From: richardm@runx.oz.au (Richard Murnane)
Subject: VK2WI Weekly News, 22nd November 1992
Organization: RUNX Un*x Timeshare.  Sydney, Australia.
Distribution: aus
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 92 12:54:27 GMT

VK2WI Broadcast, 22nd November, 1992.  Copyright 1992 WIA
(NSW) & contributors.  Material may be used elsewhere if the
source is acknowledged.


                 VK2WI WEEKLY NEWS BULLETIN
                            for
                    22nd November, 1992



          THE MAJOR NEWS ITEMS THIS WEEK INCLUDE:

                        Silent Keys
             Coast Guard Looking for Volunteers
                  New Regulations Delayed
      Special Event Stations Active in WA and Tasmania
                      Magazine Roundup



                        SILENT KEYS

We regret to start this bulletin with the recent passing of
several Amateurs.

We note the passing of William Miller VK2MWA, on the 27th
October; we extend our sympathy to his daughter, who advised
us of his passing, and to his friends and family.


Leo McMahon VK2AC passed away last Wednesday, November 18th
at St Vincents hospital, Sydney.  Leo was a member of the
Waverley Amateur Radio Society and, despite his advancing
years, attended many meetings when he was in Sydney.  He was
one of the pioneers of Single Sideband in Australia, being
the third Australian amateur to get active in this mode in
the early days.

Leo will be missed by his widow and all his children and
grandchildren, as well as all his friends in Amateur Radio.
The funeral will be held tomorrow, Monday 23rd November, at
1pm at Holy Cross Church, Adelaide Street, Bondi Junction
and then at the Botany Crematorium.

Vale William VK2MWA and Leo VK2AC.


Overseas, the American Radio Relay League has advised of the
passing of Hiram H. Maxim recently.  "Ham", as he was known,
was the son of ARRL founder Hiram Percy Maxim, who died in
1936.  A memorial service was held on 7th November.




                      DIVISIONAL NEWS

As this bulletin was being prepared, the ATV channel-sharing
meeting was in full swing, with over 25 amateurs attending.
As this morning's broadcast goes/went to air, the packet
radio open forum is/was getting underway.  Hopefully both
meeting will be productive; our thanks to all those taking
part in these meetings.


Even if you were unable to attend either meeting, you can
still send your comments and suggestions to us at the
Parramatta office: the Division's ears are always open!




A meeting of WIA volunteers will take place at Amateur Radio
House, this coming Wednesday, starting at 8pm.  This meeting
is to discuss a proposal from Val Harrison and Bob
Lloyd-Jones VK2YEL, on ways to improve the workings of the
division.  All volunteers are welcome to attend.




           1993 AUSTRALIAN RADIO AMATEUR CALLBOOK

Don't forget that the Divisional office has stocks of the
new 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.




             COAST GUARD LOOKING FOR VOUNTEERS

The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard is looking for
volunteers to train as specialist radio operators, to
provide radio coverage for marine pleasure craft and rescue
vessels, and to promote marine safety though public
awareness and education.

These positions would suit Radio Amateurs, or even those of
you who aren't licensed, but have an interest in radio.  If
you'd like to find out more, please contact the Australian
Volunteer Coast Guard, by writing to:

         The Commander,
         PO Box 148,
         Drummoyne 2047

or by phoning (02) 337-5033, and leaving your name, address,
and phone number.

   -- from the Northern Herald supplement to the Sydney
      Morning Herald, submitted by Brad VK2KQH




           NEW REGULATIONS STILL BEING FINE-TUNED

The expected release of the new deregulated license
conditions has been delayed.

Communications Minister Bob Collins, in a speech given on
his behalf to the Seanet Convention recently, said that the
new regs would appear in the December issue of "Amateur
Radio" and "the Amateur Radio Action" (sic) magazines, but
the deadline has passed, and D.O.T.C has said that the final
document is still being written and checked.

It's still unclear just when the document will be issued; a
comment from Peter VK3AVE on FidoNet this week, suggests
that the new regs might not come into force until the
Spectrum Management Agency has been established next July.
[NB: Peter's comments have not been confirmed - VK2SKY]
Peter has also said that the new license conditions will
require a change to the Radio Communications Act of 1983.


If we have an early Federal election, the new regs could be
delayed even further.  So, if you went out and bought
transceivers and packet gear, in the hope of using them in
January, you might have to wait a bit longer!  Please be
patient, and stay within your current license conditions.

  -- info from Jim Linton VK3PC and Peter Hallgarten VK3AVE



             SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS NOW ACTIVE

If you haven't yet worked VI7AJT, which commemorates the
sighting of Tasmania by Able Tasman, you have until this
Wednesday to do it.  This weekend, the West Coast Radio
Group will be running the callsign (weather permitting) from
Mount Reid, on the following frequencies:  3.585,  7.090
14.190,  21.190,  28.490,  50.190,  144.190,  434.190 MHz,
plus a 23cm frequency to be determined.  SSB, AM, FM, CW,
RTTY & packet will be available on most bands.

   -- Dick VK7KVB for the WEST COAST RADIO GROUP.



Meanwhile, in Mongolia, special event station JU830C will be
active until the 31st December, to celebrate the 830th
birthday of Chinghis Khan.  JU830C/3 will be active from
Chinghis Khan's birthplace starting sometim this month.  QSL
direct to JT1KAA, PO Box 639, Ulaanbaatar 13, Mongolia.

   -- ARRL DX Bulletin




                        MAGAZINE ROUNDUP

[WARNING: in the latest issue of "Amateur Radio Action"
magazine, editor Chris Edmondson VK3CE has declared that the
Magazine Roundup (or "Technical Roundup" as he calls it) is
"downright insulting to listeners".  If you agree with this
point of view, please let us know, via the callbacks, packet
radio, or by contacting the divisional office in the usual
manner.]

Now, here is our regular summary of the articles appearing
in the local magazines, that may appeal to those Amateurs
who still know one end of a soldering iron from the other.

"Electronics Australia" describes a fluorescent light
inverter useful for emergency situations, a digital voice
recorder that could find use in WICEN applications,
discusses a DTMF microphone for mobile phone-patch
operations, and finishes their series on RF signal
generators.

"Silicon Chip" looks at liquid crystal displays, mentions a
crystal checker and a rechargable-battery timer, shows how
to build a simple FM receiver with an ingenious twist,
continues with their "monster" inverter, introduces a
micro-controller learning aid, describes an automatic nicad
battery DIScharger, and shows how to build a PLL demodulator
for FM receivers.

"Amateur Radio" describes an inductance bridge for RF coils,
briefly mentions telephone RFI suppression and a simple
hybrid-quad antenna, and describes a simple "docking
station" for a hand-held transceiver, complete with cooling
fan.

"Amateur Radio Action" discusses how to reduce interference
on HF rigs.

And finally, "CB Action" discusses antennas and SWR.

   -- thanks to Dave Horsfall VK2KFU


Still on publications, Ashley VK2XSO tells us that
"Electronics Australia" has put out a book on television and
video-cassette recorders.  He says it's very good for people
interested in how television works, and is ideal for anybody
interested in ATV.

   -- thanks Ashley VK2XSO




                      IPS WEEKLY REPORT

               13 November - 19 November 1992

Issue no. 47
Date of issue: 20 November 1992

Date      13    14    15    16    17    18    19
10cm     125   126   127   137   152   183   161
A         13    08    13    07    06    04   (07 estimated)
T         85    97    61    84   112    96    97

                    Summary of activity

Solar activity was very low from the 13th to 17th November,
low on the 19th, and moderate on 18th with an M1 flare on
that date.

The geomagnetic field at Learmonth (WA) was mostly quiet.
There were brief active levels on both the 14th and 15th
increasing to minor storm levels 1200 to 1800 UTC on the
15th.  The field was quiet to unsettled on 16th November.

Ionospheric F2 critical frequencies at Sydney were near
normal from the 13th to the 17th, apart from brief enhanced
periods of up to 30 percent on the 14th and 17th.
Frequencies on the 18th November were depressed early by 15
per cent, enhanced 15 to 20 per cent until 2100 UTC, then
near normal, going to 10 percent enhanced on the 19th.


      Forecast for the next week (20 - 26 November)

Solar:           Moderate.
Geomagnetic:     Quiet until the 23rd November, then active
                 periods expected until the 26th.
Ionospheric:     Near normal until the 23rd and 24th, with
                 depressions of 20 to 30 percent expected at
                 times during the period 24th-26th.

   -- Courtesy of IPS Radio and Space Services




          DIVISIONAL TRASH AND TREASURE SALE

The last divisional "Trash and Treasure" Sale of the year takes
place next Sunday, at Amateur Radio House, 109 Wigram Street,
Parramatta.  As usual, doors open for sellers at 1:00pm, and
buyers are admitted at 2pm

These sales are also quite a social event, so even if you
are not selling or buying, come along anyway and meet people
you haven't seen for years.  This event is naturally
dependant upon the weather, so please listen to next
Sunday's broadcast for any late news.




                        COMING EVENTS

Special Event Station VI7AJT active . . . .  UNTIL WEDNESDAY
Special Event Station JU830C/3  . . . .  UNTIL 31st December
WIA Volunteers meeting at Parramatta  . . . . . .  WEDNESDAY
Divisional Trash and Treasure Sale  . . . . . .  NEXT SUNDAY
Australian ATV Club Christmas get-together  . .  NEXT SUNDAY
Fisher's Ghost ARC Committee meeting  . . . . . 1st December
St George ARS meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2nd December
"Space Night" at the University of Wollongong . 4th December
St George ARS Family Picnic at Jannali  . . . . 6th December
Waverley ARC Christmas get-together . . . . .  12th December
Fisher's Ghost ARC Christmas get-together . .  13th December
Waverley Amateur Radio Society  . . . . . . .  14th December




                         CLUB NEWS

The AUSTRALIAN AMATEUR TELEVISION CLUB will have its
Christmas get-together at Nattai, next Sunday 29th November.
Start is 9:30-10:30 am for a BBQ lunch, which will be BYO
everything.

The location is at Burragorang Lookout, at the very end of
Burragorang Road, Nattai.  Just follow the Hume Highway to
Camden, exit through Camden via Narellan Road.  Talk-in will
be on VK2RLD, on 146.625 MHz.  For more info, call in to the
club's Tuesday night 2m net on the Liverpool repeater.




The FISHER'S GHOST AMATEUR RADIO CLUB holds its next
committee meeting on Tuesday 1st December, at Campbelltown
Catholic Club, Narellan Road, Campbelltown, starting at
7:30pm.  All are welcome to attend.

The club's December monthly meeting takes the form of a
B.Y.O. barbeque/get-together/flea market, and will be held
at Thirlmere Lakes, Thirlmere, on Sunday 13th December,
starting at 9:00am.  For more details, please contact Mary
on (046) 59-6388.

Classes are held each Wednesday at Campbelltown High School,
Beverley Road, Campbelltown, starting at 7:00pm.  The next
club exams will be on Sunday 17th January, and applications
close on Wednesday 6th January.  From then on, exams will be
held on the third Sunday of every month.  For more details,
contact Les VK2TJ on (046) 28-3839, or Dave VK2GDM on (046)
27-1025 after hours.

   -- Arthur Harris VK2FFH



The ST GEORGE AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY  advises that its next
meeting will be held on Wednesday 2nd December, starting at
7:30pm, at the usual venue of the 1st Allawah Scout Hall,
corner of Bellevue Parade and Blakesly Road, South
Hurstville.

The club's Family Christmas Picnic will be on Sunday 6th
December at Jannali Reserve, beginning at 10:30am.  Please
phone club committee members for more details.


The ILLAWARRA AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY, in conjunction with the
Illawarra Astronomical Society and the University of
Wollongong Science Centre, are holding a "Space Night" on
Friday 4th December, starting at 8:00pm.  The event will be
held at Campus East, Cowper Street, Fairy Meadow, and will
feature:
         Observation of various heavenly bodies, possibly
         including the comet "Swift-Tuttle";

         Satellite communications via club station VK2AMW;

         Satellite Television;

         Weather Satellite reception, and much more.

   -- Dale Hughes VK2DSH




The WAVERLEY AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY announces that its next
meeting will be on Monday December 14th.  The evening will
feature the postponed lecture on packet radio, by Nat VK2OP.

The Club's Christmas Party will be on Saturday 12th of
December in the form of a Barbecue at Eric and Megan's
Place.  The format will be BYO meat and drinks with a $5 per
person donation to cover the other things like salads,
plates etc.  Please contact Eric or Megan on (02) 337-2909
or send packet mail to VK2KUR @ VK2RWI or to Eric's PMS
VK2KUR-1 on 144.850.

The next Waverley club examinations will be on Saturday 13th
February 1993; applications close on Friday 29th January.




The Radio Veteran's Christmas function was held last
Thursday, and was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended.
The Divisional Secretary Bob VK2YEL gave a talk to the group
on the future aims of the VK2 Division.  The Vets were
entertained by talented member David Rozemergy, who regaled
them with spectacular feats of juggling.  To those of you
who missed out, we hope to see you at the next Radio Vets'
meeting, on the third Thursday in February.

   -- Margaret Morris



                      BROADCAST ROSTER

Next Sunday morning:     Ian VK2WR and Julie VK2XBR
Next Sunday evening:     Alan VK2XAT and Dave VK2GHZ


This councillor at Amateur Radio House this Wednesday
evening is Bob VK2AOE.  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 12-1pm; 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, 22nd November, 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