
VK2 DIV. PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

This is Michael Corbin VK2PFQ.

        Ah! JOTA weekend....The weekend All Hams look forward to....Now 
        before anyone gets excited and accuses me of having a shot at people, 
        a check of the Records of the 1st, or was it the 2nd Quakers Hill 
        Scouts or even perhaps a glance at an old Callbook under VK2SAQ will 
        reveal that I too was once.... a JOTA person...Yeah!..other things 
        seem to take up my time these days.

        The point is, that, this weekend would not be possible were it not 
        for the efforts of truely devoted people....and usually, the same 
        devoted people. It's the weekend that all your mates, when you tell 
        them that you desperately need help with JOTA .....ALL seem to have 
        something on, that they arranged ...ages ago. It's the weekend that 
        you don't seem to have friends anymore. The weekend that, no matter 
        how often you call .... "CHUCKIE" ...Chuckie, doesn't seem to be 
        in.... On behalf of your fellow Amateurs....THANK YOU! I for one, 
        and I know that I have  many, many supporters, appreciate the time 
        that all of you spend with these Scouts and Guides...Again....
        THANK YOU!

        There is not a great deal to report this week, apart from the usual 
        dose of bad news.  Last weekend it was discovered that certain 
        things had been stolen from the property here at Dural.  Amongst 
        these were several lengths of FHJ-4 Hard line Co-ax cable, one 180 
        foot long, a couple were 39 and 68 feet long respectively and one 
        42 feet length complete with connectors; a couple of copper clad 
        earth stakes and some ni-cad battery packs.

        The disturbing thing about this is, that whoever or is it WHATever, 
        stole this equipment... had a key!  Some of the gear was lifted 
        from the shed and some from inside the building. What sort of a worm 
        would be responsible for such an act.  What sort of an individual 
        steals from his friends, and to think... this person is, or is it 
        was, in a position of trust....   I hope you are as incensed about 
        this as I am....Dear oh Dear. The shame of it all is that this sort 
        of behaviour puts everyone under a cloud who has a key. I'm sure that 
        the people who come up here these days to read the Broadcast are not 
        to blame....but what of those who still have keys...What of those 
        who still have keys and no longer work for the Division and HAVE NOT  
        returned their Keys....What of them.... Hmmmmmmmmm!!!!....Whoever 
        you are ....Shame on you!  But wouldn't it be nice if this person 
        had second thoughts and returned the goods...NO questions asked. 
        I'll even acknowledge it on the Broadcast. Now on to more pleasant 
        matters.

        The Institute is in need of a property valuer.  It is time to renew 
        our insurance policies and your Council feels that the existing 
        valuations are in need of updating.  No, we don't expect anyone to 
        work for nothing.... mates rates would be good enough. Hi! Hi!  
        Anyone fitting this description, would they please contact me on 
        626 9288 or leave a message with Margaret at the Parramatta Office.

        Last Friday night there was a Council meeting at Parramatta, amongst 
        the matters discussed was a report from the NTAC Committee.  This 
        committee is the first of many  the Council hopes to set upset up 
        to consider various facets of our hobby.  The reasoning behind the 
        creation of committees is that, Council believes that decisions are 
        best made by people, who have an expertise/ interest in a particular 
        area.  Hopefully, this will mean that "correct" decisions are made.  
        Didn't someone say something about not being able to please all the 
        people all the time. Ian Rosser prepared a report from this 
        Committee, I'll read an edited version of it for you.

        NTAC COMMITTEE REPORT.

        A meeting was held last Thursday the 13th October at Parramatta to 
        consider link frequencies.

        Present were Peter Kloppenburg, Barry Sullivan, Bob Meyer, Tony 
        Farrow, Barry White and myself, Ian Rosser as Chairman.  We were 
        fortunate that Col Christiansen had made himself available, in his 
        own time, to assist with technical advice.

        The meeting commenced at 7.30p.m..  Lively and sometimes heated 
        discussions followed.  All aspects of linking were considered, such 
        as cost of installation, limited spectrum space, desirable 
        implementation, and practical applications.

        A great deal of time was devoted to packet links as these seem to be 
        the area of greatest contention.  Put simply, in the LONG TERM, 
        if Packet links remain as they are, future developments of other 
        aspects of linking on the same sites may be difficult.  Against 
        this, the subcommittee have considered throughput and cost, against 
        poor frequency management.  In theory (in practice in the Commercial 
        World), all transmitters on a site would be grouped on one segment of 
        a band whilst all receivers would be at another segment, Thus 
        avoiding desensing problems.  Currently, packet sites are SINGLE 
        frequency transmit and receive.  If two or more such links are 
        required on the same site, they almost, by necessity, HAVE to be at 
        either end, thus limiting future TWO frequency links (eg voice 
        links).

        The committee took on board cost considerations, particularly for 
        smaller country clubs, and came up with what is believed to be, 
        an achievable compromise.

        Much work has still to be done in this area, but this sub-committee 
        has come up with a BROAD policy statement.

        Which is...
        
        "To provide for future development of the LINK spectrum, the WIA 
        will allocate a FREQUENCY PAIR with either TX on one and RX on the 
        other OR...BOTH.  However, clubs are strongly advised to opt for 
        TX on one and RX on the other frequency of the pair as the long 
        term costs, in both dollars and wasted spectrum space, would be 
        FAR GREATER if there was TX and RX at both ends.

        The Committee wishes to encourage two frequency link operation.

        REMEMBER that costs (both long term and immediate) and practical 
        considerations have to be taken on board and balanced against what 
        we would ideally like to have.  It is our belief that ULTIMATELY, 
        ALL link frequencies will have to be two channel pairs to provide 
        for future expansion.

                                  Ian Rosser.
                               NTAC Co-Ordinator.

        My thanks to Ian and the Committee.  This "solution" might just 
        please some of the people, some of the time!!

        Finally I had a phone call last Friday from a Howard Leake W6AXX.... 
        a lovely bloke.  He has a request to make.  He sent me a Fax to 
        confirm our conversation....I'll read it to you in his words.

"Hello Mike,
        
        Per our telcon this date in Parramatta.  My name is Howard Leake and 
        my amateur radio call is W6AXX Licensed in the U.S. since 1940.  
        I had my 75th Birthday in August and my wife, Carol, gave me (us) a 
        Tauck Tour of Australia and New Zealand.  The 21 day tour begins in 
        Sydney on Sunday 30th October, 1994.

        I am an avid HF/VHF Contester and we have arranged to arrive Sydney, 
        Thursday evening, 27th October, so that I can apply for a VK2 call 
        on Friday AM at the Victoria Cross Bldg., 60 Miller St., Nth Sydney.  
        We will be staying at the Inter-Continental Hotel.

        May I please have your help to locate a Sydney Area ham who would be 
        willing for me to use his station for the first 24 hours of the 
        CQ WW SSB Contest, which begins at 1000 hours, that's Australian 
        local time Saturday, 29th October.

        We will depart Maryland for San Diego on Tuesday, 25th October and 
        leave Los Angeles, Wednesday 26th October.........."
                        _______________________________

        This chap has without a doubt the perfect wife... ....Holidays...Ham 
        Radio, on the other side of the world. What a life....Gosh! Isn't 
        retirement hard for some...If anyone is prepared to help make 
        Howard's Holiday a complete success please contact me on 
        (02) 626 9288 or Howard direct on 410-465-7008...Don't forget to 
        dial 0011 1 before the number of course  Or fax, the same 
        instructions apply  on 301 470 4455. What a fine gesture it would be 
        if we could accommodate Howard's request.

        Next week I will include in my address the first of a four part 
        series provided by John Aarsse (Pronounced Ar-say) VK4QA on the 
        9th IARU Conference in Singapore....

See you then


    Silent key
    ----------
    We  regret to announce the passing last week of John Geoffrey  Myers 
    VK2UA. First licensed in 1938 as 2IY, Geoff was a founding member of 
    the Manly-Warringah Club (now the Manly-Warringah Radio Society,  of 
    which he was a life member).

    Born at Neutral Bay,  Sydney, in 1913, Geoff was the first President 
    of the Zero Beat Club,  and a member of Harrington's Radio Club.  He  
    served  with  the  Australian Armed Forces from  1939  to  1945,  as 
    Captain  and later Company Commander with the 4th Division Signal in 
    New Guinea.

    After a break of some years, Geoff was re-licensed as VK2UA in 1978, 
    and maintained a keen interest in Amateur Radio until his passing at 
    age 81. His funeral took place last Thursday.

    Geoff  will  be  greatly missed by his family and  many  friends  in 
    Amateur Radio;  please pause with us now in memory of John  Geoffrey 
    Myers VK2UA.

    Vale Geoff Myers VK2UA

    -- Richard  Murnane VK2SKY,  on behalf of the Manly-Warringah  Radio 
    Society


    Divisional News
    ---------------
    The next examinations at the W.I.A. (NSW) Division will be held on 
    the  30th October at 109 Wigram Street Parramatta commencing at 12 
    midday.

    Applications will close 4pm on Thursday 20th October.

    Contact the office on 689 2417 for application forms.


    Jim Walker VK2XJW Education and Examinations Officer


    Magazine Roundup
    ----------------
    Here  again  is  a summary of the local magazines,  which  in  the 
    author's  opinion could be of interest to Amateurs.  This week  we 
    discuss the October issues of the various magazines.

    "Electronics Australia" discusses amateur efforts in observing the 
    comet impacts on Jupiter;  Tom Moffat discusses passive  repeaters 
    in  his usual style;  the debate about the future of Amateur radio 
    and the WIA continues;  and proportional radio control systems are 
    introduced, as are stepper motors.

    "Silicon  Chip"  builds  a simple  dual  rail  power  supply;  and 
    Amateurs  who  love  "gadgets" can construct a  talking  headlight 
    reminder,  an  electronic fluorescent ballast,  and a temperature-
    controlled soldering iron. 

    "Amateur Radio" discusses technical aspects of HF receiver design; 
    some  more information on the ubiquitous single-coil "Z match"  is 
    given;  the TH3-JR antenna is tuned up;  and the series on the FM-
    828 circuits is completed.

    "Amateur  Radio Action" discusses Amateur and weather  satellites; 
    and  shows  how to calibrate the MFJ-1270 series TNCs  for  better 
    performance.

    Be  listening  next  month  for  another  summary  of  the   local 
    magazines.

    -- Dave VK2KFU


    WICEN News

    The next major exercise is the annual "Hawkesbury Classic Paddle",
    a 111km paddle down the Hawkesbury River, to be held next weekend.
    As this takes place under moonlight for the most part, the safety
    of the paddlers is of paramount concern, and WICEN provides an
    important communications net.  If you would like to help out in
    this worthwhile event, then please contact Kevin VK2CKD.  If you
    have portable packet equipment, then so much the better.

    Following this event is the WICEN Co-ordinators conference at
    Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, on the weekend of 29-30th
    October.  The conference will commence at 0930 Saturday, and the
    programme will comprise lectures on the role of various positions
    in the organisation together with various guest speakers.  This
    will be followed by dinner in a local restaurant, and since
    Daylight Saving is scheduled to start the morning after, this
    will be an interesting test of WICEN's adaptability to losing an
    hour's sleep under strenuous circumstances...  There will be a
    discussion period after the dinner, followed by a short business
    session on Sunday.  Due to the late posting of the newsletter, the
    deadline for registration has been extended to Thursday 20th October
    i.e. this coming Thursday; full details will be found within the
    newsletter, and please note that a pre-registration fee of $10
    should accompany your application.

    WICEN is always looking for members to provide the community with
    communications assistance.  Write to WICEN (NSW) Inc, PO Box 123,
    St Leonards 2065 for further information, or come up on one of the
    WICEN nets: Blue Mountains on the first Monday of each month at
    8.30pm on channel 7175 simplex, Hunter each Wednesday at 7.30pm on
    channel 6900, Northern Rivers each Wednesday at 8pm around 3610
    kHz, Central Coast each Thursday at 8.30pm on channel 7125, and
    Sydney each Thursday at 9.30pm on channels 7150/8275.  If there
    are any other regular nets then we'd like to hear about them.

    WICEN (NSW) Inc. operates a telephone BBS, and it is accessible at
    speeds from 300 to 14,400 bps on (02) 888-2763.  Brett VK2XMU is
    the  "Sysop",  and  all  listeners  are invited  to  use  it.   Many 
    programs,
    such as "virus scanners" and "PGP", are available for downloading.

    -- Dave VK2KFU, WICEN (NSW) Inc. Publicity Officer


    News briefs
    -----------
    Tom  Christian  VR6TC was in the news recently.  The  great-great-
    great  grandson  of Fletcher Christian of "Mutiny on  the  Bounty" 
    fame,  was  until recently the only direct communications link  to 
    the outside world for the 55 people living on Pitcairn Island. Now 
    satellite technology has arrived on the island, Tom is thinking of 
    leaving the airways.

    It  was also reported that Tom had to be flown to New Zealand last 
    month to have a tumour removed from his stomach and pancreas,  and 
    that a friendly Amateur helped keep him in conatct with his  wife, 
    Betty.  We  wish  Tom a speedy recovery,  and hope that  he  won't 
    abandon HF completely.

                   ***********************************

    The  bush  lawyers  ought to have a ball with this  one,  as  will 
    packet BBS sysops and those preoccupied with defamation laws: this 
    week,   the   High  Court  ruled  that  Australia's   Constitution 
    guaranteed  a  right to free political  speech.  This  effectively 
    removes  state laws that require that the media or citizens  prove 
    the  truth  of  their statements when they  are  being  sued  over 
    political discussion.

    In  the  future,  defendants  need only prove that  they  did  not 
    knowingly  publish false material,  did not publish  the  material 
    recklessly (that is, not caring whether it was true or false), and 
    took reasonable steps to substantiate their claims.

    How  widely  this ruling will be applied (and how it  will  affect 
    Amateurs,  given  that Amateur bands may not be used for political 
    purposes) remains to be seen.  

                *****************************************

    "News  briefs" looks at communications news items that  appear  in 
    the mainstream media.  Thanks as always go to "The Australian" and 
    "The  Sydney  Morning Herald".  Are these the only  newspapers  in 
    Australia  that publish items of interest to us radio enthusiasts? 
    Surely not!  Send us a press clipping from local paper - fame  and 
    fortune  could  be yours (well,  fame at least - you'll  get  name 
    mentioned on the broadcast!).

    -- Richard Murnane VK2SKY


                          IPS WEEKLY REPORT 
                          -----------------
                       07 OCTOBER - 13 OCTOBER

    ISSUE No 41

    DATE OF ISSUE: 14 OCTOBER 1994

    INDICES:

    DATE     07    08    09    10    11    12    13

    10CM     84    86    87    87    88    88    93
    A        28    15    11    14    21    12  ( 10 ESTIMATED)
    T       -30    01    22    16   -14   -20    06


    SOLAR ACTIVITY WAS LOW 7TH AND 9TH OCTOBER AND VERY LOW FOR THE 
    REMAINDER OF THE PERIOD.

    THE  GEOMAGNETIC  FIELD  AT  LEARMONTH (WA)  WAS  UNSETTLED  TO 
    ACTIVE,  WITH A SHORT MINOR STORM PERIOD,  ON 7TH, AND QUIET TO 
    UNSETTLED GENERALLY AFTER THAT. THERE WERE BRIEF ACTIVE PERIODS 
    ON 10TH-12TH DURING LOCAL NIGHT.

    IONOSPHERIC F2 CRITICAL FREQUENCIES WERE MOSTLY DEPRESSED BY UP 
    TO  30 PER CENT,  EXCEPT FOR 9TH OCTOBER WHEN FREQUENCIES  WERE 
    NEAR  PREDICTED MONTHLY VALUES.  STRONG SPREAD F  WAS  OBSERVED 
    DURING LOCAL NIGHT 12TH-13TH OCTOBER. 

                  FORECAST (14 OCTOBER - 20 OCTOBER)

    SOLAR:        LOW

    GEOMAGNETIC:   QUIET TO UNSETTLED, WITH POSSIBLE ACTIVE PERIODS
    ON 14 OCTOBER.

    IONOSPHERIC:  NEAR PREDICTED MONTHLY VALUES. 

    COURTESY OF IPS RADIO AND SPACE SERVICES

    SUMMARY BY PAT VK2JPA ANARTS BROADCAST OFICER                  


                   ------------------

CLUB NEWS

Tamworth

    The  Tamworth Radio Club wishes to advise that the next
    meeting  of the Club will be held on Friday 21st October  1994  in 
    the Soccer Federation Rooms Jewry Street Tamworth at 7.30 pm.  

    All members of the club are requested to attend this meeting.

    Supplied by Doug Diss VK2TDD


    A.N.A.R.T.S.
    ------------
    The  Australian National Amateur Radio Teleprinter Society advises 
    that  after the 40 metre RTTY broadcast has been transmitted  each 
    Sunday an edited CW version is transmitted by VK2CTD.  This is due 
    to poor propagation as we approach the Sun spot cycle minima.  

    The  CW  cast lasts just over one hour,  it is transmitted  at  20 
    words  per minute using a PK232 modem making it very stable CW for 
    anyone  wanting to improve their CW skills.  Copy it on  your  own 
    modem or copy it yourself for fun. 

    The  frequency and time of transmission is 7025 kHz plus or  minus 
    QRM AT 0215 UTC.

    -- Col Davies VK2CTD, President


    From the VHF to SHF DX Interest Group
    -------------------------------------
    Special  note.  The Group's net has a new start time of 15 minutes 
    after  the end of the morning broadcast -- not the evening  broad-
    cast. The  net  uses  146.5  MHz FM,  this  FM  portion  runs  for 
    approximately 30 minutes and then;

    Transfers to 144.150 MHz Upper Sideband.

    - The  SSB activity night which is still been held  every  Tuesday 
    evening  20:00  to 21:00 AEST it is well patronised but  certainly 
    would like to see some new stations so let see you there and  join 
    in the fun.

    Stations  call on a frequency of 144.100 USB to establish  initial 
    contact  and then move to a clear frequency on the SSB segment  to 
    continue.

    - The  group's  next  talk night in November will be  to  start  a 
    preamplifier building and testing program.

    Richard Soulie VK2ARS Publicity Co-ordinator


    AATC

    The next general meeting of the A.A.T.C. Inc. is on the 2nd Sunday 
    of the month at 1.00 pm at Chipping Norton -- more details later.

    The  technical lecture on the day will be announced closer to date 
    as  it  will  be a Christmas AATC members bar-b-que  end  of  year 
    function.

    The printed circuit board workshop open day for  A.A.T.C.  members 
    only  will be held at Bexley on October 30th - the object will  be 
    to  make  a  PCB of your choice from a club project  or  from  any 
    magazine.

    For  more  information about the A.A.T.C.  listen to  the  net  on 
    Tuesday  nights  from the Liverpool area on 146.625  MHz  - approx 
    19.30 hrs - or watch us on 1250 MHz from our Oakdale repeater any-
    time.

    --AATC Publicity Officer Bob Barnes VJ2R


                                  HADARC
             Hornsby and Districts Amateur Radio Club (Inc.)

    We are inviting people who are interested in ELECTRONICS - AMATEUR 
    RADIO - COMMUNICATIONS and related fields to join our club.  Enjoy 
    friendship  and gain a very useful knowledge about the  electronic 
    age.

    Meetings  are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the  Mt. 
    Colah Community Centre,  Pierre Close Mt. Colah commencing at 8.00 
    pm. At these meetings, a talk is given on radio, communications or 
    a related subject.  In addition to the monthly meeting, a workshop 
    is  held  on  the second Tuesday of each month (currently  at  the 
    Asquith  Church of Christ Hall,  Wattle Street,  Asquith  at  8.00 
    p.m.). Visitors are most welcome.

    The club holds a "Net" each Monday evening (8.00 - 9.00 pm) on the 
    Club's repeater,  VK2RNS,  on 147.250MHz. All amateurs are welcome 
    to join this net.

    The  Club conducts training classes and holds examinations for the 
    Amateur Operator's Certificate of Proficiency (a prerequisite  for 
    holding  an amateur station licence).  These classes enjoy a  very 
    good success rate for training operators for their certificate.

       For further information, contact the Club Publicity Officer:
                              Raymond Tooby
                              (02) 489 3357
          or write to the Club at: PO Box 362, Hornsby, NSW 2077


    Waverley Amateur Radio Society
    ------------------------------
    The  next  meeting of the Waverley Amateur Radio Society  will  be 
    held  on  Wednesday,  19th October at 7.00 pm.  The venue  is  the 
    club's new premises at
               
             Rose Bay Scout Hall
             Vickery Avenue
             Rose Bay

    Vickery  Avenue  is off New South Head Road near the Rose Bay  RSL 
    Club.

    The  main purpose of the meeting will be to plan developments  for 
    the new premises.  Existing members and all interested in  Amateur 
    Radio are invited to attend.

    Don't forget that the meeting will be at the new shack at:-
    Rose Bay Scout Hall, Vickery Avenue, Rose Bay.

    Simon Buxton, VK2EII, Publicity Officer 


    Chifley

    The Chifley A.R.C.  will be holding a general meeting for all club 
    members  and visitors.  The meeting will commence at 1.30 p.m.  on 
    Saturday 29th of October 1994.

    Also Saturday 29th of October 1994 is the final day to inform  the 
    committee   of  your  intention  to  attend  the  club  picnic  at 
    NURRANGINGY reserve Doonside on Sunday 20th of November 1994.

    The  club rooms are located at the Good  Shepherd  School,  Hyatts 
    Road Plumpton.

    Brett Hazell VK2CBH Publicity Officer


    Summerland Amateur Radio Club News
    ----------------------------------
    (1)  Four  candidates sat for the amateur radio  examination  last 
    Sunday  - and  four  candidates passed  - congratulations  to  all 
    concerned.

    (2)  JOTA is upon us this weekend and we have 14 members operating 
    8 scout radio stations.

    (3)  November 6th,  at 2pm,  we have a special general meeting  to 
    consider changes to club by-laws,  re associate membership, and to 
    rationalise  the club membership fee structure.  All  members  are 
    urged to attend and to voice their opinion.

    (4)  The  Summerland Computer Expo is organised for Saturday  26th 
    November  at the Lismore City Hall.  Many commercial displays  and 
    demonstrations of the latest in computers and  electronics,  bring 
    and  buy  tables,  heaps of bargains,  plenty of  eye-openers  and 
    wallet-openers,    amateur   stations   operating,   refreshments. 
    Admission $2 or $4 per family, 9-30 am to 4-30 pm. Be there.

    Graeme VK2GJ Publicity Officer


    Central Coast

    Members and visitors are invited to attend the next meeting of the 
    Central Coast Amateur Radio Club to be held next Friday,  the 21st 
    October.  The  meeting  will be a workshop and the topic  will  be 
    "Producing an ATV news segment".

    Victor  Barker  VK2TV  will  conduct the workshop  where  he  will 
    explain   and  demonstrate  the  procedures  and  techniques   for 
    television production.  Attendees will participate in recording an 
    actual  news  segment to be televised in  Sydney  and  surrounding 
    areas including the Central Coast.

    The  workshop  will  commence at 8.00 pm  next  Friday,  the  21st 
    October, in the Clubrooms, Dandaloo St., Kariong.

    The  next business meeting of the club will be held on Friday  4th 
    November  also  to be held at 8.00 pm in the  Clubrooms,  Dandaloo 
    St., Kariong.

    John Pogson VK2DBC
    Lecture Organiser


    Manly Warringah

    The Manly-Warringah Radio Society has been providing communication 
    facilities  for  the Jamboree on the Air from  Narrabeen  Lakeside 
    Park on Sydney's Northern Beaches.

    The  club's lecture night this week will feature a talk on  sharks 
    by John West (no,  not that John West!).  Doors open at 7:30pm for 
    an  8pm  start.  The  club  meets every  Wednesday  night  at  the 
    Warringah  Volunteer  Services  Centre,   Terrey  Hills.  Business 
    meetings  are on the second Wednesday,  and lectures on the  third 
    Wednesday  of  the  month,  with informal get-togethers  on  other 
    meeting nights. Visitors are always welcome. Call in on the club's 
    two metre repeater on 146.875 MHz, or phone the club any Wednesday 
    evening on 450-1746.

    --Richard Murnane VK2SKY, Publicity Officer


    Westlakes

    Westlakes  Amateur  Radio Club will hold a Field Day at  the  club 
    grounds at Teralba on Sunday 30th October.

    Highlights of the day include:
     
         -- Auction of club equipment
         -- fun contests for adults and kids
         -- commercial and trade displays
         -- private radio sales
         -- trading by tailgaters
         -- free tea and coffee all day

    Dine from the Westlakes barbecue at bargain prices. The gates open 
    at 10am.

    The  date  again:  Sunday 30th October at Westlakes Amateur  Radio 
    Club, York Street Teralba.


    Great Lakes

    The Great Lakes Amateur Radio Club at its September meeting agreed 
    to  a request from the newly formed Kempsey Amateur Radio Club  to 
    modify  the VK2RGL relay of the WIA Sunday broadcast so as to  ex-
    tend automatic relay through that club's repeaters for the benefit 
    of local and visiting amateurs. This extension of the relay system 
    is  seen  as desirable and offering a better quality service  than 
    would  be obtained from the interception of the  HF  transmission. 
    
    Consideration  was also given to a proposal for an increase in the 
    packet  user  baud  rate to 4,800 bauds to  cope  with  the  ever-
    increasing demand for access to the packet system.  However, it is 
    recognised  that this would require a changeover synchronised with 
    all  other BBS and repeater operations in the region,  or  else  a 
    duplication  of  facilities  to  permit both 1200  and  4800  baud 
    operation with the consequent costs involved.  

    As far as this club is concerned the restriction of user access to 
    its  digipeater is aggravated by the number of BBS services  which 
    use  it  for  forwarding  purposes,  couples with  the  volume  of 
    messages of questionable value forwarded, many of them originating 
    from  and  intended  for  overseas  addresses  and  of  no   local 
    relevance. 

    There appears to be a need for a rationalisation of the forwarding 
    process on the daily change principle, if digipeaters in key posi-
    tions, that's VK2RGL, are not to be overwhelmed. 

    --Stan Ellis VK2DDL


                               Coming events
     
       Now, a summary of upcoming events of interest to members and
       other Radio Amateurs ... 

       VHF to SHF Group net on 146.5 MHz FM. . .after the morning cast  
       2nd Annual South Australia Technical Symposium. . . . . .Monday
       Hunter WICEN meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Monday
       Sydney South WICEN meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tuesday
       VHF to SHF DX Group activity night on 144.1 MHz USB . . Tuesday
       Waverley ARC meeting  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wednesday
       Manly-Warringah Radio Society lecture night . . . . . Wednesday
       Tamworth ARC Annual General Meeting . . . . . . . . . . .Friday
       Central Coast ARC meeting and ATV Workshop. . . . . . . .Friday  
       Hawkesbury Classic Paddle (WICEN) . . . . . . . Saturday-Sunday 
       Hornsby and District ARC meeting  . . . . . . . . . .25 October
       Chifley ARC meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 October 
       CQ WW DX phone contest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29-30 October
       WICEN Coordinators Conference at Bathurst . . . . 29-30 October
       Australian ATV Club PCB Open Day. . . . . . . . . . .30 October 
       Westlakes Field Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 October

       Do you have an event you'd like publicised on the weekly broad-
       cast?  If  so,  then  please  send details  to  the  Divisional 
       Broadcast Officer, Michael Corbin VK2PFQ, by phone on (02) 626-
       9288,  or by fax on (02) 626-6066.  Items can also be forwarded 
       to the Divisional Office.

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       VK2WI Broadcast, 16th October  1994. Copyright 1994 WIA (NSW) & 
       contributors.   Material  may be used elsewhere if the source  is 
       acknowledged.
