
    Silent Key

    Keith Laws VK2BKL, of Lakemba

    It  is  with deep regret that I announce the passing of my  friend
    Keith Laws Sunday morning 23rd October 1994.

    Keith passed away enjoying his new found hobby of flying his ultra
    light  aircraft  in  the  Oberon  area,   fortunately  his  flying
    instructor  was with him at the time and was able to take over the
    controls  and land the ultra light plane.  Keith and I along  with
    many others shared the common interest and hobby of amateur  radio
    especially  on the 6m band,  he was  a person who put 100%  effort
    into any project he put his mind to and as such was always finding
    ways  to  improve  his station as well as help others  to  improve
    theirs.

    After obtaining my AOLCP in 1966 in 1966 I was greatly  influenced
    by Keith in the mysteries of 6m operation.

    During his period of operation on 6m. Keith made many thousands of
    contacts  all over the world,  his call sign being heard  whenever
    the  band  opened to ZL or JA or local sporadic E.

    There are still fond memories of the 6m fox hunters all with  full
    size 3el 6m beams attached to their vehicles proceeding at a great
    pace  to find the hidden transmitter followed by the get  together
    always attended by Keith and his good wife Val.

    Keith  was  an  amateur in the true sense loyal to his  hobby  and
    always there to help others. Keith was born in Berlin on 27-5-1930
    and lived in England as a young man he then moved to Australia and
    married  Valerie,  they  had two daughters  Kay  and  Debbie,  who
    married  and  gave birth to Trent and Mitchell now living in  USA,
    and Debbie's son Shane.

    Keith was first licensed on 2-12-1958 as VK2ZVL in the Botany area
    he  then  in  true  amateur  style  drove  around  Sydney  in  his
    Volkswagen  complete  with  3el  6m beam  looking  for  the  right
    location  with the loudest signals and least noise on 6m to live ;
    he decided on Lakemba and stayed there till his end.

    Keith  was a person who enjoyed his family and his  hobbies  which
    included Amateur radio, boating, flying, cars, motor bikes.

    He will be sadly missed

    Norman Deitch VK2ZXC


VK2 Div. President's message

     This is Michael Corbin VK2PFQ

     Last Friday the 11th November was an open meeting of the Council of
     the W.I.A. N.S.W. Division.  This meeting was well attended, many
     and various matters were discussed and the gallery was well behaved.

     As you know by now, Mrs. Morris is no longer with us.  Peter
     Kloppenberg VK2CPK has been good enough to fill the vacancy on a
     temporary basis.... for at least the next three weeks anyhow.  I wish
     to publicly thank Peter for his continued support.  The hours he
     spends in the Office are invaluable.  For instance, Peter started
     on Friday at about 10.00a.m.....he left at 1.00a.m. on Saturday
     morning.  What a bloke!

     In order to balance the budget this year, Council has decided, for
     the moment, not to fill the position of Administration Secretary. It
     is expected that a new secretary will be appointed in the new year.
     The position will be advertised next month.

     The present condition of the filing system leave a lot to be desired
     and it is to this end that I am requesting anyone with time to spare
     to come in and give us a few hours free work.  The main problem is,
     is that everything in the files is out of order/mixed up or
     together/in the wrong place/not stapled and/or fixed together/not
     cross referenced or not on any data base.  I do not seek to level
     blame on anyone for this state of affairs...All we want to do is ....
     clean it up.

     If we are to run the Institute like a business, as should be the
     case...then our files need to be organised in a more professional
     manner.  One cannot expect any new office person to operate
     effectively in the  position of Secretary with the  Office records
     being in the state that they are in  presently....and knockers
     please note, nobody is blaming Mrs. Morris for this state of affairs.
     It's just years of neglect, with lots of well meaning folk each
     doing their well meaning bit .....nobody in particular is to blame,
     I think we probably just outgrew ourselves.  Anyhow, after all, the
     place ran for years on voluntary labour.  I feel it's now time to
     adopt a more professional and business like approach.  Updating our
     files is part of this professional approach....so if you have a few
     hours to spare and wish to delve into the past history of the
     Institute as well, then come in and give Peter Kloppenberg a hand.

     On the correspondence side, by this I mean the unanswered letter
     department...enormous inroads have been made into a file, which
     was at least 4 inches thick...to give you an idea.  There was a
     Lever Arch file of the normal size, filled, so full, you were
     unable to close it.  The previous secretary, you will recall, when
     he resigned, "promised" to come in and liaise with Mrs. Morris and
     give some indication where he was up to with the correspondence......
     to the best of our knowledge, this was NEVER done...Indeed, he
     claims to have left all relevant information in the office and....you
     guessed it....it disappeared.  One wonders whether he left it in
     "the usual place"????? In the back room...... on the safe....there
     is definitely no truth in the rumour that it was stolen by the tooth
     fairy...Perhaps this time it was the "Scarlet Pumpernickel"....We
     didn't get his keys back either Hmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!! Anyhow once
     more, I digress.

     The reason I brought this matter up was to make you aware of the
     great job Pixie Chapple VK2KPC is doing answering all that OLD
     correspondence...Some of it dates back to August 1993!!!  The file
     is now only 1 inch thick and diminishing rapidly.  Pixie is
     answering all letters but she can only answer those which she
     knows exist.  If you have outstanding correspondence which remains
     unanswered....Having been gobbled up by whatever sort of Monster
     lurks behind the safe in the back room....Then, please bring it to
     the attention of our efficient Secretary. Council guarantees
     answers...what we don't guarantee is that we  will give you the
     answer you want!!!

     As today's Broadcast is rather long...more on the happenings at the
     Meeting next week. Now on with the final instalment of the IARU
     Region 3 Singapore Conference Courtesy David 9VIRH/VK3QV...AND I
     quote...

     "Working Group "A" considered operational requirements for the
     satellite service and recommended that member societies endorse the
     phase 3-D project and find ways and means to collect private and
     other donations to support it.

     The IARU Region 3 Awards Manager submitted his report and was amazed
     to find out that the majority of delegates in the working group had
     never heard of it.  Anyway, a total of 1900 awards have been issued,
     400 of these in the last two years.  Details can be found in the
     latest NZART Call Book.

     And now, the Morse Code, a topic briefly touched upon a few weeks
     ago....the working group and, ultimately the Conference, endorsed
     the continuation of the requirement in the ITU Regulations for
     competency in Morse Code by hand.

     I P H A came next....now what is I P H A...it is an international
     organisation to assist handicapped people to obtain their amateur
     radio licence.  It is located in Region 1, although in the USA the
     Handy Ham organisation operates along similar lines.  Member
     societies are requested to inform the Region 3 secretariat and the
     IPHA Region 1 Co-ordinator of facilities available in their country
     for the support of disabled radio amateurs.

     Commonly accepted Amateur Licences...again briefly touched upon
     earlier but nevertheless, a repeat of the recommendation... that
     Region 3 societies obtain simplified reciprocal operating and
     licensing procedures by an international amateur radio permit and
     by TR61-02 and recognition of existing, informal, agreements.

     The emergency communications aspect of amateur radio created
     considerable interest, specially paper no 35, presented by the WIA
     in which WICEN was mentioned as an amateur representation with
     emergency authorities.  Interesting to note that in Thailand the
     amateurs were finally allowed to operate on HF outside Bangkok after
     they organised an emergency network during a severe typhoon some
     years ago, while Malaysia came with the story that, after the control
     tower of an important airport was burnt out, amateurs provided
     initial around the clock air communications until the tower was
     partially restored.

     The Region 3 News Letter, which is published twice a year, was
     discussed and it was decided that the editor should establish a
     roster system of member societies to supply copy for publication.
     Unfortunately, this publication is hardly known in Australia.
     According to the rules, established at a Directors meeting in
     Bandung in 1990, copies can only be sent to a societies head office
     for distribution to interested parties.  It is unknown how many
     copies the WIA receives at Head Office, one thing is for sure, your
     Queensland Council members haven't seen a copy for many years.

     ARDF was also discussed and, as you are aware, Townsville will host
     the Second Region 3 ARDF Championships, sometime in 1996 or 1997,
     depending on the outcome of talks Wally, VK4DO will have with Region
     1 officials so that there will be no clashes in dates.

     Of importance is, that the Rules for the Region 3 ARDF Championships
     and the Appointment of IARU Region 3 International Class Referees is
     approved.  Further, that the first IARU Region 3 International Referees,
     qualified at the 3rd meeting of the ARDF Committee, are also approved.

     This means that Wally's appointment as International Region 3 referee
     is now a reality.  Still on ARDF, a problem exists with Mongolia.
     Being a former member of the USSR, Mongolia is in fact a member of
     Region 1 but, for the Mongolian Radio Sports Federation to become a
     member of Region 3, many hurdles will have to be overcome, not the
     least the ITU.  The Conference adopted a proposal that the MRSF be
     treated as if it were a member of Region 3 for participation in ARDF
     activities and for PARDC......Now...What does PARDC stand for....it
     stands for Promotion of Amateur Radio in Developing Countries.  As
     a result of a proposal from New Zealand the name is now changed
     into STARS 3, Support of the Amateur Radio Service in Region 3,
     describing all the promotional and support activities necessary in
     all the countries and societies in the Region, regardless of their
     state of development.  Of vital importance is the acceptance of
     Amateur Radio by a country's administration and that's where a lot
     of education is necessary.

     The subgroup recommended the inclusion of youth and women in the
     growth of amateur radio.  Further, that organisations like the Asia
     Pacific Tele-community be encouraged to hold future seminars on
     amateur radio with as wide participation from member societies as
     possible.  The STARS-3 Task Force encourages assistance in
     negotiations with local administrations by supporting local amateurs,
     providing prototype documents, papers and regulations, prototype
     syllabus and examination material and provide explanatory material
     about amateur radio.  Region 3 secretariat is encouraged to urge
     member societies to inform them of all positive news events relating
     to amateur radio, such as disaster assistance, rescue, medical
     emergencies etc, so that all administrations are aware of what radio
     amateurs can give to their country.

     Papers on deregulation, self regulation and amateur radio
     examinations were accepted as information only.

     My impressions of the Conference....well organised by the Singapore
     Amateur Radio Transmitting Society....fantastic company...good and
     frank discussions and definitely illustrating the need to know at
     least one or two other languages besides English.  I found that by
     being able to converse in one way or the other in Indonesian, for
     instance, I gained more knowledge about Amateur Radio in that
     country than others who did not speak the language...Nevertheless,
     I think that future conferences will be much busier, probably
     equating those of Region 1, where sessions often go into the wee
     small hours, just to have certain propositions finalised....."

     ....and so end the final part of what was a most informative account
     of one persons views of the IARU Region Conference in Singapore.
     There is another account in the latest edition of AR on pages
     4 to 9 inclusive. This was written by Kevin Olds VK1OK  who lead the
     Australian Delegation

         See you next week.


Federal news

    VK Ham Visits Russian Space City

    Steve  Curtis  VK3CAW,  from Hamilton in Western  Victoria,  spent
    eight days in late September visiting Star City (Zvyezdny Gorodok)
    in Russia where the MIR space station and launch vehicles are made
    and where MIR astronauts are trained.

    "Only  a handful of Westerners have ever seen the  facilities  and
    factories there," said Steve,  who is a school teacher at Hamilton
    College,  "It's  still a closed area,  one of the few remaining in
    Russia  these days." It was an undreamt-of experience  for  Steve,
    and  it arose from a chance encounter last June when he was one of
    the  Australian  educators  selected  to  attend  the   Australian
    International Space School,  held in Sydney that month.  The Space
    School is concerned with introducing space technology to students,
    and  looking at ways it can be incorporated into maths and physics
    lessons.

    In  1992 Steve had used amateur radio with his Year 11 maths  stu-
    dents  to  make contact with the MIR orbiting space station  as  a
    classroom   activity  to  demonstrate  in  a  practical  way   the
    mathematics  of  satellites.  In 1993 he again used amateur  radio
    contact  with MIR to introduce concepts of gravity  and  satellite
    orbital physics to his Year 12 physics students.  Steve's students
    were able to speak to MIR astronaut and amateur,  Anatoly Solovyev
    U6MIR.

    Subsequently,  Steve's curriculum material and innovative teaching
    strategy was published for other teachers to use.

    Attending  the International Space School was the Vice  Rector  of
    the  Siberian  Aerospace  Academy,  Victor  Filatov,  who  was  so
    enthusiastic  about Steve's work he arranged for his trip to  Star
    City, 45 km north east of Moscow.

    As  it  turned out,  Steve was the only ham among the seven  other
    people from various countries who toured the MIR  facilities.  All
    had  deep involvement with the Russian space program,  said Steve.
    Despite   it  being  military-run  and  closed  to   the   general
    population, Steve was permitted to take any photographs he wished.

    He  spent  an evening with Anatoly U6MIR,  with whom he'd had  his
    first  MIR-school linkup back in 1992.  During a tour of  the  MIR
    training facilities,  where there's a full-size working mock-uo of
    the  space  station,  Steve asked where the 2 m and 70 cm  amateur
    antennas  were  located on the real  spacecraft.  The  technicians
    there admitted they didn't know,  but Anatoly U6MIR ventured  that
    they  had used magnetic-based antennas.  True ham ingenuity  -- in
    space!

    As  a  result  of  his Star City trip,  Steve has  been  asked  to
    inaugurate  a summer space school which would take 20 high  school
    students  to  Star  City each year,  where they  would  work  with
    Russian scientists and get hands-on experience with space  science
    and technology.  "It's a unique idea; nothing like this is offered
    by the US space program," he said.

    The  plan is to organise the first trip to Russia next August  and
    Steve  is  seeking funding sources to support it. Meanwhile,  he's
    still  promoting the use of MIR and amateur radio in  high  school
    science and maths courses.


    WICEN News

    A  summary  of the recent Bathurst Co-ordinators  Conference  will
    appear  on next week's Broadcast.   In the meantime,  we have been
    informed  that  JOTA next year will be on  21st-22nd  October,  so
    again  there  will  be no conflict  with  the  Hawkesbury  Classic
    Paddle.

    This is supposed to be a quiet time for WICEN,  but in the past we
    have had fire,  flood, tempest, and earthquake around this time of
    the year;  about all that is left is famine (unfortunately, we may
    already  have  this  in  the  form  of  the  drought)  and  plague
    (hopefully WICEN will not be involved in that one!),  so do not be
    complacent;  keep  your equipment ready at all times for a  sudden
    activation.

    Events this month include the Hunter meeting on the 21st November,
    and the closing date for the Newsletter on 30th November.

    For  next month,  WICEN has been requested to assist with the  NSW
    Water  Ski Association Ski Racing Division "Lion Island  Classic",
    on  Sunday 11th December 1994.   Long distance communications  are
    required from Croppy Point to Laughtondale, and this will probably
    involve 80m.   Three stations are needed,  from 0900 to 1430,  and
    those interested are invited to contact David Ramsay VK2KLX.

    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.

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


    Dural Report

    Here  again is another report on activities at the Dural broadcast
    station.

    We  apologise  for the somewhat-curtailed  Broadcast  last  Sunday
    evening,  but because of a general power failure we were literally
    operating   under  torch-light,   and  many  facilities  were  not
    operational; we would like to thank the various relay stations who
    stepped  in for us,  notably Peter VK2XZP (and others whose  names
    are lost to us),  and the Announcer,  Peter VK2EMU,  for whom  the
    task of reading the text was not easy.  This particular matter was
    not  lost  upon  the newly-formed Dural Committee,  many  of  whom
    assisted  in this "Broadcast under Torchlight";  plans for  making
    the  Dural facility independent of the power grid are  already  in
    motion.

    Possibly  as a result of the various power outages that occured as
    a result of unusually high winds,  the power supply for the  Dural
    beacon  controller  VK2RSY decided to take a holiday;  by now  all
    beacons should be operational.

    Finally,  the  10m  SSB amplifier has failed,  so we are  back  to
    running "barefoot" on 28.320 MHz,  which being a converted CB  set
    was  not  all that hot to start with,  but nobody seemed  to  have
    noticed!  This  amplifier  will be returned to service when a  new
    "final" has been obtained.

    -- Dave VK2KFU, Dural Engineer


    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 November issues of the various magazines.

    "Electronics  Australia"  discusses  whether  alleged  out-of-band
    operations could merely be "images";  concludes their  experiments
    with  stepper motors;  builds a simple cable checker;  concludes a
    series  on proportional radio control;  turns an "XT  boat-anchor"
    into  a  cheap programmable logic  controller;  and  commences  an
    intelligent solar battery charger.

    "Silicon Chip" builds a dry-cell battery rejuvenator;  Novices may
    be interested in a simple DSB (Double Sideband) transceiver;  mod-
    ifies  a  Nicad  discharger for 2-cell packs;  and  shows  how  to
    produce PCB patterns on an X-Y plotter.

    "Amateur  Radio" summarises the recent IARU Singapore  conference;
    discusses NVIS (Near Vertical Incidence Skywave) antennas; the SMA
    introduces   their  new  policy  on   interference;   over-voltage
    protection  from field generators receive another mention;  a  new
    publication from the RSGB,  "The Radio Amateur's Guide to EMC", is
    reviewed;  the  redoubtable  FM-828 is tuned up,  complete with  a
    simple S-Meter;  and first-comers to Packet Radio can read how to
    connect a TNC to a computer and transceiver.

    "Amateur  Radio  Action" reviews a long-forgotten  antenna  -- the
    "Carolina Windom";  the Internet and its resources are  discussed,
    along  with vertical antennas;  a series on Weather Satellites  is
    continued;  and a novel antenna-matcher,  seemingly too good to be
    true, is discussed, although another magazine not unconnected with
    Amateur  Radio  described  what appears to be  its  principle  of
    operation not so long ago ...

    Finally,  "CB  Action"  describes an interesting use of the  "near
    field  effect"  in a scanner;  and provides an index  of  INternet
    addresses for Short Wave stations.

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

    -- Dave VK2KFU


    News briefs

    ABC-Digital,  information  technology  branch  of  the  Australian
    Broadcasting Corporation, has launched its new "D-Radio" computer-
    based  radio  broadcasting system.  The system includes  the  now-
    familiar  "D-CART"  digital  audio  storage  and  editing  system,
    digital signal processing hardware, and computer-controlled signal
    routing,

    The   "D-Radio"  operator's  console  features  a  touch-sensitive
    screen, and performs messaging, audio track selection, and program
    scheduling.  It  even  has a "virtual console" with  an  on-screen
    mixing and fading controls.  The heart of the "D-Radio" controller
    is  a  Motorola 68040 microprocessor,  running the  OS9  operating
    system and 200,000 lines of assembly language code written by  the
    ABC.

    The  system  is to be manufactured by AWA at Lane Cove in  Sydney,
    and will be available for delivery early next year.

                                  * * *

    It  was reported this week that the Space Shuttle "Atlantis"  lost
    contact   with   NASA  flight   controllers   last   Sunday.   The
    communications  breakdown,  which lasted for about eight  minutes,
    was  attributed to (quote) "crossed radio signals",  whatever that
    means.  Hopefully  no  SAREX (Shuttle  Amateur  Radio  Experiment)
    equipment was implicated!

                                  * * *

    The  Sydney  Morning Herald's television guide last week  featured
    the  so-called  "other  channel",  Sydney's  community  television
    channel,  which broadcasts from Artarmon on channel 31.  Have  any
    Amateurs  into  ATV told them about the other "other channel"? The
    article mentions that anyone with an idea for a program  community
    television can contact the Station's programmers on (02) 649-9622.
    Your program could reach up to 200,000 viewers each week.

                                  * * *

    An  article  in  the  Seattle Times of 5  November  reported  that
    (quote)  "Microwave interference has stalled crane  operations  on
    the  $74  million  Seattle Center  Coliseum  renovation  project."
    Broadcast  towers on nearby Queen Anne Hill and consumer microwave
    ovens  (!) on the same hill are suspected,  but "I don't  know  if
    we'll  ever  be  able  to  pin  that  down,"  said  Jack  Donovan,
    construction manager for PCL Construction Services Inc."

    Continuing from the article:

     ...  when  the  crane  operator tried  the  [crane's]  electronic
    controls,  they didn't respond correctly and haven't worked since,
    Donovan said.  He didn't think the problem would delay the project
    ...  "Obviously,  it's  an inconvenience,  but to this point we've
    been able to use alternate means to work around it, " he said.

    The  crane  operators are testing filters or  shields  aroubd  the
    controls  to  ward  off microwaves.  Electronic  specialists  were
    called in to work on the problem yesterday.

    -- Steve Sumjmit on the Internet "comp.risks" forum

    (One  has  to  wonder how much blame will be  cast  on  those poor
    microwave ovens... if the cranes were so badly affected, one might
    expect  some rather dramatic effects on humans living in the  area
    as well!).

                                  * * *

    "News  Briefs"  looks at communications news items that appear  in
    the mainstream media.  Thabks this week go to "The Australian" and
    "The Sydney Morning Herald",  and the Internet "comp.risks" forum.
    If your local or regional paper runs an item of interest to  Radio
    Amateurs, why not send a clipping to the Divisional Office?


    Secrets of the sun

    The  AUSTRALIA  NEW  ZEALAND SOLAR ENERGY SOCIETY is  hosting  the
    "Solar '94" Solar Energy Conference,  fro,  30 November through  3
    December.

    The  theme  of  the  conference will  be  issues  of  environment,
    population,  sustainability,  survival,  and renewable energy. The
    conference  will  feature a trade exhibition and  technology  expo
    which will be open to the public.

    A number of workshops will address;

         * Advanced Materials

         * Passive Solar and Integrated Building Design

         * Photovoltaics

         * Solar Thermal and Energy Storage Applications, and

         * Solar Energy Economics

    On  Tuesday,  29 November,  pre-conference tours will be conducted
    to:

         * Photovoltaic and Solar Units at the University of New South
    Wales

         *  the  SOLARCH Photovoltaics and Devices  Centre  and  Solar
    Thermal Research Groups at Little Bay

         * Malabar wind Turbine site

    Finally,   on   the   conference's  Public  Day  on  3   December,
    internationally famous environmentalists Paul Ehrlich and Dr. Davi
    Suzuki will speak on various issues of renewable energy and  other
    environmental issues.

    The "Secrets of the Sun" solar enrgy conference takes place in the
    Clancy  Auditorium of the University of New South  Wales,  Sydney.
    For  more information about the conference,  listeners may contact
    the conference organisers by phone on (02) 385-4868,  or (02) 385-
    4333.

    Thanks to Brad McMaster VK2KQH,  who supplied us with details  of
    the conference.


    HAM LOG a hit overseas

    Local  Amateur Robin Gandevia VK2VN,  who in the past has shown us
    how (and when) to make visual contact with satellites, has sent us
    a clipping from The Canadian Amateur Radio Magazine.  They've been
    reviewing version 2.5 of his HAM LOG station logging  program, and
    they seem to be quite taken by it.

    The  program has all the usual logbook features one would  expect,
    but (amongst other things) it also:

         * prints QSL labels

         *  provides  country  details for the station  being  worked,
    including  handy phrases so you can talk to the other  station  in
    his/her language

         *  has  a built-in notepad for recording tuner  settings  and
    other details

         *  has  bandplan details,  beacon information,  Q  codes,  CW
    abbreviations, and temperature conversion tables, all available at
    the press of a button.

    A demonstration version of the program can be downloaded from many
    computer bulletins,  and Robin tells us that version 3.0 will soon
    be available.


    Intruders

    The  ABC TV programme 'Foreign Correspondent' screened Tuesday 8th
    November 1994 ran an item about Cambodia and the hostages. Footage
    showed  government forces in the rebel areas and one scene of  the
    front line communications.

    The  scene  showed army personnel using  HF  communications,  most
    likely back to headquarters, in both voice on sideband and CW.

    What was significant however was that the equipment was an Amateur
    band  transceiver - an ICOM IC 75A with a displayed  frequency  of
    7088.8  KHz,  which is within OUR exclusive international 40 metre
    bnd. The close-up of the transceiver showed the frequency - 7088.8
    - had  been  programmed  into memory 22 and it was  in  the  lower
    sideband mode.

    Unless   there  has  been  recent  amendments  or  alternate   use
    registered with the ITU,  the use of this portion of the  spectrum
    would appear to be an intruder.

    The ITU frequency table - Asutralian Table of Frequency Allocation
    October  82  - shows 7000-7100 kHz Exclusive Amateur  and  Amateur
    Satellite  with  footnote 510 for use in  natural  disasters,  and
    footnote   526  of  additional  allocation  and  527   alternative
    allocation for use of the "fixed service' in certain North African
    and  Middle East countries. There is no reference that the portion
    7050-7100 is other than EXCLUSIVE Amateur.

    If  one  studies  television and press footage  closely  one  will
    observe  the  apparent  high  usage  of  Amateur  based  equipment
    throughout the world - in service other than in the Amateur  Radio
    Service - it no doubt keeps us supplied but at what cost? ...

    supplied by Tim Mills VK2ZTM


                           IPS WEEKLY REPORT
                           -----------------

                       4 NOVEMBER - 10 NOVEMBER

     ISSUE No 45

     DATE OF ISSUE: 11 NOVEMBER 1994

     INDICES:
     DATE     04    05    06    07    08    09    10
     10CM     84    83    81    82    80    79    80
     A        15    12    27     8     4    12   (13 ESTIMATED)
     T        14   -10    71    27    -3    25    33


     SOLAR ACTIVITY WAS VERY LOW ALL WEEK.

     THE  GEOMAGNETIC FIELD AT LEARMONTH (WA) WAS MOSTLY QUIET,  OR
     QUIET  TO UNSETTLED.  THERE WAS A BRIEF ACTIVE PERIOD ON  6TH,
     AND  ON  THE 9TH NOVEMBER THE FIELD WAS  UNSETTLED  TO  ACTIVE
     THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

     IONOSPHERIC  F2 CRITICAL FREQUENCIES WERE NEAR PREDICTED  NOV-
     EMBER  VALUES ON 4TH AND 8TH-9TH NOVEMBER,  AND SLIGHTLY ABOVE
     ON  10TH.   FREQUENCIES  WERE DEPRESSED BY UP TO 20  PER  CENT
     DURING LOCAL NIGHT ON 5TH,  THEN NEAR NORMAL.  ON 6TH AND  7TH
     FREQUENCIES WERE ENHANCED BY UP TO 50 PER CENT EARLY IN THE UT
     DAY,  BECOMING DEPRESSED BY UP TO 40 PER CENT FROM 1600UT, AND
     AT OTHER TIMES, NEAR PREDICTED VALUES.


                      FORECAST (11 - 17 NOVEMBER)

     SOLAR:        VERY LOW.

     GEOMAGNETIC:  QUIET.

     IONOSPHERIC:  ABOUT  10  PER  CENT  ABOVE  PREDICTED  NOVEMBER
                   VALUES.


      COURTESY OF IPS RADIO AND SPACE SERVICES

      SUMMARY BY PAT VK2JPA ANARTS BROADCAST OFFICER


CLUB NEWS

    Radio Veterans Group

    Next  Thursday  17th  November the Radio Veterans  Group  will  be
    holding  their usual monthly get-together.  This get-together will
    be their last one for this year,  so George,  VK2BGU,  has advised
    the office that this will be the Christmas Party  meeting.  Anyone
    with  nothing  to do next Thursday is invited to attend.  You  are
    requested to bring a plate.

    Franklin,  VK2DYP,  has  requested that anyone intending  to  come
    should  contact him on 452 5172.  It is important that you bring a
    plate so that the day will be a complete success.

    So -- next Thursday -- Christmas get-together.

    Where ??  Amateur Radio House.

    Time??   11 am and it finishes at 2 pm.

    See you there


    Blue Mountains Amateur Radio Club Inc.

    Only   two  weeks  to  go  to  the  Blue  Mountains  Computer  and
    Communications  Show Springwood High School,  Grose Road  Faulcon-
    bridge on Saturday 26 November 1994.

       * Exhibitor/Retailer stands
       * Flea Market
       * Refreshments (Sausage sizzle and hot/cold drinks)
       * Colour TV guessing competition
       * Demonstrations HF, VHF, ATV
       * W.I.A. Bookstall

    Have you got something to sell - computer or radio - then why  not
    take  a  stall in our Flea Market.  Space is likely to be  quickly
    taken  up  so act quickly.  To reserve space contact  Alex  VK2KAS
    Publicity Officer on (047) 57 3256.

    Hope  to  see you there - by the way - admission for  visitors  is
    free so why not come and browse around.

    Alex VK2KAS
    B.M.A.R.C.Publicity Officer


                                INVITATION

    The  Wireless  Institute of Australia in conjunction  with  WAHRA,
    AAPRA,  SPARC  and other groups is pleased to announce that  there
    will  be a social function and get-together at the home QTH of Jo,
    VK2KAA, on Sunday 4 December 1994.

    All  Amateur  Radio Operators are welcome to attend  the  barbeque
    which will commence at 5.00 pm.

                The QTH is 59 Westbrook Avenue, Wahroonga.

    The  function  will  cost $10 per head and  in  the  interests  of
    catering,  would  you  please contact Jo at the above  address  by
    Sunday 27th of November to indicate your intention to attend. Pre-
    payment for the function would be appreiated.  Spouses and friends
    are  very  welcome.  A pool is available so bring  your  "Cossie".
    Please bring your own drinks.

    Jo's  telephone number is 489 4393.  She can also be contacted  on
    Packet via VK2AAB or on the Hornsby repeater, on 147.250 MHz.

    We  are  looking  forward  to seeing you there  to  celebrate  the
    passing of a turbulent but interesting year.


    From the VHF to SHF DX Interest Group

    A number of people have asked what's behind the group:

    So  here it is:  The aim of the group is to foster  long  distance
    communication  in the VHF,  UHF and SHF spectrum.  The group gives
    talks,  presentations  on  techniques,  and ideas to  be  used  to
    further  the  ideal  of  Amateur Radio in the area  of  long  haul
    communication  in the VHF abd above frequency range.  The pool  of
    talents  that the group can,  and has drawn on,  are very keen  to
    pass on their knowledge to assist in this pursuit.

                                  NOTE

     The  Group's  net  has a new starting time  of  11:00  Australian
    Eastern  Daylight  Saving Time (AEDST) i.e.  after the end of  the
    morning broadcast. The net is held on 146.5 MHz FM.

    The  SSB activity night on 2 metres is held every Tuesday  evening
    20:00 to whatever. This is well patronised and new  stations  are
    giving those repeaters a miss and joining in the fun.

    A SSB activity night on 70cms is held every Thursday evening 20:00
    to  21:00 AEDST.  This band needs better patronising (you know the
    saying  use it or lose it!) and if you have 70 cms  capability  we
    would certainly like to see you there.

    The  group's talk night on 22nd November 1994 will begin at  21:30
    ADEST  and be held at the WIA premises at Parramatta.  We will  be
    discussing  the  construction and what is required to build a  two
    metre  low noise preamplifier.  (What device to  use,  techniques,
    selection of ccts, etc.)


    Richard Soulie VK2ARS Publicity Co-ordinator


Club news: Central Coast

    The  Central Coast Amateur Radio Club ATV Group will be holding  a
    Video  Production  Workshop on Saturday 19th November at the  Club
    Rooms.  The aim of the Workshop will be to produce a programme  of
    interesting  newsand information which will be included in one  of
    the regular Gladesville ATV Group broadcasts which are transmitted
    to air in Sydney an the Central Coast.

    Anyone interested in participating first hand in a video  product-
    ion  and  learning the fundamentals of lighting,  audio and  video
    production techniques is welcome to attend.

    The workshop will be held on Saturday 19th November,  commencing t
    2.00 p.m. at the CCARC Club Rooms, Dandaloo Street, Kariong.

    -- Bob Fitzgerald, VLK2XRF
    CCARC Publicity Officer


    AATC

    The next general meeting of the Australian Amateur Television Club
    Inc. is on the 2nd Sunday of the month at 11.00 am at Black Muscat
    Park - Chipping Norton - today - now !!!  now !!!  now !!! - dress
    casual. This meeting is for AATC members and families only.

    The  technical lecture on the day will be a demonstration of a new
    8  channel audio callsign generator -- excellent for calling 8  of
    your  fellow  VK mates on radio/tv - an auto cue  will  follow  in
    month  or  2.  Also in the number 8 ideas an 8 + 3  channel  relay
    interface off your IBM will be shown minus the 240v - applications
    are  endless.  These  new projects and more will be at  the  Wyong
    Field Day 1995.

    A  CAD - PCB drawing assistance information day will be  conducted
    one  Sunday early in 1995 for any amateur wishing to know  how  to
    layout  artworks  for  PCBs that can be used for  their  own  club
    projects.  Please  contact  Bob  Barnes on  (02)  587-3491  during
    business hours.

    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
    anytime.  Also you can ring the Publicity Officer on (02) 587-3491
    bus. hours.

    AATC Inc. Publicity Officer Bob Barnes VJ2R


    Waverley Amateur Radio Society

    The  next  monthly meeting of the Waverley Amateur  Radio  Society
    will  be held on Wednesday,  16th November beginning at 7.00 pm at
    the club's new premises at

        Rose Bay Scout Hall
        Vickery Avenue
        Rose Bay

    The main purpose of the meeting will be to help construct and test
    the Society's packet modem kits,  so bring along your kit together
    with all components and a soldering iron.  Experienced advice  and
    testing  gear will be available which should enable your modem  to
    be up and running by the end of the evening. There are still a few
    kits available at a very reasonable price.

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

    Simon Buxton - VK2EII - Publicity Officer


    Club news: Liverpool

    The  Liverpool  and  District Amateur Radio Club  is  holding  its
    Mobile Foxhunt and BarBQ on November 27th commencing at 10am.  The
    starting point is the carpark of the Liverpool Swimming Centre.

    We would like an indication of numbers interested in attending, so
    will  you please call Paul VK2UPB or Brad VK2QQ on  the  Liverpool
    repeater which on 146.625 MHz.

    --submitted by Brad VK2QQ


    Club News: Manly Warringah

    The  Manly-Warringah  Radio Society's next lecture night  is  this
    coming Wednesday,  the 16th of November.  Phil VK2BDF will tell us
    everything we ever wanted to know about Operational Amplifiers but
    were afraid to ask. The doors open at 7:30pm for an 8pm start. The
    Society's  club  rooms  are  located at  the  Warringah  Volunteer
    Services  Centre,  Kamber Road,  Terrey Hills.  Meetings are  held
    every  Wednesday  night,  with  business meetings  on  the  second
    Wednesday,  and lectures on the third Wednesday of each month, and
    visitors are always welcome.

    Once again,  this month's lecture on op-amps is on this  Wednesday
    evening at 8pm, at the Warringah Volunteer Services Centre, Kamber
    Road,  Terrey  Hills.  Give  a call on the club's 2m  repeater  on
    146.875 MHz if you need directions. Hope to see you there!

    -- Richard VK2SKY, Manly Warringah Radio Society Publicity Officer


                               Coming events

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

       Australian Amateur TV club meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . Today
       Manly-Warringah lecture night . . . . . . . . . . . . Wednesday
       Waverley Amateur Radio Society meeting. . . . . . . . Wednesday
       Veterans Amateur Radio Group Christmas party+meeting. .Thursday
       Central Coast ARC Video Production Workshop . . . . . .Saturday
       Chifley Amateur Radio Club picnic . . . . . . . . . Next Sunday
       Hunter WICEN meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 November
       VHF to SHF DX Group talk night. . . . . . . . . . . 22 November
       Great Lakes Amateur Radio Club meeting. . . . . . . 25 November
       Blue Mountains ARC Computer & Communications Show. .26 November
       Summerland Computer Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 November
       Divisional Trash & Treasure. . . . . . . . . . . . .27 November
       Solar '94 Conference & Exhibition. . . 30 November - 2 December
       Manly-Warringah Radio Society Christmas function . . 2 December
       Sydney progressive ARC meeting . . . . . . . . . . . 4 December
       WAHRA, AAPRA, & SPARC Christmas Party. . . . . . . . 4 December

       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.

       -----------------------------------------------------------------
       VK2WI Broadcast, 13th November  1994. Copyright 1994 WIA (NSW) &
       contributors.   Material  may be used elsewhere if the source  is
       acknowledged.
