for a rogue signal. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has found that mostly the source of rogue signals that make some car remote locks useless are traced to a faulty continually transmitting electronic device. For about a month now motorists have had trouble locking or unlocking their cars, which also involves the vehicle immobiliser, when in part of Sydney. Strangely this happens only during business hours. While the ACMA, Southern Downs Regional Council and the Warwick Police are unable to immediately stop to the signal, the hunt continues. Maybe the interference time is a clue, with checks on shop entry sensors, and anything operated by wireless including doorbells, fans and possibly a weather station. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are You at Risk by Using your Smartphone. People have suffered an electrical shock while they claimed to be using their Smartphones. The latest is a 28-year old Sydney woman who was hospitalised. It was not known whether her shock occurred while charging the mobile phone or just using it. The first two victims in China were charging allegedly using fake chargers, with the death of an airline cabin crew member, and a 30-year old last reported in a coma. Always remember to make sure that you have dry hands when plugging in your phone charger into 240 volts. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Emergency services bid for more spectrum. A Senate Committee has called for a 30 MHz slice of the 700 MHz band to be given for public safety and emergency use with money raised by the digital dividend auction. The Committee was asked to look at how much spectrum would accommodate the mobile data needs of the police, fire and ambulance services. During the inquiry the emergency services claimed that the ACMA, in opposing their bid for a bigger share of the spectrum, was influenced by the views of commercial mobile operators. The Committee recommendation is to ‘allocate 20 MHz of contiguous spectrum in the 700 MHz band’ for the public safety network, and emergency services be given ‘priority access to an additional 10 MHz’ in the same band. The emergency service groups wanted 2x10MHz spectrum in either the 700 MHz or 800 MHz bands. The Committee’s primary recommendation was similar to the approach taken in the United States in allowing emergency services on the former analogue television spectrum. If the recommendation was rejected by the Australian Government, the Committee identified an expansion of spectrum for the emergency services at 800 MHz. The ACMA is understood to be reviewing the spectrum allocation recommendations before a final decision is made by the Minister. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Do you have a news items that you would like read out on a broadcast? Contact Richard VK2FRKO on email address vk2frko@tpg.com.au or give the item to Richard at the club. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street, TERALBA - and is open on Saturday from around 11:00 am. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6pm. 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. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------