WESTLAKES NEWS FOR THE 27TH JULY 2014

In the library Les VK2RJ was waiting his turn to pull this weeks lucky meat tray winner from the ticket tumbler The lucky one this week is Gary VK2PE. The monthly Magazine was assembled by a band of helpers and then mailed out to arrive by Australia Post on Monday. Keep an eye on your letter box. The Digital version will go out Monday morning. The Activity room was busy with Dave VK2RD doing repairs to the Shack KW antenna tuner and Norm VK2KNC along with Barrie VK2QG bringing a Realistic DX 302 back to life. Good work gents. Michael, VK2GRM is now VK2OB. The call was held by Mike Keech from Wollongong who was a regular at the club. He wished his call to go to a younger member of Westlakes and Mike G was the one chosen. 3 candidates sat for upgrades to the Regulations section in preparation for the Standard licence. All went well we are informed. As below, please let your members know that Lyle Patison VK6ALU,previously VK2ALU, has passed away. Lyle, always a helpful gentleman, was well known to many for his early work on EME projects during the 1970's, using an ex CSIRO dish in Wollongong. Regards Ted Thrift VK2ARA The 'walkie talkie' dongle that means you’ll never be out of touch with your friends: A new gadget can turn your phone in a 'walkie talkie' - even if you have no phone coverage. The go Tenna uses radio waves to communicate over 50 miles. If both people have a device, they can messages each other and send their location, complete with a map The gadget also creates a 'mesh' network among users, allowing the range to be extended. The firm says the gadget is perfect for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, and even for families who travel a lot - who can use it abroad without paying roaming charges Read more: Google Walkie Talkie Dongal Homemade radios in North Korea: Korea NK News report on homemade radios being used in North Korea. They quote Kim Seung-chul as saying “Those who live near China may buy Chinese radio, but those who don’t have to contact the local ‘underground radio-maker’” Read the full story at http://www.nknews.org Reminder to ALL MEMBERS: Westlakes annual field day will be held on the 14th September 2014 in the club grounds. Have a look through your equipment and see what you are not using or better still look in you gargage and see what is taking up valuable space. Perhaps you would like to donate it to the club. Remember to bring your own tables and a chair to sit on and you must take away ALL your own rubbish as the club WILL NOT be getting a skip. If your are interesting in a stall please contact the club secretary for further details. Don’t forget the club 40 metre nets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays commencing at 0930 hrs, on 7.150 Mhz. Please call in and discuss any topic that you wish to bring up. We have many experts on any discussion. Also, the EZBEE net at 0800 am every Saturday morning on 146.775 where we discuss what is happening at the club that day. And for the early risers we can’t forget the Stone the Crows net on 80 metres, 3.588 Mhz at 0600 am Do you have a news item that you would like read out on a broadcast? Contact Richard VK2FRKO on email address vk2frko@tpg.com.au or give the item to Richard at the club. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street, TERALBA - and is open on Saturday from around 11:00 am. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6:00 pm. To make contact at other times, try dialling (02) 49 581588 where an answering service operates. Visitors are alway welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee, long-life milk, a good Canteen and an interesting selection of biscuits.

WESTLAKES NEWS FOR 13TH JULY 2014

In the library was the drawing of the this weeks meat tray winner. Last weeks winner Norm VK2KNC ( sporting his big smile ) reached in and selected a ticket from the ticket tumbler. In his hand when it finally came out of the barrel.... Greg. Yes Greg Smith Junior ( VK2FGJS ) Congratulations Greg, enjoy the meat tray and don't forget to be here next week. In the activity room, Norm and Michael were working on a new project which will be made available to build in the next few weeks. Listen on further broadcasts for when the this kit ( a noise bridge ) will become available. Also in the activity room was Marcel ( VK2HAQ ) assisting Tony fixing his computers. Not sure of what the problem was. Maybe Marcel can comeback in call backs and let us know. What a great attendance from members at the club yesterday. There were virtually no parking spots left and so many areas of activity inside. Thanks to the helpers in the QSL Buro, assisting Alex to reduce the pile of inwards cards. And a big thank you to Herb, VK2ZVF for getting in and doing what the Council should have done - Clean up the dumped rubbish at the end of the classroom. Great job guys... The Secretary is taking orders for club “T” shirts. If you require a T shirt or you wish to purchase another please contact Barrie VK2QG. Name badges can also be ordered through Barrie and the price of a name badge is about $10. Please include a stamped addressed envelope when ordering. The log periodic beam antenna needs some TLC. We need to get the antenna off the tower and onto the ground when routine maintenance can be done. Anyone listening know someone with a 50 ft cherry picker we can use for the right price? Or does someone have any other ideas on how to lower the antenna to the ground. Welcome to the bands and the hobby of Amateur Radio to Luke, VK2FALA and John VK2FALE. They had their Handhelds at the club yesterday to be programmed, ready for call backs this morning. Congratulations Gents... Enjoy.. At the club yesterday were all these little radios called Baofeng wandering around. They were all programmed to speak English not Engrish/chinese. These are a great little radio. Check them out on the web. SPY V SPY A new ground station will be built at the Australian spy base near Geraldton in Western Australia (VK6) to dramatically upgrade access to next-generation military satellite communications for US and Australian troops across the globe. The move will provide a major boost to the war fighting capabilities of both countries, deepen the ANZUS Alliance and improve the rapid sharing of intelligence. Australians in emergency situations could soon be using Triple Zero in a whole new way, with Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull announcing a review into the system and how it could be better used to take advantage of modern mobile technologies. "Communications technology continues to advance, presenting new and exciting opportunities to improve the existing voice arrangements as well as new ways for telecommunications users to access assistance," Turnbull said. "New services such as the Emergency + Smartphone App, which displays the phone's GPS coordinates for the caller to read out to the emergency operator, is a great example of how modern technology can be used to improve the Triple Zero service." Australia's emergency phone line service can currently only be reached via a voice call. USA extends its ILLW lead The registered marine navigation sites in the United States of America for next month's International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend now stands at 61 - ahead of Australia and Germany both with 56, followed by England on 26. The US tally is buoyed by 14 never-before-activated structures, and Australia has 4 virgin lighthouses this year. Spain and Germany also have first-timers. Lightships to join the fun-event so far are in England, Finland, Germany, Netherlands and the USA. No matter where you are there's plenty to contacts to be made and some issue special QSL cards. In the Americas registrations come from Barbados, Canada, Chile, Curacao, Falkland Islands, Honduras, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Uruguay. In greater Europe there's Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Northern Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Wales. The Asian region so far Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand have registered. Others come from sea-going nations include South Africa and New Zealand. Among the loyal original 1998 entries seen today is Scotland's stone-built Barns Ness Lighthouse that began in 1901. During World War II it was machine-gunned yet sustained no damage. One of many in 39 countries eagerly looking for contacts is Alan Waye VK5PBZ at the Port Germein Lighthouse. He will be active on both days using HF, D-STAR and also expects to be very popular on the IRLP node 6865. Each registration from has a history to tell. Simple guidelines or online registration for the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend on August the 16th and 17th are on the website www.illw.net The Westlakes team will once again be at Norah Head Lighthouse getting there on Friday afternoon and leaving around 1100 on Sunday morning. Tea and coffee will be available for anyone wishing to make day visits. Last year Richard setup 2 antennas - an off-centre fed dipole and a Tilted terminated folded dipole. Both antennas worked extremely well. Listen for us on the 15th,16th,and 17 of August. The club will also be doing the Sunday broadcast from the Lighthouse. Reminder to ALL MEMBERS: Westlakes annual field day will be held on the 14th September 2014 in the club grounds. Have a look through your equipment and see what you are not using or better still look in you garage and see what is taking up valuable space. Perhaps you would like to donate it to the club. What the club does NOT EXCEPT - CRT computer monitors, video players, old TVs of the CRT type. Remember to bring your own tables and a chair to sit on and you must take away ALL your own rubbish as the club WILL NOT be getting a skip. If your are interested in a stall please contact the club secretary Barrie VK2QG for further details. So Sunday the 14th September at the club grounds and entry is FREE... Be there... Possible good news: Panasonic announced that they will scrap production of Plasma TVs, now Samsung have made a similar announcement - 'Samsung is to stop producing plasma televisions (PDP TVs) by 30 November'. It said falling demand meant it would instead focus on producing curved and ultra-high-definition (UHD) TVs. "This is very good news for the HF spectrum, but will not reduce efforts to improve emission standards for frequencies below 30MHz. The existing standards are based on conducted emissions at the connection ports of the apparatus - pressure has been building for many years now to have radiated emission test. This will be an important step forward with so many new devices/ apparatus polluting the HF spectrum. Don’t forget the club 40 metre nets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays commencing at 0930 hrs, on 7.150 Mhz. Please call in and discuss any topic that you wish to bring up. We have many experts on any discussion. Also, the EZBEE net at 0800 am every Saturday morning on 146.775 where we discuss what is happening at the club that day. And for the early risers we can’t forget the Stone the Crows net on 80 metres, 3.588 Mhz at 0600 am Do you have a news item that you would like read out on a broadcast? Contact Richard VK2FRKO on email address vk2frko@tpg.com.au or give the item to Richard at the club. Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street, TERALBA - and is open on Saturday from around 11:00 am. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6:00 pm. To make contact at other times, try dialling (02) 49 581588 where an answering service operates. Visitors are always welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee, long-life milk, a good Canteen and an interesting selection of biscuits.

WESTLAKES NEWS FOR THE 29TH JUNE 2014.

In next months magazine will be details of our annual major raffle, to be drawn at the field day in September. All will be revealed and tickets for a grand prize worth winning will go on sale. Stay tuned... In the library, last weeks meat tray winner Ally ( won under Suspicious circumstances - drew his own ticket out ). Lillian ( visitor ) reached into the ticket tumbler and selected the ticket of Ted VK2UI. Enjoy the meat Ted. In the absence of Chef Michael, pies and sausage rolls were once again on the menu. A sorting day will be conducted in the QSL buro on Wednesday 2nd July at 10:00 am after the 0930 net. If anyone is available to assist please we would love to see you. Lunch will be provided. Lighthouse weekend at Norah Head of the weekend of 15th, 16th and 17th August is fast approaching and the menu was drawn up today. For all of those who are attending Diane VK2FDNE will email you the menu. If you have any extra needs or are allergic to any food please let Diane know. New Foundation licence. Firstly, on Saturday Mark Payne was successful in the final component for his Foundation licence. The paperwork is on it's way to the WIA and from all reports, Mark is a happy man That makes 6 new Foundation calls in the past 3 weeks. It's been a busy 3 weeks. Thinking of Upgrading? We will be doing upgrades on Saturday 26 July, with a starting of 1100 hrs. If you are interested, please email Steve at VK2LW@wia.org.au Upgrades can be done in stages. Next Foundation course. We currently have 2 vacancies in the next Foundation course, commencing on Saturday 30 August. The course will be run by Geoff VK2GL over a four week period, with assessment on Saturday 27 September. If you are interested or would like more information, please email Steve at VK2LW@wia.org.au. One of last weeks successful candidates is all ready to go. John Noack arrived at the club with a 40 metre dipole set up off a squid pole and coupled to a brand new FT817. It is tuned spot on and received great reports from VK3 with the 5 watts. Well done John. Richard VK2FRKO would like to advise that picking up a soldering iron by the hot end is not recommended and now has two hot spots on his thumb and fore finger. One day he will learn that when you play with fire you get burnt. WIA NEWS. 1st edition of AR digital has been released. Delivered as promised to ALL MEMBERS of the WIA. NEW AMATEUR RADIO CLUB North East Victoria Amateur Radio Club – NEVARC. A new radio club was formed on 15/06/14. It has been decided that there is the need for a pro-active club in the North East Victoria area. And here it is. the Formation of The North East Victoria Amateur Radio Club. The Club was formed officially on the 15th June, 2014. It was talked about 6 months before that. We Currently have 20 members which is growing all the time. If you like to know more about this club just log onto : www.nevarc.net.au NEVARC 80m Net. NEVARC will begin holding their weekly net on 3.560 from the 2nd July. The net will be hosted by Ron VK3MRH at 8.00pm. Regards Keith VK2PKT The Ionospheric Prediction Service is being reviewed A discussion paper has been released by the Ionospheric Prediction Service as the first step in what could be a wide-ranging review of the service. The Ionospheric Prediction Service - or, I-P-S as it is more commonly referred to - is a division of Australia's Bureau of Meteorology - the weather bureau. Being part of the Bureau makes sense, because much of the work of IPS has to do with "space weather" - the activity of the Sun, the solar wind and its interactions with the Earth's magnetic field and the ionosphere. The Terms of Reference for the review include the following # A review the policy basis for the Bureau's space weather services. # An analysis and international benchmarking comparison of the Bureau's Space Weather services, and use of observations and infrastructure, including: - their current status; - performance and impact; - scope; - manner of delivery; and - adequacy of capabilities and resourcing to deliver the service. Evaluation of the extent to which the Bureau's Space Weather services meet user needs - especially those of significant user groups and high-impact users. # Assessment of the strategic outlook - over 5 to10 years - for space weather services in Australian, regional and global settings - and, in light of the first three items - provide advice on the capabilities required to meet the future challenges; # Comment on the potential for cost-recovery of space weather services; AND Provide recommendations based on the above analyses, assessments and evaluations. The WIA encourages radio amateurs to lodge a submission to the review, especially if you use IPS services, explaining how the free IPS service provided to public radio users aids your communications activities. You can download a copy of the discussion paper from the home page of www.ips.gov.au, or via the news item on http://www.wia.org.au the WIA website home page. Get cracking ! Responses are required by the fourth of July ! Auckland Unitary Plan Submission Auckland Council's 'Plan' basically stipulates all amateur radio aerials would be subjected to a Restricted Discretionary resource consent. This is upwards of $5000 every time an antenna change is contemplated! But check this fact out, For instance, if I am a Kiwi yachty and want to mount a VHF marine whip on the barge board of my house, I can do it as of right, but if as a radio amateur I want to put an almost identical 2m whip on my bargeboard, I have to get a resource consent. NZART has consequently put in a rather comprehensive submission to try to achieve "Permitted Status" for a range of "amateur configurations". Auckland, with nearly a third of all amateurs in NZ, if it wins this case, it is probable that it will become the template for most other districts as they review their district plans in the future. Good luck NZART. DX stations note:- The phrase "Spending a Penny" is not to be used after 31 December 2014. From this date onwards, the correct term will be: "Euronating". Reminder to ALL MEMBERS: Westlakes annual field day will be held on the 14th September 2014 in the club grounds. Have a look through your equipment and see what you are not using or better still look in you gargage and see what is taking up valuable space. Perhaps you would like to donate it to the club. What the club does NOT ACCEPT - CRT computer monitors, video players, old TVs of the CRT type. Remember to bring your own tables and a chair to sit on and you must take away ALL your own rubbish as the club WILL NOT be getting a skip. If your are interested in a stall please contact the club secretary for further details. Don’t forget the club 40 metre nets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays commencing at 0930 hrs, on 7.150 Mhz. Please call in and discuss any topic that you wish to bring up. We have many experts on any discussion. Also, the EZBEE net at 0800 am every Saturday morning on 146.775 where we discuss what is happening at the club that day. And for the early risers we can’t forget the Stone the Crows net on 80 metres, 3.588 Mhz at 0600 am Well that's all the news I have this week. Does anyone have any late breaking news? Do you have a news item that you would like read out on a broadcast? Contact Richard VK2FRKO on email address vk2frko@tpg.com.au or give the item to Richard at the club. Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street, TERALBA - and is open on Saturday from around 11:00 am. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6:00 pm. To make contact at other times, try dialling (02) 49 581588 where an answering service operates. Visitors are always welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee, long-life milk, a good Canteen and an interesting selection of biscuits.

Westlakes News for 22nd June 2014.

The meat tray raffle. It was another controversial result. In the absence of last week's winner, Barrie VK2QG, Aly VK2AFZ was asked to make the draw. Closely observed by those in the library,he reached into the ticket tumbler and SELECTED.........yes, his own ticket! Enjoy the meat tray Aly. As well, two new members joined the club yesterday. They were John Saunders of Kotara South and Luke Beston of Cameron Park. Welcome to you both. In the absence of Michael VK2CCW the Canteen dispensed Pies And Sausage Rolls. These went down well, judging by the amount of used plates in the sink. They are good tucker from Thompsons Bakery at Gateshead. Five candidates sat for their Foundation Assessments at Westlakes yesterday. It was a busy day day for the assessors, Geoff VK2GL, Steve VK2LW and Dave VK2RD (on the Radio) who were still on the job at 4.00 pm. The good news is that “almost” all candidates were successful. The club lawns had a much needed mowing yesterday. Our junior mowing contractor,Sam, was on the job and has most of the job done. Only a bit more left to mow plus the whipper snipping and it should all be completed today. The July Magazines will be dispatched next weekend. In it is an article on the ZS6BKW antenna which can be supplied by Maple Leaf Communications in Canada. A copy of the magazine was forwarded to the owner of Maple Leaf, Bob VE3WY who was impressed with the content and asked if he could distribute our magazine to other Canadian amateurs. Fame at last! WIA NEWS: Good morning all ACMA have advised that the Amateur Radio Licence fee has been increased to $74.00. Variation to licence fee remains at $49.00. Regards Fred. As foreshadowed a few months ago, AR magazine will be available in digital format from the July issue. From the 26th of June - that's next week - you will be able to view or download the July 2014 edition of AR Magazine in PDF format from the WIA website, http://www.wia.org.au Here's how you collect your digital edition. First, you need to be registered for Memnet. Haven't done that yet? Never mind. It's easy. On the WIA website, under the "For Members" menu, you will see - right at the top - "Log into Memnet". This opens a page where you can register by clicking on the "Register" link. Obvious, isn't it? This will get you a Memnet password once you have entered your WIA Member Number, name and callsign. You will find your member number on the address flysheet that came with your previous print editions of AR magazine. Armed with your Memnet password - on or after the 26th of June, go to the WIA website. Look under the "For Members" menu and select "AR Magazine". Look just below the page headline for "Digital Edition" and click the link there. Once you have downloaded your July AR digital edition, you will see that it has been personalized with your Name, WIA member number and date you downloaded it. That will happen for each digital edition of AR you download in future. The WIA Board decided to synchronise the release date for the digital edition with the expected date that the print edition will be available in member's letterboxes in the eastern states. AR digital edition - another of the many growing benefits of WIA membership. Increased EMR knowledge in our syllabus The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has amended the Amateur Radio regulations syllabus, to expand the demonstrated knowledge of Electromagnetic Radiation or EMR.Safety has been on ACMA's agenda for a considerable time, and it is seeking to minimise risk and promote safety across all its operations, including Amateur Radio. The process to include EMR in the existing Amateur Radio Syllabus at all three licence levels, commenced about 18 months ago. One of the outcomes of the high-power trial for Advance Licence holders, the ACMA in consultation with the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA), found that EMR knowledge could be increased. The teaching of prospective radio amateurs already includes the importance to keep all persons (and animals) a safe distance from antennas, their orientation, the role of Effective Radiated Power, and radio wave danger with higher frequencies and power levels. The ACMA has gone further with its amended syllabus to spell out that knowledge of EMR is a condition for all classes of amateur licence, and recall where to locate the ACMA document titled "EMR Assessment Guide for Amateur Radio". It also wants known that the "Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency" ARPANSA sets the standard for Maximum Exposure Levels, 100 kHz to 300 GHz, its principles and methods of measurement. New licence assessment papers from the WIA Exam Service issued to assessors from June 2014 will reflect the new EMR provisions. The additional teaching time should be minor, but it will reflect knowledge of the licence requirements and community concern about radiation from transmitters. Reminder to ALL MEMBERS: Westlakes annual field day will be held on the 14th September 2014 in the club grounds. Have a look through your equipment and see what you are not using or better still look in you garage and see what is taking up valuable space. Perhaps you would like to donate it to the club. What the club does NOT ACCEPT - CRT computer monitors, video players,old TVs of the CRT type. Remember to bring your own tables and a chair to sit on and you must take away ALL your own rubbish as the club WILL NOT be getting a skip. If your are interested in a stall, please contact the club secretary for further details. ARNSW Balun Construction Day June 29 (Sunday) A technical day provided by ARNSW at the Dural site with lectures on the operation of baluns and practical construction of a balun from a kit. Bookings needed for the course and to reserve a kit. Send email to balun@arnsw.org.au to register. Lunch provided. Don’t forget the club 40 metre nets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays commencing at 0930 hrs, on 7.150 Mhz. Please call in and discuss any topic that you wish to bring up. We have many experts on any discussion. Also, the EZBEE net at 0800 am every Saturday morning on 146.775 where we discuss what is happening at the club that day. And for the early risers we can’t forget the Stone the Crows net on 80 metres, 3.588 Mhz at 0600 am Do you have a news item that you would like read out on a broadcast? Contact Richard VK2FRKO on email address vk2frko@tpg.com.au or give the item to Richard at the club. Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street, TERALBA - and is open on Saturday from around 11:00 am. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6:00 pm. To make contact at other times, try dialling (02) 49 581588 where an answering service operates. Visitors are alway welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee, long-life milk, a good Canteen and an interesting selection of biscuits.

WARC NEWS FOR THE 15TH JUNE 2014

At the club yesterday there were quite a number of members. VK2FRKO was there showing his 1st place winning cup which he won at last weekends Oxley Region Field day. The entry was in the homebrew section. Also Richard was showing his latest medal which was presented to him by the Mayor of Port Stephens for his help in last years bush fires around Port Stephens. In the activity room Norm VK2KNC was trying to fix Michaels Ato tuner. Michael decided to modify his tuner so that it would fit nicely into his man pack BUT the drill bit went straight through a diode and the tuner stopped working. Anyway, this time they were unsuccessful in repairing the Auto Tuner. See Michael as he has a cheap auto tuner for sale. Also in the activity Norm again (a busy person) was trying to fix up Max's SDR program that was on his laptop. Not sure if it was sorted out or not - maybe Norm if you are listening today can tell us in the call back section. Chef Michael was cooking in the kitchen again - hamburgers of cause along with pies and sausage rolls. Remember if you would like a hamburger see Michael early as sometimes a small number of patties are made. In the classroom the next group of Foundation licence candidates were put through paces by Steve VK2LW and Geoff VK2GL. Last I heard Steve was looking for a hand held radio for the candidates to practice their calling procedures. Hope everything went well Steve? Remember if you want to upgrade to either a Standard or Advanced licence please see Steve or Geoff so that you can be booked into the next class. In the absence of Greg (VK2CW ) the other Greg Smith VK2FGJS was put in charge of selling tickets for the meat tray. Joanne, Diane's friend was asked to draw a ticket out of the ticket tumbler. This weeks winner was Barrie - VK2QG. Congratulations Barrie enjoy the meat tray. ARNSW Balun Construction Day June 29 (Sunday) A technical day provided by ARNSW at the Dural site with lectures on the operation of baluns and practical construction of a balun from a kit. Bookings needed for the course and to reserve a kit. Send email to balun@arnsw.org.au to register. Lunch provided. Reminder to ALL MEMBERS: Westlakes annual field day will be held on the 14th September 2014 in the club grounds. Have a look through your equipment and see what you are not using or better still, look in you garage and see what is taking up valuable space. Perhaps you would like to donate it to the club. What the club does NOT EXCEPT - CRT computer monitors, video players,old TVs of the CRT type. Remember to bring your own tables and a chair to sit on and you must take away ALL your own rubbish as the club WILL NOT be getting a skip. If your are interested in a stall please contact the club secretary for further details. INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to IARU, RSGB, SARL, Southgate AR Club, ARRL, Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART and the WW sources of the WIA. NASA has successfully beamed a high-definition video 260 miles from the International Space Station to Earth using a new laser communications instrument. Transmission of "Hello, World!" as a video message was the first 175-megabit communication for the Optical Payload for Lasercomm Science (OPALS), a technology demonstration that allows NASA to test methods for communication with future spacecraft using higher bandwidth than radio waves. Optical communication tools like OPALS use focused laser energy to reach data rates between 10 and 1,000 times higher than current space communications which rely on radio portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Because the space station orbits Earth at 17,500 mph, transmitting data from the space station to Earth requires extremely precise targeting. The process can be equated to a person aiming a laser pointer at the end of a human hair 30 feet away and keeping it there while walking. CQ Ohm is reporting that production of the popular Yaesu FT-897D/DM/DS transceivers is to cease. They say there no immediate plans for a successor model. QRZ.COM ANNOUNCES RIGHT CLICK CHROME BROWSER EXTENSION If you' are a user of Google's Chrome browser, then QRZ.com publisher. Fred Lloyd, AA7BQ has something that will make using this website a lot more efficient and enjoyable. Lloyd announced that he has published a free browser extension that will let you highlight and right click on any callsign, on any web page from any web site, and instantly perform a QRZ lookup. No copying and pasting or typing in the call on a separate page is required. The new app is now available now in the Chrome Web Store. Showing children our wonderful hobby. The ARRL Kids Day operating event sponsored by the Boring Oregon Amateur Radio Club was yesterday Saturday 21st June. Kids Day is not a contest but rather a twice yearly way for licensed amateurs to share the fun and excitement of our hobby with those who could be the next generation of licensees. What with time zones etc., if you hear "CQ Kids Day", please answer! Up in the Philippine's Amateur Radio Association, PARA, a member of the IARU, holds its 2014 PARA Kids Day in July to expose youngsters to the world of modern Ham Radio. I wonder if the WIA are taking note of whats happening overseas and try this in Australia. The ILLW increases in numbers: With just ten weeks to go, the number of International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend registrations is nearly 280 coming from 36 countries, putting the premier fun-event ahead of this time last year. The first ever registration from Barbados in the Caribbean, is South Point Lighthouse activated by the Amateur Radio Club of Barbados 8P6AW. The country's oldest lighthouse began life at London's Great Exhibition, before being reassembled in 1832. This landmark and tourist attraction features on the Barbados 5-cent coin. Four lighthouses in Barbados are endangered by neglect and in need of restoration. Activating lighthouses during the ILLW event helps raise public awareness of these historic maritime navigation structures and the need for their preservation. Germany remains in the lead with 51 registrations, closely followed by the US 48, Australia 46, England 20, Argentina 15, plus at double figures for Scotland, The Netherlands and Sweden. To learn more about this fun-event that began two decades ago, or to register for the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend on August the 16th and 17th, visit the website illw.net That item from Jim Linton VK3PC Australian radio ham's vintage radio collection: Radio Amateur Kevin Dickson has donated his extensive collection of radio equipment to the Tweed Regional Museum Kevin's interest in amateur radio was nurtured at school by his teacher Norm Smith in 1937 and he later went on to get his amateur license. Kevin Dickson's life story can be read at .. http://www.murwillumbahhistoricalsociety.org.au Do you have a news item that you would like read out on a broadcast? Contact Richard VK2FRKO on email address vk2frko@tpg.com.au or give the item to Richard at the club. Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street, TERALBA - and is open on Saturday from around 11:00 am. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6:00 pm. To make contact at other times, try dialling (02) 49 581588 where an answering service operates. Visitors are always welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee, long-life milk, a good Canteen and an interesting selection of biscuits.

WESTLAKES NEWS FOR JUNE 1ST 2014

At the club yesterday was almost a record number of members and visitors for a normal Saturday. One would have thought that it was the club general meeting day. Adam (VK2YK) was visiting the club with his son Josh and Adam was showing his version of his man pack but in Adam's case it was a man bag. Also out for display was Adams LINK COUPLED MULTIBAND ANTENNA made out of light weight materials, LIPO batteries and Match Maker manual tuner for his SOTA work. Michael VK2FMRG ( who has advanced forward to the advanced licence) was also talking to Adam about working the birds. For those who don't know what this means - it is working the HAM SATELLITES. Michael (VK2CCW) was in the kitchen cooking his famous hamburgers( which are ONLY available from Westlakes A.R.C. Club) along with Thompsons sausage rolls and pies. All are very delicious. In the activity room Norm (VK2KNC - the clubs PROJECT OFFICER ) was demonstrating a couple of new SDR receiving programmes that run off your PC. In the middle of that Dave (VK2RD) gave Norm a file which Barry ( VK2BZ) did for Baofeng UV-5R hand helds radios. We did try the program on Dave's radio but the programming lead FAILED so it looks like Dave has to buy a new programming lead. Most of you by the time the news has been read should have received your electronic version of the WESTLAKES MAGAZINE. It has some very good reading in it. If you have a good article that you think is worth sharing please send it along to the club mag editor so that it can be included in a future edition. FROM THE WIA NEWS DESK: The countdown is on for users of wireless microphones, with only seven months to go until new arrangements take effect on 1 January 2015. >From this date, it will be illegal to use spectrum in the 694-820 MHz frequency range. ACMA have a handy info graphic which explains what you need to do to get ready and still be heard. So if you or an organisation you belong to use a wireless microphone, be warned. From THE CENTRAL COAST ARC. Central Coast Repeaters to be Switched Off. Starting from Late May the following changes will be made to VK2RAG repeaters. These measures are being introduced to reduce overall power consumption at the installation, whilst minimising inconvenience to users. We are also investigating Solar Power for the site to further improve consumption and costs. Between Midnight and 0600, all the un-used low usage repeaters will be turned off. To be switched off in frequency order will be 53.725 (6M), 145.600 B’Cast RX’s (FM-814 and FM-92), 439.725 (6M link), 439.950 (APCO 25), 441.00 (Rylstone link) and 1273.4 (23 cm.) This will leave on only 146.725, 438.075 repeaters, 145.175 APRS, 439.150 Packet regenerator,146.6375 (D- Star port C), 438.325 (D- Star Port B), D – Star Gateway. REMINDERS: The ORARC 2014 Field Day will be an excellent weekend again this year - 7TH -8TH JUNE. The venue is the same as last year, the Tacking Point Surf Life Saving Club hall on Matthew Flinders Drive, Lighthouse Beach, Port Macquarie. The Field Day dinner will be on Saturday night the 7th of June from 6pm at the Port Macquarie Golf Club with the same arrangements as last year. Sunday is the trading day with both VK4ICE and Radio Supply bringing extra stock this year. There will be all the other usual Field Day attractions with fox hunts both days. We are expecting a good field of Home Brew projects so everyone is encouraged to bring their latest projects along for the display. There will be a sausage sizzle lunch on the Saturday. On Sunday there will be bacon and egg sandwiches for breakfast and sausage and steak sandwiches with fruit salad and ice cream for lunch. There is no charge or commission for disposals. Looking forward to seeing a good contingent from Westlakes at our Field Day again. Everyone is welcome. 73 Henry VK2ZHE ARNSW BALUN DAY. AR NSW is having a ‘Balun spectacular’ on Sunday 29 June at the Dural site, 63 Quarry Road starting at 10 am. Gates open at 0845 hrs for breakfast Yes, bacon and eggrolls are on the breakfast menu with a variety of sauces. Not only will you learn everything you need to know about the care and feeding of a balun, you will also have the opportunity to make your own 1:1 one kilowatt rated balun, at a subsidised price. As usual, AR NSW have sourced the best presenters from around the world. As usual, they are all from Sydney. Bookings are essential. Register by email to balun@arnsw.org.au Please include your callsign and a contact number. Admission free to AR NSW members. In accordance with numerous requests from mbers, we have organised a beautiful pair of Asian strippers to be raffled on the day. And there will be both chocolate and vanilla ice cream, but not for breakfast. Further details in later bulletins. Keep the date, Sunday 29 June for the ‘Balun spectacular’ That’s balun@arnsw.org.au NEW PRODUCT REVIEW. RIG EXPERT WTI-1 wireless transceiver interface. Connect your transceiver to the internet via WI-FI. Use your laptop to operate phone, CW, or digital modes from anywhere in the world. Analog audio interface is a connection to transceiver audio output (external speaker connector or line output) and transceiver audio input ( microphone connector or line input. Audio interface enables operating digital modes, recording and playing voice, as well as other useful functions ( such as measuring levels of a signalfrom the air) by using a computer. You may use a conventional headset on your computer to operate voice modes. A virtual soundcard drives is provided to support operating digital modes.CAT interface for various transceiver models. CAT (Computer Aided Transceiver) system provides control of transceiver frequency, operating mode and other functions by computer software. Normally, modern transceivers have serial (with various signal levels) link providing CAT interface. In RigExpert WTI-1, CAT interface port is seen as a COM port by computer software. FSK output FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) is a popular method of transmitting digital messages over radio primarily used in radioteletype (RTTY) mode. Most transceivers provide FSK modulator feature to make the RTTY signal stable and clear. A separate COM port is assigned for the FSK output when using RigExpert WTI-1. PTT and CW output functions. Transceivers provide PTT (Push To Talk) and CW (Continuous Wave) keyer inputs to allow setting the transmitter on or off and operating CW using external device (PTT pedal, CW bug or paddle, terminal node controller, or personal computer). In RigExpert WTI-1, PTT and CW outputs are assigned to the RTS and DTR lines of a separate COM port. In addition, the user may press the PTT button on the screen to activate transmission. WinKey emulation. To operate CW, you may use software which either directly manipulates the DTR line, or uses the WinKey protocol. A separate COM port is created in the system to support the WinKey data exchange. 9A5N Solid state CW paddle is a completely new product in the world of telegraphy keys. Innovative idea of detection finger pressing to paddle lever(s) eliminates moving parts typical for mechanical keys. Solid State CW Paddle advantages: - standstill lever(s) has no travel time and moving inertia - fingers movement is diminished - keying is absolutely silent, without clicking sound produced by moving parts - keying pressure on the lever(s) is adjustable in range from 10 to 50 grams by software algorithm - no maintenance and periodical readjustments typical for mechanical keys Keying technique with Solid State CW Paddle is equivalent to the mechanical paddle technique. User will easily and quickly correct keying style according to the Solid State CW Paddle advantages and increase possible maximum keying speed. Keying with lower finger pressure on lever(s) and diminished fingers movement will make keying less fatigue and more enjoyable. The paddle “brain” based on microcontroller technology is situated in a head made of aluminium to protect sensitive electronic from influence of RF signals. Paddle base is made of stainless steel/coated steel. Total paddle weight of 1.8kg gives outstanding paddle stability on surface during keying. Solid State CW Paddle, available in single and twin lever version, will provide you many hours of CW keying pleasure for years to come. In order to generate CW code with Solid State CW Paddle, external electronic keyer must be in use. Dimensions: 90 x 90 x 60 mm Weight: 1,8 kg Supply: 2 x AAA (LR03) batteries built in paddle base There you are Greg, a new toy to play with. Well that's all the news I have this week. Do you have a news item that you would like read out on a broadcast? Contact Richard VK2FRKO on email address vk2frko@tpg.com.au or give the item to Richard at the club.

WESTLAKES BROADCAST NEWS FOR MAY 25TH 2014

Last week's lucky meat tray winner Maurice VK2FTLC was not at the club yesterday to draw this weeks lucky meat tray winner. In his absence Dennis VK2XDW drew out the ticket belonging to non other than his good friend Greg VK2CW. Congratulations Penny and Greg enjoy the meat tray. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Yesterday morning on Stone the Crows net ( 3588KHz ) we had the pleasure of Barry VK2BZ who was portable up in VK4. Enjoy your break Barry and it will be good to see your completed kit row boat when you return. Remember ANYONE CAN JOIN THE NET AND ITS COMMENCES AT 0600 AND RUNS FOR AN HOUR ON SATURDAY MORNINGS. -------------------------------------------------------------------- While talking about nets, our club WESTLAKES A.R.C. also has a net on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on the frequency of 7150KHz commencing at 0930. We don't charge a cent for joining and having a chat. --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Foundation licence class was in full swing in the education room thanks to Steve VK2LW and Geoff VK2GL In fact the number in the group has now risen to six. Don't forget if you have a Foundation or Standard licence have you thought of upgrading? Just see Steve of Geoff at the club on Saturdays or leave a message on the clubs answering machine. Remember, we ONLY check for messages on a SATURDAY morning so if you ring on a Monday please be patient and we will get back to you OR your can snail mail to the club address which is Westlakes Amateur Radio Club P.O. Box 5 BOOLAROO NSW 2284. Yes the secretary does have an email which is secretary@westlakesarc.org.au ---------------------------------------------------------------------- New member. Joining Westlakes yesterday was Gerard Wheeler of Mount Hutton. He already holds a Foundation Licence from the UK but the ACMA requires him to re-sit and be assessed for the VK Foundation test. Strange, but true. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The monthly club magazine for June is completed - that's half the year gone already - and will be dispatched to members in its various forms next weekend. --------------------------------------------------------------------- A meeting of the committee formed to plan Westlakes attendance at the out town model show was held in the library yesterday. The modellers will gather at the Broadmeadow Racecourse over two days on 23rd and 24th August. At least this event is undercover unlike the washout we had at the Newcastle Regional show in February. --------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM THE WIA. Telstra has confirmed its plans to spend $100 million to get a public Wi-Fi network up and running by 2015. The plan will see up to 8000 new wireless installations to connect customers to two million Wi-Fi hot-spots while in the air across Australia.Telstra customers, who choose to join Telstra Wi-Fi, will be provided compatible modems to access their allowance at no extra charge via domestic hotspots and connect to more than 12 million Fon-enabled hotspots globally. Non Telstra customers and Telstra customers who have not joined the Wi-Fi community will be able to connect to Fon-enabled Telstra Wi-Fi hotspots for a small charge using 'day passes.' --------------------------------------------------------------------- Don't forget AR NSW is having a ‘Balun spectacular’ on Sunday 29 June at the Dural site, 63 Quarry Road starting at 10 am. Gates open at 0845 hrs for breakfast Yes, bacon and egg rolls are on the breakfast menu with a variety of sauces. Not only will you learn everything you need to know about the care and feeding of a balun, you will also have the opportunity to make your own 1:1 one kilowatt rated balun, at a subsidised price. Advised by Al HirschelVK2KAM Event commanderAR NSW. -------------------------------------------------------------------- The Oxley Region ARC 2014 Field Day will be an excellent weekend again this year. The venue is the same as last year, the Tacking Point Surf Life Saving Club hall on Matthew Flinders Drive, Lighthouse Beach, Port Macquarie. The Field Day dinner will be on Saturday night the 7th of June from 6pm at the Port Macquarie Golf Club with the same arrangements as last year. Sunday is the trading day with both VK4ICE and Radio Supply bringing extra stock this year. There will be all the other usual Field Day attractions with fox hunts both days. We are expecting a good field of Home Brew projects so everyone is encouraged to bring their latest projects along for the display. There will be a sausage sizzle lunch on the Saturday. On Sunday there will be bacon and egg sandwiches for breakfast and sausage and steak sandwiches with fruit salad and ice cream for lunch. There is no charge or commission for disposals. That item comes from Henry VK2ZHE --------------------------------------------------------------------- The NSW government announced on Sunday that it will be spending $4 million over two years to roll-out the body worn video (BWV) cameras for frontline police. The cameras will be attached to the vest of the officers. Video captures events that can often defuse potentially violent situations without the need for force to be used. It will also show police dealing with difficult and dangerous situations every day and it will also provide clearer evidence when it's been alleged that police got things wrong. Officers attached to the Public Order and Riot Squad, Police Transport Command and other highly mobile frontline officers will be given priority for the cameras. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Transport for NSW is using the Illawarra to test a high-tech system that will allow truck drivers to "see" up to a kilometre ahead. The initiative uses Co-operative Intelligent Transport Systems (CITS) technology, which will allow trucks to transmit and receive warnings about road hazards and conditions ahead. It aims to increase safety and traffic flow because it will mean drivers can "see" over the crests of hills and around corners. The trial, due to start in the next few months, will involve several trucks fitted with CITS equipment travelling along a 42-kilometre route between Port Kembla and the Picton-Hume Highway interchange. A second phase of the project will include up to 120 heavy vehicles,will see up to three intersections "signalised" which will enable vehicles to be warned when approaching a red light even though the drivers can't see them. Whatever Next? ----------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a news item that you would like read out on a broadcast? Contact Richard VK2FRKO on email address vk2frko@tpg.com.au or give the item to Richard at the club. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street, TERALBA - and is open on Saturday from around 11:00 am. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6:00 pm. To make contact at other times, try dialling (02) 49 581588 where an answering service operates. Visitors are always welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee, long-life milk, a good Canteen and an interesting selection of biscuits.