WANSARC NEWS

WANSARC NEWS
Incorporated in Victoria, 1985 Registration Number: A0007611S
The monthly magazine of the
Western & Northern Suburbs Amateur Radio Club
Melbourne,
Australia
.
. .
VK3AWS
www wansarc org au
146.450 MHz FM
Volume No: 42
Issue 11
November
28.470 MHz USB
2011
Next Club Meeting, Friday 4th November
Ern Rose Memorial Pavilion, Seaver Grove, Reservoir @ 7.30pm
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This meeting will have a live running demonstration of
10GHz ~ 10 watts - Fast Scan Television
Better bring some SPF10,000+++ protection and Ray Bans
BYO Marshmallows and sticks, or BBQ Ribs if your keen...
JOTA was on again and WANSARC setup at both Hoppers Crossing as VK3AWS.
WANSARC members also assisted at Riddells Creek, as VK3SAH.
Mark VK3PI keeps the logs while the girl guides have a QSO. Like last year, the girls learn quick and very
little coaching was needed, other than to remember to speak clearly and a little slower than in person.
It's the same pattern ~ first minute is shyness, next minute getting the hang of it, next minute enjoyment, after
that you have to pry the microphone off them to hand over to the next girl waiting... more on pages 12 & 13
Around the Shack
WANSARC Christmas Dinner 2011
VK100ARV Amateur Radio Victoria Centenary
VK100ARV Amateur Radio Victoria Centenary - WANSARC Roster
Bob VK3EL (SK) Tribute Day
10GHz / 24GHz Amateur Television Project ~ Construction & Testing ~ Mick VK3CH
WANSARC participation in JOTA – October 15, 2011 by Mark VK3PI
JOTA Riddells Creek ~ John VK3FMPB
Sleeping With Jack
WANSARC Club Profile
WANSARC Vol 42 Issue 11 2011
Page 1 of 20
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Around the Shack
CANCELLATION OF THE DX0DX DXPEDITION
Due to the situation in the South China Seas which has been
escalating over the past 12 months it has been decided to cancel
plans to activate Thitu Island in the Spratlys.
Team Leader Chris Dimitrijevic VK3FY said “With this in mind
and having a responsibility of duty of care for the operators, I’ve
decided that the risks outweigh the hobby. With the notion of
safety first above all else, the DXpedition is off for the
foreseeable future.”
About 30 radio amateurs were to operate for three weeks from
The Philippines controlled island of Thitu in January 2011. It was
delayed and is now cancelled. The Spratlys between Vietnam,
China, Malaysia, Brunei, and The Philippines is a much sought
DX entity.
Chris VK3FY said, “This has been an extremely costly
DXpedition. It’s hoped that each sponsor/club, understands the
amounts of refunds to be sent to each and the team, may be less
than the amount contributed.
“With sales of assets continuing and the final loan equipment
arriving finally into the USA (due to the new home land security
requirements) for redistribution to the owner, the books can be
finalised and refunds begin once approved by the team.” The
cancellation has been made known widely and those involved are
being kept informed.
~ARV Website
THE 5MHZ NEWSLETTER
A Newsletter has been launched to support the growing number of
5MHz operating permissions globally.
The 5MHz Newsletter is edited by Paul Gaskell, G4MWO, one of
the original RSGB 5MHz team. It aims to be both an accurate
information source of news about 5MHz and a platform for
exchange of ideas, be they theoretical, operational, constructional
or just general comments about the band. You can freely access
the 5MHz Newsletter from Google Documents at
http://tinyurl.com/6fkhcmf
Although originating in the UK, the 5MHz Newsletter invites
world-wide interest, both in readers and contributors.
~WIA News
ULTRASONIC BEAM = WIRELESS CHARGING
The day when we don't have to plug in our consumer electronics
is getting closer, claim a new start-up firm named uBeam that has
developed a safe way of beaming power to your devices. Rather
than using inductive charging, which has a very short effective
range and usually requires that the charger and device be in close
proximity to each other, uBeam uses an ultrasonic transducer to
convert power from your wall
socket into inaudible sound energy. On the device side, there's a
battery adapter that converts the sound energy back into power to
charge your batteries. The ultrasonic frequency used is well above
the range that can be heard by humans or dogs.
http://www.ubeam.com/
~WIA News
VK100ARV ON VK3RTV
VK100ARV will be active from VK3BFG on VK3RTV on Wed
Nov 2nd, straight after the WIA broadcast and call back.
Will take ATV stations, stations on 147.4 FM and local, regional
& interstate stations watching via BATC website. Interstate and
regional can contact via Skype and will appear on VK3RTV1.
Spring VHF-UHF
Field Day 2011
26/27 November
Full details and rules at
http://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/vhfuhf/
WANSARC Vol 42 Issue 11 2011
DUMPED COMPUTERS EXPLOITED OVERSEAS
CRIMINAL networks are feeding off Australians' lust for new
technology by skimming data from computers dumped in Africa
and Asia - and using it for blackmail, fraud and identity theft.
They will pay as much as $200 on the black market for discarded
computer hard drives, which they mine for bank details, credit
card numbers and account passwords.
These hard drives are among the mountains of electronic waste
earmarked for recycling here. Instead, they are illegally shipped to
developing countries by operators seeking bigger profits.
Televisions to computers - are buried in local landfill each year,
creating a toxic pollution problem. Others are being resold with
confidential data intact, creating opportunities for fraud in
Australia. In one local case, the old computers of a television
network were found with the personal phone numbers of
politicians, storylines and staff records, as soon as two months
after the files were created.
Elsewhere, dumped computers contained tax file numbers, asset
lists and income details for customers of a big accounting firm. In
another case, the records of a major medical services company
included the highly confidential medical histories of patients and
evaluations of doctors' performance.
Geordie Gill, who runs a Sydney e-waste recycling service, said
he had been approached by operators offering to take e-waste for
free, arousing his suspicions it would have been heading overseas.
Sending e-waste overseas is cheaper, but its export is banned and
the Department of Sustainability and Environment is now
investigating the discovery of Australian e-waste dumped in
Ghana.
Jim Puckett, an investigator from the Washington-based Basel
Action Network, said computers were sent to cybercrime hotspots
Nigeria and Ghana, where hard drives fetched $US200.
''At first hard drives were being sold for about $25 but the price
has risen for hard drives with data intact,'' he told Fairfax. ''People
do not seem to be aware that they are exposing themselves to
these personal crimes.''
Mr Puckett said they had found dumped data from organisations
such as the World Bank and child-protection agencies.
Legitimate recycling companies in Sydney say the federal
government must do more to prevent the illegal shipments of
second-hand hardware.
''In Africa, the way they do it is plug in a power supply to the hard
drive and rip out the information,'' said Mr Gill. ''It is too easy - a
few plugs and they have it. It is scary. You can't stop the kids in
Africa going over the pile of computers. It has to stop here.''
Professor Craig Valli, a cyber security expert from Edith Cowan
University, heads its Security Research Centre in collaboration
with four universities around the world. They have spent the past
five years analysing second-hand hard drives.
Professor Valli said each year they find more classified
information leaving people very exposed to identity theft and
blackmail.
Australian Federal Police Superintendent Benjamin McQuillan, of
the National Organised Crime Taskforce, warns that, before
discarding devices, Australians need to destroy hard drives or use
memory-wiping programs to delete data.
~Internet
WANSARC NET
146.450 MHz FM TUESDAY NIGHTS @ 7.30PM
LISTEN FOR NET CONTROL STATION
VK3AWS
Page 2 of 20
COOL QSL DELIVERS
Remember the "Cool QSL' note last month?
Well my order arrived a few weeks ago and my QSL cards look
exactly as they promised and very cheap too. After how many
years of operating as VK3CH, I finally have QSL cards to send
when contesting.
I highly recommend them, see http://www.coolqsl.com/
Thanks to Chris VK3FY who put me on to them.
Front and rear of the cards ↓
The station was rebroadcasting music from MyMP, an outfit
which broadcasts mainly middle-of-the-road music via DAB
digital radio. But it didn't have a broadcasting licence.
"Following a complaint," ACMA reports gravely, "inspectors
from ACMA Field Operations Section used advanced directionfinding equipment to pinpoint the exact location of the
transmitter" and closed it down.
Unlicensed station operators can face hefty penalties or
prosecution, the watchdog warns. ~WIA News
WELCOME NEW MEMBER - MATT - VK3ABC
The newest member to WANSARC, but already with close ties to
the club for years is Matt Stanton, VK3ABC.
Matt came to know WANSARC due to his long term friendship
with Bob VK3EL (SK).
Matt started his membership with a BBQ, see page 7.
VK3CH ~ 100 POINTS SCORED FOR VK100ARV
It was a challenge to find ARV members active on air, but we
found them. I had quite a respectable tally until I found out a few
weeks later that contacts via repeaters were not allowed.
After deleting these it was nearly back to square one...
You are allowed to work the same station in any new UTC day
and on any band for a separate log.
Contacts between any ARV member station scores you two
points. Contact with any VK100ARV special event station gets
you 10 points and you don't need to be a member to claim this.
ACMA INVESTIGATES SERIOUS INTERFERENCE ON
AMATEUR BANDS
Mark Loney, Executive Manager, Operations Branch of the
ACMA has advised the WIA that the Operations Branch has been
investigating interference to the Mt. Cottrel and Mt. Macedon
repeaters as a result of complaints made by radio amateurs.
As a result of those investigations the ACMA applied to the
Melbourne Magistrates Court for the issue of a search warrant
under the Radio communications Act 1992. The application was
successful and the search warrant was executed on premises in
metropolitan Melbourne Wednesday 14 Sep. with the assistance
of Victoria Police. Mr. Loney advises that as this is an ongoing
investigation, the ACMA is unable to provide further details.
The WIA President, Michael Owen VK3KI says that the WIA
welcomes these compliance activities affecting the amateur
community. Mr Loney points out that the successful prosecution
of individuals charged with causing serious interference on
amateur bands depends heavily on the willingness of amateurs to
give evidence and to provide evidentiary statements to ACMA
compliance staff. The WIA encourages all amateurs to support
the ACMA investigations.
~WIA News
PIRATE RADIO STATION STOMPED ON BY ACMA
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has
stomped on a pirate radio station that was operating from
Chadstone, Melbourne. The station, operating on 1485kHz AM
could be heard for up to 10km, and had been broadcasting for the
past week, mainly in the evenings, ACMA reported.
WANSARC Vol 42 Issue 11 2011
So after hounding whomever I could find, slowly the points
racked up. Starting on August 5th, finally by 20th October I had
116 points for both VK3CH and VK3BBA.
Thanks go out to Peter VK3BFG, Mark VK3PI, Don VK3HDX,
Graeme VK3NE, Chris VK3FY, Nikolaas VK3FNIK, Lou
VK3ZLD and Ian, with both VK3XIJ and VK3QL.
Between these stations operating on multiple days and on multiple
bands, 116 points was scored over three months.
It should be noted that not one contact with a VK100ARV special
event station was logged by me, so it is possible to obtain a
certificate if you are determined (or is that annoying) enough!
The best comment must have been from Mark VK3PI who said
"...tell me when you have 100 points so I know when I can come
back on air without you bugging me for points...!"
The logs have been posted off to ARV.
No idea if one of the first to claim or not. (later told I was 3rd)
Qualification for the award is between August 1 and November
30 and all radio amateurs and shortwave listeners are welcome.
For Australian stations a total of 100 points are required and DX
stations 25 points, so you don't have much time left!
Claims of an extract of log must be accompanied by $5 or
equivalent and reach the Awards Manager, Amateur Radio
Victoria, 40g Victory Boulevard, Ashburton 3147, Victoria,
Australia not later than Postmarked December 6, 2011.
~Mick VK3CH
Page 3 of 20
REPEATER NEWS FROM AMATEUR RADIO VICTORIA
Current maintenance around the state being undertaken by
Amateur Radio Victoria.
VK3RGC Montpellier Building and antenna works in excess of
$3500 has been completed and repeater is fully functional.
VK3RSG Bass Hill ARV volunteers attended and found feeder
and antenna have parted company. Riggers have been booked to
replace antenna.
VK3RWZ Mt William is suffering inter modulation and we are
awaiting inspection of suspect feeders on another site suspected of
causing the problem.
VK3RMM Mt Macedon 2m OK
VK3RMM Mt Macedon 70cm is suffering inter modulation from
local community FM station and we are in process of swapping
frequency with VK3RIR Arthur's Seat to fix problem. When this
is done the 70cm component of Dstar will be integrated with the
new frequency.
VK3RML OK
VK3RPU OK
VK3RWM Mt Arapiles currently de-sensing awaiting solution
from pager owners.
VK3RNU Mt Stanley earth works have now been completed after
delays with bad weather and building works should commence
shortly.
VK3RCV strong winds have damaged top co-linear antenna and
riggers have been booked to attend site.
VK3RBO OK
VK3RTV OK
VK3RMK OK awaiting equipment upgrade.
Please remember the bulk of Repeater works is carried out by
our dedicated volunteers who all have full time jobs and families
so please be patient.
The Centre Victoria Radio Fest returns to the Kyneton Race
Course on Sunday Feb 12th 2012. One of the highlights will be a
demonstration and talk on the new software/hardware alternative
for generating DVB-S digital TV signals.
Make sure to keep the date free.
When upgrading your callsign or email address please remember
to advise ARV so we can keep your details current.
Regards, Ross VK3CE, Treasurer ARV
Proceeds of the action go to WANSARC, due to the generosity of
the executer of Laurie VK3DPF (SK) estate.
"Come on, touch me baby..." ↓
D-STAR QSO PARTY
A weekend D-STAR QSO Party is being organised next month by
Icom, the marketer of equipment for the Digital Smart
Technology for Amateur Radio. From 0001 November 11
LAST WANSARC MEETING
through to 2359 on November 13 (UTC) it expects as many DLast month meeting was held surrounded by puppets, interesting... STAR repeaters as possible to be on air.
The after general discussions an auction was run by Mark VK3PI. The goal this year is for D-STAR operators to work through as
many repeaters and with other D-STAR operators using the DVmode across the globe. UK-based Icom Inc. has as prizes a total
of 15 soon to be released ID-31E D-STAR UHF handheld
transceivers.
The rules are simple:
• Make a contact through at least one repeater in your own
country.
• Contact D-STAR users in five foreign countries and you will
double your chances to win a prize.
• Contact D-STAR users in 10 foreign countries and you will
triple your chances to win a prize.
• Contact D-STAR users in more than 20 foreign countries and
you will quadruple your chances to win a prize.
More detailed information will be downloadable at Icom Inc.
Looking at what's on offer ↑
WANSARC Vol 42 Issue 11 2011
Mark flogging goods ↓
WEAK-SIGNAL DIGITAL MODE - JT65A
Ever wondered how much noise on the HF bands is actually
signals too weak to be copied? Well the JT65A is a weak-signal
digital mode that gets great DX out from under the noise.
Conceived by Joe Taylor K1JT, originally it was the JT65
protocol designed for EME contacts on the HF and VHF bands.
Later it was adapted for terrestrial HF communications.
For
more
information
on
the
mode
visit:
http://nw7us.us/jt65a.html
~ARV Website
Page 4 of 20
DIGITAL SSTV EXPERIMENTS
A group of radio amateurs in the Greater Melbourne area are now
experimenting with Digital Slow Scan Television (SSTV) using
the Easy Pal software. It requires a bandwidth of 2.5kHz and
images can be sent in just over a minute with Easy Pal's adjustable
compression capability to shorten transmission times.
Steve Ireland VK3SIR reports that a recent session with four
participants achieved fantastic results with minimal transmit
power levels. The group sought and obtained permission from
Amateur Radio Victoria to conduct the experiments through the
Mt Dandenong 2-metre voice repeater VK3RML.
At this stage the Digital SSTV experiments are held at 9pm on
Mondays and Thursdays lasting around an hour. The group
expresses its appreciation to other repeater users that enable the
time-slot to occur.
Steve VK3SIR says he welcomes inquiries and participation for
others who want to explore the transmission mode and join the
group. Others participating are the group’s co-sponsor Chris
Long VK3AML, Craig Shine VK3NCR and Marshall Graham
VK3MRG.
~ARV Website
INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT GROWS FOR 500 KHZ
A lot of work has been carried out by the
International Amateur Radio Union
(IARU) to secure a place for the
Amateur Service around 500 kHz at the
World Radio Conference (WRC-12)
next year. This is in response to the
WRC-12 agenda which calls for the
matter to be discussed by delegates, and
hopefully all of the groundwork will have played its part in
achieving a new band.
Agenda item 1.23 at WRC-12 asks that consideration be given to
415-526.5 kHz for the Amateur Service on a secondary basis,
taking into account the need to protect existing services.
The primary user of the spectrum is the Maritime and
Aeronautical Radionavigation Services. As secondary users the
Amateur Service would not be afforded any protection.
The latest from the European Conference of Postal and
Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) is that if favours an
allocation between 472 and 480 kHz. This draft is due next month
for ratification.
The Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) met recently in Busan,
Korea. There the agenda item was discussed but opposed. The
APT believes, taking in account the opposition shown, that it
particularly supports an allocation of 472-487 kHz.
The African Telecommunications Union (ATU) has adopted a
common proposal calling for an allocation in the range of 472-487
kHz. So has the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission
(CITEL) representing the Americas.
While the Federal Communication Commission claims a number
of countries are in support of it seeking access to 461-469 and
471-478 kHz.
The Arab Spectrum Management Group (ASMG) member
countries are still discussion on the matter, and the Regional
Commonwealth in the field of Communications (RCC),
comprising most countries of the former Soviet Union, favours
discussion on an allocation no higher than 487 kHz.
A lot of the WRC work is done by the IARU attending the
regional preparatory group meetings. The WRC-12 is to be held in
Geneva, Switzerland, from January 23 to February 17, 2012.
The IARU has long thought that this part of the spectrum was
interesting to radio amateurs because of its unique propagation
properties, which include both ground-wave and sky-wave modes.
A number of experiments on the 500 kHz band are being
conducted. The frequency 495-505 kHz is allocated, but
technological advances such as the Global Maritime Distress and
Safety System have rendered it virtually obsolete.
~ARV Website
WANSARC Vol 42 Issue 11 2011
ACMA SEARCH, SEIZURE AND ENFORCEMENT
A man finds himself the subject of allegations and seizure of
equipment by the Australian Communications and Media
Authority following a recent visit to his home.
What is to be alleged are breaches of the Radio communications
Act 1992. The raid, in Melbourne’s west, follows a prolonged
investigation into interference being experienced by radio
amateurs on two repeater systems.
The ACMA successfully applied under Section 269 of the Act for
a search warrant issued through the Melbourne Magistrates Court.
The ACMA has gone quiet since the raid on September 14, while
its investigation in ongoing. A court hearing is yet to be set.
In June this year the ACMA reported how it invoked search
warrants and prosecuted two people in Melbourne who used
encrypted communications for their own communications.
The ACMA found seven radios programmed on the channel
suffering interference worth $5000 and these were surrendered to
it during the court hearing. One offender with a Foundation
Licence had it suspended for three months, while the other was
unlicensed.
Any thought that the ACMA had become a toothless tiger not
caring of the Amateur Service were put to rest when it cancelled a
licence and callsign.
The cancellation 18-months ago came after the ACMA had
investigated interference to other stations, failure to use a callsign
and transmitting an unmodulated carrier.
Prior to that every effort had been made to assist, encourage and
educate the individual to understand the importance of licence
conditions.
In a further case earlier this year, it was alleged to the ACMA that
anti-social behaviour had occurred involving two men on a
repeater.
One complainant claimed their use of language, subject manner
and general behaviour was out of step with the principals of the
Amateur Radio Service and its regulations. Both were to have
been visited by ACMA field staff, undergone a re-education
program.
This week the ACMA closed a pirate radio station in Melbourne’s
southeast Chadstone, which could be heard up to 10km away on a
frequency of 1485 kHz AM.
It was rebroadcasting a digital only commercial station MyMP
most evenings from 25 September until October 5 until, acting on
a complaint, the transmitter was found and silenced by the
ACMA.
Investigations are continuing and unlicensed station operators
usually face penalties or prosecution.
The ACMA has a range of powers under the Radio
communications Act. It considers the severity of the interference
and the risk to licensed users of the radiofrequency spectrum
before deciding on the most appropriate response.
NEW CALLSIGN BLOCK AVAILABLE
The ACMA advised the WIA that a number of amateurs had
sought Advanced three letter call signs commencing with the
letter "O". Previously that block had not been used because of a
fear of confusion between the letter "O" and the numeral "0".
The opinion of the WIA was sought.
The Directors took the view that as phonetics are almost
universally used and as other countries used such a block without
apparent difficulty, there seemed to be no reason why that block
could not be used.
The ACMA has now released the block of three letter call signs
commencing with the letter "O" for Advanced licensees.
All available three letter "O" call signs are now visible on the
Public List of Available Callsigns on the WIA website.
~Michael Owen - VK3KI
Page 5 of 20
SOUNDHOUND ~ IDENTIFYING SONGS
SoundHound, whose music app can identify songs playing on the
radio or hummed by its users, reports that it is processing about 4
million name-that-tune requests a day.
The statistic is interesting because it gives a glimpse of how
popular music "searches" have become in the age of computers
that can recognize both voice and sound.
Apple iPhone 4S users may be enthralled with the device's Siri
application, whose cheeky answers have become a viral staple on
about 77,500 videos on YouTube. But the technology behind Siri
is something that SoundHound has been developing for the last
five years. What are SoundHound's users clicking on?
All sorts of things: song lyrics, artist biographies, photos and
greatest hits lists.
Some even click over to iTunes or Amazon.com's MP3 store to
buy the songs.
In an age where there are tens of millions of songs online, finding
the tune that your grandmother hummed to you as a child may be
RADIO coverage that failed during the Black Saturday bushfires like searching for a needle in a digital haystack.
SoundHound is aiming to find that 'needle' for you!
could be improved with new CFA radio towers.
~WIA NEWS
CFA has identified 52 locations where radio reception is poor or
non-existent. Several of these so-called black spots are in
Whittlesea and Nillumbik including areas around Warrandyte HISTORIC CAR RALLY – EAST GIPPSLAND
Amateur Radio Operators will be visiting East Gippsland during
North, Eltham and St Andrews.
The 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission found one of the weekend of the 26th and 27th of November to provide support
the major problems on Black Saturday was the shortcomings of for the Historic Rally Association of Victoria during their conduct
of one of the biggest car rallies in Australia, with vehicles coming
CFA radio communication.
The CFA announced last week 12 to 15 new fixed radio repeaters from all around Australia and New Zealand.
This exercise will operate over two days and one night and will be
would be built across the state to improve signals.
Kinglake West CFA captain Karyn Norbury said about 25 per in the forest area on “back roads” off the Princes Highway
between Lakes Entrance and the township of Cann River
cent of the station's area was considered a radio black spot.
An Amateur Radio communication system to provide vital safety
~WIA News
reporting of car positions will operate through several 2m
repeaters previously established by the East Gippsland Amateur
WIA NATIONAL FIELD DAY 2012
The date of the Radio Club, providing communications along the Highway The
next WIA National reporting of vehicle positions will be to one central control point
Field Day is the to ensure the safety of all competitors.
weekend of the If you would like to be an operator at one of these control
14th and 15th of positions, have a close up view of the event and spend a day in the
April
2012. Gippsland forest, please contact Col Pomroy Email at
Providing two days colinpomroy@bigpond.com or Mobile 0417 305 702
~ Michael, Club Publicity Officer VK3HAU
of
possible
CFA AIMS TO WIDEN RADIO COVERAGE
operation
will
support
club
requests for some
flexibility to suit
their
local
community
with
operation on either
the Saturday or
Sunday.
This is not suggesting that the clubs would need to operate their
displays over the two days unless they wanted to.
Advertising material will require a little customising by local
clubs to match the times and date of the local activity.
Acknowledging valuable feedback from clubs, some changes to
the rules and guidelines of the 2012 event will be advised to
support the two days of operation of this event as it is certainly
not a traditional AR contest. The rewarding or recognition of
clubs who take pride in their preparation and presentation will still
be encouraged.
The objective of the WIA National Field Day is to positively
place the hobby of amateur radio in front of the general public, to
provide various clubs with an opportunity to promote their
activities and increase the awareness of amateur radio training
opportunities, either via the local clubs or the amateur radio
fraternity as a whole.
~Philip Adams - VK3JNI, WIA News
WANSARC Vol 42 Issue 11 2011
WIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE MILDURA
May 25th, 26th and 27th 2012
Details for the WIA 2012 Annual Conference being held in
Mildura are on www.wia.org.au
Host club is Sunraysia Radio Group, led by Garry Briant
VK3KYF and Noel Ferguson VK3FI.
WIA Members who register for the event will be able to
participate in a range of fascinating and memorable activities.
~WIA News
VINTAGE FILM - THE WORLD OF AMATEUR RADIO
Dick Van Dyke, Barry Goldwater K7UGA, Arthur Godfrey
K4LIB and many others extol the virtues of amateur radio in this
vintage film from the 1970's.
On YouTube Tim Verthein KC0JEZ writes:
"I converted this old and somewhat damaged 16mm film to video
tape many years ago when the technology to do that was rather
archaic. I have now converted those old video reels to digital
movies. Not the best quality but still quite amusing.
Watch Hams Wide World-Amateur Radio Vintage Film, Google
on YouTube Tim KC0JEZ's website.
~WIA News
Page 6 of 20
BPL NEWS
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved
new access BPL rules with minor changes which appear to be a
green light for the technology to be delivered by powerlines
throughout the USA.
The rules are a balance, said the FCC, between the dual objectives
of providing for BPL technology that has potential applications
for broadband and Smart Grid, while protecting existing radio
services.
Since 2004 radio amateurs and others around the world have
opposed the harmful interference that can result from BPL use.
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is against the FCC
decision. It points out that it fails to adopt its own proposal and
also declined to adopt the ARRL’s request for mandatory
notching.
Instead, the FCC had increased the requirement for BPL systems
to be able to notch frequency bands to at least 25 dB, an increase
of 5 dB from the existing requirement of 20 dB.
ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner K1ZZ said, “The
increase in notch depth is a step in the right direction, but the
value of the change is greatly diminished by the notches not being
mandatory.”
The FCC acknowledges that a compliant BPL system will
increase the noise floor below 30 MHz at distances of up to 400
meters from a power line, but characterises that as ‘a relatively
short distance.’
He asks, “How many amateur stations are located more than a
quarter-mile from the nearest power line?”
While a thorough technical analysis of the FCC’s latest 17-page
BPL document will take some time, Mr Sumner predicted that the
ARRL will file a Petition for Reconsideration.
“While BPL has failed in the marketplace as a medium for
delivering broadband connectivity to consumers, the technology is
perceived to have some ‘smart grid’ applications.
“Now is the time to fix the rules, principally by mandatory
notching, so that any new entrants will be competing on a level
playing field with the existing BPL firms that have recognised the
need for notching of the amateur bands,” he said.
According to the FCC, the potential benefits of the technology
warrant acceptance of a negligible risk of harmful interference
that can be managed and corrected as needed, on a case-by-case
basis.
~ARV Website
FOUNDATION LICENCE COURSES
3 & 4 December
Courses are held at the Amateur Radio
Victoria office
40G Victory Blvd, Ashburton.
The study and operational practice
guide book for the Foundation
Licence. Mail orders $26.00 - delivery
Australia wide.
Contact: Barry Robinson, VK3PV
0428
516
001
Or
see
http://amateurradio.com.au/foundation
FLOODED THAILAND
Severe flooding that has claimed the lives of over 370 lives in less
than three months is now closing in on the capital Bangkok as the
WANSARC Vol 42 Issue 11 2011
authorities struggle to divert as much water as possible around the
city and reinforce barriers to keep remaining areas dry.
But according to Tony Waltham, HS0ZDX, for many areas to the
north of the capital it is too late and hundreds of communities
there are uninhabitable with flood water more than two or three
metres deep in some areas.
Under water is agricultural land reducing the crop yield, factories
causing suspensions or disruptions, and housing. The economic
cost is put at $3 billion. The heavy monsoon earlier rain hit
Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and the Philippines.
Amateur radio has been playing an ongoing role in this disaster
with operators helping to co-ordinate relief and rescue work using
VHF
two-way
communications
and
repeaters,
HF
communications in the 40 metre band (7060-7063 KHz).
As well there are several Echolink conference rooms, including
the "Bangkok", "Thailand" and "HS0AC" conferences.
Tony HS0ZDX reports a special centre for amateur radio
communications has been established by Thailand's regulator, the
National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission
(NBTC) using the callsign HS0AB at Bangkok's second airport,
Don Mueang, which is now besieged by flooding itself.
Among the areas inundated by more than a metre of water is the
campus of the Asian Institute of Technology, where the Radio
Amateur Society of Thailand's HF club and contest station
HS0AC is located.
Sadly, all the transceivers and equipment at desktop level or
higher, are now submerged under flood water.
Another victim of the flooding was a RAST-sponsored FCC
Volunteer Examiner Co-ordinator (VEC) exam session that had
been scheduled for October 22 and had to be cancelled, despite 35
candidates having registered.
The amount of rainfall in Thailand since July has been
unprecedented. Based on government figures the total runoff from
a series of tropical storms is now estimated to comprise around
20,000 million cubic metres of water.
More than half this volume still to make its way through rivers,
canals and pumping stations past Bangkok to reach the Gulf of
Thailand.
It has been estimated that between 400 and 500 million cubic
metres can be drained each day, which means that the ongoing
crisis is likely to last at least another 20 days, if there is no more
heavy rainfall -- however, the rainy season has not yet ended.
Adding to the threat level for the remaining dry areas in the
capital city over the next few days are a series of peak sea tides
forecast for October 30 and October 31 that should cause river
levels to rise even higher than their record levels at present.
More than 10 million people have been directly affected by
flooding so far, while the Thai Government has been encouraging
residents of Bangkok, which has a population of some 12 million,
to evacuate if possible and to move their valuables upstairs as a
precaution, while a public holiday has been declared for 21
provinces from October 27-31.
Many industrial parks north of Bangkok have been inundated
despite all attempts to keep flood water at bay and this has
seriously disrupted Thailand's manufacturing sector and has also
caused supply chain shortages for in several industries.
Most of Bangkok is low-lying, being just one metre or less above
sea level, while Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra
has predicted that the floods will take from four to six weeks to
recede.
People are also being asked to boil tap water as flood water
briefly breached the canal that provides the city with its drinking
water and bottled water is now in short supply in shops and
department stores around Bangkok.
Tony HS0ZDX describes it as a time of uncertainty for most
residents of Bangkok, although he remains protected for the
moment.
~ARV Website, Jim Linton, VK3PC
Page 7 of 20
WANSARC Vol 42 Issue 11 2011
Page 8 of 20
VK100ARV Amateur Radio Victoria Centenary
The following roster is a guide to the times to work the special callsign VK100ARV as part of the Amateur Radio
Centenary.
DATV and Digital SSTV is Keith Proctor VK3FT who will chase DX.
The Scout Radio & Electronics Unit will kick off the special callsign on Melbourne Cup Day.
Then a five day stint by WANSARC.
After WANSARC are Sunraysia Radio Group and individuals Joe Walsh VK3XH, Luke Steele VK3HJ, Peter Freeman
VK3PF, Terry Murphy VK3UP and Tony Hambling VK3VTH.
November 1 - 0000-1300 VK3SGC Scout Radio & Electronics Unit.
November 2 - Keith Proctor VK3FT, Peter Cossins VK3BFG through VK3RTV.
November 3 - Luke Steele VK3HJ.
November 4 - Terry Murphy VK3UP assisted by Tony Hambling VK3VTH.
November 5 until 9 - Western & Northern Amateur Radio Club.
November 10, 11 & 12 - Terry Murphy VK3UP assisted by Tony Hambling VK3VTH.
November 13 - Luke Steele VK3HJ.
November 14 - Keith Proctor VK3FT, Digital SSTV Group (VK3RML 1000z-1300z).
November 15 & 16 – Keith Proctor VK3FT.
November 17 - Luke Steele VK3HJ.
November 18 - Peter Freeman VK3PF.
November 19 & 20 - Terry Murphy VK3UP (Brisbane Ranges National Park).
November 21 - Keith Proctor VK3FT, Digital SSTV Group (VK3RML 1000z-1300z).
November 22 - Luke Steele VK3HJ.
November 23 & 24 – Joe Walsh VK3XH
November 25, 26 & 27 - Sunraysia Radio Group.
November 28 – Keith Proctor VK3FT, Digital SSTV Group (VK3RML 1000z-1300z).
November 29 & 30 - Terry Murphy VK3UP assisted by Tony Hambling VK3VTH.
VK100ARV QSL Card ↓
Reverse side of VK100ARV QSL Card ↓
WANSARC has custody of the VK100ARV callsign across November 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th.
Club members set up at Bundoora Park on the weekend as a multi-operator station on as many bands as we can.
At other times individual club members will operate as VK100ARV either from home or portable.
On Tuesday night, 8th, the club Net will use the VK100ARV call.
Stations contacting VK100ARV qualify for 10 points towards the 100 points required to obtain the special
certificate from Amateur Radio Victoria.
You do not have to be a member of Amateur Radio Victoria to operate this special callsign under the
WANSARC roster umbrella, although Amateur Radio Victoria is encouraging amateurs to join.
Full information, rules and conditions are at the Amateur Radio Victoria website,
http://www.amateurradio.com.au/awards
WANSARC Vol 42 Issue 11 2011
Page 9 of 20
VK100ARV Amateur Radio Victoria Centenary - WANSARC Roster, November 5th ~ 9th
VK100ARV ~ Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th
WANSARC members are at Bundoora Park, portable on HF, VHF and UHF, operating as VK100ARV.
You won't find us on repeaters, listen near the suggested calling frequencies as listed in the WIA call book.
As the event is run to UTC time, Saturday it starts at 11am going until around 7pm or when we leave.
Sunday will have WANSARC members portable at Bundoora Park again on HF, VHF and UHF.
Sunday will start from about 8am until dusk.
Members welcome to QSO or drop in and have a go at the radios to give some of our operators voices a break...
If the cricket club is in use or not available any day, we will retreat to Rotunda 6, just behind the cricket club.
VK100ARV ~ Monday 7th
Commencing from midnight until midday is Mick VK3CH, portable from Doncaster East on HF.
From 2pm until 10pm sees Lou VK3ZLD on HF working local and Europe from his home QTH.
VK100ARV ~ Tuesday 8th
From midnight until 8am is Mick VK3CH, portable from Doncaster East on HF.
Mark VK3PI will be on various bands. Operating portable from a location as yet unknown, 8am until 4pm.
Lou VK3ZLD will be on HF working local and Europe from 4pm until 7.30pm
Starting at 7.30pm the club Net will be run by Mick with the VK100ARV call sign replacing VK3AWS.
After the Net, Trevor VK3ATX will operate from his QTH of Reservoir until midnight on HF and VHF.
VK100ARV ~ Wednesday 9th
From midnight until 7am is Mick VK3CH, portable from Doncaster East on HF.
Trevor VK3ATX will operate from his QTH of Reservoir 7am until 9am.
Mick VK3CH will operate VHF and UHF from Northcote 9am until 12pm.
Trevor VK3ATX will operate again from his QTH of Reservoir 12pm until 2pm.
Lou VK3ZLD is on HF working local and Europe from his home from 2pm until 10pm.
VK100ARV ~ Thursday 10th
Commencing from midnight until midday is Mick VK3CH, portable from Doncaster East on HF.
WANSARC will then end its custody of VK100ARV.
At 11am the VK100AWS call sign goes across to Terry Murphy VK3UP assisted by Tony Hambling VK3VTH.
Each new station of VK100ARV is another 10 points to getting 100 points to claim the VK100ARV certificate.
The most common call frequencies are:
6m FM 52.525 MHz, 53.500 MHz
6m SSB 50.150 MHz, 50.200 MHz (no contest operation allowed below 50.150 MHz)
2m SSB 144.100 MHz (prim), 144.200 MHz (sec.), 144.300 MHz (chat)
2m FM 146.500 MHz, 146.450 MHz, 146.550 MHz (+/- 25kHz channels)
70cm SSB 432.100 MHz (prim), 432.200 MHz (sec), 432.300 MHz (chat)
70cm FM 439.000 MHz (prim) and +/-25kHz channels
23cm SSB 1296.100 MHz (prim), 1296.200 MHz (sec)
23cm FM 1294.000 MHz (prim)
Activity is spread across each of the HF bands without any specific call frequencies.
Note that this list was compiled at the time the WANSARC News had to go to press.
The only changes are late requests to have a block of time for other club members, which are more than
welcome by Mick. Send any late requests to Mick at vk3ch@wia.org.au or grab Mick on air.
Latest version of the VK100ARV roster will be posted at www.wansarc.org.au/vk100arv.htm
WANSARC Vol 42 Issue 11 2011
Page 10 of 20
Saturday 5th November
Local Time
00.00 - 00.59
01.00 - 01.59
02.00 - 02.59
03.00 - 03.59
04.00 - 04.59
05.00 - 05.59
06.00 - 06.59
07.00 - 07.59
08.00 - 08.59
09.00 - 09.59
10.00 - 10.59
11.00 - 11.59
12.00 - 12.59
13.00 - 13.59
14.00 - 14.59
15.00 - 15.59
16.00 - 16.59
17.00 - 17.59
18.00 - 18.59
19.00 - 19.59
20.00 - 20.59
21.00 - 21.59
22.00 - 22.59
23.00 - 23.59
WANSARC
Operator
WANSARC yet to get VK100ARV
WANSARC yet to get VK100ARV
WANSARC yet to get VK100ARV
WANSARC yet to get VK100ARV
WANSARC yet to get VK100ARV
WANSARC yet to get VK100ARV
WANSARC yet to get VK100ARV
WANSARC yet to get VK100ARV
WANSARC yet to get VK100ARV
WANSARC yet to get VK100ARV
Multiple Club Stations
Multiple Club Stations
Multiple Club Stations
Multiple Club Stations
Multiple Club Stations
Multiple Club Stations
Multiple Club Stations
Multiple Club Stations
VK3AWS
VK3AWS
VK3AWS
VK3AWS
VK3AWS
VK3AWS
VK3AWS
VK3AWS
Lou
Lou
VK3ZLD HF
VK3ZLD HF
Operator
Callsign
MF/HF/VHF/UHF
MF/HF/VHF/UHF
MF/HF/VHF/UHF
MF/HF/VHF/UHF
MF/HF/VHF/UHF
MF/HF/VHF/UHF
MF/HF/VHF/UHF
MF/HF/VHF/UHF
Multiple Club Stations
Multiple Club Stations
Multiple Club Stations
Multiple Club Stations
Multiple Club Stations
Multiple Club Stations
Multiple Club Stations
Multiple Club Stations
Multiple Club Stations
Multiple Club Stations
Multiple Club Stations
Multiple Club Stations
Multiple Club Stations
VK3AWS
VK3AWS
VK3AWS
VK3AWS
VK3AWS
VK3AWS
VK3AWS
VK3AWS
VK3AWS
VK3AWS
VK3AWS
VK3AWS
VK3AWS
Lou
Lou
VK3ZLD HF
VK3ZLD HF
Operator
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Callsign
VK3CH
VK3CH
VK3CH
VK3CH
VK3CH
VK3CH
VK3CH
VK3CH
VK3CH
VK3CH
VK3CH
VK3CH
Lou
Lou
Lou
Lou
Lou
Lou
Lou
Lou
VK3ZLD
VK3ZLD
VK3ZLD
VK3ZLD
VK3ZLD
VK3ZLD
VK3ZLD
VK3ZLD
VK100ARV - Day 2
Location
MF/HF/VHF/UHF
MF/HF/VHF/UHF
MF/HF/VHF/UHF
MF/HF/VHF/UHF
MF/HF/VHF/UHF
MF/HF/VHF/UHF
MF/HF/VHF/UHF
MF/HF/VHF/UHF
MF/HF/VHF/UHF
MF/HF/VHF/UHF
MF/HF/VHF/UHF
MF/HF/VHF/UHF
MF/HF/VHF/UHF
Portable
Portable
Portable
Portable
Portable
Portable
Portable
Portable
Portable
Portable
Portable
Portable
HF
HF
HF
HF
HF
HF
HF
HF
Bundoora Park
Bundoora Park
Bundoora Park
Bundoora Park
Bundoora Park
Bundoora Park
Bundoora Park
Bundoora Park
Bundoora Park
Bundoora Park
Bundoora Park
Bundoora Park
Bundoora Park
Fawkner
Fawkner
WANSARC
WANSARC Vol 42 Issue 11 2011
Bundoora Park
Bundoora Park
Bundoora Park
Bundoora Park
Bundoora Park
Bundoora Park
Bundoora Park
Bundoora Park
Fawkner
Fawkner
WANSARC
Monday 7th November
Local Time
00.00 - 00.59
01.00 - 01.59
02.00 - 02.59
03.00 - 03.59
04.00 - 04.59
05.00 - 05.59
06.00 - 06.59
07.00 - 07.59
08.00 - 08.59
09.00 - 09.59
10.00 - 10.59
11.00 - 11.59
12.00 - 12.59
13.00 - 13.59
14.00 - 14.59
15.00 - 15.59
16.00 - 16.59
17.00 - 17.59
18.00 - 18.59
19.00 - 19.59
20.00 - 20.59
21.00 - 21.59
22.00 - 22.59
23.00 - 23.59
Location
WANSARC yet to get VK100ARV
Sunday 6th November
Local Time
00.00 - 00.59
01.00 - 01.59
02.00 - 02.59
03.00 - 03.59
04.00 - 04.59
05.00 - 05.59
06.00 - 06.59
07.00 - 07.59
08.00 - 08.59
09.00 - 09.59
10.00 - 10.59
11.00 - 11.59
12.00 - 12.59
13.00 - 13.59
14.00 - 14.59
15.00 - 15.59
16.00 - 16.59
17.00 - 17.59
18.00 - 18.59
19.00 - 19.59
20.00 - 20.59
21.00 - 21.59
22.00 - 22.59
23.00 - 23.59
VK100ARV - Day 1
Callsign
HF
HF
HF
HF
HF
HF
HF
HF
HF
HF
HF
HF
VK100ARV - Day 3
Location
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Fawkner
Fawkner
Fawkner
Fawkner
Fawkner
Fawkner
Fawkner
Fawkner
Page 11 of 20
Tuesday 8th November
Local Time
00.00 - 00.59
01.00 - 01.59
02.00 - 02.59
03.00 - 03.59
04.00 - 04.59
05.00 - 05.59
06.00 - 06.59
07.00 - 07.59
08.00 - 08.59
09.00 - 09.59
10.00 - 10.59
11.00 - 11.59
12.00 - 12.59
13.00 - 13.59
14.00 - 14.59
15.00 - 15.59
16.00 - 16.59
17.00 - 17.59
18.00 - 18.59
19.00 - 19.59
20.00 - 20.59
21.00 - 21.59
22.00 - 22.59
23.00 - 23.59
WANSARC
Operator
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mark
Mark
Mark
Mark
Mark
Mark
Mark
Mark
Lou
Lou
Lou
Mick
Mick
Trevor
Trevor
Trevor
VK100ARV - Day 4
Callsign
VK3CH Portable HF
VK3CH Portable HF
VK3CH Portable HF
VK3CH Portable HF
VK3CH Portable HF
VK3CH Portable HF
VK3CH Portable HF
VK3CH Portable HF
VK3PI
VK3PI
VK3PI
VK3PI
VK3PI
VK3PI
VK3PI
VK3PI
VK3ZLD HF
VK3ZLD HF
VK3ZLD HF
VK3CH (VK3AWS Net)
VK3CH (VK3AWS Net)
VK3ATX
VK3ATX
VK3ATX
Location
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Mobile/Portable TBA
Mobile/Portable TBA
Mobile/Portable TBA
Mobile/Portable TBA
Mobile/Portable TBA
Mobile/Portable TBA
Mobile/Portable TBA
Mobile/Portable TBA
Fawkner
Fawkner
Fawkner
Northcote
Northcote
Reservoir
Reservoir
Reservoir
Club Net is on 146.450MHz simplex FM, starting 7.30pm local Tuesday night.
Wednesday 9th November
Local Time
00.00 - 00.59
01.00 - 01.59
02.00 - 02.59
03.00 - 03.59
04.00 - 04.59
05.00 - 05.59
06.00 - 06.59
07.00 - 07.59
08.00 - 08.59
09.00 - 09.59
10.00 - 10.59
11.00 - 11.59
12.00 - 12.59
13.00 - 13.59
14.00 - 14.59
15.00 - 15.59
16.00 - 16.59
17.00 - 17.59
18.00 - 18.59
19.00 - 19.59
20.00 - 20.59
21.00 - 21.59
22.00 - 22.59
23.00 - 23.59
Thursday 10th November
Local Time
00.00 - 00.59
01.00 - 01.59
02.00 - 02.59
03.00 - 03.59
04.00 - 04.59
05.00 - 05.59
06.00 - 06.59
07.00 - 07.59
08.00 - 08.59
09.00 - 09.59
10.00 - 10.59
11.00 - 11.59
WANSARC
Operator
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Trevor
Trevor
Mick
Mick
Mick
Trevor
Trevor
Lou
Lou
Lou
Lou
Lou
Lou
Lou
Lou
Operator
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
Mick
WANSARC end VK100ARV
Callsign
VK3CH Portable HF
VK3CH Portable HF
VK3CH Portable HF
VK3CH Portable HF
VK3CH Portable HF
VK3CH Portable HF
VK3CH Portable HF
VK3ATX
VK3ATX
VK3CH VHF/UHF
VK3CH VHF/UHF
VK3CH VHF/UHF
VK3ATX
VK3ATX
VK3ZLD HF
VK3ZLD HF
VK3ZLD HF
VK3ZLD HF
VK3ZLD HF
VK3ZLD HF
VK3ZLD HF
VK3ZLD HF
WANSARC
Callsign
VK3CH Portable
VK3CH Portable
VK3CH Portable
VK3CH Portable
VK3CH Portable
VK3CH Portable
VK3CH Portable
VK3CH Portable
VK3CH Portable
VK3CH Portable
VK3CH Portable
HF
HF
HF
HF
HF
HF
HF
HF
HF
HF
HF
VK100ARV - Day 5
Location
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Reservoir
Reservoir
Northcote
Northcote
Northcote
Reservoir
Reservoir
Fawkner
Fawkner
Fawkner
Fawkner
Fawkner
Fawkner
Fawkner
Fawkner
VK100ARV - Day 6
Location
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
Doncaster East
This is the latest version of the WANSARC - VK100ARV Roster at the time the WANSARC News was published.
Check the club website for any late changes or additions to the roster at www.wansarc.org.au/vk100arv.htm
While the operators callsign is listed, they of course will be using VK100ARV, not their own call sign.
The official CQ call is "CQ CQ, This is VK100ARV for the Centenary of Amateur Radio Victoria."
More information is at both http://www.amateurradio.com.au/news/vk100arv-roster or lookup VK100ARV at www.qrz.com
WANSARC Vol 42 Issue 11 2011
Page 12 of 20
Bob VK3EL (SK) Tribute Day
Saturday 8th October saw Rotunda 6, WANSARC Park, (called
Bundoora Park by some) have a station setup by Matt VK3ABC, in
memory of life member, Robert (Bob) Faravoni.
Matt had Bob's radios setup on HF, VHF and UHF.
The day telecast by ATV live to VK3RTV2 by Mick VK3CH.
Matt and Mick arrived at the park at 7am and had everything setup
by 9.45am, with the formal QSO with Bob's call going from 10am to
around 1pm.
Stations calling in to the club frequency of 146.450MHz were given
the opportunity to get a special QSL card made up by Matt.
Matt has taken over Bob's old call of VK3EL, which he only uses on
the anniversary of Bob's passing.
Matt, at his own time and expense, (but most of all pleasure) drove
from Pakenham, at 5am, setup three antennas and radios, then put on
a great BBQ, with tasty snags, salads, drinks, the lot, all gratis.
The weather looked like it was going to get wet, but not a drop of rain
the whole day. Club members at the park were Matt VK3ABC, Mick
VK3CH, Trevor VK3ATX, Don VK3HDX, Dan VK3DWH, Alex
VK3XLC, Dave VK3DTS, John VK3FMPB, Allan VK3SM and
Victor VK3DKM and family.
It was quite nostalgic to hear the callsign of VK3EL back on the air,
especially on 146.450 which is where it used to live.
Stations that had a contact that register via vk3elqsl@gmail.com will
get a commemorative QSL card posted to them.
But Bob did a heck of a lot of DX on HF as his QSL collection
testifies. As Matt says "I really enjoyed hearing the stories people
told about Bob. For me, that was the best part of the day."
With ATV, the addition of a 12 volt camera and 12 volt TV, meant
the batteries had extra work to do, lasting just under 4.5 hours.
An extra battery for the 12 volt gear may be in order, the 24 volt
supply for the ATV lasted the distance, but it was on full 40 watt
power, so that was probably an extra stress on the common 12 volt
battery.
All radios were on battery supply, no generators used at the park.
The last lot standing... after a big day, last to leave, L to R, (seated)
Matt VK3ABC, Trevor VK3ATX, Alex VK3XLC,
Dan VK3DWH, (seated) Mick VK3CH, Don VK3HDX & Jack.
Remembering Bob with
Food, Radios,
Relaxation
& Nostalgic Stories...
WANSARC Vol 42 Issue 11 2011
Page 13 of 20
10GHz / 24GHz Amateur Television Project ~ Construction & Testing ~ Mick VK3CH
10GHz ATV PROJECT SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED
Continuing from last month, the gear from various places arrived, ready to be assembled. This consists of hooking up modules with
power and hardline 'coax' arranged with the least lengths as practically possible, to reduce losses at 10GHz.
A great source of information on high frequency operation, construction, testing and the properties of propagation are the three
volume Microwave Handbook, (MW Dixon, G3PFR) which is hard to find but worth getting. Of course lots of info is on the web, but
having these books saves hours of searching and printing. I bought these in the early 1980's from Daycom in Huntingdale.
If you ever see these at a Hamfest - grab them! They cover how they do it in England, but the laws of physics are the same anywhere.
These cover every VK band from 23cm to 47GHz. Armed with these books and a workshop, you are set to go as high as you want.
Even using modules, information on line feeding and losses, dish design and sighting and RF paths and attenuation helped so much.
Polarity Protection
This polarity protection circuit is for 12 V power supplies and avoids the voltage and power
loss problem.
By correct polarity, the current flowing to the D1 and the relay coil causes the relay contacts to
activate.
The Normally Open contact closes powering the electronic device. The Normally Closed
contact opens and the current supplying the relay coil is reduced to a low level just enough to
maintain relay activation.
When reversed polarity occurs, the diode blocks the current and the relay cannot activate.
The Normally Open contact remains open and the electronic device is protected from the
reversed polarity voltage. These have been inbuilt into all the ATV equipment I have made.
Power diodes are also placed across in reverse on all equipment as "last resort" protection.
An Analogue Satellite Receiver is needed to take the down converted signal and feed it into your TV.
But nowadays the only ones sold are all digital.
But I found one from Queensland, only $66, find them here http://www.kristalelectronics.com/product_info.php?products_id=55
I was hoping to run it off 12 volts but power of +5v, +12v, +24v and +27v rails were found, so further investigation will be done.
Dish Construction
Two dishes were built up, the construction took a week and came with good instructions and lots of stage by stage photos.
The dishes come flat packed, just like IKEA furniture and just about as annoying (hi)!
Both feed horns came with their own personal plotted VSWR charts and a formula to install them at correct focal point.
As one stage of the dish was done, the other dish was built in tandem. Everything, even the drill bit needed, was in the box.
A proper workbench with a vice would have made life easier, but I have got by this long for now. The mesh supplied is for
frequencies below 6GHz. At 10GHz the mesh needs to be folded to reduce the hole opening by half. It comes as 6mm grid squares
that must be made into 3mm grid squares to reflect the signals from the feed at 10GHz. I took their word for it as I don't want any
signals raining down on me behind the dish! But after trying to fold it up, I decided to get some stiff metal flywire from Bunning's
that have just 1mm squares, just to be safe. This was also much easier to work with. As the flywire is fragile I used 3 sheets of it.
Cutting the flywire at each quadrant made it fit to a much better shape as I had hassles with the steel mesh, my hands were covered in
minute scratches with pools of blood on the floor, I never knew dishes were such involved work - well they are when you have no
work bench and no assistants to hold things as you work. One good thing about using flywire is if it gets damaged you can replace
cheaply and easily. The other is you can see right through it so sighting the dish is a bit easier, but I want to put a rifle sight or similar
on the dish to improve sighting accuracy at greater distances. Being centre feed dishes they should be easier to sight than offset feed.
There are about one hundred rivets to drill and install, my hand was bruised and sore after doing all the work I can tell you...
Mounting the exciter and PA at the feed horn was thought of until Alan VK3XPD warned of signal "shadows" of the devices present
in the path of the dish. So coax was used to feed from the feed horn to the electronics which were rear mounted on the dish.
Coax losses at 10GHz are guesstimated at 6dB per meter, so if anything the power may not be as dangerous once it reaches the feed
horn. I wonder if I put an egg in a glass and put in front of the dish would it start to cook? But such tricks may play havoc with the
VSWR and damage the PA, I really don't know. Being in "uncharted" territory is interesting, so many things you can do with AR.
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The plot of the Ring Feeds are custom supplied, only one is shown, but there is virtually no difference between the two.
The feeds have a quoted gain of 5~6 dB, over 100MHz.
An ATV signal of 7MHz bandwidth will cope with that.
So even if the losses with connectors and run of coax from the transmitter at the rear of the dish to the front to the ring feed was in the
order of 5dB, the feed gain of 5dB means the full power of the PA is still available to 'hit' the dish.
The plot, at 10.41GHz the VSWR loss peaks at 35dB.
This gives a VSWR of 1 : 1.04 at 10.41GHz
Rear of the 10GHz dishes before mounting electronics ↑
Mesh is made up of three layers of flywire
WANSARC Vol 42 Issue 11 2011
Receive dish with the 10GHz down converter ↑
This feeds into a standard analogue satellite receiver
The satellite receiver LNB feed has 14 volts on it
This voltage powers the down converter, keeps wiring simple
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The transmitting 10GHz dish with the Kuhne units mounted. ↑
On the right hand edge moving towards the mast are - the baseband unit (divides the video signal by eight to reduce the bandwidth)
Next to that is the exciter transmitter, which then, via the copper hardline, feeds into the 10 watt linear power amplifier.
Video and audio inputs are at the top with a very bright LED to warn power to the dish is on.
The wiring on the terminal block has the voltage polarity protection relay next to it. Single loose wire is to test before completion.
The transmitting dish complete ready to test ↓
Some handles were added to the dishes to reduce damaging the flywire.
After successful tests between the two dishes, discussions with Peter
VK3BFG suggested that the losses in the coax cable, which is 1750mm long,
from the feed horn to the PA, or in the RX dish from the feed horn to the
down converter, could have a loss as much as 6 or 7 or even 8 dB.
Some enquiries found a place in Melbourne that sells RG401 hardline suited
for use at 10GHz, with loss of 2.2 dB per meter.
I also realized that using the leg closest to the PA and down converter would
reduce the distance of cable run by about a third, which will give less loss.
A gain of 5 to possibly 6 dB each end of the two dishes is very worthwhile.
No point using higher power and simply wasting it in the feed line.
No serious testing was started until maximum efficiency was obtained by
replacing the coax with RG401 hardline in both dishes.
The next skill to master is sighting the dishes, which is a trick in itself!
While up at Bundoora Park at the lookout, trying to hold the dish at the
mountain with just my hands, I could not get a picture back on my small TV,
but later Trevor VK3ATX, who heard me talking to Peter VK3BFG, saw a
weak picture with flashes of tress and fields of green grass, (exactly what the
dish was pointed at), under the colour bars on VK3RTV2, so with improved
hardline things will get better.
So if anyone in the club is interested in having a play with either 10GHz or
24GHz, looks like I'm going to need someone at the other end of a site to play
and learn sighting skills and the propagation of these two very unique bands.
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24GHz ATV PROJECT NEARLY COMPLETED
Compared to the 10GHz dishes, the 24GHz project was not as involved as everything is quite modular in construction.
I had brackets for the two dishes made up, as the dishes come "just as they are". Like the 10GHz dishes, the beam is very sharp.
Dishes came with their own VSWR sweep charts which were nearly an identical plot. Frequency of 24.225GHz is 1 : 1.3 VSWR.
VSWR Chart ↓
Dishes with brackets, ready to assemble ↓
Waveguide feed on dish ↓
Down converter receive unit - RX dish ↑
Reverse polarity protection on TX dish ↑
Stand units from Melbourne Satellites, that have a spirit level on top of the mast →
Like the 10GHz units, the down converter gets its power from the satellite receiver.
The waveguide opening on both the TX and RX units match the dish and screw over the
openings exactly, no signal loss at all. The TX dish also needs the base band unit to
divide the video signal, in this case 30 times, which after is spread at 24GHz, appears
back at its correct 7MHz bandwidth. Many audio subcarrier frequencies can be
selected, but I kept with the 6MHz standard. The satellite receiver has two memories
set as VK3CH-1 for 10GHz and VK3CH-2 for 24GHz.
Setting the satellite receiver is straight forward.
For 10.41GHz we have a down converter local oscillator of 8.6GHz.
So 10.41 - 8.6 = 1.81GHz
The satellite receiver itself has many satellite bands to choose from but I selected an LNB frequency of 9.75GHz.
So with an LNB of 9.75 + 1.81 (the signal from down converter) = 11.56GHz.
I then set the satellite input frequency to 11.560GHz and the video appeared, but no audio. I found that the thing picks 6.2MHz as
standard, but a menu allows a "user selectable" setting; I put in 6MHz Mono and did a rewrite of the memory setting and all good.
For 24.225Hz we have a down converter local oscillator of 23.0GHz.
So 24.225 - 23 = 1.225GHz
The satellite receiver itself has many satellite bands to choose from but I again selected an LNB frequency of 9.75GHz.
So with an LNB of 9.75 + 1.225 (the signal from down converter) = 10.975GHz.
I then set the satellite input frequency to 10.975GHz and the video appeared, but no audio. The thing picked 6.2MHz as standard, but
again, "user selectable" setting; I put in 6MHz Mono and did a rewrite of the memory setting and all good.
Of course when power is first applied you don't know (if nothing happens) if the fault is with the TX or RX side of things.
There aren't a lot of hams about you can just say "...hey take a listen on 24GHz and tell me if I'm getting out...!"
For the TX you can at least sample the monitored TX voltage that is derived from a simple strip line circuit, rectified and sent to a
point to sample the voltage.
At 330mW a monitored voltage of 2.5v is specified.
If you have voltage it's at least oscillating.
Like most things, settings and connections are the usual culprits.
The only thing disliked was the insistence on using SMB connectors.
They are loose, wobble and become dislodged at the slightest touch to them.
Only way to trust these is solder the side of the plug to socket to keep them
joined. SMB plugs and sockets are unreliable, no way could you use these
mobile.
The TX dish is definitely a temporary install at this stage.
I need to return the units for modification from SMB to SMA connectors.
Looks like 24GHz will not be on air until early next year...
Water proofing the electronics is something I would like to do as well.
~Mick VK3CH
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WANSARC Vol 42 Issue 11 2011
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JOTA Riddels Creek ~ John VK3FMPB
A warm day with plenty of sun greets us on Saturday the 15th. I'm happy to be wearing shorts, JOTA has begun. Minor repairs to the dipole I put up in failing light which had drooped. I also have my GP3 V/UHF vertical up so if there is anyone on from the club at least we’ll be able to get them. Ian VK3JQ had put his dipole up for me the previous day so I would have a good antenna on HF and comparing it with mine via the antenna switch it was plain to see that his worked much better than mine. That is job no1 after JOTA, a new dipole. On Saturday our kids were able to hook up with Mark (VK3PI) and Mick (VK3CH’s) kids so were able to have a bit of a chat. New kids means new pupils to teach about radio and how to press the PTT to talk, but it wasn’t that hard and they caught on pretty quickly. As well as Mick and Mark on VHF we were able to make contact on HF with a few stations too. Start off with Adrian VK5KKT then Greg VK7FGGT in Hobart as well as jota station VK3JNI in Mount Martha and his kids so we had plenty for the all the kids to do on Saturday at least. One thing I did notice was that the young girls took to the radio with much greater ease than boys did. The girls seemed more comfortable with the concept of talking into a microphone than the boys did and the conversation flowed easier I thought for the girls. I tried to impress upon the boys that this was just like talking into a phone and the only difference was the PTT Perhaps we could have some practice for the boys with portables next year to put them at ease. That’s WANSARC for you always thinking of ways to help kids enjoy themselves through involvement with ham radio. Things are picking up at JOTA HQ also now. We have in camp Lou VK3ZLD, Peter VK3XCO and son, and myself VK3FMPB. We now have three radios in use, Lou’s Kenwood 480 HF radio, my ICOM 706 and ICOM 2200 VHF. Peter set up an end fed Zep for 80, 40 and 20 meters, Lou set up a 1/2 wave 40 meter dipole. I set up an 80 and 40 meter dipole as well as a VHF vertical. Add all that to Ian’s 40 dipole we had wire antennae and guy ropes running the length of the camp up into the trees, on poles, next to buildings. I even changed the direction of my dipole to more of a 180 degree and it seemed to work a bit better. I wonder if you would call what we had an antenna farm or a wire and rope farm? We are now faced with an embarrassment of riches at least in the ham and antenna department. 4 hams, 4 antennae which work on 4 bands and even multiples of those bands, this is the best turn out I have seen for JOTA from WANSARC. 1415 hours and the bands are picking up somewhat. VK2JDS from Orange in NSW who is running his local JOTA station and had a few scouts to chat with our scouts. Saturday was a good day for comms with plenty of action to be had for all stations involved. Alas, Saturday ended and turned into Sunday. That was just about it for radio comms. Sunday was as dead as a dodo. We could hear a few stations on HF but could not contact them VHF was very quiet with Mark and Mick not on air. Maybe next year we could get some else to man their station? However, the kids had fun and we had fun. Not all the kids got to talk on the radios this year, some were shy but there we just so many. Maybe we could rectify that next year with more radios and more personnel? That’s something to think about WANSARC. Cheers, Johnno VK3FMPB WANSARC Vol 42 Issue 11 2011
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SLEEPING WITH JACK
The guys were on a DX tour. No one wanted to room with Jack, because he snored so badly.
They decided it wasn't fair to make one of them stay with him the whole time, so they voted to take turns.
The first guy slept with Jack and comes to breakfast the next morning with his hair a mess and his eyes all
bloodshot.
They said, "Man, what happened to you? He said, "Jack snored so loudly, I just sat up and watched him all
night."
The next night it was a different guy's turn. In the morning, same thing, hair all standing up, eyes all bloodshot.
They said, "Man, what happened to you? You look awful! He said, 'Man, that Jack shakes the roof with his
snoring. I watched him all night."
The third night was Bill's turn, he was an older DX hound.
The next morning he came to breakfast bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
"Good morning!" he said. They couldn't believe it.. They said, "Man, what happened?"
He said, "Well, we got ready for bed. I went and tucked Jack into bed, patted him on the arse, and kissed him
good night on the lips.
Jack sat up and watched me all night."
With age comes wisdom.
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WANSARC VK3AWS
PRESIDENT: Graeme McDiarmid VK3NE
vk3ne@wia.org.au
SECRETARY: Mark Stephenson VK3PI Telephone: 0425 768 320
vk3pi@optusnet.com.au
All correspondence to be addressed to the SECRETARY: PO Box 336, RESERVOIR 3073
WANSARC CLUB PROFILE
History
The Western and Northern Suburbs Amateur Radio Club (WANSARC) was first formed in 1969 and since then has served the needs and interests of
amateur radio operators, short wave listeners and those interested in hobby radio and electronics. The club is not gender specific, having both female
and male members. Members come from all walks of life with a mix of experience, young and mature, novice and technical. The most important aspect
of the club is the willingness of all members to share their knowledge for the benefit of others. Members mainly reside in the west and north of
Melbourne; however membership is encouraged from all interested. WANSARC is an affiliated club of The Wireless Institute of Australia.
Meetings
Meetings held at the Ern Rose Memorial Pavilion, SEAVER GROVE, RESERVOIR (Melway Map 18 D5) on the 1st Friday of each month (excluding
January) commencing at 7.30pm local time. Talk in on 146.450MHz FM—call club station VK3AWS.
Benefits
Free technology and related presentations, sponsored construction activities, discounted (and sometimes free) equipment, network of likeminded radio
and electronics enthusiasts, excellent club facilities and environment plus an informative monthly newsletter for members to post articles, news,
classifieds for all radio, test equipment, etc, featuring Amateur Radio news from WANSARC, ARV, WIA, ACMA, Melbourne Clubs, VK and Worldwide.
Club Nets
146.450MHz FM each Tuesday evening commencing 7.30pm local time.
Website:
www.wansarc.org.au
Postal:
WANSARC PO Box 336 RESERVOIR 3073
A proud tradition of supporting hobby radio and electronics enthusiasts since 1969
All editors’ comments and other opinions in submitted articles may not always represent the opinions of the committee or the members of WANSARC, but are published in
the spirit in which they were submitted; in any case anything stated is to promote interest and active discussion on club activities and the promotion of Amateur Radio in
general. Contributions to WANSARC are always welcome from any part of the world. Email attachments of Word™, Plain Text, Excel™, PDF™ and JPG are all acceptable.
You can either post material to the Post Office Box address at the top of this page, or email your submission to the editor direct at vk3ch@wia.org.au
Email attachments not to exceed 5 Mb in file size. Attachments of (or thought to be) executable code or virulently affected emails will not be opened.
Other persons or radio clubs may edit or copy out such as they like from the magazine but a reference to WANSARC is appreciated, except copyrighted (©) material or as
otherwise indicated. Other articles that are credited to outside sources should be asked for their permission if they are used.
While we strive to be accurate, no responsibility taken for errors, omissions, or other perceived deficiencies, in respect of information contained in technical or other articles.
Any dates, times and locations given for upcoming events should always be checked with a reliable source closer to the event – coming up on the WANSARC Tuesday
evening NET on 146.450 MHz starting at 07:30 pm Local is recommended to discuss and confirm information and any dates.
The club website has current information on planned events and scheduled meeting dates. WANSARC News written with Word™ 2007, published with Adobe Acrobat™ 10.
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