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VK National News 11May25
Text edition:
Weekly news from the WIA:
MP3 edition of news available at: http://www.wia-files.com/podcast/wianews-2025-05-11.mp3
Text edition:
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2025 MAY 11 WIA NATIONAL NEWS BROADCAST ON VK1WIA
------------------------------------------------------------*
THE BEST NEWS YOU'LL GET ALL WEEK
THIS LINK IS A VIDEO VERSION OF NEWS COMPILED BY VK5BD BEVAN
tinyurl.com/WIA-News-Videos
------------------------------------------------------------*
NATIONAL NEWS FOR WEEK COMMENCING MAY 11 2025
IN OUR 30th YEAR OF NON STOP NEWS
THIS WEEK:-
Merit and Publication Awards announced by WIA President, Scott Williams VK3KJ
and have you ever worked G 0 OAM?
well Michael Carey writing in FaceBook Group
"Amateur (HAM) Australia" shows a post of how 80's Pop singer Feargal Sharkey is
in fact radio amateur G 0 OAM, a "good heart" AND contact to find..
(Listed in QRZ as Sean Sharkey).
NOW WAIT - THERE'S MUCH MUCH MORE IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE WIRELESS
INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA.
I'M EDITOR GRAHAM VK4BB
WIA
JOIN THE WIA
tinyurl.com/yyj87b9y
This is WIA President, Scott Williams (VK3KJ) and welcome to all listeners to WIA National News Broadcast this week.
What a huge couple of days it was last weekend with the WIA AGM taking place on Saturday 3rd May in Bendigo Victoria. Around 90 people attended the AGM in person with another 25 people online. To recognise the youth in Amateur Radio, the AGM was officially closed by Allan Cherry (VK2COD) who is 11 years of age and was present in person at the AGM.
On the Saturday night, a gala dinner was held in conjunction with the Bendigo Amateur Radio and Electronics Club (BAREC), which was sold out with around 100 people in attendance.
The highlight of the evening was a live cross to the International Space Station, where students from the local Girton Grammar School made contact with NA1SS, posing a range of questions to one of the NASA astronauts. A huge thanks goes to Robert Broomhead (VK3DN), Jack Bramham (VK3WWW) and Shane Lynd (VK4KHZ) for making the cross possible.
On the Sunday morning, BAREC hosted a technology festival at the Bendigo showgrounds. It was well attended with a range of technical presentations throughout the morning.
The WIA thanks BAREC for hosting this years AGM with a special call out to the President Neil Patton (VK3ZVX), Secretary Peter Jardine (VK3PWJ) and all of the organising committee at the club, thank you for bringing last weekend all together and making the event a success.
At the AGM each year there are a range of Merit and Publication Awards that are presented to a range of very worthy recipients.
It is impossible to read the background on every award recipient in this broadcast however, we will separately publish a document on the WIA website that outlines the wonderful contribution that each of these award recipients have made to Amateur Radio.
The Merit Award winners for 2024 are:
Michael J. Owen Distinction Medal Mark Hillman (VK3OHM)
Brenda Edmonds Education Award The WIA Education Committee
Chris Jones Award Rob Seaman (VK6LD)
Presidents Commendation Bevan Daniel (VK5BD)
Presidents Commendation Justin Giles-Clark (VK7TW)
Presidents Commendation John Seamons (VK3JLS)
There was also a range of Publication Awards for 2024:
Higginbotham Award Rick Matthew (VK5BGN) with Jan King (W3GEY)
Higginbotham Award Jennifer Wardrop (VK3WQ) and (VK5ANE)
Shawsmith Award Bruce Bathols (VK3UV SK)
Shawsmith Award - Gary Gibson (VK2DBN)
Technical Award George Galanis (VK3EIP)
Technical Award Andrew Anderson (VK3CV)
Encouragement Award Donald Howarth (VK6JDM)
Encouragement Award Peter Elekessy (VK2AN)
The WIA congratulates all award recipients for 2024.
Thats it for me for another week and this has been Scott Williams, WIA President on behalf of the WIA Board
Best Wishes.
As President Scott mentioned the ARISS contact was exceptional.
This School contact was with students from Girton Grammar School in Bendigo and
took place during the annual dinner of the 2025 WIA AGM & Technical Expo.
Moderated by Robert Broomhead VK3DN, the students spoke with Takaya Onishi KF5LKS
on board the International Space Station.
Girton Grammar School teacher Prue Beckwith led 13 of her students in the
memorable hook-up helped in no small way by our own VK3GTV Col, Jack VK3WWW,
Craig VK3KLI and, rounding out the Telebridge and Video Crew, Robert VK3DN.
On our WIA frot pag news , wia.org.au the youtube recording takes p[ride of place,
scroll through to about the 21 minute mark in the 35 minute video clip to watch the
kids from Girton Grammar.
(audio intensive sample of contact 60 seconds)
wia.org.au/newsevents/news/2025/20250505-1/index.php
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS is with thanks to Amateur Radio Daily, ARRL, DX-WORLD,
eHam, Hackaday, IARU, ICQPodcast, IRTS, NEWSLINE, NZART, RAC,
Radioworld.com, RSGB, SARL and the World Wide sources of the WIA.
CITY POLICE STATIONS PREPARE TO ADD AMATEUR RADIO
In West Bengal, India, law enforcement officials in one city are adding amateur
radio shacks to police stations. Now they are busy getting volunteers trained and
licensed to use them. Who better than our Editor Graham Kemp VK4BB to wrap his
tongue around these names as . well.. he did spend a year or so undercover in the
sub-continent.
"Two months of ham radio training began in late April for civic volunteers who
assist at the 26 police stations throughout the city of Barrackpore. The sessions
are being conducted by Srayan Mondal, VU3ZHF, Pashupati Mondal, VU3ODQ,
Dipak Chakraborty VU2TLW and Jayanta Baidya VU2TFR -- all members of the
West Bengal Radio Club.
The training is designed to prepare the volunteers for the exam leading to the ham
radio certificate from the Ministry of Telecommunications. Radio shacks are
expected to be set up at each of the 26 police stations and the police central
office.
The police commissioner told local media that adding wireless communication to the
various modes used by law enforcement will be especially helpful for disaster
response."
Prasanna Waichal, Scientist and holder of call sign VU 3 OOI,
Predicts Earthquakes with Radio Waves:
Despite advances in sciences, earthquake is a natural phenomenon that cannot
be predicted accurately. There is also no way of preventing the natural
occurrence that has struck several parts of the world in the recent past.
However, a researcher from Kolhapur has been studying radio waves under the
earth to predict earthquakes at a laboratory he has set up.
The estimates of Prasanna Waichal have proved to be accurate in the last
six years. Waichal holds a master's degree in electronics and has more than
25 years of work experience in industrial research and development for
design and development of specialized and strategic electronics systems and
academic teaching and research at post-graduate levels, both in India and
abroad.
Chinese researchers have designed a compact, high-performance antenna that can
seamlessly integrate into modern stealth aircraft, enabling efficient communication
and navigation without compromising radar invisibility or aerodynamic performance.
As stealth capabilities and aerodynamic performance become essential, modern combat
aircraft are being designed with flatter profiles to minimise their radar signature
and improve aerodynamic efficiency.
Currently, antennas as small as 5 mm can be built into the surface of aircraft,
however, these antennas typically operate within a narrow frequency range of
2.32.5 GHz.
Researchers from the Southwest China Institute of Electronic Technology and the
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China have now introduced an
omnidirectional circular ring antenna that is both ultra-wideband and low profile.
Their work has been published in the Journal of Electronic Science and Technology.
We propose an airborne ultra-wideband circular ring conformal array antenna based
on the typical tightly coupled ultra-wideband long slot element and traditional
miniaturisation methods of omnidirectional antennas, said team leader
Associate Professor Feng Yang,
The FCC has announced that the Office of Management and Budget has approved,
for 3 years, the information-collection requirement of the Commissions
March 29 Report and Order that spelled out Amateur Radio service rules for
the two new US bands 630 meters and 2200 meters.
Notice of the action is now in the Federal Register.
Before using either band, stations must notify the Utilities Technology
Council (UTC), that they plan to do so, and if UTC does not respond within
30 days, they may then commence operation.
If you are planning to attend Ham Radio in Friedrichshafen this June, you'll
be asked to consider some remote possibilities. In this case "remote" refers
to "remote radio," which is the theme of the international amateur radio
exhibition this year.
The weekend of June 27th will be devoted to the usual in-person contacts
between old friends, with plenty of workshops, seminars and new-product
displays in the mix of activities. The motto for this year's exhibition in
Germany, however, is all about NOT being there.
The theme of "Remote Radio - Connecting the World" focuses on how radio
operators are no longer required to be in the same place as their equipment
in order to transmit successfully. This kind of remote operation has already
been demonstrated in a number of high-profile DXpeditions using the
Radio-in-a-Box. These stations are controlled remotely over the Internet,
opening up more opportunities for those who wish to experiment and allowing
DXpeditions to take place in environmentally sensitive areas where human
presence is forbidden or restricted.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATIONAL NEWS - A FELIX VK4FUQ PRESENTATION
--------------
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NOW CONTEST WISE:- 2025
--------------
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May 17/18 is the Sangster Shield.
QRP CW on 80m, wind back the rig to 5W and give it a go.
(nzart)
-------
Don Edwards memorial slow Morse contest May 17 - 18
A reminder that the Don Edwards memorial slow Morse contest is on the
weekend after Mother's Day - 80m on the evening of Saturday 17th May and
40m the afternoon of Sunday 18.
sgars.org
(vk2emu/vk2winews)
-------------------------
VK Shires Contest 7th - 8th June 2025
wia.org.au/members/contests/wavks/
-----------------------
NZ Straight Key Night
Next New Zealand Straight Key Night will be held Sunday 8 June
from 9pm to 10pm NZDT (0800 to 0900 UTC) on 80 metres.
Polish and lubricate that old morse key and enjoy an evening of
old-time radio fun.
Straight Key Night is an informal event which honours the roots of
amateur radio: Morse Code sent with a straight key (no bugs,
sideswipers, keyers or keyboards).
When.
Winter SKN is the second Sunday in June, 8-9pm NZ time.
Summer SKN is always the first Sunday in December, 9-10pm NZ time.
SKN honours the original amateur radio mode in an easy-going style.
Operators send signal report, name, location, type of key, type of
transmitter and power output. Stations are limited to 100W output
power.
SKN is not a contest - but the operator who gets the most votes for the
quality of their sending will win the Bruce Scahill Best Fist Award.
This certificate honours Bruce ZL1BWG (SK), who was a dedicated
supporter of SKN. Please email your nomination to ZL1NZ within one week
following the event.
(Neil ZL1NZ, SKN Manager)
-----------------
VHF UHF Field Days
Contest Manager Roger Harrison VK2ZRH.
Winter 2025
Saturday 21 June through Sunday 22 June
The Field Days provide VHF-UHF operators with the opportunity to "head for
the hills" and see how far distant and how many stations they can work.
The Field Days have separate sections for single and multiple operator
stations. The duration of the Field Day is 24 hours, but there are also
8-hour sections for operators who may not be able to camp overnight.
Notably, most club stations prefer to operate for the full 24 hours.
The Field Days also generate plenty of activity from home stations,
so there is also a separate Home Station section.
All contacts must be simplex: contacts through repeaters or satellites are
not allowed. There is plenty of FM activity, but one feature of the Field
Days is a high level of SSB activity.
It is possible to do very well with only modest antennas IF you pick a good
hilltop. Another option, if your station is easily transportable, is to
operate from more than one location during the contest period.
The overriding aim is to get away for the weekend and have fun!
But next after that, the aims are:
to encourage more activity on VHF, UHF, and microwave bands;
to encourage people to work greater distances than usual by operating
portable, and to provide opportunities for people to activate or work
into new grid squares.
wia.org.au/members/contests/vhfuhf/
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IARU HF World Championship.
The 24-hour IARU HF World Championship starts at 12 HUNDRED UTC on
Saturday 12 July and ends at 11:59 UTC on Sunday 13 July.
This annual contest supports amateur self-training in radio
communications, improving operating skills, conducting technical
investigations and inter-communicating with other amateurs around
the world using the 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 metre bands
Ken Yamamoto, JA1CJP Secretary, IARU Region 3 in an email passed to us by
WIA Secretary Peter Clee reminds us here at the WIA that in this contest
multipliers are the total number of ITU zones plus IARU member society HQ
stations worked on each band (not mode). Thus, Society's HQ stations
(WIA) participation is very important for the multipliers.
(SARL/VK8ZZ)
-----------------
Trans-Tasman Low Band Contest - 19 JUL 2025
The Trans-Tasman contest, held on the 3rd weekend in July, aims to encourage Low Band activity between VK and ZL
Only contest bands 160 80 and 40M are allowed with SSB, CW and Digital (RTTY OR PSK)
wia.org.au/members/contests/transtasman/
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YOTA Contest 2025
Organized by the IARU R1 Youth Working Group in cooperation with the
Hungarian Amateur Radio Society, the aim of the YOTA Contest is to
increase youngsters activity on the air, strengthen the reputation
of the YOTA programme and demonstrate support for youngsters across the
world.
The next 2 sessions of this year's YOTA Contest will be held
19 July
29 December
yotacontest.mrasz.org
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RSGB IOTA CONTEST
July 26 to July 27, 2025.
Mode: CW, SSB
Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m
Work once per band per mode.
(wa7bnm contest calendar)
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Remembrance Day Contest
This contest is held every year on the anniversary of the end of World War
II, in honour of the Australian amateurs who lost their lives in wartime.
This contest is unusual because the trophy goes to the Australian state or
territory that scores the highest level of activity.
Next contest 16th & 17th August 2025
Contest Manager is Alan Shannon VK4SN vk4sn@wia.org.au
wia.org.au/members/contests/rdcontest/
-----------------------------------------------------------------
NOW THE DX WINDOW TO THE WORLD.
-----------------
-----------------
-----------------
MAY
The RSGB Contest Club has recently exceeded one million QSOs.
These have been made by RSGB members activating historic RSGB callsigns and
special event callsigns, either in contests or in radio marathon activations.
The QSOs have all been uploaded to Logbook of the World.
The most prolific callsign has been G6XX with over 154,000 QSOs, and the most
recent has been GB0IARU which was active in April to celebrate 100 years of the
International Amateur Radio Union.
(GB2RS NEWS)
------------------
North West Group ARC, MN NWG, is using the special-event callsign GB 0 AEL
until the 31st of May to commemorate the anniversary of Amelia Earhart's
transatlantic flight which she accomplished nonstop and solo in 1932.
Her trip took her from Newfoundland to Londonderry in Northern Ireland.
QSL via MIHOZ.
(arnewsline2479)
-------------
DM LIMES is on the air until the 1st of July to mark UNESCO World Heritage Day
on June 1st. The callsign DM 3 LIMES will join this DL0LIMES on the air and operate
from the 31st of May through to the 1st of June. The callsigns was chosen in
recognition of the limes, which bordered the Roman Empire at its greatest point.
See QRZ.com for QSL details.
(arnewsline2479)
------------
GB 1 BK
The East Midlands Electronics and Radio Group is on air until today, the
11th of May UTC to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
VE DAY or Victory In Europe Day callsign GB1BK is operated from former
RAF Binbrook in Lincolnshire and Midland members are on 40m, 20m and 2m,
using SSB and some FT8 and SSTV.
Guernsey Amateur Radio Society has been operating special event radio station
GU80LIB between the 9th and today, the 11th of May in celebration of the
80th anniversary of the liberation of Guernsey at the end of World War Two.
See QRZ.com for more information.
(rsgb and in the wia text version only)
-----------------
REMINDERS
Well you may not WORK them BUT you MAY hear them.
Once again Italian radio amateurs have been authorized to use the 40 MHz
band until the end of the year.
They are allowed to operate from 40.660 MHz to 40.700 MHz with a maximum
power of 10 watts.
The Italian regulator has given permission until 31 December also for
70.1, 70.2, and 70.3 MHz.
(425dx news)
------------
Recently Jason, VK2LAW, brought us news of the special event station
in Japan, 8 K 3 E.X.P.O. Now word of another station celebrating this
EXPO in the Kansai / Kinki region - JA3 X.P.O.
This station, JA3XPO, is a mobile commemorative station that will travel to
each of the Kansai prefectures. This callsign, originally used for the 1970
Japan World Exposition in Osaka, has been revived after 55 years.
BOTH 8K3EXPO and JA3XPO are on air now and conclude at World Expo's end
October 13, the FULL duration of the Expo.
(ARD)
-----------------
A very large number of Russian stations using special prefix RP80
are QRV now until May 9 to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of
World War II.
More information on
logradio.ru/
--------
Peter, PD1RP, is celebrating the 80th anniversary since the end of the German
occupation of the Netherlands during World War II. He is on the air as PD80FREE
until the 30th of June. All QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the bureau.
(NewsLine)
------------------------------------------------------------*
WORLD WIDE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP NEWS
SUMMITS ON THE AIR, WORLD WIDE FLORA, FAUNA PROGRAM,
PARKS ON THE AIR and other ADVENTURE GROUPS.
hema.org.uk/index.jsp
minesontheair.com/about-mota
parksontheair.com/
sota.org.uk
sotawatch.sota.org.uk/en/
facebook.com/SotaAustralia/
wwffaustralia.com/
THE QUEENS OF THE MOUNTAIN
The Second Annual Queens of the Mountains will take place from 00:00 UTC on
Saturday 7 June to 23:59 UTC on Sunday 8 June.
This is an event to get YLs operating from SOTA points around the world.
Adele, ZS5APT is organising the event over in South Africa and she asks all
YL operators to get involved. A WhatsApp group has been formed. Closer to the time,
more information will be posted on the MAIN SOTA reflector:-
reflector.sota.org.uk
(SARL)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - DIGITAL.
Maybe the biggest 'digital' news this week has been sent by the South African
Society SARL
AND I QUOTE
"THE SARL WEBSITE
As many of you are aware, the sarl.org.za was the victim of a cyber-attack, that
resulted in lots of spam e-mails. This was first indication that our system had
been breached. In response to this we shut down the web site and certain mail
services while the breach was investigated.
During the investigation it came to light that there were also other attempts to
attack the system that included the possible exfiltration of members name,
e-mail and SARL password Hash.
Considering this, it was advised not to resurrect the old sarl.org.za server, but
rather re-direct to a new web site, that has by far better security because it is
deployed on an up to date and security patched system with the necessary security
enhancements. This was done in the best interests of all members.
To enable us to interact we switched sites without warning, we apologise for this,
but it was necessary."
SARL are in the process of migrating pertinent content from the old to the new, and
this will take some time. They have asked that we all "Please bear with us during
this period."
mysarl.org.za/
(SARL)
Digital Library of Amateur Radio and Communications.
ARDC has awarded a second grant to the Internet Archive's Digital Library of
Amateur Radio and Communications. The grant will allow DLARC to continue curating
and preserving historical content related to ham radio for an additional two years.
The library includes a plethora of content from club newsletters, to software, to
old printed callbooks that date back to the early 1900s.
DLARC has a want list. If you own copies of any of the publications sought by
DLARC, please consider donating them for preservation and future amateur radio
enthusiasts.
Digital Library of Amateur Radio and Communications is a free online library
devoted to ham radio, shortwave listening, college radio, and early communications.
This free resource combines archived digitized print materials, born-digital
content, websites, oral histories, personal collections, and other related records
and publications. The goals of DLARC are both to document the history of amateur
radio and to provide freely available educational resources for researchers,
students, and the general public.
daily.hamweekly.com/2025/05/dlarc-receives-grant-to-continue-ham-radio-curation/
archive.org/details/dlarc?tab=about
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - FINAL FRONTIER
AMSAT-VK Secretary - secretary(at)amsat-vk.org
A Soviet spacecraft originally intended for Venus, Cosmos 482, was expected to make
an uncontrolled re-entry into Earths atmosphere around May 910, after orbiting
the planet for over 53 years.
Launched in March 1972, the mission failed when the upper stage of its Soyuz
booster cut off prematurely, stranding the Venus lander in Earth orbit.
The descent moduledesigned to endure Venus harsh atmosphereremains intact and
may potentially survive Earth re-entry due to its heavy thermal shielding.
Satellite tracker Marco Langbroek has modelled its descent and predicted it could
hit the ground or ocean at speeds exceeding 145 miles per hour. Although the risk
to people or infrastructure was low, the landers size and mass make its re-entry
comparable to a small meteorite impact.
Its fiery return, a rare and fascinating reminder of Cold War-era space exploration
still orbiting above us.
(ANS)
NOAA has announced that satellites NOAA 15, 18, and 19 will be reclassified as
end-of-life effective June 16, 2025.
These polar-orbiting weather satellites are widely used by we amateur radio
enthusiasts and RTL-SDR hobbyists to receive APT and HRPT imagery.
NOAA has confirmed that signals will still be broadcast on a data of opportunity
basis, meaning they are no longer intended for operational or safety-critical use
but remain suitable for hobbyist reception. NOAA also stated that no ground
intervention will be provided for future sensor or hardware failures. Should any
critical malfunctions occur, the satellites may be decommissioned, as was nearly
the case with NOAA 15s scan motor, which previously failed and later resumed
function under unclear circumstances.
(ANS)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - IOTA
iota-world.org/
------------
Harald, DF2WO and Warren, KN6ZZI, are using the callsigns D44TWO and D44ZZI,
respectively, from Santiago Island, IOTA number AF-5, in Cape Verde, through to
the 26th of May. Harald will be using primarily CW and FT4 and Warren will be using
primarily SSB and FT8. They will also be looking to make QSOs via the QO-1
satellite. QSL to both via MOXOs OQRS.
Now remember there is plenty of IOTA DX about including,
ZS8W Marion Island, TX9A Austral Islands and HD8G Galapagos Islands.
(arnewsline 479 and rsgb)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO AMATEUR YOUNG TIMERS - YOTA
(Youngsters On The Air)
WIA committee:- Steve VK6SJ, Alec VK2MV and Pete VK2LP.
ham-yota.com/category/yota-region-3/
facebook.com/groups/YOTAOC/
youtube.com/channel/UClAapljf0VQ751sOgu2IzaA
What a time it was last weekend!
It started early for Alec VK2MV, Pete VK2LP and myself Alan VK2COD on Friday.
We caught the train to the international terminal and flew from Sydney to Melbourne
on Jetstar. The Captain allowed me to see the flight deck after we arrived in
Melbourne. What an experience! I was not allowed to call CQ on the radio though.
After we went through customs and immigration to collect our bags, we caught
Bendigo Shuttle busses to Bendigo. Thank you to the driver and to Graham VK3GRK
who helped us get on the 2:30 bus.
When we arrived in Bendigo, we checked into our room at the Shamrock Hotel.
We met Lee VK3GK in the lobby and said hello. After checking in on Friday, we had
dinner. I had some really nice garlic prawns. Pete had lamb roast and Alec had
cabonara. I had the best dish.
We spoke with a few Operators on the night, I apologise as there are too many
people to remember their names and I do recall everyone was very kind.
On Saturday we hopped on the tram and went to have a tour of Bendigos Central
Deborah Gold Mine. That was a great experience where they told me some interesting
facts about Bendigos gold mining history. Later that afternoon we went to the AGM
where I was asked to close the AGM by Scott VK3KJ.
The dinner that evening was really nice. I had fish and chips and the highlight was
the chocolate cake and ice cream! I was told after dinner a group of school
youngsters made contact with the ISS. Unfortunately it was after my bedtime so I
was well asleep when that was happening.
The next day we stopped by the Bendigo markets and then went into the Bendigo
technology festival. There were some really great stands and I managed to interview
some people.
I will be posting interviews on my YouTube channel, so please keep an eye on my
channel for the links to appear.
A big thank you goes to all in the WIA and BAREC who made this great weekend
possible.
Thank you!
For WIA National News, I am Alan VK2COD back in Sydney. Now back to you Col.
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLysMBE1E_HKSvb9SrS4vCM_lSE3pxVbiu
youtube.com/@VK2COD
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RESCUE RADIO
In (for them) a major technological milestone, the Nagaland State Disaster
Management Authority (NSDMA), in collaboration with OSCAR India, demonstrated
wireless IMAGE transmission via RF without internet connectivity the first
such achievement in Northeast India.
While OSCAR India has previously conducted similar experiments across the
sub - continent, this demonstration is particularly significant due to Northeast
Indias challenging terrain.
The training program equipped NSDMAs District Project Associates with critical
skills, including:
practical morse code applications
hands-on antenna construction workshops, where participants built antennas for
amateur radio operations and
a comprehensive mock fire rescue drill using amateur radio communications.
Acknowledging the success of the initiative, the Wireless Planning & Coordination
Wing, Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications assigned the
special call sign AT2NEthe first-ever designation for an amateur radio
expedition in Kohima.
The Convenor of OSCAR India, emphasized the importance of this demonstration,
highlighting and proving radios vital role when modern networks fail.
tinyurl.com/35tyrne5
(eHam)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - VIDEO
Juan Carlos, CO8TW, reports that a WhatsApp channel titled Satellites for Hams!!!
now has 338 active subscribers.
The channel shares regular updates and information of interest to amateur radio
satellite operators, including how to become a member of AMSAT. It can be accessed
directly at the link in the text edition of this news, best read at wia.org.au
whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaIMu2D4IBhG7yR2Tb2d
To join, download the free WhatsApp app from your devices app store
WhatsApp, owned by Meta, is a global messaging platform that supports text, voice,
video, and multimedia sharing. It remains a popular tool among hams for
coordinating and exchanging satellite-related information in real time.
(ANS)
WEIRD WONDERFUL AND WACKY
THIS ANTENNA'S ELEMENTS HAVE AN ELEMENT OF HISTORY
How much would you be willing to pay for an antenna?
Actually, how much would you be willing to pay for PART of an antenna?
In our final story this week, we welcome to WIA National News Australia, from our
sister news bureau NEWSLINE, their newest family member, Jen de Salvo, W9TXJ,
who explores that very question.
There are just 14 remaining elements from the original 32-element Alford Antenna that once worked its magic atop New York Citys Empire State building. When the antenna was decommissioned in 2019, some of the elements were offered - free for the taking - to interested parties. Now, however, the remaining elements are being put back to work for a cause. The Society of Broadcast Engineers NYC chapter is auctioning them off to raise money for the general scholarship fund of the societys Ennes Educational Foundation Trust.
This is not your average vertical antenna. It is, in a way, the King Kong of antennas even though the Alford didnt yet exist when the famous giant gorilla romanced the terrified actress Fay Wray in the classic 1933 film. This became the first master antenna system in the US when it was installed in 1965. At one time, as many as 16 FM stations used it, earning it the distinction of being the worlds largest combined FM station system. The antenna was relegated to auxiliary status in 1990 and by 2017, it was no longer needed.
Bidding, which ended on April 30th, started at $300 per element. It remains to be seen whether, like King Kong, those bids ascended to impressive heights. Winners will be asked to take delivery in New Jersey - at ground-floor level.
This is Jen de Salvo, W9TXJ.
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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.
----------------------------
2025
VK2 - Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club's 49th Annual Field Day Weekend
at Wauchope Showground Hall June 7 and 8 (wiacal)
VK5 - SERG Convention and Fox Hunting Championship June 7 and 8
At Scout Hall in Mt. Gambier (vk5dj)
VK - Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association 50th anniversary
Glen Waverly July 26 president(at)alara.org (vk2ayl)
VK5 - AREG's Amateur Radio & Electronics Sale Sunday 26th October
at David Roche Park, Kilburn (VK5QI)
VK4 - GOLD COAST AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY 2025 HAMFEST NOV 9 (vk4dmh)
Country Paradise Parklands 231 Beaudesert Nerang Road.
VK3- Rosebud RadioFest, Eastbourne Primary School, Rosebud (wiacal)
November Sixteen.
VK8 - Darwin Amateur Radio Club DARC Xmas Party 6:30pm Dec 3 (wiacal)
final final
Name : John
Callsign : ZS1I
Email Address : sawois05(at)gmail.com
Feedback :
The Wireless Institute Of Australia Weekly Amateur Radio News Broadcast now being
transmitted in South Africa
The Wireless Institute of Australia produces a 30 minute audio news service which is
transmitted across Australia on both Amateur and Citizen Band frequencies. It is now
also transmitted in South Africa.
Starting 15h00 SAST and ending 15h30 SAST every Sunday Afternoon.
Radio Amateurs can listen on the Aasvoelkop Repeater (145.625 MHz. 88.5 hz tone) or
connect via ZS1SB-L EchoLink, ZS1I-R EchoLink, 49355 AllStar or TG65511 on DMR and
the 145.550 MHz. 88.5 hz tone ZS1I Simplex HUB Link.
Come and join us and listen to one of the most interesting amateur radio news
broadcasts in the world.
Blog: https://grhubnetwork.blogspot.com
Reception Reports
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
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(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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