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VK7AX > BCAST 29.03.26 09:04l 565 Lines 23321 Bytes #6 (0) @ WW
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VK National News 29Mar26
Weekly news from the WIA:
MP3 edition of news available at: http://www.wia-files.com/podcast/wianews-2026-03-29.mp3
Text edit(Saturday Night) with Keynote Speaker To Be Advised
Presentations currently Registered are as follows.
Remote Operation with Flex Radio and 4O3A
Presenter: Steve Kennedy VK6SJ from Comtek Radio
Presentation 1: Remote Site Design & Case studies
Presentation 2: Aurora Transceiver
Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) (Radio Orienteering)
Presenter: VK3WWW John "Jack"Bramham, WIA ARDF representative
Jack will be providing an explanation about ARDF including various types of competitions both local and international, equipment and bands used, navigation techniques etc
Hearing Aids in Amateur Radio
Presenter: Anthony Plum from AP Hend. Lou has deliberately designed the rig using components that a generally readily available.
Having trouble getting your head around the ACMAs Assist Portal? Well, we have a step-by-step guide in words and pictures to achieve success without getting locked out or fruitlessly frustrated.
Prepared by Justin Giles-Clark VK7TW, working in conjunction with ACMA staff, this is one article youll need to keep on-hand.
For those new to the world of amateur radio, and those working toward upgrading your qualieric phenomena. This years workshop featured 17 oral presentations, 3 tutorials, 5 demonstrations, and 31 posters, and drew researchers from MIT, Virginia Tech, Saint Francis University, Dartmouth College, Boston College, and others.
New Law Protects Ham Radio Antennas, Towers
Colin Butler, writing in ICQ PodCast says starting on the 1st July this year, amateur radio antennas, towers and feedlines CANNOT be restricted
by ANY homeowners' associations in residential communities in Indiana USA.
This new law signed by Governor Mike Braun will afford hams such protection on any property they rent, lease or own within the associations purview.
This is not a green light for all amateurs, however.
According to the measures language on the Indiana General Assembly website, House Bill number 1152 will only apply to homeowners associations that are formed or create documents containing such restrictions after 30th June 2026.
Often we bring our many viewers from across the world news originating from the RSGB.
Did you know that RSGB membership is open to anyone with an interest in amateur radio, wherever they are in the world and even if you are already a WIA member?
RSGB say they have members in over 50 countries, making up around 10% of our total membership.
You can meet some of these international members by following the link on
the RSGB web page, and that link is in the text edition of this weeks WIA NATIONAL NEWS.
rsgb.org/international-members
The RSGB is an official partner for this years World Radiosport Team Championship, also known as WRTC.
RSGB representatives will attend the event which is being held from the 8th to the 13th of July 2026 at Wyboston Lakes in Bedfordshire. Theyll meet radio amateurs and spectators from around the world and the Society has supported the event further by sponsoring one of the 50 competitor tents.
RSGB General Manager Steve Thomas, M1ACB has served on the WRTC UK Organising Committee for the past three years. RSGB President Bob Beebe, GU4YOX will attend WRTC for its duration and conduct various duties throughout the week.
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that the Canadian government is investing $200 million towards Canadas first launch pad. The site is owned by Maritime Launch Services, a Canadian commercial space company founded in 2016 and headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The funds will be put toward a 10-year lease on the launch pad, located near Canso, N.S., which is expected to finish construction by 2028.
Ireland's 10-Meter Repeater EI0IPG Returns to Air
The Irish amateur radio community is celebrating the return of EI0IPG, the nation's sole 10 metre repeater. Located in Carndonagh, Co. Donegal, the repeater is back in service following a period of outage due to storm damage.
Its return is particularly timely as solar activity rises, offering enhanced trans-Atlantic and continental FM communication.
Visit irts.ie/repeaters for access details.
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OPERATIONAL NEWS -
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NOW CONTEST WISE:- 2026
WIA contest page :- wia.org.au/members/contests/about/
Pirate Hunt 2026 is a wireless contest organized by Finish radio club,
Radio-actives of Middle Finland.
We've all heard of "Easter Egg Hunts" well, what about Pirate hunt?
Pirate Hunt is coming, in fact April 3rd April 6th.
Their publicity 'blurb' re the rules is as follows:-
We try to keep rules simple:
This contest is "Just for fun"! No need to argue.
SDR's included remote receivers; Kiwi etc. are allowed!
all bands are accepted but only stations without a license are counted.
ID has to be heard or identification should be otherwise confirmed.
QSL or recording is not necessary but send results via PirateHuntDX Facebook group or by e-mail piratehunt@ radioaktiiviset.info
During or after the contest until May 21st, BUT not before the contest start.
Arguing about the contest rules will automatically result in a disqualification
Pirate Hunt 2026 is organized by a local radio club Sis-Suomen Radioaktiiviset (Radioactives of Middle Finland)
bbs.fmdx.online/index.php?topic=674.0
(ard)
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THIS WEEKEND:-
March 28 - 29 -- Africa All Mode International DX Contest
(CW, phone, digital)
The objective of this all-mode contest is to stimulate contesting
from Africa. All participating stations worldwide may work any country
during the contest period.
African DXCC entities are defined as those valid per the ARRL DXCC
AF listing published at the time of the contest.
(sarl)
March 28 - 29 -- CQ WW WPX Contest SSB
This WPX Contest is based on an award offered by CQ Magazine for working all prefixes. Held on the last weekend of March for SSB and May the CW,
the contest draws thousands of entries from around the world.
(ARRL)
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MAY:- HARRY ANGEL MEMORIAL SPRINT May 2nd.
---------------
JUNE 6 -7 VK SHIRES CONTEST
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JUNE 20-21 VHF UHF FIELD DAY
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NOW LET'S OPEN THE DX WINDOW TO THE WORLD ------------
If you were one of the lucky ones to contact 3Y[zero]K on Bouvet Island, Ralph Squillace KK6ITB from NewsLine, tells us more:
The 3Y(zero)k DXpedition to Bouvet Island in the South Atlantic Ocean is done, and according to the team was a great success. A report on their Facebook page stated:
"The whole 3YK team is safely back on the vessel after a successful expedition to Bouvet. We made more than 100.000 contacts and achieved our goals.
It was an extraordinary undertaking, involving years of planning, complex logistics and determination needed to succeed. The team worked well together under harsh conditions, cold, snow and severe wind.
Bouvet is known for its remoteness and unpredictable weather, and while it is a beautiful island, any attempt going onshore involves a risk. Despite all the challenges we encountered the team stayed focused on our goals, determined, and the result is due to real teamwork!
We had been working with professional expedition guides, pilots, crew and vessel along with our off-island support team who all contributed to our success."
According to the team, logs will soon be available in OQRS.
This is Ralph Squillace.
If you wish to check you made a valid contact, but want to verify, you can search the logs at the link m0oxo.com/oqrs/logsearch.php?dxcallsign=3y0k
The group's next target is, according to them, "Another icy rock in the Antarctic Ocean, Peter I [the first] Island" in 2027.
(NewsLine2525)
------------
Celebrating a half-century of German research in Antarctica, special
callsigns DA 0ANT, DM 50ANT and DP 50ANT will be active from February 15
to 30TH April. In addition, active April 1-30 will be DM 50 GFS (for the
50th anniversary of the Georg Forster Station, established by the G.D.R.
In 1976 and decommissioned in 1993), as well as DP 200 GVN (for the
bicentenary of the birth of Georg von Neumayer, after whom three
German Antarctic research stations have been named).
(425DXNEWS)
---------------
REWIND
Tribute to the Father of FM Radio
A unique tribute to one of radio's greatest inventors is making waves in
the Irish Ham community this week. Giorgio Bardelli, callsign EI 8 IHB,
has announced the creation of a "sonic archive" dedicated to Major Edwin
Howard Armstrong, the father of FM radio.
The centrepiece of the project is a track titled "Edwin's Requiem
(River House)". More than just a song, the piece is a lyrical history
of the "Radio Wars," meticulously documenting Armstrong's life and his technical battles.
Listeners will find specific references to the 1935 IRE demonstration and the 1945 FCC frequency shift. This move to the 88 to 108 MHz band infamously rendered the major's original equipment obsolete.
The track will hit streaming platforms Monday, Tomorrow, March 16th, 2026.
(irts)
------------------------------
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ASTRONOMY (and Wireless Weather)
As NASA seeks to understand the mysteries of the universe, the agency is advancing technologies to locate and explore Earth-like planets far beyond our solar system. A key element of this research involves observing reflected light from exoplanets, which can reveal indicators of Earth-like features such as water and oxygen. However, detecting this faint reflected light with current telescope technology remains a significant challenge due to the overwhelming brightness of nearby stars and other celestial objects.
NASAs Hybrid Observatory for Earth-like Exoplanets (HOEE) concept presents a potential solution by combining an orbiting starshade with a large ground-based telescope to suppress starlight and enable direct imaging of exoplanets.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - FINAL FRONTIER
AMSAT-VK Secretary - secretary(at)amsat-vk.org
Fuji-OSCAR 29 (FO-29 / JAS-2), the Japanese amateur radio satellite launched in August 1996, has entered a period of full sunlight, resulting in renewed and more frequent transponder activity
Although the FO-29 linear transponder is technically capable of passing narrowband digital signals such as FT8, FT4, PSK31, or Olivia, such operations are not permitted under the satellites original licensing from Japanese authorities.
The transponder is explicitly licensed for SSB and CW modes only.
(na)
SpaceX Plan For 1 Million Centres Poses Dangerous Risk
A SpaceX plan for 1 million orbital data centres proposes a massive constellation of sunlit objects that could severely impair ground-based astronomy and increase atmospheric pollution through frequent re-entries in the upper atmosphere.
Astronomers warn that these 100-meter-long structures will remain illuminated even at midnight. This constant visibility threatens observations at ground-based observatories, such as the Vera Rubin Observatory and the Extremely Large Telescope currently under construction in Chile.
These orbital data centres, potentially 100 meters long, create persistent light streaks that obstruct astronomical research. Positioned in high-inclination orbits at 500-2,000 km, they remain illuminated by sunlight even at midnight, significantly outshining traditional broadband satellites.
Astronomers have filed formal objections with the FCC regarding the January 30 application. This new constellation poses a challenge unlike any encountered in the commercial space era, undermining years of progress.
(na)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - IOTA
iota-world.org/
-------------
There is a new challenge to give more hams the chance to work
EU-024 Sardinia Island.
For 10 years, the Sardinian regional radio group, Team DX Coros has focused on growing the community of amateur radio DXers. As its members mark the group's tenth anniversary, they have teamed up with the Porto Torres section of ARI, the national non-profit organisation representing hams in Italy to help land Sardinia in as many logbooks as possible.
The Sardinia Island DXCC 225 Challenge began earlier this month offering gold, silver and bronze certificates and a chance for some operators to record a new log entry.
Their focus until the 1st of May is to call CQ as IRSAR.
EU-024 Sardinia Island is recognised as an independent DX entity - and a much sought-after one.
See the QRZ.com page of IRSAR for more details
(newsLine2525)
-------------
Operators with the CY S DXpedition are on the air from Sable Island, IOTA Number NA-063, from the 19th through to the 31st of March.
There are eight operators and as many as six stations on 160-10 metres using CW, SSB, FT8 and RTTY. There will also be a 6-metre operation on FT8 and EME on 23 cm.
(newsLine2525)
-------------
Listen for Brian C 6 AFD from Eleuthera Island, IOTA Number NA-001,
in the Bahamas.
He will be on the air through to the 31st of March, operating SSB and FT8 on 40-10 metres.
You can also find him in the CQ WW WPX SSB Contest this weekend the 28th and 29th of March.
(newsLine2525)
----------------
OC REMINDERS
IOTA NUMBER OC-031
On air is C 21 TS from Nauru, IOTA Number OC-031, until sometime in July
FT8 maybe some SSB. See stations C 21 TS on QRZ.com for QSL information
and other operating details.
(sourced to newsline 2519)
--------
Listen for Aki operating as YJ1JXZ from Port Vila, IOTA Number OC-035, Vanuatu now through to the 3rd of April on 80-6 metres,
(newsline 2524)
---------
OC-047 - H44MS - Malaita Island in the Solomons.
Bernard, H44MS will be active from Manakwai village, nearby Maluu
(northern Malaita island) UNTIL April 10.
(dx-world)
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OC-66 - TX9XG - Rangiroa Atoll.
Haru, JA1XGI has announced that he will be active from Rangiroa Atoll,
French Polynesia (OC-066) as TX9XG during April 1-8, 2026. He plans to
QRV on 40-10m; CW, SSB, RTTY & FT8 using the new IC-7300 MK2.
QSL TX9XG via Haru's home call, JA1XGI using OQRS Club Log.
(dx-world)
----------------
OC-073
Take, JG8NQJ/JD1 expects to be back to the weather station on
Minami Torishima (OC-073) until mid-May.
He will operate mainly CW with some FT8.
QSL via JG8NQJ (bureau) and LoTW.
(425dxnews)
------------
OC-095
The rarest of the rare.
Jacek, SP5APW will be active as 3D2JK from Lakeba Island OC-095 on
the days 17-22 April. 3D2JK will operate FT8 and SSB on 20-10 metres,
and on 6 metres mainly FT8.
Last activated in 2004, OC-095 remains the rarest IOTA group in Fiji.
QSL via Club Log's OQRS (preferred), or direct to SP5APW.
3d2jk.blogspot.com
(425DXNEWS)
-----------------
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - LADIES ON THE AIR.
YL WORLD WIDE EVENT OVERWHELMING
The YL World Wide Award, the first international amateur radio event dedicated exclusively to female operators, just concluded on March 16.
YLs, which is short for Young Ladies, actually describes female amateur radio operators of all ages. Across the world, YLs joined together for a single operating event called YL World Wide Award from March 9th through 16th.
YL-WWA saw 300 activators from 51 countries generate over 300,000 QSOs in one week, chased by approximately 50,000 hunters from 203 countries.
At the close of the event at midnight UTC, March 16th, even though conditions were very difficult, there were more YLs on the air than at any time during the week.
hamaward.cloud
(Sourced to NewsLine2525)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS ---- MARITIME.
Maritime Radio Day 2026
Registration is now open for Maritime Radio Day 2026, which takes place on April 14th and 15th. The event commemorates the almost 100 years history of the wireless telegraphy service and the closure of the famous Portishead Radio station.
The event runs from 12:00 UTC on the 14th until 10:00 UTC on the 15th.
Activity will be in CW across all HF bands, including the WARC bands. All who submit a results summary will receive a certificate.
For further information, email mrd(at)radioofficers.com or visit the Radio Officers Association website.
(irts)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - MILITARY
Recordings of military transmissions can be found on the
Signal Identification Guide Wiki at
sigidwiki.com/wiki/Category:Military
youtube.com/@militaryhfradio244
open.spotify.com/playlist/28SXuX8vL2wHbnfCS0uBVF?si=d9ee366a38a4472e
US MILITARY TESTS HF COMMUNICATIONS IN ALASKA
Are the HF bands useful for long-distance communications to remote areas? The US Military just did their own exercise to prove what hams have known for years, as we hear from NewsLines Paul Braun, WD9GCO:
PAUL: Communicating under simulated emergency conditions on HF, members of the military in Alaska demonstrated something that hams have known all along: radio carries the message. The recent activity known as Exercise Arctic Connect, might well be called Field Day or an ARES drill for the military.
According to the US Army's website, over 30 operators in 28 different locations across Alaska recently took part in the exercise, a radio test to show that HF communications are vital in areas that are separated by extreme terrain, weather and distances. The test was conducted by Alaska Organized Militia, which includes the Alaska Army and Air National Guard, the Alaska State Defence Force, members of the Civil Air Patrol, the State of Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and representatives from the National Guard Bureau.
Col. Christy Brewer, Alaska National Guard director of joint operations said that [quote] Our responsibility is to the people of Alaska. That means ensuring we can maintain command and control across a state where terrain, weather and distance test every system. This exercise validates the partnerships and redundant pathways that allow us to respond decisively when communities need us. [endquote]
army.mil/article/290901/exercise_arctic_connect_validates_communication_across_alaska
(NewsLine2525)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS QRP
2026 Auckland QRP weekend
Each year, IARUs Region 3 holds a QRP day on June 17 UTC. This
day was an NZART initiative.
To celebrate the day in 2026 and to promote QRP operations, there will be a Auckland QRP weekend on June 20 and 21.
The event is open to all radio amateurs and is not a contest. It is an
opportunity to have fun with QRP operations.
The two days of the event have markedly different formats.
The aim for Saturday is to score points.
The aim for Sunday is to achieve goals such as having QSOs on three bands, activating outdoor features, or having SSB QSOs with stations in four different Maidenhead fields.
The event runs 9am to 7pm NZST both days.
All bands from 630m to 3cm including the WARC bands can be used.
The permitted modes are CW, digital, EME, satellite and voice.
(nzart)
------------------------------------------------------------*
IT'S A DATE
Clubs are welcome to email text with audio for this section,
nationalnews(at)wia.org.au
Details of all WIA affiliated clubs and societies can be found
on the WIA website, including email addresses and website links.
--------------------- SOCIAL SCENE 2026 ------------------
VK4 - Redfest - Deception Bay North State School 9am April 11. (vk4ble)
This is Laurie VK4BLE from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club, with another Redfest 26 update.
Just a reminder, if you are still wishing to be a part of Redfest 26 and want to book a table or two, go to the website Redfest.org, that is Redfest.org.
Digital communications, what is this new technology you ask, then come to the presentation by Peter from FreeDV. What about digital nodes, well Glen VK4NGA will be giving a great presentation on how to use them. Icom Australia will be at Redfest 26 and is going to talk about their latest developments in Amateur Radio. How about D Star, well Peter VK4EA our WIA director will be talking about D-Star repeater functionality as well as updating us all on the WIA. So, heaps going at Redfest 26. So, go to the website redfest.org for more information.
Remember our major prize this year is the Icom IC7300 MK2 transceiver and all the other great prizes on offer. So, dont forget to grab your tickets.
QSL Comms and Elite Communications will be at Redfest. Mad Dog Coils, VK Direct, Radio and More and Garage Art will also be there and not to forget Icom Australia, ALARA and the WIA QSL Bureau. So, remember to come and collect your QSL cards.
Keep an eye out for the clubs famous bacon and egg rolls and have a coffee with friends from the coffee van.
There is plenty to enjoy at Redfest, especially for you wife or partner. Pick up a gift for mothers day as there are plenty of tables with goodies for the ladies. So, remember to bring the whole family and make it a day out for everyone to enjoy.
Put the date in your calendar, Saturday the 11th of April, at the Deception Bay North State School, 33-49 Old Bay Rd, Deception Bay, doors open at 9am.
See you at Redfest.
VK - WIA AGM May 2 at 2pm Albury VK2 couples with VK SUMMIT 2026
also in Albury May 2 and 3. (wiacal/ARMAG )
WW May 15 - 17 Dayton Hamvention, Xenia, Ohio (arrl)
VK2 - Picton HamFest May 31 at Showground 8am (vk2ts)
VK2 - Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club Field Day 6 and 7 June
Wauchope Showground hall. (vk2zhe)
VK5 - Sth Est Radio Group Convention & Australian Fox Hunting
Championship Mt Gambier June 6/7 (vk5dj)
WW June 26 - 28 HAM RADIO, International Amateur Radio Exhibition,
Friedrichshafen, Germany (arrl)
VK3 - Gippsland Gate Radio & Electronics Club HamFest Sale
Longwarry Community Hall 10am (vk3iu)
VK3 - Bendigo Amateur Radio & Electronics Club Radiofest.
Sunday 11 October, Bendigo East Hall, Lansell Street (vk3gtv)
VK7 - Tassie Ham-E-Con Radio Conference Nov 7 and 8 UTAS Sandy Bay
Campus. reast.asn.au/news-events/tassie-ham-radio-conference/
VK5 - Adelaide Amateur Radio & Electronics Car Boot Sale Dogs SA
Showground, Cromwell Road, Kilburn 10.00am. November 21. (wiacal)
Reception Reports
No we DO like to hear where in the world you are listening to this,
the WIA NATIONAL NEWS SERVICE.
WIA News rebroadcasters often give Short Wave Listeners a
welcome to the broadcast as they commence call-backs
straight after the Local News. Local news follows National
news in all states. It would be great if those SWL's would
email their reception reports and location to
callbacks(at)wia.org.au
Not only but also those watching us on YouTube, leave a comment , access
is just below the picture on screen and again tell us where and maybe
even the day and time you are listening
---------------------------------------------------------------*
(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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