August - Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc

Transcription

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W.A.R.C. is supported by..
Shop 8, 41-51 Bathurst Street Greystanes NSW 2145
Phone (02) 9636 9060 (02) 9688 4301 (02) 9896 8972
Facsimile (02) 9688 1995
Email [email protected]
LEE ANDREWS
Managing Director
Five Year Warranty on New Yaesu, Icom,
Alinco & Kenwood Amateur Transceivers
AUGUST 2014
2014 LIGHTHOUSE WEEKEND
(Applies to new sales from 2 May 2014)
Web www.andrewscom.com.au
Warners Bay
WESTLAKES MAGAZINE
IS SPONSORED BY
CARDIFF RSL
SUB BRANCH
2/276 Macquarie Road
Warners Bay, 2282
Ph: 02 4954 8100
Fax: 02 4954 8200
Special Offer to Westlakes
Members at Jaycar Warners Bay.
A Discount Applies to all Club
Members on Purchases over $25
Westlakes Amateur
Inc. -Magazine
MagazineAugust
June 2010
Westlakes
Amateur Radio
Radio Club
Club Inc.2014
Photo by VK2CW
It's that time again. Westlakes will be operating from Norah Head Lighthouse on
16/17 August for the annual International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend. VK2ATZ
will be active on site from 10am Saturday to 10am Sunday. Club members are invited
to visit and see what it's all about. All the accommodation has been taken, in fact we are
overbooked with some having to sleep on the floor.
This year the event will be bigger than ever with the United States of America leading the
number of registrations at 61 - ahead of Australia and Germany both with 56, followed by
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc.- Magazine
Magazine June
20102014
Westlakes
August
Page
Published by Westlakes Amateur
Radio Club Inc. York Street Teralba,
as a magazine of news, information
and opinions on amateur radio and
associated topics for the benefit of
the members .
Copyright:
In general there is no copyright on
articles, they may be copied at will.
The exception being those articles
followed by an asterisk *
preceding the named source.
Founder:
Keith Howard VK2AKX (SK)
Patron:
G.Piper MLA
Life members:
Gregory Smith
VK2CW
Paul Lorentzen
VK2AE
Alec Efimov
VK2ZM
Leslie Payne
VK2ZPA
Peter Sturt
VK2ZTV
David Myers
VK2RD
Geoffrey Clark
VK2EO
Membership Rates
All members................ $20.00 P.A
Joining fee.................... $ 5.00
Club fees are due 1st February
Correspondence to:
The Secretary
W.A.R.C., Box 5,
BOOLAROO NSW 2284
Telephone:- (02) 49 581 588
(24 hour
answering service)
Email:
[email protected]
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc.
is an affiliated club with the
Wireless Institute of Australia.
Club meeting: 1st Saturday of
each month 13.30
Page
2
Club Directory
President:
Steve Beveridge
VK2LW
[email protected]
Vice President:
Geoff Linthorne
Secretary:
VK2GL
Barrie Downward:
VK2QG
[email protected]
Treasurer:
VK2CW
Committee:
Allan Brown
VK2JED
Herb Herivel
VK2ZVF
Keith Turk
VK2PKT
Leonie McGuiness VK2FHRK
Barry Finlay
VK2VBF
Warren Payne
VK2UWP
Barry Sullivan
VK2BZ
Michael Welsh VK2CCW
Diane Wilson JP VK2FDNE
Magazine Editor:
Greg Smith
VK2CW
[email protected]
QSL Liason Officer:
Alex Efimov
VK2ZM
Storeman:
Aly Zimmer
VK2AFZ
Project Officer:
Norm Cameron
VK2KNC
Maintenance Officer:
Barry Sullivan
VK2BZ
Radio and Contest Officer:
Allan Brown
VK2JED
Public Relations:
Security:
Warren Payne
VK2UWP
Internet Webmaster:
Geoff Clark
VK2EO
Examinations Officer:
Geoff Linthorne
VK2GL
Greg Smith
Radio Callsigns
Club Callsign: VK2ATZ
Club Repeaters:
VK2RTZ
146.775MHz
VK2RZL
146.875MHz
Club Digipeater:
VK2RTZ
147.575 MHz
IRLP Node
6040
Echolink
356838
Club Nets:
Club News broadcast,
Sunday 0900
146.775Mhz
followed by callbacks
and the VK1WIA News.
FOR SALE
Building a power supply? Then you need
meters.to see what's going on. MU45
panel meters scaled 0-30V and 0-20A
two for $20 (plus Postage.) Normal cost
for the pair $29.95.Dimentions 45mm x
37.5mm complete with mounting hardware
Geoff VK2GL at Westlakes Store
email: [email protected]
23
WANTED
Vintage Computer Dumb Terminals circa
1970s such as DEC, IBM, Lear Siegler,
ADDS, DIGITAL Systems, etc in any
condition. Mike VK2GRM
[email protected]
EZB Net 146.775MHz
Saturday 0800
Stone the Crows Net
Saturday 3.588MHz 0600
40 Metre Net
7.150 MHz Mon, Wed, Fri
0930
Internet HomePage:
www.westlakesarc.org.au
Business:
Tuesday after 1700
Saturday after 1200
Club Distance Record:
2m Simplex
VK2FGM 2040 km
QRP CW
VK2YA 2680 km
THE EZYBEE NET
146.775 MHz
SATURDAYS 8AM
Note: Opinions expressed in this
magazine are those of the
contributors and do not necessarily
coincide with those of the Executive
nor the members in general.
THE 40 METRE NET
7.150 MHz
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
9.30 AM
PROJECT CORNER
A noise bridge (See Page 22)
Proof reading by: Stella
Westlakes
Inc. -Magazine
Magazine August
June 2010
WestlakesAmateur
AmateurRadio
RadioClub
Club Inc.2014
STONE THE CROWS
3.588
MHzday
Magazine
assembly
SATURDAYS 6AM
For all projects and enquiries
contact Norm VK2KNC
[email protected]
"OZZI HAMS" Maxi Port-a-pole
Westlakes
Amateur
Radio
ClubInc.Inc.-Magazine
Magazine August
June 2010
Westlakes
Amateur
Radio
Club
2014
a
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22
WESTLAKES NEXT PROJECT - A SIMPLE NOISE BRIDGE
3
by England on 26. The US tally is buoyed by 14 never-before-activated structures, and
Australia has 4 virgin lighthouses this year. Spain and Germany also have first-timers.
Lightships to join the fun event so far are in England, Finland, Germany, Netherlands and
the USA. No matter where you are there's plenty of contacts to be made and some issue
special QSL cards.
In the Americas, registrations come from Barbados, Canada, Chile, Curacao, Falkland
Islands, Honduras, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Uruguay. In greater Europe there's
Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Northern
Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Wales.
In the Asian region so far Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand have registered.
Others from sea-going nations include South Africa and New Zealand.
It is unfortunate that this year the ILLW clashes again with the 2014 Remembrance
Day Contest. At least there will be plenty of on-air activity.
HAARP HANGS ON
The circuit
The prototype built by Michael VK2GRM
Here is the progress of
on our club's next project
which is a simple-to-make
noise bridge.
The design comes from
the New England QRP
Club and was sourced by
our Project Officer, Norm
VK2KNC.
Michael VK2GRM made
the prototype pictured in
no time flat using
Veroboard. It has been
tested at Westlakes and
it works very well.
It is planned to offer it,
either as a kit to members
or as source-your-own
parts. More next month.
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc.- Magazine August 2014
The Pentagon has delayed its plans
to knock down a controversial
Alaskan radio research facility
until next year, for a possible
transfer to a university or scientific
institution. The Air Force had
agreed to halt demolition of the
High Frequency Active Auroral
Research Program facility until
May 2015 while research institutions, including the University of Alaska, develop funding
proposals for it.
HAARP, located on 30 acres adjacent to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in southeastern
Alaska, features 180 antennas that beam electrons into the ionosphere for research into
radio communications and surveillance. Conspiracy theorists contend the Defence
Department uses HAARP, which went into operation in 1997, to conduct mind-control
experiments and to modify global weather patterns.
Scientists from around the world sent the US Defence Secretary a petition that decried
the HAARP closure and demolition and urged that serious negotiations begin with
other government agencies to find a sustainable model to ensure this unique and extremely
valuable national resource is available for atmospheric research in the future.
The US Air Force Secretary said the service has received “significant value” from
HAARP over the past 17 years “in fields as diverse as underwater communications, radar
propagation and space radiation belts."
However military users of HAARP have completed their applied research at
HAARP, which led to the original decision to close it.
From Critical Communications - Courtesy of Peter VK2ZTV
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. - Magazine August 2014
Page
4
Enclosed with this magazine, or under separate cover, you will find a
booklet of 10 tickets. They are for the club's annual fund raising drive.
The tickets are $2 each. This year the prize is a
If you would like to be involved, put your call sign or name on the
tickets and return to the Treasurer, WARC PO Box 5 BOOLAROO
NSW 2284. Purchase as many as you choose. Remember, they are $2
each. This radio comes with an Australian 5 year warranty from
ANDREWS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
There are currently 2 vacancies in the next Foundation course at Westlakes
commencing on Saturday 30 August. The course will be run by Geoff VK2GL over a
four week period, with assessment on Saturday 27 September. If you are interested
or would like more information, please email Steve at
[email protected].
SARL News reports that
Australian space explorer, Andy
Thomas VK5MIR has retired to his Texas ranch after 22 years with NASA and 4 months
living in zero gravity on the MIR space station. Thomas, who holds the call VK5MIR, has
been leading design teams whose projects included a return visit to the moon, and a first
visit to Mars. QSL's to VK2MIR might be difficult as on-line call sign databases list his
QTH as the MIR Space Station. It burned up in the Earth's atmosphere on 21 March 2001.
(The ACMA data base shows thatnext
no one
pageholds VK5MIR call sign - interesting?)
GROUND CONTROL TO MAJOR TOM
WestlakesAmateur
AmateurRadio
RadioClub
ClubInc.Inc. Magazine
- MagazineAugust
June 2010
Westlakes
2014
Page
21
Two young fishermen who made an SOS call when
their small runabout sank near Moon Island, off Lake
Macquarie, NSW found help was near but yet so far on
the other side of the globe. The two brothers decided to
cross the Swansea Bar to fish off the rocky island,
never dreaming their trip would make international
headlines.
The pair turned back but in the process their 5 metre
runabout capsized. Wearing lifejackets and with a
mobile phone on hand they swam to the island and called
for help. The boys could see the Marine
Rescue
Steve VK2LW
Swansea Heads Radio Base on the hill overlooking the
bar. They Googled "Coast Guard Swansea" and hit dial.
The Coast Guard operator was having trouble
understanding their location as the distressed caller
said, "but I can see your base." Out of desperation the
Radio Room Swansea
Coastguard Rescue UK
operator finally asked, "What country are you in?"
The boys had dialled the Coastguard Swansea Rescue Coordination Centre in Wales in
the United Kingdom. A call from the UK was put through to the Australian Rescue
Maritime Safety Authority 10,000 miles away.
While all this was going on, the NSW Swansea Heads Radio Base Duty Officer had seen
the incident and had a rescue team on the way. The Swansea Bridge operator assisted with
an emergency opening so no time was lost getting to the young men. HM Coastguard
Swansea Coordination Manager in Wales said, "In 40 years, I have never heard of a call
like this being received from another country."
From Soundings - Journal of Marine Rescue NSW - March 2014
Courtesy of John VK2EJP
Samsung is to stop producing plasma televisions by
30 November 2014. It said falling demand meant it
would instead focus on producing curved and ultrahigh definition TVs. "We remain committed to providing consumers with products that
meet their need," Samsung told the CNET website.
Panasonic, Sony, Hitachi and Pioneer have also pulled out of the sector in recent years.
LG is expected to follow suit soon. Plasma screens, which use electrically charged ionised
gases, are often applauded for their brightness, deep blacks, and high frame rates,
considered ideal for watching sport and films. But they tend to use more electricity and
are considerably bulkier than the now more popular liquid-crystal display and light-emitting
diode TVs.
From BBC News - Courtesy of Dave VK2RD
Westlakes
20102014
WestlakesAmateur
AmateurRadio
RadioClub
MagazineJune
August
Page
Page
20
5
OUR MOST POTENT
SPY BASE IS IN WA
Nestled in a valley about 30km east of
Geraldton sits one of Australia’s most potent
and least known weapons in the fight against
global terrorism.
Sheep graze in the shadows of its five 20m
high white radomes, which resemble giant
golf balls and protect the highly-sensitive
intelligence gathering equipment housed
within.
Tennis courts and a swimming pool offer
the spies, IT experts, and other staff
employed at the Kojarena Australian
Defence Satellite Communications Station
some reprieve from their top-secret work.
In 2001, Kojarena faced public scrutiny when it was named as one of five satellite
monitoring stations that formed an international eavesdropping network codenamed
Echelon. Overseen by the NSA, which jointly manages Kojarena with the Australian
Defence Signals Directorate, Echelon intercepted tens of thousands of emails, telephone
calls and faxes across the planet using a “keyword” search program, or “dictionary”.
According to Edward Snowden, now living in Russia and wanted in the US for
espionage, Echelon has been superseded by internet spying programs called XKeyscore
and PRISM, which can access data stored by Google, Facebook and Microsoft.
Documents reveal that XKeyscore has operated from sites all over the world, including
the base near Geraldton.
From The West Australian
A RADIO CONTROLLED WATCH
Citizen has just released a range of watches
which are called "Radio Controlled Timepieces."
They are claimed to be the ultimate companion
for jetsetters and frequent flyers, or for those
looking for the next generation in timepiece
technology.
A Radio Controlled timepiece will automatically
receive standard-time radio waves in Japan, the
USA, Germany and China. It uses these radio
signals to automatically correct the time and date when you are within these regions. With
the added benefit of world time function, it’s the ultimate companion for the frequent flyer.
Featuring Eco-Drive technology, this collection is the perfect for any businessman
constantly on the go. There are four watches in the range and they cost about $750 each.
Westlakes Amateur
Inc. -Magazine
Magazine August
June 2010
Westlakes
Amateur Radio
Radio Club
Club Inc.2014
Later this month, Westlakes will attend the Our Town Model Show with a display of
the hobby of amateur radio equipment and how it works.
The Our Town Model Show is organised by members of the Our Town Scale Modellers
Association Inc. in conjunction with the Our Town H.O. Model Railway Club Inc. Both
of these organizations consist of a small number of scale model enthusiasts, each with
the desire to give something back to the community whilst enjoying their hobby.
So far, the Our Town Model Show has raised over $100,000.00 for local childrens'
charities including Ronald McDonald House, Camp Quality, and The Hunter
Orthopaedic School.
As an exhibitor, Westlakes members who help man our club's stand will recieve a free
pass. If you can help for an hour or two over the two days contact Geoff VK2GL
at [email protected] who is preparing a roster. Remember we also have to
set up our display on the Friday afternoon before.
2014 Our Town Model Show details:
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Newcastle Jockey Club Chatham Road Broadmeadow
Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August
Sat 9am to 5pm
Sun 9am to 4pm
Adults $10 Child $5 Family $25 Children under 5 are free
Lots of free parking
Free shuttle bus from Broadmeadow Railway Station hourly
Another order of Westlakes Club shirts is being organised. These
are rather classy dress shirts, pale blue in colour with the club logo
embroidered. Available in mens and womens styles. The cost is
around $35. To order contact the Secretary Barrie VK2QG
[email protected]
Westlakes
2014
WestlakesAmateur
AmateurRadio
RadioClub
Magazine August
June 2010
Page 6
RADIO CONTROLLED ROBOT
JOCKEYS ON CAMELS
Camel racing is a popular sport throughout
the Arab world and owning a herd of speciallybred fast camels is considered a symbol of
wealth and power. But it’s their weird-looking
robot jockeys that are interesting.
Children and light young men were used to
whip the camels to victory, but in recent
years things got out of hand and crackdown
on the black market revealed around 40,000 children from South Asia had been
kidnapped or sold by their families to become camel jockeys.
A solution to camel jockey trafficking had to be found when the United Arab Emirates
banned children under the age of 16 from competing in camel races. A Swiss company
called K-team, realized the business opportunity and began creating light robot jockeys
in 2003.
The jockeys are remotely controlled by operators driving in cars along the racing tracks,
and they whip the camels at the touch of a button. It was better than using impoverished
children. But some people would resort to anything in order to win. This year, Dubai police
uncovered a gang of dealers who were selling electric gun kits for the robots, designed to
make the camels run even faster. They were fitted inside the robots and could deliver
electric shocks to the camels also by remote control.
ICOM's 50TH ANNIVERSARY
SPECIAL EDITION RADIOS
To commemorate its 50th Anniversary, Icom Inc
is releasing five special editions of its popular
ID-51E dualband D-STAR hand held radio.
Not only will these models be available in red,
blue, lime, white and black, but they will include
the following special features:
• RS-MS1A Android™ Application (Optional
OPC-2350LU cable required) • Faster Data
Transfer in DV Mode (Three Times Faster
(approx.) • Longer antenna supplied for
Optimal Receive Performance • Additional Dplus
Reflector Link Commands • DV and FM Repeater Search Function • Enhanced D-PRS
Functions • 50th Anniversary logo displays on the opening screen.
Available from September 2014 from all authorised Icom Amateur radio dealers.
WestlakesAmateur
AmateurRadio
RadioClub
ClubInc.Inc.Magazine
- MagazineAugust
June 2010
Westlakes
2014
Page 19
RADIO SIGNALS FROM SPACE
From New Scientist Magazine
On 14 April 2014, mysterious radio waves were
recorded that were emitted from another galaxy.
The co-discoverer Tom Muxlow of Jodrell Bank
Centre for Astrophysics. He said. "An unknown
object in the nearby galaxy M82 has started sending
out radio waves, and the emission does not look
like anything seen anywhere in the universe before."
They first appeared in May last year, while Muxlow and his colleagues were monitoring
an unrelated stellar explosion in M82 using the MERLIN network of radio telescopes
in the UK. A bright spot of radio emission emerged over only a few days, quite rapidly
in astronomical terms. Since then it has done very little except baffle astrophysicists.
Yet it does seem to be moving – and fast: its apparent sideways velocity is four times
the speed of light. Such apparent "superluminal" motion has been seen before in
high-speed jets of material squirted out by some black holes. The stuff in these jets is
moving towards us at a slight angle and travelling at a fair fraction of the speed of
light, and the effects of relativity produce a kind of optical illusion that makes the
motion appear superluminal.
The best guess is still that the radio source is some kind of dense object accreting
surrounding material, perhaps a large black hole or a black hole in an unusual
environment. Perhaps the phenomenon also happens occasionally in our galaxy, but
is more common in M82 because it is a "starburst" galaxy – a cosmic cauldron
where massive stars are forming and exploding at a much higher rate than in the Milky
Way, creating a lot of new black holes. Tom Muxlow, the Jodrell Bank astophysicist,
reported the discovery at the Royal Astronomical Society National Astronomy Meeting
in Glasgow in July.
SOS NOTE FOUND
IN TROUSERS
A shopper has found a "cry for help" note
hidden inside a pair of trousers alleging
slave labour conditions in a Chinese prison.
Karen Wisínska said she bought the trousers
in Primark's Belfast store in June 2011
but had never worn them and only
discovered the SOS in July 2014.
The writer of the note claimed inmates
were forced to work "like oxen" and were
given food that would be considered
unfit for animals. From BBS News
Westlakes
Westlakes Amateur
Amateur Radio
Radio Club
Club Inc.Inc.- Magazine
MagazineJune
August
2010 2014
Page 18
Page 7
WHEN IS A BALUN NOT A BALUN?
WHEN IT'S A UNUN
by John VK5AJL
Balun - Balanced to Unbalanced
Unun - Unbalanced to Unbalanced
4 to 1 Balun wiring diagram
B
A
Westlakes Monthly Meeting Saturday 2 August
Unun wiring diagram
B
A
4:1 Balanced
a
b
Norah Head Lighthouse Weekend 16/17 August
Our Town Model Show 23/24 August
Next Foundation Class Commences Saturday 30 August
Westlakes 2014 Field Day Sunday 14 September
HOW RADIO SUNK THE
SS EDMUND FITZGERALD
b
a
Unbalanced
Looking at the two diagrams above you will see the common terminal for the Balun goes
to the HOT terminal of the unbalanced side where as the common terminal in the UnUn
goes to the COLD side of both the input and the output.
When we say a Balun or UnUn is a 4 to 1 device it will work just as well backwards.
A 4 to 1 balun can also match 50 Ohm to 12 Ohms, and a 9 to 1 can match 50 Ohm
to 5 ohms.
Working in the forward direction a '1 to 1' is 50 in 50 out. A '4 to 1' will convert the
50 ohms of your coax to 200 ohms ie 4 times. A '9 to 1' will convert the 50 ohms of
your coax to 450 ohms ie 9 times.
Courtesy of Norm VK2KNC
North East Victoria Amateur Radio Club (NEVARC) was formed in June. It was
talked about 6 months before that. There are already 20 members which is growing all
the time.
NEVARC began holding their weekly Wednesday night net on 3.560 from the
2nd July. The net will be hosted by Ron VK3MRH at 8.00pm. If you like to know more
about this club just log onto : www.nevarc.net.au
Courtesy of Keith VK2PKT
WestlakesAmateur
AmateurRadio
RadioClub
- MagazineAugust
June 2010
Westlakes
2014
The SS Edmund Fitzgerald was an
American Great Lakes freighter that sank
in a Lake Superior storm on 10 November
1975 with the loss of the entire crew of 29.
When launched on 8 June 1958, she was
the largest ship on North America's Great
Lakes, and still remains the largest to
have sunk there.
For seventeen years Fitzgerald carried taconite iron ore from mines near Duluth,
Minnesota, to iron works in Detroit, Toledo and other Great Lakes ports. Captain Peter
Pulcer was known for piping music day and night over the ship's intercom system and
from the ships radio room. Pulcer became known as the "DJ captain" and endeared
the "pirate radio station" to listeners on the shores of the lake.
Many theories have been suggested as the cause of the sinking. The Edmund
Fitzgerald may have fallen victim to the high waves of a storm, suffered structural
failure, or been swamped with water entering through her cargo hatches.The sinking
remains as one of the best-known disasters in the history of Great Lakes shipping. Gordon
Lightfoot made it the subject of his 1976 hit song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald".
Although the ship's radio room was equipped with the latest communications, no distress
call or SOS was sent even though coastguard stations around Lake Superior were
manned and ready to respond to such an emergency. An inquiry was held after the sinking
and was puzzled as to why the 'DJ captain" did not put a call for help.
The conclusion was that the radio room may have been too busy playing popular music
to listeners around the lake.
From the Journal of Maritime Events
Westlakes
August
Westlakes Amateur
Amateur Radio Club Inc.- Magazine
Magazine June
20102014
Page 8
Attention folks! here is a Magic Show not to be
missed. Eight magicians on stage and one of
them is Westlakes member, Al Herschel
VK2KAM.
It will be held on SATURDAY 16th AUGUST
at the CARRINGTON BOWLING CLUB,
CONNELLY PARK CARRINGTON 2294.
The Magic Show runs from 1830 to 2030 hours.
Admission is $10 adults and $5 children.
Bring the grand children and a camera!
(Proceeds go to the Newcastle Society of
Magicians so they can buy more equipment to do
better shows so they can buy more equipment..)
For more information ring Al Herchel VK2KAM 0415259777
AMATEUR RADIO MAGAZINE
NOW DIGITAL
AR magazine will be available in digital format
from the July 2014 issue. To download editions
in a PDF format from the WIA, you need to be registered for Memnet. This will get
you a Memnet password once you have entered your WIA Member Number,
name and callsign. You will find your membership number on the address flysheet
that came with your previous print editions of AR magazine.
FORMER WAR TIME BASE
AND SECRET RADIO
BUNKER ACTIVATED
Last month, 7 News TV reported on a secret World
War 2 base in northern Victoria, Australia, that
resumed Morse code radio communication with the
world after more than 70 silent years.
It was the idea of Thomas Brownstein VK3EO who
resides at nearby Swan Hill. The site was the original no.1 Flying Boat Repair Depot, which
stands in an underground Communications Bunker which has been transformed into
the Flying Boat Museum at Lake Boga. It is fully air conditioned and provides an
educational trip into our recent history.
The Australian Government had known the existence of Lake Boga as a potential
Amateur Radio
Inc. -Magazine
Magazine August
June 2010
Westlakes Amateur
Radio Club
Club Inc.2014
Page
17
just to the local prison population and not far away. Moody's story spread to England
and France. Prison authorities and Governor Fielding Wright vowed that any publicity
would not adversely affect Moody's parole hearing.
In December, 1949, after ten years in prison, Billy was released. Interviewed at his
mother's home on his first day of release, he said he planned to begin a radio repair
business. He credited the local newspaper for his release since it had popularized his
story. However, he did not make a career out of electronic repair. Instead, he took up the
commercial fishing and a seafaring life, but he never fell foul of the law again.
From Chris Wiggins in his book, "Tale of Two (Mississippi) Cities,"
INTERESTING ANTENNA
The NVIS (Near Vertical Incidence
Skywave) antenna provides a propagation
path that provides usable signals in the range between groundwave and conventional
skywave distances 50–650 km that works from 3.5 MHz all the way up to 50 MHz.
It is used for military and paramilitary communications, broadcasting, especially in
the tropics, and by radio amateurs. The radio waves travel near-vertically upwards
into the ionosphere, where they are reflected back down and can be received within a
circular region up to 650 km from the transmitter.
If the frequency is too high, above the critical frequency of the ionospheric F layer
reflection fails to occur and if it is too low, absorption in the ionospheric D layer may
reduce the signal strength. There is no fundamental difference between NVIS and
conventional skywave propagation. The practical distinction arises solely from different
desirable radiation patterns of the antennas - near vertical for NVIS, near horizontal for
conventional long-range skywave propagation.
Read all about the NVIS antenna at: www.radiowavz.com
WESTLAKES CAP
IN IRELAND
It's that world traveller and bon
vivant, Les VK2LT who has
reached the "Emerald Isle."
By a strange coincidence he
stumbled across the Guinness
Brewery in Dublin.
Note that Les is wearing his
Westlakes cap which must be the
most travelled radio club cap in
the world.
The cap is safe as neither it nor
its owner fell in the vat.
Westlakes Amateur
20102014
Westlakes
Amateur Radio
Radio Club
Magazine June
August
Page
16
Locked in combat in the mud of the Battle of
Passchendaele in October 1917, British
troops needed to get an urgent signal back
.
to their headquarters from the front line. Messenger
Pigeon Number 2709 was despatched on a journey
which should have taken 20 minutes. But shortly
after setting off, came under German fire. A bullet
broke a leg and passed out of the body though the
back, while the small metal message cylinder was
left attached to the bird's other leg.
Despite the horrendous injuries, Number 2709
dutifully continued, finally completing the mission,
.delivering the message, after an agonising journey of more than 21 hours – before
dying the next day. The bird was awarded the Dickin Medal which was inscribed, "For
Gallantry Messenger 2709."
The Dickin Medal was instituted in 1943 in the United Kingdom by Maria Dickin to
honour the work of animals in war. It is a bronze medallion with a laurel wreath, carried
on a ribbon of striped green, dark brown and pale blue.
Messenger pigeons were particularly useful during battles, when field telephones
could be disrupted, or once the men had advanced past their prepared lines of communication.
They could only be used to fly to the rear, rather than to take messages back to
the front.When released, they usually brought down a hail of enemy fire, as the Germans
tried to bring down the birds and stop their messages getting through.
From The Telegraph UK
THE WORLD WAR I PIGEON
THAT EARNED ITS WINGS
THE TALE OF THE
'BROADCASTING CON'
Billy Moody was 17 and first fell foul of the
law by robbing a grocery store in 1939. He
stole $35 and was sent to Parchman Farm
Prison for seven years. Billy attempted to
escape and his sentence was extended to 50
years.
He took a correspondence course in radio, studying at night. Every penny he got went
into ordering parts from which he constructed both radio receivers and transmitters. Billy
became an electronic whiz and was able to repair anything electrical in the prison. He used
his ham radio to communicate with the outside world and was known as "Broadcasting
Con." A conspiracy theory began that he was secretly using his resources to communicate
with his family in the hopes of getting him paroled.
As his story drew more public attention, it turned out his operation was illegal and prison
officials were forced to confiscate his equipment and his parole seemed in jeopardy. The
the prison superintendent admited he knew Moody was broadcasting but thought it was
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc.Inc. -Magazine
MagazineAugust
June 2010
Westlakes
2014
Page
9
site for flying boat activity as
early as 1938. It was not until
the Japanese attacks on
Broome in 1942, resulting in
the loss of 16 flying boats, that
the establishment of a safe
haven for flying boats was
called for with Lake Boga
being the preferred site.
During the Depot’s wartime
life, personnel undertook
large volumes of work.
416 aircraft were serviced,
repaired, restored, rebuilt or
The Underground Radio Bunker
overhauled. There were more
than 1050 aircraft arrivals/departures and an estimated 800 planes were overhauled.
No aircraft met with major mishap.
The concrete radio communications bunker and two slipways remain on the foreshore
site. Elsewhere on the former base there are concrete aprons and footings from the
hangars and maintenance sheds, and a concrete emergency generator house. The
underground HF radio transmitting station and a VHF transmitting station
communications bunker remain. The base at Lake Boga closed in November of 1947.
What a great idea it was to activate this historic site. Congratulations, Thomas VK3EO.
A VACUUM TRANSISTOR?
Frequencies, which run from about 0.1 to 10
terahertz, are useful for sensing hazardous materials and for secure high-speed
telecommunications, to give just a couple of possible applications. But terahertz waves
are difficult to take advantage of because conventional semiconductors aren’t capable
of generating or detecting this radiation. Vacuum transistors could fill that void.
These transistors might also find their way into future microprocessors, their method
of manufacture being completely compatible with conventional CMOS fabrication.
But several problems will need to be solved before that can happen.
Prototype vacuum transistors operate at 10 volts, an order of magnitude higher than
modern CMOS chips use. But researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have been able
to build vacuum transistors that operate at just 1 or 2 V. The sharpness of the electrodes
determines how much they concentrate the electric field, and the makeup of the cathode
material governs how large a field is needed to extract electrons from it.
A vacuum-channel transistor closely resembles an ordinary metal-oxide semiconductor
field-effect transistor or MOSFET. Problems of vacuum electronics are avoided if the
distance between cathode and anode is less than the average distance an electron travels
before hitting a gas molecule, A 100-nm gap bathed in helium would have only about a 10
WestlakesAmateur
AmateurRadio
RadioClub
MagazineJune
August
Westlakes
2010 2014
Page
10
percent probability of colliding with the gas. Make the gap smaller still and the chance of
collision diminishes further. If you keep the voltage low, the electrons will never acquire
enough energy to ionize helium. So if the dimensions of the vacuum transistor are
substantially smaller than the mean free path of electrons and the working voltage is low
enough , the device can operate just fine at atmospheric pressure. That is, you don’t, in fact,
need to maintain any sort of vacuum at all for what is nominally a miniaturized piece of
“vacuum” electronics. The vacuum-channel transistor isn’t at all complicated. Indeed, it
operates much more simply than any of the transistor varieties currently in use.
Courtesy of Barry VK2VBF
AA
A BULLET PERFORMER?
The Diamond RH3 is called a "Bullet" antenna because it is
not much longer than a bullet. It is only 1.75 inches tall and
is designed for 2 metres and 440 MHz. It can be used for
wideband receive from 120 to 900 MHz. Frankly it is not much for gain (-2.5 dB
relative to stock antennas), but it is conveniently compact. It can handle up to 10 watts
and terminates to a 50 ohm BNC.
Congratulation to club member, Gerrard Wheeler of
Mount Hutton who has received his first VK Foundation
Licence. He is now VK2FGMW. Gerrard previously held a UK Foundation Licence
(which required Morse code) but that was not sufficient for our ACMA - he had to do
it again.
ANOTHER NEWIE
THEY DO IT MAGNETICALLY
Researchers now say that the monarch butterfly
uses a magnetic compass to guide its extraordinary
migration of thousands of miles across North
America.
Monarchs are believed to possess a form of Sun
compass but even on cloudy days they still keep
flying south towards Mexico.
To test for the theory that they also possessed
a form of magnetic compass, scientists strapped
butterflies into a flight simulator allowing them to point in any direction while flying.
They then surrounded the chamber with a magnetic coil and then varied the inclination
angle of the field while at the same time exposing them to ultra-violet light.
This in essence effectively changed the position of the equator and the poles. The
monarchs responded by turning in the direction they perceived as south.
More on this research can be found at:
tinyurl.com/monarch-butterfly-experiment
From AR Newsline - July 2014
WestlakesAmateur
AmateurRadio
RadioClub
Club
- MagazineAugust
June 2010
Westlakes
Inc.Inc.
- Magazine
2014
Page
15
sensitive to ultrasonic frequencies. The company anticipate that the SPH0641LU4H-1
sensor will play an important role in the development of gesture control systems used for
smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices.
The microphone has a frequency response extending to 80 kHz to allow finger
tracking and the 3D resolution of finger and hand gestures. The microphone module
includes a preamp and measures just 3.50 x 2.65 x 0.98 mm making it small enough
to use multiple units around the screen edges. A minimum of three are necessary to
triangulate finger position but more will improve resolution. The microphone is also
sensitive to audio frequencies showing a flat response up to 20 kHz and a signal-to-noise
ratio of 64.3 dB(A).
Ultrasonic signals can also be used to transmit data between handheld devices and
accurately track special ultrasonic-sensitive styluses. This new ultrasonic microphone
is said to consume three-times less power than other digital microphones. It has an "always
on" voice-activated (235microAmp) low-power mode when not in use and can quickly
power up when needed. Sensitivity is matched between units by plus or minus 1 dB.
Mass production of the new ultrasonic microphones will begin in the third quarter of 2014.
From Elector Magazine - July 2014
Courtesy of Dennis VK2XDW
SO THAT'S WHAT'S INSIDE
Pictured is an opened WA1FFL LadderLoc strain-relief and mounting support for
450 ohm ladder line.
It is claimed to be UV-stabilized and to
have a proven record of durability Over
10,000 have been sold to amateur radio
operators all over the world.
Mine came as part of my fully-assembled
ZS6BKW multi-band HF antenna from
Maple Leaf Communications, Canada.
It easily comes apart in two pieces and you can see how the ladder line is locked by the
raised sections in the moulding with no strain on the connections. The name comes
from its inventor, James Hagerty WA1FFL of the Hagerty-Radio-Company.
The full name is: Ladder-Loc-Ladder-Line-Centre-HF-Antenna-Support. The price is
around $15. VK2CW
It has been a busy time recently for
Westlakes examiners, Geoff VK2GL
and Steve VK2LW.
The following members have passed their Foundation Assessments and some already
have their 'F' calls. Luke Groeneveld VK2FALA, John Noack VK2FALE, Lee Munn
VK2FALD, Tim O'connell VK2FALC, Mark Payne, and Luke Beston. Congratulations
to you all. It is hoped that the ACMA has plenty of four letter 'F' calls left.
Westlakes
WestlakesAmateur
AmateurRadio
RadioClub
MagazineAugust
June 20102014
Page 14
It is claimed to be the ultimate travel paddle. Perfect for portable on the trail, camping,
HFpack, the park picnic table or hotel rooms. The DinKey is not a cheap toy but a sturdy
well made paddle that will give you many years of CW enjoyment. It plugs in with a
positive click and does not move within the RJ-45 socket causing any wear or tear to the
radio or key.
The price of the DinKey is only $30.00 U.S. Shipping and handling will be only $2.50
($3.50 U.S.) for overseas shipping, Remember, there is an unconditional 30 day 100%
money back guarantee! If you don't like it, send it back for a 100% refund.
To read and see more Google: KFHQC and it takes you straight to the DinKey site.
BPL
BPL stands for.......broadband over power lines? Not this time. BPL
is the call sign of the official long-wave time signal service of the
People's Republic of China, operated by the Chinese Academy of
Sciences, broadcasting on 100 kHz from CAS's National Time Service Center in Pucheng
County, Shaanxi. BPL broadcasts LORAN-C compatible format signal from 5:30 to 13:30
UTC, using an 800 kW transmittor covering a radius up to 3000 km. BPM is the short-wave
time signal on 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 15.0 MHz.
So it is easy to remember, BPL = Long Wave. BPM = Short Wave.
HOW MUCH MONEY OR
HOW FEW BRAINS DO YOU HAVE
Using Morse code, a combination of solid silver dots
and dashes will spell out your choice of word or a
name, A very weighty bracelet of fine leather and
heavy sterling silver tubes; you even get a chart to
show you how to decipher each letter or number.
It comes in a box with a booklet detailing the Morse code and the secret message disclosed
for the recipient. Single strand up to 5 letters (remember each letter in morse code can
be up to 4 dots and dashes!) only £99 UK or $180 AUS. Such fun!
If you have few brains and want one, Google: notonthehighstreet.com
In keeping with his "cattle" theme of call signs, club
member, Peter Steer has gone from a Foundation
to a Standard Licence. He is no longer VK2FMOO but is now VK2MOO. Congratulations
Mr. Steer.
NEW TINY ULTRASONIC MICROPHONE
The Knowles Corporation has extended its range of surface
mount MEMs (micro-electro-mechanical system) microphones to include a new model
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. - Magazine June
2010 2014
April
August
Page
11
BANANA TREE ANTENNA
It is difficult enough to erect an antenna at home
let alone in the jungle and so Indian radio amateur
Rashi VU3AAT conceived the idea of using
banana trees in line as an antenna on HF frequencies that
has a gain of 3dB over a coventional dipole. The tree array
provides a reasonable matching which is corrected by using a home
brew ATU. Only one tree is connected to the single-wire feedline.
Various tapping points were tried from the base of the tree up to a height of 3 feet to
obtain the most favourable match. Studies of this phenomenon have concluded that it
is the banana leaves that are radiating due to the dielctric constant of water and plant
chemicals. Rashi said he is unaware how his antenna will behave in high winds
or a monsoon.
From Practical Wireless
PRE-PROGRAMED, YIPPEE!
Spooktech is the Australian distributor for Wouxun products. It claims to have the
largest range of Wouxun Producs in Australia, and to have been supplying the Wouxun
range of products longer than anyone else in Australia.
Also amateur radios sold direct to the public are pre-programmed with all of the
repeater frequencies, and the main simplex frequencies ready to go. So, when you
receive it, you can use it straight away without having to spend hours programming
it up. http://www.spooktech.net/ham/qrp-hf
Courtesy of John VK2JF
WOOFFERTON SHORT WAVE
LAST ONE STANDING
The last remaining UK shortwave broadcasting site is
located at Woofferton, Ludlow, England.
The station was originally built by the BBC during World War II to house additional
shortwave broadcasting transmitters. It had six 50 kW RCA transmitters. The site has
been modernised many times over the years and is now DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale)
capable providing daily digital radio programmes. Woofferton is used to broadcast
shortwave radio programmes on HF 4 MHz - 26 MHz to Europe, Russia, North/Central
Africa, Middle East and South America for BBC World Service.
All the BBC’s transmitting facilities were privatised in the 1990s. Woofferton Transmitting
Station currently has ten HF transmitters. There are 3 x Riz 250 kW 1 x Riz 500 kW
(installed 2006), 4 x 300 kW Marconi B6124's and 2 x 250 kW Marconi BD272's. With
the current shut down of short wave broadcasting world-wide, Wooferton is due to close
in 2015 and that as they say, will be that.
August
April
2014
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc.- Magazine June
2010
Page 12
TRAFFIC LIGHTS CONTROLLED
BY LIGHT BEAMS
From the Radio Review of Australia June 1931
These installations are developed by Westinghouse Electric of
phototubes illuminated at a distance by light sources. They are
experimental and the equipment is not yet available in commercial
form.
When travelling on a major highway, it is annoying as well as wasteful
of time to stop at a red traffic signal, when there is no car waiting
to use the green light which has been flashed on the minor highway.
To keep the light green all the time on the major, and give the right of way to the minor street
only when necessary, a light beam can be focussed on a phototube across the minor street,
so that when a car intercepts the beam the traffic light would be flashed green on the minor
street. The first installation will be in East Liberty, Pennsylania at the corner of Stanton
and Highland Avenues. The second installation will be at the corner of Coal Street and
William Pen Highway, Pennsylvania.
WIRELESS OPERATOR
SAVES THE DAY
By John Bowen G8DET
It's been 100 years since Marconi
Wireless Operator, Ronald
Feruson, (later to become UK
amateur G4VF) sent the crucial
SOS in the early hours of 29th
May 1914.
He was aboard the RMS Empress of Ireland in the St Lawrence River and his SOS
call saved many hundreds of lives. There were a total of 1,477 people on board of which
87 were 1st Class. In 2nd Class were 167 Members of the Salvation Army staff band
on their way to the 3rd International Conference in Liverpool. As the ship pulled away the
band played “God be with you till we meet again”. It also entertained the passengers that
warm evening.
The Captain ordered “Full Steam Ahead” and continued down the St Lawrence river. A
look-out reported another ship coming up the river and about 8 miles ahead – it turned out
to be the SS Storstad travelling at a speed of 10 Knots. It did not have Wireless as it did
not carry passengers. The Second Marconi Wireless Officer, Edward Bamford was on
watch and felt the collision. Number One Wireless Operator, Ronald Ferguson had just
turned in and went to the Wireless Room in his pyjamas. Ron told Bamford to go to the
Bridge for instructions. Ron sent out using Morse Code very slowly the following message
CQ CQ CQ de MPL MPL MPL; Standby for a Distress Signal; have struck
something.” MPL was the call sign of the Empress.
August
April2010
2014
Page
13
The Chief Officer instructed to send SOS and Ron then and sent
the slow Morse signal, "SOS SOS SOS de MPL MPL MPL"
The SOS caused two ships to be dispatched - the Eureka and the
Lady Evelyn. They arrived in 45 Minutes. The Eureka took a
total of 30 survivors, the Lady Evelyn rescued another 390. Of
the 1,477 on board The Empress of Ireland, 1012 died of which
840 were passengers.
What happened to Ronald Ferguson ? He had joined Marconi’s
in 1910 and was 20 years old when he was Chief Wireless
Officer on the Empress of Ireland. In WWI he was awarded
the OBE. He was always a keen Amateur Radio Morse operator and in 1965,operating
as G4VF/P won the RSGB HF Field Day Trophy. He passed away in 1985 at the age
of 91. The Canadian Post Office issued the above stamp on 29 May commemorating
100 years since the Empress of Ireland disaster.
EVE
It was on 25 March 2009 at 10.38 UTC that
radio amateurs achieved the very first
reception of amateur signals bounced off the
planet Venus, over 50 million km away
(Earth-Venus-Earth). The ground station
pictured at the Bochum observatory was the
transmission site.
After travelling almost 100 million kilometres and a round trip delay of about 5 minutes the
signals were clearly received as echoes from the surface of Venus. This is the farthest
distance crossed by radio amateurs, over 100 times further than echoes from the
moon. For receiving the EVE signals, an FFT analysis with an integration time of 5
minutes was used. After integrating for 2 minutes only, the reflected signals were clearly
visible in the display. Despite the bad weather, signals from Venus could be detected
from 10.38UTC until the planet reached the local horizon.
A 2.4 GHz high power amplifier was used for this achievement.The EVE experiment
was repeated on 26 March for several hours with good echoes from Venus. Morse code
was the transmission mode.
THE DINKEY
Another paddle for a Yaesu FT-817 - but wait this one is different, It plugs into the modular
RJ-45 microphone socket on the side of the
radio, setting up the paddles for a right-handed
operator. It is certainly innovative and designed
just for the FT-817.
You set your menu for mic key and away you go.
April2010
2014
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc.- Magazine August
June
Page 12
TRAFFIC LIGHTS CONTROLLED
BY LIGHT BEAMS
From the Radio Review of Australia June 1931
These installations are developed by Westinghouse Electric of
phototubes illuminated at a distance by light sources. They are
experimental and the equipment is not yet available in commercial
form.
When travelling on a major highway, it is annoying as well as wasteful
of time to stop at a red traffic signal, when there is no car waiting
to use the green light which has been flashed on the minor highway.
To keep the light green all the time on the major, and give the right of way to the minor street
only when necessary, a light beam can be focussed on a phototube across the minor street,
so that when a car intercepts the beam the traffic light would be flashed green on the minor
street. The first installation will be in East Liberty, Pennsylania at the corner of Stanton
and Highland Avenues. The second installation will be at the corner of Coal Street and
William Pen Highway, Pennsylvania.
WIRELESS OPERATOR
SAVES THE DAY
By John Bowen G8DET
It's been 100 years since Marconi
Wireless Operator, Ronald
Feruson, (later to become UK
amateur G4VF) sent the crucial
SOS in the early hours of 29th
May 1914.
He was aboard the RMS Empress of Ireland in the St Lawrence River and his SOS
call saved many hundreds of lives. There were a total of 1,477 people on board of which
87 were 1st Class. In 2nd Class were 167 Members of the Salvation Army staff band
on their way to the 3rd International Conference in Liverpool. As the ship pulled away the
band played “God be with you till we meet again”. It also entertained the passengers that
warm evening.
The Captain ordered “Full Steam Ahead” and continued down the St Lawrence river. A
look-out reported another ship coming up the river and about 8 miles ahead – it turned out
to be the SS Storstad travelling at a speed of 10 Knots. It did not have Wireless as it did
not carry passengers. The Second Marconi Wireless Officer, Edward Bamford was on
watch and felt the collision. Number One Wireless Operator, Ronald Ferguson had just
turned in and went to the Wireless Room in his pyjamas. Ron told Bamford to go to the
Bridge for instructions. Ron sent out using Morse Code very slowly the following message
CQ CQ CQ de MPL MPL MPL; Standby for a Distress Signal; have struck
something.” MPL was the call sign of the Empress.
August
April2010
2014
Page
13
The Chief Officer instructed to send SOS and Ron then and sent
the slow Morse signal, "SOS SOS SOS de MPL MPL MPL"
The SOS caused two ships to be dispatched - the Eureka and the
Lady Evelyn. They arrived in 45 Minutes. The Eureka took a
total of 30 survivors, the Lady Evelyn rescued another 390. Of
the 1,477 on board The Empress of Ireland, 1012 died of which
840 were passengers.
What happened to Ronald Ferguson ? He had joined Marconi’s
in 1910 and was 20 years old when he was Chief Wireless
Officer on the Empress of Ireland. In WWI he was awarded
the OBE. He was always a keen Amateur Radio Morse operator and in 1965,operating
as G4VF/P won the RSGB HF Field Day Trophy. He passed away in 1985 at the age
of 91. The Canadian Post Office issued the above stamp on 29 May commemorating
100 years since the Empress of Ireland disaster.
EVE
It was on 25 March 2009 at 10.38 UTC that
radio amateurs achieved the very first
reception of amateur signals bounced off the
planet Venus, over 50 million km away
(Earth-Venus-Earth). The ground station
pictured at the Bochum observatory was the
transmission site.
After travelling almost 100 million kilometres and a round trip delay of about 5 minutes the
signals were clearly received as echoes from the surface of Venus. This is the farthest
distance crossed by radio amateurs, over 100 times further than echoes from the
moon. For receiving the EVE signals, an FFT analysis with an integration time of 5
minutes was used. After integrating for 2 minutes only, the reflected signals were clearly
visible in the display. Despite the bad weather, signals from Venus could be detected
from 10.38UTC until the planet reached the local horizon.
A 2.4 GHz high power amplifier was used for this achievement.The EVE experiment
was repeated on 26 March for several hours with good echoes from Venus. Morse code
was the transmission mode.
THE DINKEY
Another paddle for a Yaesu FT-817 - but wait this one is different, It plugs into the modular
RJ-45 microphone socket on the side of the
radio, setting up the paddles for a right-handed
operator. It is certainly innovative and designed
just for the FT-817.
You set your menu for mic key and away you go.
April2010
2014
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc.- Magazine August
June
Page 14
It is claimed to be the ultimate travel paddle. Perfect for portable on the trail, camping,
HFpack, the park picnic table or hotel rooms. The DinKey is not a cheap toy but a sturdy
well made paddle that will give you many years of CW enjoyment. It plugs in with a
positive click and does not move within the RJ-45 socket causing any wear or tear to the
radio or key.
The price of the DinKey is only $30.00 U.S. Shipping and handling will be only $2.50
($3.50 U.S.) for overseas shipping, Remember, there is an unconditional 30 day 100%
money back guarantee! If you don't like it, send it back for a 100% refund.
To read and see more Google: KFHQC and it takes you straight to the DinKey site.
BPL
BPL stands for.......broadband over power lines? Not this time. BPL
is the call sign of the official long-wave time signal service of the
People's Republic of China, operated by the Chinese Academy of
Sciences, broadcasting on 100 kHz from CAS's National Time Service Center in Pucheng
County, Shaanxi. BPL broadcasts LORAN-C compatible format signal from 5:30 to 13:30
UTC, using an 800 kW transmittor covering a radius up to 3000 km. BPM is the short-wave
time signal on 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 15.0 MHz.
So it is easy to remember, BPL = Long Wave. BPM = Short Wave.
HOW MUCH MONEY OR
HOW FEW BRAINS DO YOU HAVE
Using Morse code, a combination of solid silver dots
and dashes will spell out your choice of word or a
name, A very weighty bracelet of fine leather and
heavy sterling silver tubes; you even get a chart to
show you how to decipher each letter or number.
It comes in a box with a booklet detailing the Morse code and the secret message disclosed
for the recipient. Single strand up to 5 letters (remember each letter in morse code can
be up to 4 dots and dashes!) only £99 UK or $180 AUS. Such fun!
If you have few brains and want one, Google: notonthehighstreet.com
In keeping with his "cattle" theme of call signs, club
member, Peter Steer has gone from a Foundation
to a Standard Licence. He is no longer VK2FMOO but is now VK2MOO. Congratulations
Mr. Steer.
NEW TINY ULTRASONIC MICROPHONE
The Knowles Corporation has extended its range of surface
mount MEMs (micro-electro-mechanical system) microphones to include a new model
2010 2014
April
August
Page
11
BANANA TREE ANTENNA
It is difficult enough to erect an antenna at home
let alone in the jungle and so Indian radio amateur
Rashi VU3AAT conceived the idea of using
banana trees in line as an antenna on HF frequencies that
has a gain of 3dB over a coventional dipole. The tree array
provides a reasonable matching which is corrected by using a home
brew ATU. Only one tree is connected to the single-wire feedline.
Various tapping points were tried from the base of the tree up to a height of 3 feet to
obtain the most favourable match. Studies of this phenomenon have concluded that it
is the banana leaves that are radiating due to the dielctric constant of water and plant
chemicals. Rashi said he is unaware how his antenna will behave in high winds
or a monsoon.
From Practical Wireless
PRE-PROGRAMED, YIPPEE!
Spooktech is the Australian distributor for Wouxun products. It claims to have the
largest range of Wouxun Producs in Australia, and to have been supplying the Wouxun
range of products longer than anyone else in Australia.
Also amateur radios sold direct to the public are pre-programmed with all of the
repeater frequencies, and the main simplex frequencies ready to go. So, when you
receive it, you can use it straight away without having to spend hours programming
it up. http://www.spooktech.net/ham/qrp-hf
Courtesy of John VK2JF
WOOFFERTON SHORT WAVE
LAST ONE STANDING
The last remaining UK shortwave broadcasting site is
located at Woofferton, Ludlow, England.
The station was originally built by the BBC during World War II to house additional
shortwave broadcasting transmitters. It had six 50 kW RCA transmitters. The site has
been modernised many times over the years and is now DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale)
capable providing daily digital radio programmes. Woofferton is used to broadcast
shortwave radio programmes on HF 4 MHz - 26 MHz to Europe, Russia, North/Central
Africa, Middle East and South America for BBC World Service.
All the BBC’s transmitting facilities were privatised in the 1990s. Woofferton Transmitting
Station currently has ten HF transmitters. There are 3 x Riz 250 kW 1 x Riz 500 kW
(installed 2006), 4 x 300 kW Marconi B6124's and 2 x 250 kW Marconi BD272's. With
the current shut down of short wave broadcasting world-wide, Wooferton is due to close
in 2015 and that as they say, will be that.
August
April
2014
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc.- Magazine June
2010
Page
10
percent probability of colliding with the gas. Make the gap smaller still and the chance of
collision diminishes further. If you keep the voltage low, the electrons will never acquire
enough energy to ionize helium. So if the dimensions of the vacuum transistor are
substantially smaller than the mean free path of electrons and the working voltage is low
enough , the device can operate just fine at atmospheric pressure. That is, you don’t, in fact,
need to maintain any sort of vacuum at all for what is nominally a miniaturized piece of
“vacuum” electronics. The vacuum-channel transistor isn’t at all complicated. Indeed, it
operates much more simply than any of the transistor varieties currently in use.
Courtesy of Barry VK2VBF
AA
A BULLET PERFORMER?
The Diamond RH3 is called a "Bullet" antenna because it is
not much longer than a bullet. It is only 1.75 inches tall and
is designed for 2 metres and 440 MHz. It can be used for
wideband receive from 120 to 900 MHz. Frankly it is not much for gain (-2.5 dB
relative to stock antennas), but it is conveniently compact. It can handle up to 10 watts
and terminates to a 50 ohm BNC.
Congratulation to club member, Gerrard Wheeler of
Mount Hutton who has received his first VK Foundation
Licence. He is now VK2FGMW. Gerrard previously held a UK Foundation Licence
(which required Morse code) but that was not sufficient for our ACMA - he had to do
it again.
ANOTHER NEWIE
THEY DO IT MAGNETICALLY
Researchers now say that the monarch butterfly
uses a magnetic compass to guide its extraordinary
migration of thousands of miles across North
America.
Monarchs are believed to possess a form of Sun
compass but even on cloudy days they still keep
flying south towards Mexico.
To test for the theory that they also possessed
a form of magnetic compass, scientists strapped
butterflies into a flight simulator allowing them to point in any direction while flying.
They then surrounded the chamber with a magnetic coil and then varied the inclination
angle of the field while at the same time exposing them to ultra-violet light.
This in essence effectively changed the position of the equator and the poles. The
monarchs responded by turning in the direction they perceived as south.
More on this research can be found at:
tinyurl.com/monarch-butterfly-experiment
From AR Newsline - July 2014
WestlakesAmateur
AmateurRadio
RadioClub
Club
- MagazineAugust
June 2010
Westlakes
Inc.Inc.
- Magazine
2014
Page
15
sensitive to ultrasonic frequencies. The company anticipate that the SPH0641LU4H-1
sensor will play an important role in the development of gesture control systems used for
smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices.
The microphone has a frequency response extending to 80 kHz to allow finger
tracking and the 3D resolution of finger and hand gestures. The microphone module
includes a preamp and measures just 3.50 x 2.65 x 0.98 mm making it small enough
to use multiple units around the screen edges. A minimum of three are necessary to
triangulate finger position but more will improve resolution. The microphone is also
sensitive to audio frequencies showing a flat response up to 20 kHz and a signal-to-noise
ratio of 64.3 dB(A).
Ultrasonic signals can also be used to transmit data between handheld devices and
accurately track special ultrasonic-sensitive styluses. This new ultrasonic microphone
is said to consume three-times less power than other digital microphones. It has an "always
on" voice-activated (235microAmp) low-power mode when not in use and can quickly
power up when needed. Sensitivity is matched between units by plus or minus 1 dB.
Mass production of the new ultrasonic microphones will begin in the third quarter of 2014.
From Elector Magazine - July 2014
Courtesy of Dennis VK2XDW
SO THAT'S WHAT'S INSIDE
Pictured is an opened WA1FFL LadderLoc strain-relief and mounting support for
450 ohm ladder line.
It is claimed to be UV-stabilized and to
have a proven record of durability Over
10,000 have been sold to amateur radio
operators all over the world.
Mine came as part of my fully-assembled
ZS6BKW multi-band HF antenna from
Maple Leaf Communications, Canada.
It easily comes apart in two pieces and you can see how the ladder line is locked by the
raised sections in the moulding with no strain on the connections. The name comes
from its inventor, James Hagerty WA1FFL of the Hagerty-Radio-Company.
The full name is: Ladder-Loc-Ladder-Line-Centre-HF-Antenna-Support. The price is
around $15. VK2CW
It has been a busy time recently for
Westlakes examiners, Geoff VK2GL
and Steve VK2LW.
The following members have passed their Foundation Assessments and some already
have their 'F' calls. Luke Groeneveld VK2FALA, John Noack VK2FALE, Lee Munn
VK2FALD, Tim O'connell VK2FALC, Mark Payne, and Luke Beston. Congratulations
to you all. It is hoped that the ACMA has plenty of four letter 'F' calls left.
Westlakes
WestlakesAmateur
AmateurRadio
RadioClub
MagazineAugust
June 20102014
Page
16
Locked in combat in the mud of the Battle of
Passchendaele in October 1917, British
troops needed to get an urgent signal back
.
to their headquarters from the front line. Messenger
Pigeon Number 2709 was despatched on a journey
which should have taken 20 minutes. But shortly
after setting off, came under German fire. A bullet
broke a leg and passed out of the body though the
back, while the small metal message cylinder was
left attached to the bird's other leg.
Despite the horrendous injuries, Number 2709
dutifully continued, finally completing the mission,
.delivering the message, after an agonising journey of more than 21 hours – before
dying the next day. The bird was awarded the Dickin Medal which was inscribed, "For
Gallantry Messenger 2709."
The Dickin Medal was instituted in 1943 in the United Kingdom by Maria Dickin to
honour the work of animals in war. It is a bronze medallion with a laurel wreath, carried
on a ribbon of striped green, dark brown and pale blue.
Messenger pigeons were particularly useful during battles, when field telephones
could be disrupted, or once the men had advanced past their prepared lines of communication.
They could only be used to fly to the rear, rather than to take messages back to
the front.When released, they usually brought down a hail of enemy fire, as the Germans
tried to bring down the birds and stop their messages getting through.
From The Telegraph UK
THE WORLD WAR I PIGEON
THAT EARNED ITS WINGS
THE TALE OF THE
'BROADCASTING CON'
Billy Moody was 17 and first fell foul of the
law by robbing a grocery store in 1939. He
stole $35 and was sent to Parchman Farm
Prison for seven years. Billy attempted to
escape and his sentence was extended to 50
years.
He took a correspondence course in radio, studying at night. Every penny he got went
into ordering parts from which he constructed both radio receivers and transmitters. Billy
became an electronic whiz and was able to repair anything electrical in the prison. He used
his ham radio to communicate with the outside world and was known as "Broadcasting
Con." A conspiracy theory began that he was secretly using his resources to communicate
with his family in the hopes of getting him paroled.
As his story drew more public attention, it turned out his operation was illegal and prison
officials were forced to confiscate his equipment and his parole seemed in jeopardy. The
the prison superintendent admited he knew Moody was broadcasting but thought it was
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc.Inc. -Magazine
MagazineAugust
June 2010
Westlakes
2014
Page
9
site for flying boat activity as
early as 1938. It was not until
the Japanese attacks on
Broome in 1942, resulting in
the loss of 16 flying boats, that
the establishment of a safe
haven for flying boats was
called for with Lake Boga
being the preferred site.
During the Depot’s wartime
life, personnel undertook
large volumes of work.
416 aircraft were serviced,
repaired, restored, rebuilt or
The Underground Radio Bunker
overhauled. There were more
than 1050 aircraft arrivals/departures and an estimated 800 planes were overhauled.
No aircraft met with major mishap.
The concrete radio communications bunker and two slipways remain on the foreshore
site. Elsewhere on the former base there are concrete aprons and footings from the
hangars and maintenance sheds, and a concrete emergency generator house. The
underground HF radio transmitting station and a VHF transmitting station
communications bunker remain. The base at Lake Boga closed in November of 1947.
What a great idea it was to activate this historic site. Congratulations, Thomas VK3EO.
A VACUUM TRANSISTOR?
Frequencies, which run from about 0.1 to 10
terahertz, are useful for sensing hazardous materials and for secure high-speed
telecommunications, to give just a couple of possible applications. But terahertz waves
are difficult to take advantage of because conventional semiconductors aren’t capable
of generating or detecting this radiation. Vacuum transistors could fill that void.
These transistors might also find their way into future microprocessors, their method
of manufacture being completely compatible with conventional CMOS fabrication.
But several problems will need to be solved before that can happen.
Prototype vacuum transistors operate at 10 volts, an order of magnitude higher than
modern CMOS chips use. But researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have been able
to build vacuum transistors that operate at just 1 or 2 V. The sharpness of the electrodes
determines how much they concentrate the electric field, and the makeup of the cathode
material governs how large a field is needed to extract electrons from it.
A vacuum-channel transistor closely resembles an ordinary metal-oxide semiconductor
field-effect transistor or MOSFET. Problems of vacuum electronics are avoided if the
distance between cathode and anode is less than the average distance an electron travels
before hitting a gas molecule, A 100-nm gap bathed in helium would have only about a 10
WestlakesAmateur
AmateurRadio
RadioClub
MagazineJune
August
Westlakes
2010 2014
Page 8
Attention folks! here is a Magic Show not to be
missed. Eight magicians on stage and one of
them is Westlakes member, Al Herschel
VK2KAM.
It will be held on SATURDAY 16th AUGUST
at the CARRINGTON BOWLING CLUB,
CONNELLY PARK CARRINGTON 2294.
The Magic Show runs from 1830 to 2030 hours.
Admission is $10 adults and $5 children.
Bring the grand children and a camera!
(Proceeds go to the Newcastle Society of
Magicians so they can buy more equipment to do
better shows so they can buy more equipment..)
For more information ring Al Herchel VK2KAM 0415259777
AMATEUR RADIO MAGAZINE
NOW DIGITAL
AR magazine will be available in digital format
from the July 2014 issue. To download editions
in a PDF format from the WIA, you need to be registered for Memnet. This will get
you a Memnet password once you have entered your WIA Member Number,
name and callsign. You will find your membership number on the address flysheet
that came with your previous print editions of AR magazine.
FORMER WAR TIME BASE
AND SECRET RADIO
BUNKER ACTIVATED
Last month, 7 News TV reported on a secret World
War 2 base in northern Victoria, Australia, that
resumed Morse code radio communication with the
world after more than 70 silent years.
It was the idea of Thomas Brownstein VK3EO who
resides at nearby Swan Hill. The site was the original no.1 Flying Boat Repair Depot, which
stands in an underground Communications Bunker which has been transformed into
the Flying Boat Museum at Lake Boga. It is fully air conditioned and provides an
educational trip into our recent history.
The Australian Government had known the existence of Lake Boga as a potential
Amateur Radio
Inc. -Magazine
Magazine August
June 2010
Westlakes Amateur
Radio Club
Club Inc.2014
Page
17
just to the local prison population and not far away. Moody's story spread to England
and France. Prison authorities and Governor Fielding Wright vowed that any publicity
would not adversely affect Moody's parole hearing.
In December, 1949, after ten years in prison, Billy was released. Interviewed at his
mother's home on his first day of release, he said he planned to begin a radio repair
business. He credited the local newspaper for his release since it had popularized his
story. However, he did not make a career out of electronic repair. Instead, he took up the
commercial fishing and a seafaring life, but he never fell foul of the law again.
From Chris Wiggins in his book, "Tale of Two (Mississippi) Cities,"
INTERESTING ANTENNA
The NVIS (Near Vertical Incidence
Skywave) antenna provides a propagation
path that provides usable signals in the range between groundwave and conventional
skywave distances 50–650 km that works from 3.5 MHz all the way up to 50 MHz.
It is used for military and paramilitary communications, broadcasting, especially in
the tropics, and by radio amateurs. The radio waves travel near-vertically upwards
into the ionosphere, where they are reflected back down and can be received within a
circular region up to 650 km from the transmitter.
If the frequency is too high, above the critical frequency of the ionospheric F layer
reflection fails to occur and if it is too low, absorption in the ionospheric D layer may
reduce the signal strength. There is no fundamental difference between NVIS and
conventional skywave propagation. The practical distinction arises solely from different
desirable radiation patterns of the antennas - near vertical for NVIS, near horizontal for
conventional long-range skywave propagation.
Read all about the NVIS antenna at: www.radiowavz.com
WESTLAKES CAP
IN IRELAND
It's that world traveller and bon
vivant, Les VK2LT who has
reached the "Emerald Isle."
By a strange coincidence he
stumbled across the Guinness
Brewery in Dublin.
Note that Les is wearing his
Westlakes cap which must be the
most travelled radio club cap in
the world.
The cap is safe as neither it nor
its owner fell in the vat.
Westlakes Amateur
20102014
Westlakes
Amateur Radio
Radio Club
Magazine June
August
Page 18
Page 7
WHEN IS A BALUN NOT A BALUN?
WHEN IT'S A UNUN
by John VK5AJL
Balun - Balanced to Unbalanced
Unun - Unbalanced to Unbalanced
4 to 1 Balun wiring diagram
B
A
Westlakes Monthly Meeting Saturday 2 August
Unun wiring diagram
B
A
4:1 Balanced
a
b
Norah Head Lighthouse Weekend 16/17 August
Our Town Model Show 23/24 August
Next Foundation Class Commences Saturday 30 August
Westlakes 2014 Field Day Sunday 14 September
HOW RADIO SUNK THE
SS EDMUND FITZGERALD
b
a
Unbalanced
Looking at the two diagrams above you will see the common terminal for the Balun goes
to the HOT terminal of the unbalanced side where as the common terminal in the UnUn
goes to the COLD side of both the input and the output.
When we say a Balun or UnUn is a 4 to 1 device it will work just as well backwards.
A 4 to 1 balun can also match 50 Ohm to 12 Ohms, and a 9 to 1 can match 50 Ohm
to 5 ohms.
Working in the forward direction a '1 to 1' is 50 in 50 out. A '4 to 1' will convert the
50 ohms of your coax to 200 ohms ie 4 times. A '9 to 1' will convert the 50 ohms of
your coax to 450 ohms ie 9 times.
North East Victoria Amateur Radio Club (NEVARC) was formed in June. It was
talked about 6 months before that. There are already 20 members which is growing all
the time.
NEVARC began holding their weekly Wednesday night net on 3.560 from the
2nd July. The net will be hosted by Ron VK3MRH at 8.00pm. If you like to know more
about this club just log onto : www.nevarc.net.au
Courtesy of Keith VK2PKT
WestlakesAmateur
AmateurRadio
RadioClub
- MagazineAugust
June 2010
Westlakes
2014
The SS Edmund Fitzgerald was an
American Great Lakes freighter that sank
in a Lake Superior storm on 10 November
1975 with the loss of the entire crew of 29.
When launched on 8 June 1958, she was
the largest ship on North America's Great
Lakes, and still remains the largest to
have sunk there.
For seventeen years Fitzgerald carried taconite iron ore from mines near Duluth,
Minnesota, to iron works in Detroit, Toledo and other Great Lakes ports. Captain Peter
Pulcer was known for piping music day and night over the ship's intercom system and
from the ships radio room. Pulcer became known as the "DJ captain" and endeared
the "pirate radio station" to listeners on the shores of the lake.
Many theories have been suggested as the cause of the sinking. The Edmund
Fitzgerald may have fallen victim to the high waves of a storm, suffered structural
failure, or been swamped with water entering through her cargo hatches.The sinking
remains as one of the best-known disasters in the history of Great Lakes shipping. Gordon
Lightfoot made it the subject of his 1976 hit song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald".
Although the ship's radio room was equipped with the latest communications, no distress
call or SOS was sent even though coastguard stations around Lake Superior were
manned and ready to respond to such an emergency. An inquiry was held after the sinking
and was puzzled as to why the 'DJ captain" did not put a call for help.
The conclusion was that the radio room may have been too busy playing popular music
to listeners around the lake.
From the Journal of Maritime Events
Westlakes
August
Westlakes Amateur
Amateur Radio Club Inc.- Magazine
Magazine June
20102014
Page 6
RADIO CONTROLLED ROBOT
JOCKEYS ON CAMELS
Camel racing is a popular sport throughout
the Arab world and owning a herd of speciallybred fast camels is considered a symbol of
wealth and power. But it’s their weird-looking
robot jockeys that are interesting.
Children and light young men were used to
whip the camels to victory, but in recent
years things got out of hand and crackdown
on the black market revealed around 40,000 children from South Asia had been
kidnapped or sold by their families to become camel jockeys.
A solution to camel jockey trafficking had to be found when the United Arab Emirates
banned children under the age of 16 from competing in camel races. A Swiss company
called K-team, realized the business opportunity and began creating light robot jockeys
in 2003.
The jockeys are remotely controlled by operators driving in cars along the racing tracks,
and they whip the camels at the touch of a button. It was better than using impoverished
children. But some people would resort to anything in order to win. This year, Dubai police
uncovered a gang of dealers who were selling electric gun kits for the robots, designed to
make the camels run even faster. They were fitted inside the robots and could deliver
electric shocks to the camels also by remote control.
ICOM's 50TH ANNIVERSARY
SPECIAL EDITION RADIOS
To commemorate its 50th Anniversary, Icom Inc
is releasing five special editions of its popular
ID-51E dualband D-STAR hand held radio.
Not only will these models be available in red,
blue, lime, white and black, but they will include
the following special features:
• RS-MS1A Android™ Application (Optional
OPC-2350LU cable required) • Faster Data
Transfer in DV Mode (Three Times Faster
(approx.) • Longer antenna supplied for
Optimal Receive Performance • Additional Dplus
Reflector Link Commands • DV and FM Repeater Search Function • Enhanced D-PRS
Functions • 50th Anniversary logo displays on the opening screen.
Available from September 2014 from all authorised Icom Amateur radio dealers.
WestlakesAmateur
AmateurRadio
RadioClub
- MagazineAugust
June 2010
Westlakes
2014
Page 19
RADIO SIGNALS FROM SPACE
From New Scientist Magazine
On 14 April 2014, mysterious radio waves were
recorded that were emitted from another galaxy.
The co-discoverer Tom Muxlow of Jodrell Bank
Centre for Astrophysics. He said. "An unknown
object in the nearby galaxy M82 has started sending
out radio waves, and the emission does not look
like anything seen anywhere in the universe before."
They first appeared in May last year, while Muxlow and his colleagues were monitoring
an unrelated stellar explosion in M82 using the MERLIN network of radio telescopes
in the UK. A bright spot of radio emission emerged over only a few days, quite rapidly
in astronomical terms. Since then it has done very little except baffle astrophysicists.
Yet it does seem to be moving – and fast: its apparent sideways velocity is four times
the speed of light. Such apparent "superluminal" motion has been seen before in
high-speed jets of material squirted out by some black holes. The stuff in these jets is
moving towards us at a slight angle and travelling at a fair fraction of the speed of
light, and the effects of relativity produce a kind of optical illusion that makes the
motion appear superluminal.
The best guess is still that the radio source is some kind of dense object accreting
surrounding material, perhaps a large black hole or a black hole in an unusual
environment. Perhaps the phenomenon also happens occasionally in our galaxy, but
is more common in M82 because it is a "starburst" galaxy – a cosmic cauldron
where massive stars are forming and exploding at a much higher rate than in the Milky
Way, creating a lot of new black holes. Tom Muxlow, the Jodrell Bank astophysicist,
reported the discovery at the Royal Astronomical Society National Astronomy Meeting
in Glasgow in July.
SOS NOTE FOUND
IN TROUSERS
A shopper has found a "cry for help" note
hidden inside a pair of trousers alleging
slave labour conditions in a Chinese prison.
Karen Wisínska said she bought the trousers
in Primark's Belfast store in June 2011
but had never worn them and only
discovered the SOS in July 2014.
The writer of the note claimed inmates
were forced to work "like oxen" and were
given food that would be considered
unfit for animals. From BBS News
Westlakes
Westlakes Amateur
Amateur Radio
Radio Club
MagazineJune
August
2010 2014
Page
Page
20
5
OUR MOST POTENT
SPY BASE IS IN WA
Nestled in a valley about 30km east of
Geraldton sits one of Australia’s most potent
and least known weapons in the fight against
global terrorism.
Sheep graze in the shadows of its five 20m
high white radomes, which resemble giant
golf balls and protect the highly-sensitive
intelligence gathering equipment housed
within.
Tennis courts and a swimming pool offer
the spies, IT experts, and other staff
employed at the Kojarena Australian
Defence Satellite Communications Station
some reprieve from their top-secret work.
In 2001, Kojarena faced public scrutiny when it was named as one of five satellite
monitoring stations that formed an international eavesdropping network codenamed
Echelon. Overseen by the NSA, which jointly manages Kojarena with the Australian
Defence Signals Directorate, Echelon intercepted tens of thousands of emails, telephone
calls and faxes across the planet using a “keyword” search program, or “dictionary”.
According to Edward Snowden, now living in Russia and wanted in the US for
espionage, Echelon has been superseded by internet spying programs called XKeyscore
and PRISM, which can access data stored by Google, Facebook and Microsoft.
Documents reveal that XKeyscore has operated from sites all over the world, including
the base near Geraldton.
From The West Australian
A RADIO CONTROLLED WATCH
Citizen has just released a range of watches
which are called "Radio Controlled Timepieces."
They are claimed to be the ultimate companion
for jetsetters and frequent flyers, or for those
looking for the next generation in timepiece
technology.
A Radio Controlled timepiece will automatically
receive standard-time radio waves in Japan, the
USA, Germany and China. It uses these radio
signals to automatically correct the time and date when you are within these regions. With
the added benefit of world time function, it’s the ultimate companion for the frequent flyer.
Featuring Eco-Drive technology, this collection is the perfect for any businessman
constantly on the go. There are four watches in the range and they cost about $750 each.
Westlakes Amateur
Inc. -Magazine
Magazine August
June 2010
Westlakes
Amateur Radio
Radio Club
Club Inc.2014
Later this month, Westlakes will attend the Our Town Model Show with a display of
the hobby of amateur radio equipment and how it works.
The Our Town Model Show is organised by members of the Our Town Scale Modellers
Association Inc. in conjunction with the Our Town H.O. Model Railway Club Inc. Both
of these organizations consist of a small number of scale model enthusiasts, each with
the desire to give something back to the community whilst enjoying their hobby.
So far, the Our Town Model Show has raised over $100,000.00 for local childrens'
charities including Ronald McDonald House, Camp Quality, and The Hunter
Orthopaedic School.
As an exhibitor, Westlakes members who help man our club's stand will recieve a free
pass. If you can help for an hour or two over the two days contact Geoff VK2GL
at [email protected] who is preparing a roster. Remember we also have to
set up our display on the Friday afternoon before.
2014 Our Town Model Show details:
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Newcastle Jockey Club Chatham Road Broadmeadow
Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August
Sat 9am to 5pm
Sun 9am to 4pm
Adults $10 Child $5 Family $25 Children under 5 are free
Lots of free parking
Free shuttle bus from Broadmeadow Railway Station hourly
Another order of Westlakes Club shirts is being organised. These
are rather classy dress shirts, pale blue in colour with the club logo
embroidered. Available in mens and womens styles. The cost is
around $35. To order contact the Secretary Barrie VK2QG
[email protected]
Westlakes
2014
WestlakesAmateur
AmateurRadio
RadioClub
Magazine August
June 2010
Page
4
Enclosed with this magazine, or under separate cover, you will find a
booklet of 10 tickets. They are for the club's annual fund raising drive.
The tickets are $2 each. This year the prize is a
If you would like to be involved, put your call sign or name on the
tickets and return to the Treasurer, WARC PO Box 5 BOOLAROO
NSW 2284. Purchase as many as you choose. Remember, they are $2
each. This radio comes with an Australian 5 year warranty from
ANDREWS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
There are currently 2 vacancies in the next Foundation course at Westlakes
commencing on Saturday 30 August. The course will be run by Geoff VK2GL over a
four week period, with assessment on Saturday 27 September. If you are interested
or would like more information, please email Steve at
[email protected].
SARL News reports that
Australian space explorer, Andy
Thomas VK5MIR has retired to his Texas ranch after 22 years with NASA and 4 months
living in zero gravity on the MIR space station. Thomas, who holds the call VK5MIR, has
been leading design teams whose projects included a return visit to the moon, and a first
visit to Mars. QSL's to VK2MIR might be difficult as on-line call sign databases list his
QTH as the MIR Space Station. It burned up in the Earth's atmosphere on 21 March 2001.
(The ACMA data base shows thatnext
no one
pageholds VK5MIR call sign - interesting?)
GROUND CONTROL TO MAJOR TOM
WestlakesAmateur
AmateurRadio
RadioClub
ClubInc.Inc. Magazine
- MagazineAugust
June 2010
Westlakes
2014
Page
21
Two young fishermen who made an SOS call when
their small runabout sank near Moon Island, off Lake
Macquarie, NSW found help was near but yet so far on
the other side of the globe. The two brothers decided to
cross the Swansea Bar to fish off the rocky island,
never dreaming their trip would make international
headlines.
The pair turned back but in the process their 5 metre
runabout capsized. Wearing lifejackets and with a
mobile phone on hand they swam to the island and called
for help. The boys could see the Marine
Rescue
Steve VK2LW
Swansea Heads Radio Base on the hill overlooking the
bar. They Googled "Coast Guard Swansea" and hit dial.
The Coast Guard operator was having trouble
understanding their location as the distressed caller
said, "but I can see your base." Out of desperation the
Radio Room Swansea
Coastguard Rescue UK
operator finally asked, "What country are you in?"
The boys had dialled the Coastguard Swansea Rescue Coordination Centre in Wales in
the United Kingdom. A call from the UK was put through to the Australian Rescue
Maritime Safety Authority 10,000 miles away.
While all this was going on, the NSW Swansea Heads Radio Base Duty Officer had seen
the incident and had a rescue team on the way. The Swansea Bridge operator assisted with
an emergency opening so no time was lost getting to the young men. HM Coastguard
Swansea Coordination Manager in Wales said, "In 40 years, I have never heard of a call
like this being received from another country."
From Soundings - Journal of Marine Rescue NSW - March 2014
Courtesy of John VK2EJP
Samsung is to stop producing plasma televisions by
30 November 2014. It said falling demand meant it
would instead focus on producing curved and ultrahigh definition TVs. "We remain committed to providing consumers with products that
meet their need," Samsung told the CNET website.
Panasonic, Sony, Hitachi and Pioneer have also pulled out of the sector in recent years.
LG is expected to follow suit soon. Plasma screens, which use electrically charged ionised
gases, are often applauded for their brightness, deep blacks, and high frame rates,
considered ideal for watching sport and films. But they tend to use more electricity and
are considerably bulkier than the now more popular liquid-crystal display and light-emitting
diode TVs.
From BBC News - Courtesy of Dave VK2RD
Westlakes
20102014
WestlakesAmateur
AmateurRadio
RadioClub
MagazineJune
August
Page
Page
22
WESTLAKES NEXT PROJECT - A SIMPLE NOISE BRIDGE
3
by England on 26. The US tally is buoyed by 14 never-before-activated structures, and
Australia has 4 virgin lighthouses this year. Spain and Germany also have first-timers.
Lightships to join the fun event so far are in England, Finland, Germany, Netherlands and
the USA. No matter where you are there's plenty of contacts to be made and some issue
special QSL cards.
In the Americas, registrations come from Barbados, Canada, Chile, Curacao, Falkland
Islands, Honduras, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Uruguay. In greater Europe there's
Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Northern
Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Wales.
In the Asian region so far Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand have registered.
Others from sea-going nations include South Africa and New Zealand.
It is unfortunate that this year the ILLW clashes again with the 2014 Remembrance
Day Contest. At least there will be plenty of on-air activity.
HAARP HANGS ON
The circuit
The prototype built by Michael VK2GRM
Here is the progress of
on our club's next project
which is a simple-to-make
noise bridge.
The design comes from
the New England QRP
Club and was sourced by
our Project Officer, Norm
VK2KNC.
Michael VK2GRM made
the prototype pictured in
no time flat using
Veroboard. It has been
tested at Westlakes and
it works very well.
It is planned to offer it,
either as a kit to members
or as source-your-own
parts. More next month.
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc.- Magazine August 2014
The Pentagon has delayed its plans
to knock down a controversial
Alaskan radio research facility
until next year, for a possible
transfer to a university or scientific
institution. The Air Force had
agreed to halt demolition of the
High Frequency Active Auroral
Research Program facility until
May 2015 while research institutions, including the University of Alaska, develop funding
proposals for it.
HAARP, located on 30 acres adjacent to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in southeastern
Alaska, features 180 antennas that beam electrons into the ionosphere for research into
radio communications and surveillance. Conspiracy theorists contend the Defence
Department uses HAARP, which went into operation in 1997, to conduct mind-control
experiments and to modify global weather patterns.
Scientists from around the world sent the US Defence Secretary a petition that decried
the HAARP closure and demolition and urged that serious negotiations begin with
other government agencies to find a sustainable model to ensure this unique and extremely
valuable national resource is available for atmospheric research in the future.
The US Air Force Secretary said the service has received “significant value” from
HAARP over the past 17 years “in fields as diverse as underwater communications, radar
propagation and space radiation belts."
However military users of HAARP have completed their applied research at
HAARP, which led to the original decision to close it.
From Critical Communications - Courtesy of Peter VK2ZTV
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. - Magazine August 2014
Page
Published by Westlakes Amateur
Radio Club Inc. York Street Teralba,
as a magazine of news, information
and opinions on amateur radio and
associated topics for the benefit of
the members .
Copyright:
In general there is no copyright on
articles, they may be copied at will.
The exception being those articles
followed by an asterisk *
preceding the named source.
Founder:
Keith Howard VK2AKX (SK)
Patron:
G.Piper MLA
Life members:
Gregory Smith
VK2CW
Paul Lorentzen
VK2AE
Alec Efimov
VK2ZM
Leslie Payne
VK2ZPA
Peter Sturt
VK2ZTV
David Myers
VK2RD
Geoffrey Clark
VK2EO
Membership Rates
All members................ $20.00 P.A
Joining fee.................... $ 5.00
Club fees are due 1st February
Correspondence to:
The Secretary
W.A.R.C., Box 5,
BOOLAROO NSW 2284
Telephone:- (02) 49 581 588
(24 hour
answering service)
Email:
[email protected]
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc.
is an affiliated club with the
Wireless Institute of Australia.
Club meeting: 1st Saturday of
each month 13.30
Page
2
Club Directory
President:
Steve Beveridge
VK2LW
[email protected]
Vice President:
Geoff Linthorne
Secretary:
VK2GL
Barrie Downward:
VK2QG
[email protected]
Treasurer:
VK2CW
Committee:
Allan Brown
VK2JED
Herb Herivel
VK2ZVF
Keith Turk
VK2PKT
Leonie McGuiness VK2FHRK
Barry Finlay
VK2VBF
Warren Payne
VK2UWP
Barry Sullivan
VK2BZ
Michael Welsh VK2CCW
Magazine Editor:
Greg Smith
VK2CW
[email protected]
QSL Liason Officer:
Alex Efimov
VK2ZM
Storeman:
Aly Zimmer
VK2AFZ
Project Officer:
Norm Cameron
VK2KNC
Maintenance Officer:
Barry Sullivan
VK2BZ
Radio and Contest Officer:
Allan Brown
VK2JED
Public Relations:
Security:
Warren Payne
VK2UWP
Internet Webmaster:
Geoff Clark
VK2EO
Examinations Officer:
Geoff Linthorne
VK2GL
Greg Smith
Radio Callsigns
Club Callsign: VK2ATZ
Club Repeaters:
VK2RTZ
146.775MHz
VK2RZL
146.875MHz
Club Digipeater:
VK2RTZ
147.575 MHz
IRLP Node
6040
Echolink
356838
Club Nets:
Club News broadcast,
Sunday 0900
146.775Mhz
followed by callbacks
and the VK1WIA News.
FOR SALE
Building a power supply? Then you need
meters.to see what's going on. MU45
panel meters scaled 0-30V and 0-20A
two for $20 (plus Postage.) Normal cost
for the pair $29.95.Dimentions 45mm x
37.5mm complete with mounting hardware
Geoff VK2GL at Westlakes Store
email: [email protected]
23
WANTED
Vintage Computer Dumb Terminals circa
1970s such as DEC, IBM, Lear Siegler,
ADDS, DIGITAL Systems, etc in any
condition. Mike VK2GRM
[email protected]
EZB Net 146.775MHz
Saturday 0800
Stone the Crows Net
Saturday 3.588MHz 0600
40 Metre Net
7.150 MHz Mon, Wed, Fri
0930
Internet HomePage:
www.westlakesarc.org.au
Business:
Tuesday after 1700
Saturday after 1200
Club Distance Record:
2m Simplex
VK2FGM 2040 km
QRP CW
VK2YA 2680 km
THE EZYBEE NET
146.775 MHz
SATURDAYS 8AM
Note: Opinions expressed in this
magazine are those of the
contributors and do not necessarily
coincide with those of the Executive
nor the members in general.
THE 40 METRE NET
7.150 MHz
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
9.30 AM
PROJECT CORNER
A noise bridge (See Page 22)
Proof reading by: Stella
Westlakes
Inc. -Magazine
Magazine August
June 2010
WestlakesAmateur
AmateurRadio
RadioClub
Club Inc.2014
STONE THE CROWS
3.588
MHzday
Magazine
assembly
SATURDAYS 6AM
For all projects and enquiries
contact Norm VK2KNC
[email protected]
"OZZI HAMS" Maxi Port-a-pole
Westlakes
Amateur
Radio
Magazine August
June 2010
Westlakes
Amateur
Radio
Club
2014
a
Page
24
W.A.R.C. is supported by..
Shop 8, 41-51 Bathurst Street Greystanes NSW 2145
Phone (02) 9636 9060 (02) 9688 4301 (02) 9896 8972
Facsimile (02) 9688 1995
Email [email protected]
LEE ANDREWS
Managing Director
Five Year Warranty on New Yaesu, Icom,
Alinco & Kenwood Amateur Transceivers
AUGUST 2014
2014 LIGHTHOUSE WEEKEND
(Applies to new sales from 2 May 2014)
Web www.andrewscom.com.au
Warners Bay
WESTLAKES MAGAZINE
IS SPONSORED BY
CARDIFF RSL
SUB BRANCH
2/276 Macquarie Road
Warners Bay, 2282
Ph: 02 4954 8100
Fax: 02 4954 8200
Special Offer to Westlakes
Members at Jaycar Warners Bay.
A Discount Applies to all Club
Members on Purchases over $25
Westlakes Amateur
Inc. -Magazine
MagazineAugust
June 2010
Westlakes
Amateur Radio
Radio Club
Club Inc.2014
Photo by VK2CW
It's that time again. Westlakes will be operating from Norah Head Lighthouse on
16/17 August for the annual International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend. VK2ATZ
will be active on site from 10am Saturday to 10am Sunday. Club members are invited
to visit and see what it's all about. All the accommodation has been taken, in fact we are
overbooked with some having to sleep on the floor.
This year the event will be bigger than ever with the United States of America leading the
number of registrations at 61 - ahead of Australia and Germany both with 56, followed by
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc.- Magazine
Magazine June
20102014
Westlakes
August

August - Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc

Transcription

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