From: richardm@runx.oz.au (Richard Murnane)
Subject: VK2WI Weekly News, 20th December 1992
Organization: RUNX Un*x Timeshare.  Sydney, Australia.
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 92 13:53:19 GMT

[Our friends from the Radio Society of Great Britain have been
posting their weekly news bulletin to this group for some time now.
I've read the bulletins with some interest, particularly noting the
differences in style and content, so I thought others might be interested
in seeing how we do it down in VK2. This is a once-off, just to see if it
evokes any kind of reaction; perhaps Amateurs in other parts of the
world might post their bulletins so we can compare notes... VK2SKY]


VK2WI Broadcast, 20th December, 1992.  Copyright 1992 WIA
(NSW) & contributors.  Material may be used elsewhere if the
source is acknowledged.


                 VK2WI WEEKLY NEWS BULLETIN

                            for

                    20th December, 1992



               THE MAJOR NEWS ITEM THIS WEEK:

               Join the WIA and Win a New Rig
        Amateur Radio Examiners under Investigation
                        Some Choice!
   New Radio Club Forms to Save Middle Head Radio Station
                More Special Event Stations





               JOIN THE WIA AND WIN A NEW RIG

We'd like to remind you that members who renew, or
non-members who join the WIA before 28th February 1993 will
be eligible to win a new rig from Kenwood, in the NSW
Division's special membership and recruitment promotion.

First prize is a Kenwood TM-732A dual band 2m/70cm mobile
transceiver, while second prize is the new Kenwood TH-28A
two metre handy-talkie, which was launched a few weeks ago.

Total value of the prizes is close to $1800.

There are NO special forms to fill in or convoluted quizzes
to answer.

Both prizes will be awarded by way of a draw, and presented
to the winners early next year following close of the
promotion.

Thanks go to Kenwood Electronics Australia who have
generously sponsored this promotion by donating the prizes.

All grades of membership are eligible.

So, if you were thinking of joining - DO IT NOW!  And if
your renewal comes up now - or even later - GET IT IN!

This promotion has been organised by Roger Harrison VK2ZTB
from the newly-formed Advertising and Publicity Section of
the NSW Division of the WIA.



                      DIVISIONAL NEWS

The divisional office has now closed for the Christmas
holidays, but will open again on the 11th January 1993.  You
can still submit items for the broadcast by the usual means,
but if you send items by post, please clearly mark the
envelope for the attention of the broadcast officer.


This week's bulletin is the last live broadcast for the
year; the broadcasts for the 27th December and 3rd January
will be pre-recorded and will go to air in the morning only.
In the Sydney metropolitan area, the Gladesville Amateur
Radio Club will retransmit the broadcast in the evening, via
VK2TVG, on TV channel 35.


Hunter Branch, VK2AWX, has advised that its broadcasts for
the year finished last week, and will recommence on the 8th
February 1993.


And the regular RTTY broadcasts from VK2TTY have finished
for the year; they resume on the 10th January next year.


At the last Council meeting, the problem of incresed pager
intermods was noted.  It appears that a new pager network
has been installed in the last few months, which set up a
whole new batch of intermods which fall into the VHF
repeater input sub-band.  The Divisional Technical Advisory
Committee (NTAC) has been asked to report back to Council on
the problem.


                        NEW MEMBERS

We'd like to welcome the following Amateurs, prospective
Amateurs, and Shortwave Listeners who recently joined the
Wireless Institute of Australia.  They are:

         Peter Bulanyi   VK2GVO
         Eric Fossey     VK2EFY (welcome back, Eric!)
         Han Goldhofer   VK2GOL
         Robert Heaton
         Aiden Kavanagh
         Clive Luckman   VK2GUX
         Frank Mike      VK2DHM
         Shane Norman
         Matt Ryan
         David Thomas
         Paul Titze
         Fred Gubbins

Please join us in welcoming our new friends to the oldest
division of the oldest Amateur Radio society in the world.


The New South Wales Division will begin Amateur Radio
classes, on the 1st February 1993.  If you'd like to get
yourself an Amateur Radio license, if you'd like to move to
a higher grade of license, or if you'd just like to learn
more about Amateur Radio, please contact the divisional
office, by writing to PO Box 1066, Parramatta 2124, or phone
for more information when the office reopens on the 11th
January.



                CAREFUL WITH THAT JUNK MAIL!

Starting with this month's issue, "Amateur Radio" magazine
is being hand delivered to about 2/3rd of members, using the
same company that fills your domestic "in-tray" with
promotional literature.  If you automatically direct your
junk mail to the recycling bin, please make sure you and
your family check carefully, to make sure that "AR" doesn't
suffer the same fate.

There may have been some teething troubles with the new
delivery system, so if you haven't received your copy of
"Amateur Radio" magazine yet, please contact the divisional
office.



           1993 AUSTRALIAN RADIO AMATEUR CALLBOOK

Now that the divisional office has closed for the holidays,
it's too late to get one for Christmas, but there's always
1993: the Divisional office has stocks of the latest
Australian Radio Amateur Callbook.  Price is $11.00 to
members who collect their copy at the office, or $12.50
posted.  For non-members, price is $12.50, plus $2.50
postage and packaging if applicable.  For more information,
please contact the divisional office when it reopens on the
11th January 1993.



        AMATEUR RADIO EXAMINERS UNDER INVESTIGATION

Those of you who conduct Amateur Radio examinations might
like to note the following item, which appeared in the
latest issue of the WIA Exam Service newsletter, and from
which we quote:

"Currently, four accredited examiners teams are under
investigation by the Department of Transport and
Communications, for apparent irregularities in the conduct
of examinations.  Please ensure that the examinations you
invigilate are conducted strictly in accordance with the
DoTC regulations and the administrative rules in the WIA
Exam Service Examinations Manual."

That item from Bill Roper VK3ARZ was sent to us by Jim
Linton VK3PC.


                        SOME CHOICE!

Listeners will recall that CHOICE magazine (the journal of
the Australian Consumers Association) some time ago implied
that "HAM" radio operators made a habit of using scanners to
listening in to cellular telephone conversations, with
scanners.   Following an outcry from concerned Amateurs,
including the Federal office of the WIA, "CHOICE" magazine
agreed to clarify the matter in a subsequent issue.

A "clarification" was indeed published, but they still
appear to be confused.  They explained (on page four of the
December issue) that the term "HAM" could apply to any
Amateur radio operator, whether LICENSED OR NOT.  We don't
know what an "unlicensed amateur radio operator" could
possibly be so perhaps concerned Amateurs might like to
contact them, and explain to them the error of their ways.
The Australian Consumers Association (who publish "CHOICE")
can be contacted by telephone on (02) 558-0099, by fax on
(02) 558-9341, or by writing to 57 Carrington Rd,
Marrickville, NSW 2204.

-- Dave VK2KFU, resident activist



               FROM THE DIVISIONAL LIBRARIAN

During the year, the solid state applications section of the
Divisional Library received two large donations of
handbooks, bringing the total to over 600 books held.  Our
librarian, Aubrey VK2AXT would also like to thank the late
VK2ON, and VK's 2BLQ, 2GNT, 2ENG, 2JTD and 2PEJ, plus many
others who have donated books and magazines.

Aubrey says he hopes everyone enjoys the festive season, and
a healthy and prosperous 1993.



                 THE 1993 GOSFORD FIELD DAY

We'd like to remind you that the next Gosford Field Day, run
by the Central Coast Amateur Radio Club, has moved to a new,
larger venue at Wyong Racecourse; the event takes place on
28th February 1993, and will feature all the attractions
which have been popular in past years, plus many new ones.



   NEW RADIO CLUB FORMS TO SAVE MIDDLE HEAD RADIO STATION

Middle Head on Sydney Harbour is an area devoted to military
installations; recently, the land from water's edge back to
the installations has become part of Sydney Harbour National
Park.

Part of this area used to be a military radio station; then
it became the Radio Branch monitoring station, then a state
government facility, and now it has been decommissioned.

The State Government now plans to dismantle the Middle Head
radio station, but there are some Amateurs who feel it's
worth preserving it, and turning it into a communications
museum.  The new SYDNEY PROGRESSIVE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
(SPARC) has been established to do just that.

If you would like to find out more about the project, and
help to preserve an important part of our radio heritage,
then please contact club secretary Alan Avery on (02)
969-6721, or Peter Jensen VK2AQJ on (02) 960-1486.

   -- Peter Jensen VK2AQJ




                   SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS

In South Australia, VI5VIA will be active from 29th January
to 1st February 1993, to commemorate the closing of Adelaide
Marine Radio 'VIA' on the 31st January.  The station will be
operating on all HF bands and some VHF/UHF operation will
also take place.  More details as well as some history about
VIA's marine communications history will follow in future
bulletins.  This event is being co-ordinated by Tony VK5WC,
John VK5ZRH and members of the South Coast Amateur Radio
Club Inc.

Some months ago, Army Signals Station VMA "commemorated" its
closure by pirating on the Amateur bands, and the WIA was
criticised by the editor of a certain magazine for having
the pirate put off air.  Setting up a special event station
seems a more appropriate way to commemorate this event, and
we congratulate the South Coast Amateur Radio Club for
organising this station.



Fedor R0L maritime mobile started a round-the-world
DXpedition last month.  Listen out for him on the following
frequencies each day:

         08:00 UTC on 21.375 kHz
         08:15 UTC on 14.275 kHz

On Saturdays and Sundays, he is also on air at 0100 and
0500.  Fedor Koniuhov plan to land on the Easter Island
(CE0A), then on Bouvet Island (3Y).  The DXpedition is
planned to last up to 18 months.

   -- Yuri Zaruba UA9OBA



Ross UX0UN is once again active from Cambodia; you can find
him on the Southern Cross net on 20 m and also on 50 MHz.
Ross should be fully operational with 150 watts and 5
element Yagi by Feb 93.  QSL direct only via VK3OT:

         PO Box 622
         Hamilton
         Victoria 3300


And don't forget that on the Northern Beaches, Richard
VK2SKY and others from the Manly-Warringah Radio Society
will be activating VI150SYD for the last time, between
Christmas and 10:59 local on New Year's Day.  Frequencies
will be on the 10 and 20 metre HF bands, and possibly others
- details in next week's bulletin.


And JU830C is active from Mongolia until the 31st,
celebrating Chinghis Khan's 830th birthday




                     IPS WEEKLY REPORT

               11 December - 17 December 1992

Issue no. 51
Date of issue: 18 December 1992

Date      11    12    13    14    15    16    17
10cm     164   175   173   167   156   151   150
A         08    09    09    07    11    05   (16 estimated)
T        121   142   126    91    75    93   111


                    Summary of activity

Solar activity was very low to low over the period. No
flares were reported.

The geomagnetic field at Learmonth (WA) was quiet, or quiet
to unsettled, except for brief active levels on the 12th and
14th December.  There was a sudden commencement at 0615 UTC
on the 17th, followed by active to minor storm levels for
the remainder of the day.

Ionospheric F2 critical frequencies were mostly enhanced by
up to 60 per cent.  Frequencies became depressed to 30 per
cent after 1900 UTC on the 17th.  Spread F was observed on
11th, and sporadic E was observed at times from the 13th to
15th December.

       Forecast for the next week (18 - 24 December)

Solar:           Low 18-19th, and low to moderate
                           thereafter.
Geomagnetic:     Active to minor storm levels on the 18th,
                 active levels on the 20th and 21st, and
                 quiet to unsettled otherwise.

Ionospheric:     15 to 30 per cent depressed during local
                 daylight hours on the 18th, and enhanced by
                 up to 30 per cent thereafter.

   -- Courtesy of IPS Radio and Space Services




                        COMING EVENTS

WIA recruitment promotion (win a rig!)   until 28th February

Pre-recorded morning-only broadcast from VK2WI (replayed in
the evening on Sydney TV channel 35)  . . . .  28th December

VI150SYD active from the Northern Beaches 27-28th, 30-31st December

JU830C/3 Mongolia active  . . . . . . .  until 31st December


1993

Pre-recorded morning-only broadcast from VK2WI (replayed in
the evening on Sydney TV channel 35)  . . . . .  3rd January
Closing date for Fisher's Ghost ARC exams  . .   6th January
VK2TTY transmissions resume  . . . . . . . . .  10th January
VK2 Divisional office reopens  . . . . . . . .  11th January
Live transmissions from Gladesville ARC resume  13th January
Fisher's Ghost ARC examinations  . . . . . . .  17th January
VI5VIA Special Event Station active . . . . . 29th January - 1st February
Divisional Amateur Radio classes commence  . .  1st February



                         CLUB NEWS

As you will have heard earlier in this bulletin, the new
SYDNEY PROGRESSIVE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB has been established
to preserve, restore and reactivate the old Radio Station at
Middle Head.  If you would like to join in this ambitious
project, please contact Peter VK2AQJ on (02) 960-1486 or
club secretary Alan Avery on (02) 969 6721.



The AUSTRALIAN LADIES' AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION would like
to wish all members of the Wireless Institute of Australia a
Very Happy Christmas and a Cheerful New Year.

   -- Dorothy VK2DDB, NSW State Representative for ALARA



GLADESVILLE ARC conducted its last live ATV transmission for
1992 last Wednesday, but tests will continue over the
Christmas holiday period.  Live transmissions resume next
year on 13th January.



Brian VK2KML of the SYDNEY ATV GROUP says that the repeater
VK2RTS on 147.300 MHz is off air due to pager interference;
until the matter is resolved, please call on simplex 147.3
with your ATV tone up.


The HORNSBY AND DISTRICT AMATEUR RADIO CLUB would like to
offer the complements of the season to all fellow amateurs
and shortwave listeners alike.  Club members are advised
that there is no scheduled meeting for January 1993.
Have a safe and happy Christmas.

   -- Cheers Colin VK2JCC, Publicity Officer for HADARC



                      BROADCAST ROSTER

The broadcast roster for January to March 1993 will be drawn
up shortly; would all broadcast personnel advise Steve VK2QZ
of unavailable dates.

The divisional office will be closed until 11th January, but
you can still send in items for the weekly broadcast by fax,
post, or packet radio; if submitting items by post, please
mark the envelope for the attention of the broadcast
officer.  You can also leave mesages on the office answering
machine: the number is (02) 689-2417.

Items for inclusion in this bulletin may be sent by mail to
Post Office Box 1066, Parramatta 2124; by fax on (02)
633-1525, or by packet radio to "VK2WI at VK2RWI".
Highlights of this bulletin are also available by phoning
the divisional voice mailbox on (02) 552-5188, and you can
leave a message afterwards if you wish.


VK2WI Broadcast, 20th December, 1992.  Copyright 1992 WIA
(NSW) & contributors.  Material may be used elsewhere if the
source is acknowledged.

-- 
Richard P. Murnane                     "Making it up? Making it up? Why should
Internet: richardm@runx.oz.au          I want to make anything up? Life's bad
UUCP:     uunet!runx.oz.au!richardm    enough without inventing more of it."
Packet:   VK2SKY @ VK2RWI.NSW.AUS.OC   - Marvin the Paranoid Android