From: dave@eram.esi.COM.AU (Dave Horsfall)
Newsgroups: aus.radio
Subject: VK2WI Broadcast, 13th December, 1992.
Date: 17 Dec 92 23:29:31 GMT
Distribution: aus
Organization: Pacific ESI, Sydney, AUSTRALIA

VK2WI Broadcast, 13th December, 1992.  Copyright 1992 WIA
(NSW) & contributors.  Material may be used elsewhere if the
source is acknowledged.



                 VK2WI WEEKLY NEWS BULLETIN

                            for

                    13th December, 1992


(Our 23 cm repeater is currently out of service for routine
mainatenance.  We'll advise you when it's back on-line.)



          THE MAJOR NEWS ITEMS THIS WEEK INCLUDE:

               Join the WIA and win a new rig
           EMC Standards and Equipment labelling
            Cosmonaut contacts Mir space station
                      Magazine Roundup




               JOIN THE WIA AND WIN A NEW RIG

Members who renew, or non-members who join the WIA between
1st December 1992 and 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 last week.

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 shuts down for the Christmas holidays
after close of business on Friday 18th December, and reopens
next year on 11th January.  Next week's bulletin will be the
last live broadcast for the year; items for submission may
still be sent by post and fax.  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.

It's that time of year when there are many demands on
people's time: last Friday's regular council meeting did not
reach a quorum by the deadline.  Council members will be
advised of the revised date in the near future.

A barbeque for the broadcast team, friends and family will
be held after next Sunday morning's broadcast.  Soft drinks
and nibblies will be provided, just bring your own meat.
Visitors are most welcome - come and meet the broadcast
team!



               SPECIAL EVENT STATION VI150SYD

Time is running out for those of you who would like to run
special event station VI150SYD.  This special callsign will
be available to clubs and individuals until 2359 UTC on the
31st December (or 10:59 am local time on 1st January 1993).
If you'd like to activate VI150SYD, please contact Steve
VK2PS via the divisional office.


           1993 AUSTRALIAN RADIO AMATEUR CALLBOOK

If you haven't done your Christmas shopping yet, we'd like
to remind you that the Divisional office has stocks of the
1993 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.  Please contact the
divisional office for more information.



                 THE 1993 GOSFORD FIELD DAY

The next Gosford Field Day, run by the Central Coast Amateur
Radio Club, is one of the biggest events of the Amateur
Radio calendar.  It's now so big that the event has moved
from Gosford to a larger venue at Wyong Racecourse; the
event takes place on 28th February 1993, and will feature
many attractions, including the seminars, foxhunts, flea
market, disposals, satellite TV, ATV and packet
demonstrations, WIA information stands, and much more.

The venue again is Wyong Racecourse, on the 28th February
next year.  This will also be a major social event, so why
not go along and meet all those friends you've only spoken
to on the radio.



                  FEDERAL NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Members should have received the December issue of "Amateur
Radio" magazine by now; unfortunately, the promised details
of the new regs do not appear, as they are still under
consideration by DoTC.  As the deadline for the January
issue has passed, readers will have to wait at least until
the February "AR" for those details.  But, when the new regs
are released, you'll hear about them first on this bulletin.


The standard frequency and time signal station, VNG, is now
transmitting on a new frequency of 2.5 MHz, according to
Doctor Marion Leiba VK1VNG of the VNG Users Consortium.  The
1kW signal from a "pre-loved" Harris-Gates transmitter feeds
a vertical antenna.  This new service is primarily for users
in the Sydney area, who had difficulty receiving the other
VNG transmissions on 5.0, 8.638, 12.984, and 16 MHz, all of
which radiate from horizontal antenna.

A standby transmitter has been obtained from Radio
Australia. A second "talking clock" is being constructed as
a backup for the unit which was put into service last
January.

   -- Bill Roper VK3ARZ




           EMC STANDARDS AND EQUIPMENT LABELLING

In last week's bulletin, we told you about the new
Electro-Magnetic Compatability (EMC) standards for a range
of appliances and equipment.  Soon, equipment labelling will
consumers to identify equipment which meets the EMC
specifications.

Standards Australia will be permitting manufacturers to use
labels stating that certain types of equipment meets its EMC
standards.  One of these standards sets the level of radio
frequency immunity for television and broadcast receivers.

During 1993, it's expected that TV and radio sets meeting
the RF immunity standard will have a label advising
potential purchasers.  This will be backed up by a publicity
campain to highlight the new labelling system.  Consumers
will then be better informed, and will be able to select
their purchase, knowing it meets the relevant EMC standard.

Other standards cover the RF energy generated by  TV and
sound broadcast receivers, videorecorders, computers, and
other information technology equipment.  They too will be
eligible for Standards Australia labels.

   -- Jim Linton VK3PC



            COSMONAUT CONTACTS MIR SPACE STATION

Last week, we reported that cosmonaut Musa Maranov U2MIR was
having difficulty contact the Mir space station, on which he
had flown two missions.  During his recent visit to
Melbourne, Musa (signing U2MIR/VK3) contacted Anatoli U6MIR
using a 2 metre hand-held outside his Melbourne hotel.  The
contact was arranged by Maggie VK3CFI, and Musa thanked
Maggie warmly for the suprise.

   -- Jim VK3PC



                      MAGAZINE ROUNDUP

Now, for those of you who own a soldering iron, or hope to
get one for Christmas, here's our regular summary of
technical articles appearing in local electronics and radio
magazines:

"ELECTRONICS AUSTRALIA" kicks off with a low-cost inductance
meter, and presents a sorry story about the demolition of
the famous AWA works at Ashfield.

"SILICON CHIP" mentions a high-current variable power
supply, continues their MAL-4 micro-processor learning aid,
spells out the dangers in using high-voltage probes, and
carries on with their 24 volt 2kW inverter.

"AMATEUR RADIO" magazine discusses antennas, baluns and
ATU's, a replacement for the IC-22S PLL is mentioned, and
looks at curing pager interference on 2m repeaters.

"AMATEUR RADIO ACTION" magazine discusses the importance of
good earth systems, and plays around with some unusual
typefaces.  We look forward to the seeing the winners of
their recent home brew competition, in the near future.

Unfortunately, due to deadlines "CB Action" could not yet be
reviewed.

   -- Dave VK2KFU



                        CONTEST NEWS

The annual St. George Amateur Radio Society 2 metre simplex
contest is on again.  The aim of the contest is to encourage
the use of simplex modes on two metres, rather than depend
on a repeater all he time.   All that's required is a single
long-distance QSO on 2 metres, between a St. George club
member and another amateur.  Long distance contact on two
metres is not difficult: in the past, winning contacts have
been from Sydney to Canberra (VK2EMU), and Sydney to
Armidale (VK2UP).  There is plenty of good DX around, helped
along by the Ross Hull VHF/UHF contest, so take your rig and
beam up a hill and give it a go.

The contest runs from 1st December to 28th February next
year.  Send your logs to:

         The Contest Manager
         PO Box 530
         Engadine 2233

by the 15th March 1993, or give them to Society president
Phil Higgerson VK2OX at the March meeting.

  -- Peter VK2EMU, in "Dragnet", the St. George newsletter

(There are plenty of contests running over the next three
months: 17 of them are listed in the current issue of
"Amateur Radio" magazine, so why not have a go!)




                          DX NEWS

And for the DX hunters among you, there's the chance to
catch Gibraltar today: Greg ZB3/N5OKR is active in the ARRL
10 metre contest.  He will also take part in the
international Navy contest next weekend.  Both operations
will be from Europa lighthouse on the southern tip of the
rock.

In Uganda, 5X5MB is a regular on 21.355 around 1830 UTC.

Reports claim that Ghana will approve Amateur Radio early
next year: many will anxiously await 9 Golf, a rare African
country.

And in Nova Scotia, special event station VA1S is
celebrating the 90th anniversary of Marconi's historic
transatlantic contact.

   -- that item, once again from Jim Linton VK3PC (wish we
      had him up here!)




                     IPS WEEKLY REPORT

               4 December - 10 December 1992

Issue no. 50
Date of issue: 11 December 1992

Date      04    05    06    07    08    09    10
10cm     120   116   120   120   129   134   142
A         12    08    03    12    19    14   (10 estimated)
T         39    75   118   111    73    87    72

                    Summary of activity

Solar activity was moderate on 4th December, with an M2 and
an M1 flare, and low for the remainder of the week.

The geomagnetic field at Learmonth (WA) was quiet to
unsettled until 7th when there were active levels 0600-1900
UTC, and minor storm levels 1200-1500 UTC and 2100-2400 UTC.
There were active levels early in the UTC day on 8th,
returning to unsettled levels for the remainder of the day.
The 9th was quiet to unsettled with active levels 1200-1800
UTC,  and again quiet to unsettled on 10th with minor storm
levels 1500-1800 UTC.  There was a 30 nanoTeslar sudden
commencement at 0754 UTC on 7th December.

Ionospheric F2 critical frequencies were near predicted
levels until 1500 UTC on 5th when frequencies became
enhanced until 8th by up to 40 per cent.  Thereafter
frequencies ranged from near normal to enhanced by up to 35
per cent.  Blanketing sporadic E was reported early on 4th,
and strong sporadic E was observed on 9th and 10th.


       Forecast for the next week (11 - 17 December)

Solar:           Low to moderate.
Geomagnetic:     Quiet to unsetled.
Ionospheric:     Up to 30 per cent above predicted December
                 values.

   -- Courtesy of IPS Radio and Space Services



                      COMING EVENTS

WIA recruitment promotion (win a rig!)   until 28th February
Special Event Callsign VI150SYD available 'til 31st December
Special Event Station JU830C/3  . . . .  until 31st December

Fisher's Ghost ARC Christmas get-together . . . . . .  TODAY
Australian ATV Club home-brew contest at AR House . .  TODAY
Waverley Amateur Radio Society meeting  . . . . . . . MONDAY
Last live ATV transmission from Gladesville ARC .  WEDNESDAY
VK2 Divisional Office closes for Christmas  . . . . . FRIDAY
Prerecorded morning-only broadcast from VK2WI  28th December
(replayed in the evening on Sydney TV channel 35)
VI150SYD active from the Northern Beaches 27-28th, 30-31st
                                                    December
1993
Prerecorded morning-only broadcast from VK2WI   3rd January
(replayed in the evening on Sydney TV channel 35)
Closing date for Fisher's Ghost ARC exams  . .  6th January
VK2 Divisional office reopens  . . . . . . . . 11th January
Fisher's Ghost ARC examinations  . . . . . . . 17th January




                         CLUB NEWS

Today is the last meeting of the AUSTRALIAN AMATEUR
TELEVISION CLUB for 1992, and it's also the club's inaugural
ATV "home-brew" contest.  First prize is an open order worth
$50 at a local supplier, so if you think your latest ATV
project is a contender, bring it along and see how you go.
The meeting starts at 1 pm today, at Amateur Radio House,
109 Wigram Street, Parramatta.

Don't forget the club's weekly net takes place every Tuesday
night from 7 pm, on 146.625 MHz (VK2RLD repeater), so call
in and find out what Amateur Television is about.

The club's 24 cm ATV repeater, VK2RFM, with a selectable
input of 426 or 444 MHz, is being upgraded.  With 20 Watts
out and dual sound carriers, coverage of this repeater is
from Wollongong to the Northern Beaches of Sydney.

You can also contact the club by mail to PO Box 494,
Liverpool 2170.

   -- Mark VK2GFR





Just a reminder that tomorrow, Monday the 14th, will be the
last meeting of the WAVERLY AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY for 1992.
At the meeting Nat, VK2OP will give a talk on Packet Radio.
Nat runs one of the major packet bulletin boards in the
Sydney area so it should be a very interesting talk.

73 and a very Merry Christmas to all the listeners from the
Waverley Amateur Radio Society.

   -- Eric VK2KUR



                      BROADCAST ROSTER

Next Sunday morning:     Peter VK2BPN and Les VK2KCP
Next Sunday evening:     Steven Carr and Peter VK2CZX

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

This councillor at Amateur Radio House this Wednesday
evening is Terry VK2UX.  The Divisional Office is located at
109 Wigram Street, Parramatta and is open from 11am to 2pm,
Monday to Friday, and from 7pm to 9pm on Wednesday nights.
The phone is answered during the day from 12 noon to 1pm;
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, 13th December, 1992.  Copyright 1992 WIA
(NSW) & contributors.  Material may be used elsewhere if the
source is acknowledged.

-- 
Dave Horsfall (VK2KFU)         VK2KFU @ VK2RWI.NSW.AUS.OC
dave@esi.COM.AU                ...munnari!esi.COM.AU!dave