From: richardm@runx.oz.au (Richard Murnane)
Subject: VK2WI broadcast, 26th July 1992
Organization: RUNX Un*x Timeshare.  Sydney, Australia.
Distribution: aus
Date: Sun, 26 Jul 92 12:22:15 GMT

          VK2WI Broadcast, 26th July 1992.  Copyright 1992 WIA (NSW) &
          contributors.  Material may be used elsewhere if the source
          is acknowledged.




                    THE MAJOR NEWS ITEMS THIS WEEK INCLUDE:

                         High Tech at the Olympic Games
                       More on the ZL Radiation Checkups
                           Space Observatory Open Day
                     Mobile DX-pedition comes to Australia




                      OLYMPIC GAMES SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS

          This is a reminder that two special event stations, 4M5JOB
          and 4M5OGB, will be active for the duration of the Barcelona
          Olympic Games.  No frequencies have been advised, so you'll
          have to go out and hunt for them yourself.

          Meanwhile, the Sydney Morning Herald's TV Guide last week
          outlined some of the technological wonders being used at the
          Games this year.  Helicopters and camera boats will be
          fitted with "gyrozoom" stabilising lenses; underwater
          tracking and periscope cameras will cover the swimming
          events, and much more.

          "Radio Television Olympics" will deploy 65 outside broadcast
          units and 450 cameras, and will provide 2,000 hours of event
          coverage (an Olympic record in itself).  Even if you're not
          a sports fanatic, watch it for the technology...



                           THE TOWER'S NOT *THAT* HIGH!

          The August issue of Electronics Australia notes the recent
          upgrade to the divisional packet radio BBS, but due to a
          minor editorial slip, the magazine refers to (quote) "the
          satellite's FM repeater".  Listeners may rest assured that,
          although the new tower at VK2WI dwarfs its predecessors, the
          packet BBS is still very much "earthbound". The WIA has NO
          plans to launch a satellite at this stage.



                       MORE ON THOSE ZL RADIATION CHECKS


          { This one stirred up a hornet's nest last week, with faxes
          and packet mail flying all over. The reply I posted to VKNET
          is in a separate article in aus.radio. The story turned out
          to be a "beat-up", but it wasn't me who did the beating! Still,
          I'm expecting a team of investigative reporters on my doorstep
          any minute now! :-)   Richard}

          Last week, we reported that New Zealand amateurs faced the
          threat of "radiation checks" to their amateur stations.  It
          appears that the story became embellished in transit, and by
          the time it reached the New South Wales divisional office,
          it had grown well out of proportion.

          Gerry Kilpatrick of Auckland faxed us this week to set
          matters straight.  For the record, there is NO BILL before
          the New Zealand parliament.  The radio frequency bylaw was a
          purely local aberration, confined to Auckland City.  Because
          the bylaw was based on an Australian standard, Gerry faxed
          the WIA to see if we had any problems or could help in any
          way.

          Auckland City Council nearly passed this bylaw, until
          amateurs spotted the public notices in the paper.  To quote
          Gerry: "ultimately, a huge white flag fluttered from the
          City Council Building, the Mayor took his phone off the
          hook, and harassed councillors voted to shelve it,
          officially temporarily for a further look, but hopefully
          permanently.  The matter was purely local, but obviously had
          national implications if other local authorities followed -
          that is why NZART became involved."

          So, far from being a harbinger of doom, the story is of the
          triumph of assertive amateurs over a few misguided
          bureaucrats.  Well done, Kiwi amateurs!

             - Thanks to Gerry Kilpatrick of Auckland for that item.



                               LOOK TO THE STARS

          The Green Point Observatory, at Oyster Bay in Sydney, will
          be holding two "Open Nights" for the public, on Friday the
          7th and Saturday the 8th August.  The powerful telescopes
          will show you craters and mountains on the moon, double- and
          variable stars, the rings of Saturn, nebulae, globular
          clusters, and much more. The Green Point Observatory is
          located at the corner of Green Point Road and Caravan Head
          Road, Oyster Bay 2225. Doors open at 7pm Friday and 6pm
          Saturday. Don't forget to wear warm clothing.

               - item from Harry VK2ZHP




                                    DX NEWS

          The HA5BUS expedition, which was active from Iran (EP) and
          Bangladesh (S2), has arrived in Sydney. They were unable to
          cross Myanmar (formerly Burma), because of local
          hostilities. It was decided to ship THE BUS via Singapore to
          Sydney. The original plan to land in Perth and cross the
          Nullabor had to be abandoned because of shipping schedules
          and routes.

          The 12 metre long, specially-equipped, bus was offloaded
          from the ship on 20th July. The group expects to be on the
          air by today with the callsign VK5BUS. QSL cards may be sent
          to the Globex Foundation, Box 49, 1311-Budapest, Hungary.

          So, if you see a foreign-looking bus parked near the ocean
          in one of the Sydney suburbs, with a yagi antenna on the
          top, drop in with your QSL card for a friendly chat.

          We will be reporting further details in later broadcasts.

            - Steve Pall VK2PS, DX editor of "Amateur Radio" magazine




                              HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTY

          As our regular listeners will know, the ABC is celebrating
          its 60th anniversary this year. There is an exhibition of
          historical equipment in the Ultimo Centre foyer all this
          month, with many items on display, such as 1958 TV cameras,
          wire recorders, and other items of historical significance
          that in other hands would have been junked. The ABC Ultimo
          Centre is located at 700 Harris Street, Ultimo, opposite the
          University of Technology, and is open for extended hours.

               - Morton VK2DEX


          ABC Radio Australia has recently published its English
          Service Frequency Guide, detailing transmission times and
          frequencies. Frequency guides for Radio Australia services
          in English, Indonesian, Standard Chinese, and other
          languages may be obtained by writing to Radio Australia at
          PO Box 755, Glen Waverly, Victoria 3150, Australia, or by
          fax on (03) 881 2377.

               - thanks to Westlakes Amateur Radio club for that info



                                   AAPRA NEWS

          The Australian Amateur Packet Radio Association has been
          negotiating with the creators of the German BAYCOM program,
          to extend its availability and use in Australia.  The Baycom
          modem is a good example of miniaturisation (it fits inside a
          9-pin "D-shell" plug, but performs as well as modems many
          times its size.)

          AAPRA also reports that contact between Sydney and Newcastle
          via the UHF ROSE link has been sporadic, due to a very high
          noise level from TV transmitters at the Newcastle end.
          Action is in hand to overcome the problem.

               - VK2BQ, AAPRA publicity officer.



                                   WICEN NEWS

          August is a busy month for WICEN personnel, with many events
          in the calendar.  Instead of boring listeners with the
          entire list, we will just relate the changes.

          The City/Surf event now has a commander - Morton VK2DEX.
          All area coordinators are requested to contact Morton with
          details of likely attendance.

          The Sutherland SES are holding a two-day map reading course
          on 8-9 August, from 0800 to 1600 each day.  Space has been
          made available for some WICEN members.  If you would like to
          attend, please contact Kevin Dawson VK2CKD, Sydney South
          Region Coordinator, at (02) 570-3699.

          Sydney South WICEN will also assist the St.George Amateur
          Radio Club in running the Como-Jannali Rotary Fun Run, on
          13th September.  The event is officially organised by the
          St. George ARC, but the local WICEN team is helping them
          out.  Again, contact Kevin Dawson VK2CKD on (02) 570-3699
          for further details.

          The next monthly meeting of the Sydney South WICEN will be
          at Sutherland SES in Caringbah, on 18th August, (and again
          on 15 Sep).

          -- Details from Kevin VK2CKD and Peter VK2AGB, Sydney South.




                               BROADCAST SUMMARY

          Summarising the articles in this news broadcast so far:

          Olympic special event Stations, 4M5JOB and 4M5OGB will be
          active during the Barcelona Games. You won't get a gold
          medal for contacting them, but you might get a QSL card.

          If you were disturbed by the "New Zealand radiation check"
          story we ran last week, you can relax now. The bureaucratic
          mischief was restricted to Auckland City, and councillors
          have now seen the error of their ways.

          Green Point Observatory at Oyster Bay, Sydney, will be open
          to the public on the nights of the 7th and 8th August. Look
          for the face of Elvis on the Moon, but don't forget your
          woolly jumper.

          "Omnibus-mobile" DX-pedition, HA5BUS, is in Sydney, and will
          be active around Australia, using the callsign VK5BUS. If
          you see a foreign-looking bus sporting a yagi, drop in and
          say hello.

          The ABC's 60th anniversary exhibition of historical
          equipment at the ABC Ultimo Centre this month has many
          interesting items on display. The Centre is located at 700
          Harris Street, Ultimo, Sydney, opposite the University of
          Technology.

          The UHF ROSE link between Sydney and Newcastle is not well,
          but doctors at the AAPRA medical centre are examining the
          patient.




                               IPS WEEKLY REPORT

                             17 July - 23 July 1992

          Issue no. 30
          Date of issue: 24 July 1992

          Date      17    18   19   20   21   22   23
          10cm     136   126  119  124  108  104   99
          A         05    05   03   06   08   26  (17 estimated)
          T         99    91   83   82  100  101   80

          Summary of activity:
          Solar activity was moderate on 18th July, with an M1 and M2
          flare, and activity was low on the other days of the period.

          The geomagnetic field at Sydney was quiet, or mostly quiet,
          up to 21st when levels became quiet to unsettled with active
          periods, continuing for the remainder of the period.

          Ionospheric F2 critical frequencies at Sydney were mostly
          near normal, with depressed periods of up to 30 per cent
          on 17th, 19th-20th, and 23rd July. There were 20-30 per cent
          enhancements on 22nd 11-13 UT. Periods of Spread F were noted
          17th-18th July, and 20th-23rd. The Spread F may have
          degraded communications on 22nd-23rd July. Blanketing sporadic
          E was also noted on 21st and 23rd.

          Forecast for the next week (24-30 July):
          Solar: low
          Geomagnetic: quiet to unsettled
          Ionospheric: depressed 15-30 per cent on July monthly
                       values. Spread F may continue to degrade
                       communications during night hours.

          -- courtesy of IPS Radio and Space Services.

          If you found the propagation report something of a mystery,
          you might like to attend the IPS User Training Course, to be
          held in Sydney on 16th September. Details from IPS Radio and
          Space Services on phone (02) 414-8000 or by fax on (02)
          414-8331.



                                   CLUB NEWS

          Next Saturday, 1st August, is the quarterly family
          gathering, barbeque, and meeting of the Mid South Coast
          Amateur Radio Club. The venue is the Hancock Ranch, Little
          Forest Road, Milton. Turn inland off the Princes Highway
          three kilometres north of Milton, and follow the "H" ranch
          signs.

          The club provides barbeque facilities, tea, coffee, and
          afternoon tea, so why not bring the whole family?

               - Ben VK2AJE, Club Secretary


          The Summerland Amateur Radio Club's annual "minifest" is on
          next Sunday: there will be "bring and buy" stalls,
          disposals, a packet radio demonstration, trade display, and
          maybe a foxhunt or two. The venue is the clubrooms at
          Richmond Hill, via Lismore, commencing at 9:30am. Directions
          will be available on repeaters VK2RIC, VK2RBB, and from
          VK2AGH.

          For more information, contact John on (066) 21933, Ken on
          (066) 244 771, or Graeme on (066) 851 336. Packet news is
          avalable on VK2EA-2, VK2AGH-2, or VK2YDN-2, all via
          VK2RPL-1, 668900.

          Note your diary now: next Sunday, 2nd August 1992, the
          Summerland Amateur Radio Club Minifest.

               - item from Graeme VK2GJ, publicity officer.



          The Twin Cities Radio and Electronics Club advises that
          their inaugural Field Day will be held on Saturday 8th
          August, from 1000 to 1630 hrs.  The location is the Murray
          High School, at the corner of Kaitlers Road and Kemp Street,
          North Albury.

          The field day will feature demonstrations, talks, and
          activities such as:
                   Amateur Slow Scan Television
                   Packet Radio
                   Satellites
                   Balloon Project
                   Fox hunting (of the radio kind)

          Talk-ins will be on the following frequencies: 147.000,
          146.530, 439.425, and 438.575 MHz.

          There will be commercial displays and sales areas, as well
          as Swap and Used Gear tables.

          For further information, call into the club net on 3.560 MHz
          at 1000Z, phone Greg Sargeant VK2EXA during business hours
          on (060) 21-1741, or send packet mail to Claude "VK2CXC at
          VK2CPR".

               - Claude VK2CXC.


          The Saint George Amateur Radio Society will be holding
          examinations on Saturday, 5th September 1992. The closing
          date for applications is 21st August 1992. For further
          details & application forms please contact Ean Young VK2FSO
          on (02) 580-5329

              - Paul VK2ZSA



                             MORSE MACHINE UPGRADES

          The Hornsby and District Amateur Radio Club has recently
          modified the morse practice beacon, VK2RCW, which operates
          on 144.950 and 3.699 MHz. The "Morse machine" now has a
          varying speed, and the 80 metre band transmitter has also
          been upgraded.

          The club would appreciate comments from users, particularly
          signal reports from the transmitter on 3.699 MHz. Both New
          South Wales and interstate reports of the daytime and
          nighttime signal would be helpful.

          Reports may be sent to PO Box 362, Hornsby, NSW 2077, or by
          packet to VK2MA at VK2RWI.

          The Hornsby club also reminds us that their novice course
          began last Friday evening. There is still time to join,
          however, if you contact Graham VK2DWL, QTHR. The classes are
          held every Friday night at the Scout Hall, Lords Road,
          Asquith.

               - info from Colin VK2JCC, publicity officer



                             WAITAKERE PHONE SPRINT

          The Western Suburbs Radio Club (in Auckland) has announced
          that the inaugural Waitakere Phone Sprint will be held next
          Sunday evening. The contest is open to all licensed amateurs
          in New Zealand and Australia, and runs from 1000 to 1100 UTC
          on Sunday, 2nd August.

          Contest frequencies are between 3.535 and 3.700 MHz, and the
          contest organisers have requested that no linear amplifiers
          be used.

          Contestants should call "CQ SPRINT", "CQ TEST" or "CQ
          CONTEST". Exchanges must comprise at least a signal report
          and a three digit serial number: if you reach 999, revert to
          001 on the next contact.

          Contest logs must show for each contact:
               the time (UTC),
               callsign of the station worked, and
               the report and serial number (both sent and received)

          Logs must be in the hands of the contest Manager, Alex
          Learmond ZL1BVK, 14 Takapu Street, HENDERSON, Auckland 1208,
          no later than Tuesday, 1st September 1992.

          Each log must be accompanied by a cover sheet showing your
          name, address, callsign, operating area (eg. VK1, VK2), the
          total number of contacts claimed, and a signed  declaration
          that you have abided by the rules and spirit of the contest.
 
          Certificates will be awarded to the highest score overall,
          and to highest score in each ZL Call area and to the top
          three scores in VK.

          Note that entries in violation of the rules or spirit of the
          contest, or which contain excessive duplicate contacts may
          be disqualified.

              - Alex. ZL1BVK, Contest Manager




                                BROADCAST ROSTER

          Next Sunday morning:     Peter VK2BPN and Peter VK2JPJ
          Next Sunday evening:     Tony VK2ZLT and Peter VK2CZX

          (Please note that the broadcast for the 9th August will be
          "Peter-free")

          Volunteers are always needed to help with the broadcast. If
          you would like to join the VK2 Broadcast Team, please
          contact Steve VK2QZ or the Parramatta office.

          Broadcast items should be sent to the Broadcast Coordinator
          at PO Box 1066 Parramatta NSW 2124, or sent via packet radio
          to "VK2WI at VK2RWI".

          They may also be submitted via FAX to (02) 633-1525 to
          arrive before 6pm on Friday.  Deadline is the Friday evening
          prior to the broadcast and late items are accepted only if
          urgent.

          (You may also e-mail me at: richardm @ runx.oz.au)



                                 COMING EVENTS

          Olympics Special Event Stations active  .  DURING THE GAMES
          HA5BUS expedition mobile in Australia   .    .    .     NOW
          VI4FOW (Festival Of Whales) activated   .   1st-31st August
          South Coast Amateur Radio Club meeting  .    .     SATURDAY
          Summerland ARC annual minifest     .    .    .  NEXT SUNDAY
          Waitakere Phone Sprint contest (80 metres)   .  NEXT SUNDAY
          Waverley Amateur Radio Society AGM .    .    .   3rd August
          Green Point Observatory "Open Nights"   .    7th-8th August
          Twin Cities Radio and Electronics Club Field Day 8th August
          Closing date for Divisional examinations     .  13th August
          Coastwatchers 50th anniversary reunion  .    14-16th August
          WICEN (NSW) Annual General Meeting .    .    .  15th August
          Remembrance Day Contest  .    .    .    .    15-16th August
          City to Surf race (WICEN)     .    .    .    .  16th August
          WICEN Sydney South meeting    .    .    .    .  18th August
          Radio Veterans meeting at Parramatta    .    .  20th August
          Closing Date for Saint George examinations      21st August
          Batemans Bay Car Rally (WICEN)     .    .  22nd-23rd August
          International Six Day Enduro (WICEN)    .  25th-30th August
          Open forum on the WIA    .    .    .    .    .  29th August
          VK2 Division examinations     .    .    .    .  30th August


          VK2WI Broadcast, 26th July 1992.  Copyright 1992 WIA (NSW) &
          contributors.  Material may be used elsewhere if the source
          is acknowledged.

-- 
Richard P. Murnane                     Every time I read the Sydney Morning
Internet: richardm@runx.oz.au          Herald cartoon page, I am reminded that
UUCP:     uunet!runx.oz.au!richardm    that I've become an institutionalised
Packet:   VK2SKY @ VK2RWI.NSW.AUS.OC   bankie: I now find "Bristow" funny...
Newsgroups: aus.radio