President's Address

	This is Michael Corbin, VK2PFQ.

	Only 13 shopping days 'till Christmas.  I do hope all hams
have placed their Christmas orders with their XYL's or OM's as the
case may be.  If you haven't, well why not be a little devious and
get a friend to suggest a nice present for you.  If you need a few
ideas, then consult the latest edition of AR magazine, there's lots
of great ideas in there this month.

	Last night was the last Council meeting for this year....it
was a Christmas get together as well.  The meeting was well attended
and after dispatching the business, everyone stayed on for a
Christmas drink and a few nibblies.  Isn't it funny at parties
these days, Michael VK2MJ brought along a carton of Tooheys Blue....
He was hard pressed to get rid of half a dozen.  Mind you I don't
encourage drinking and driving but haven't times changed....Perhaps
for the better.

	Amongst the normal business that was transacted, was a
motion that this "Council", after careful deliberation at the last
meeting, thought might be a good gesture at this time of year.
Accordingly, it was decided that since there was no fault found by
the "committee of inquiry" (their words not mine) set up by the
previous Council to "Investigate" the membership of one David
Horsfall and that since the previous Council, for reasons only
known to themselves, had not elected to take any action, either
way; then the present "Council" should find no fault with David
Horsfall......It was moved that "the Charges" (not my words) be
withdrawn...  A letter will be sent to David informing him that no
"Offence had been committed under Item 21 of the M&A's. Now that
might not be the exact words used, but the sentiments were the
same.

	Oh, by the way, that cheque reached Lewarne & Goldsmith,
indeed in record time.  My thanks to John Robinson for promptly
signing the cheque and forwarding it along to David Lewarne.  The
final touches can now be put to our Deposition and the whole thing
can be buried in the past.

	Membership Renewals are now in your letter boxes.  I
appreciate that some of you might be loathe to renew in view of
all that has gone on in the past year.  If you have doubts, then
before you decide NOT to renew, heaven forbid, please  consider
giving the present "Council" a go to clean things up.  Isn't it
the Australian tradition to give everyone...."a fair go".  This
"Council" has really not been able to get it's teeth into anything,
as it constantly has to fight rearguar actions and put out those
brush fires that our opponents keep lighting.

	If there is something you didn't like in the past that has
occurred, then before you judge "THIS COUNCIL", make sure it was
"THIS COUNCIL" that was responsible.  Make sure it was US who did
whatever it was, not our predecessors.

	Next week will be the last Broadcast for 1994.  Christmas/New
Year arrangements will be advised in next week's Broadcast.

        See you then.

Federal news

    Family membership

    A proposal from the VK7 Division that a "family membership" grade be
    investigated,  has  been  recommended to the Federal Council by  Jim
    Forsyth  VK7FJ,  Federal Councillor for VK7.  The proposal is to  be
    investigated by the new Federal Secretary,  with a view to reporting
    to Council as to costs and feasibility at the next quarterly meeting
    in February, next year.

    The  NZART has a family membership grade.  Details of its  operation
    were described to the Federal Council by NZART dlegates who attended
    the WIA's Federal AGM in May.

    Packet Radio Users and the Law

    Since a telephone computer bulletin board user in West Australia
    copped a $40,000 judgement in a defamation action earlier this year
    (see WIA News, May issue), there has been protracted debate among
    the radio amateur community about the liabilities of packet radio
    use.

    Under the current radiocommunications regulations governing the
    amateur service, any packet radio station forwarding messages is
    responsible for their content. Add to this the situation under
    defamation law that any station operator transmitting or forwarding
    a message originating from another station having defamatory content
    is a "knowing publisher", even though their station automatically
    forwards messages. The originator and all forwarding stations are
    liable under defamation law.

    The problem is, a practice has allegedly arisen in which packet
    operators use the callsigns of other stations to transmit messages
    which are possibly defamatory or otherwise in breach of the amateur
    regulations. Suggestions have been circulated that the "problem"
    could be readily circumvented by using software which provides for
    packet message "authentication" by users. Such authentication
    software employs encrypted character strings embedded in the packet
    message, but there has been concern that the use of this type of
    software may also transgress the amateur regulations.

    A spokesman for the SMA has advised, in responses to individuals,
    that the existing and foreshadowed amateur regulations allow the use
    of such encrypted strings for authenticating packet messages. The
    SMA spokesman has also indicated the Agency would be reluctant to
    legislate that authentication be mandatory, or to specify a
    particular  system.  Reduced regulation,  wherever possible,  is the
    aim.

    To be on the safe side, packet BBS operators should store and view
    messages to confirm that the contents are not libellous or in breach
    of amateur regulations. Even with authentication, the SMA spokesman
    points out, Section 108(d) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992
    places the onus on all licensees, including packet BBS operators,
    not to permit their stations to be used to affront, alarm or harass
    other people.

    In the USA, the FCC places the onus on the originator and first PBBS
    station to keep the content of messages within the law. In
    Australia, it is every operator's responsibility.

    World Radio Sport Championship

    Just in case you were thinking of joining in the fastest growing
    aspect of this hobby around the world - amateur radio direction
    finding (ARDF) - the deadline for teams entering the 1995 World
    Radiosport Team Championships has been extended to 28 February,
    1995. The event will be held in Washington, DC, in the United States
    (see October WIA News).


Broadcast roster & Christmas BBQ

    The 1995 broadcast roster

    The  first  roster  for 1995 will be drawn up during  the  Christmas
    break. It will start on the 8th January and will run till the end of
    March.  Would all broadcast team members please contact Steve  VK2QZ
    with  their unavailability dates before the end of December,  so the
    roster can be finalised as soon as possible.

    If  anyone  listening would like to join the broadcast  team  you're
    invited to contact the Parramatta office on 689-2417 or directly  to
    Steve VK2QZ -- Steve's telephone number and address is known to most
    people, his address of course is in the call book. No special skills
    are required nor is an amateur licence, although we are in need of a
    few  more  full  call amateurs and  people  with  good  news-reading
    voices.

    End of year get-together

    Christmas  is  here and once again we are holding an  informal  get-
    together  for  the  broadcast team.  It will be  after  the  morning
    broadcast  on December 18th,  which of course is next  Sunday.  This
    get-together  is mainly to say thanks to the loyal and  hard-working
    broadcast team who bring you the news each week.  However,  all  are
    invited  to  attend.

    So  -- come  along,  meet the people behind the voices,  bring  your
    family for a visit to Dural and inspect the broadcast  station.  You
    should  bring  your  own  food and drink but some  soft  drinks  and
    nibblies  will  be  provided.  The barbeque will be  lit  after  the
    morning broadcast, subject of course to any fire restrictions on the
    day.

    May I take this opportunity to thank all those on the broadcast team
    for a job well done during the year,  especially through some trying
    times, including broadcasting by candlelight.

    -- submitted by Steve Pullen VK2QZ Broadcast Roster Coordinator


VK2 Division services

    The  N.S.W.   Division  of  the  W.I.A.  runs  Amateur  classes  and
    examinations,  a free QSL bureau for members, slow morse practice on
    the  80m  band,  a  technical library and bookshop,  and  Trash  and
    Treasure sales on the last Sunday of every odd-numbered month.

    You're invited to contact the Divisional Office for more details  of
    the activities of the N.S.W. Division of the W.I.A.


WICEN news

    This is a quiet time for WICEN, officially, but paradoxically it can
    be  our busiest;  it is worth reminding listeners that this month is
    the  20th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy,  which flattened  Darwin  on
    Christmas Day 1974,  and the 5th anniversary of the Newcastle Earth-
    quake,  which did its best to level Newcastle on 28th December 1989.
    WICEN members were heavily involved in the aftermath of both events,
    and  continue to be involved where normal communications break  down
    following  a  disaster;  those Amateurs who "just want to help"  are
    advised  that  only suitable-qualified personnel  are  permitted  to
    enter  a  disaster  area,  and  an "Amateur  ticket"  is  no  longer
    sufficient -- one has to be a member of a recognised rescue squad.

    The only scheduled event this month,  apart from the afore-mentioned
    anniversaries  for which there are undoubtedly other plans,  is  the
    Hunter  region  meeting on Monday 19th December,  at  the  Emergency
    Operations Centre,  corner of Elizabeth and Hannel Sts,  Carrington,
    commencing at 7pm.

    Those  who are planning for next year should note the RTA Bike  Ride
    over  the  4-11th March,  the Bungonia Cave Rescue Exercise  on  the
    weekend  of  18-19th March,  the Goulburn Training  Seminar  on  the
    weekend of 13-14th May, the Hawkesbury Classic Paddle on the weekend
    of 14-15th October, and JOTA on the weekend of 21st-22nd October.

    Those  regions  wishing to have their activities publicised on  this
    broadcast are requested to get the details to the Publicity Officer,
    Dave VK2KFU,  by Thursday night at the latest;  packet radio is  the
    preferred medium, to VK2AAB, VK2OP, or VK2GJB.

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


B.O.C.P. course

    The  Broadcast  Operator's  Certificate  of  proficiency  (B.O.C,P.)
    course  will  be run in 1995,  for N.S.W.,  at Sydney  Institute  of
    Technology, Ultimo Campus. See 1995 Handbook.

    The  aim of the course is to provide the technical skills to run and
    maintain a broadcast radio station. This is a post-trade course.

    Enrolments  are on Friday 3rd February 1995 and Monday 6th  February
    1995. Telephone enquiries to (02) 217 3346.

    From Brian Clarke VK2GCE


News briefs

    News briefs

    As  many will be aware the bushfire season is upon us,  a fact  that
    was brought home to us at the W.I.A.  last week when fire struck the
    Dural  area  of Sydney,  not too far from the  Divisional  broadcast
    facility.

    Thanks  to  the efforts of the local Bush Fire  brigade,  the  Dural
    station  was not damaged in the fires.  A special thanks go to local
    Amateur  and  "Bushie" Mike Walton VK2MJ who was active in  fighting
    the fires here at Dural.

    As  Radio  Amateurs we can all be of assistance during the  bushfire
    season.  Please keep your equipment ready for use at all times, have
    plenty  of  spare  batteries on hand,  so you can  stay  active  for
    prolonged periods.  Contact your local WICEN Coordinator for deatils
    on how you can serve the community during the bushfire season.

                                   *****

    Telstra  has  extended its Radfone direct dial  radio  service,  the
    demand for the service being 300 per cent higher than was originally
    forecast.  This  service allows subscribers in remote areas to  dial
    directly into the telephone network via HF radio.  Telstra has added
    12  interconnects,  that  is   HF-to-telephone  interfaces,  to  its
    communications  stations  in  Perth,  Brisbane  and  Darwin.  A  new
    interconnect in Sydney will provide enhanced use to users in N.S.W.,
    Victoria and Tasmania.

                                   *****

    The  Australian Geological Survey Organisation (AGSO) is looking  to
    develop  a  new  source  of clean  energy,  one  that  could  supply
    Australia's  needs  some 7,000 times over.  The source of  this  new
    energy  lies  5 kilometres underground in the form of  "hot  rocks".
    AGSO has identified nearly a quarter of a million square  kilometres
    of rock. It's at a temperature of 225 degrees Celsius.

    By  piping water into boreholes and using the resultant steam,  this
    could  provide  ample energy to meet our energy needs for  years  to
    come.  So  AGSO proposes to build an experimental 20 megawatt  power
    station using this technology. It will cost some 60 million dollars.

    "Hot  rock"  electricity could have enormous benefits for  Australia
    and  if  used by Amateurs would lend a new meaning to  that  jocular
    term "Steam radio".

                                   *****

    The Sydney Morning Herald's "Stay in touch" column reports that  the
    Slinky is back in vogue this Christmas. Marketed in Australia as the
    Tumblebug,  and  later Rainbow Magic,  the Slinky is a floppy  metal
    spring  which  was  originally  developed  in  the  1940's  to  help
    stabilise nautical instruments used in warships. When Richard James,
    the  marine engineer who designed it,  accidently dropped it on  the
    floor,  it  walked down a nearby stairway -  and thus the Slinky was
    born.

    What's all this got to do with Amateur Radio?  Well, it appears that
    during the Vietnam war, radio operators used them as radio antennas.
    In recent years at least one American magazine described the use  of
    a  Slinky  with  a simple antenna tuner.  The coil  forms  a  simple
    compact helical antenna for portable use.

    Now  the modern Slinky tends to be made of rainbow coloured plastic,
    not  the  ideal  antenna material,  but  metal  versions  are  still
    available, so why not venture into a toyshop this Christmas ans walk
    out with a new antenna.

                                   *****

    News  Briefs looks at communications news items that appear in  the
    mainstream  media.  Thanks  this week go to the Australian  and  the
    Sydney Morning Herald.  If your local or regional paper runs an item
    of  interest  to  Radio Amateurs,  why not send a  clipping  to  the
    Divisional office.

    News Briefs are prepared and edited by Richard Murnane VK2SKY


Cook Is. Licences

    Going to the Cook Islands?

    With  the approach of the Christmas holidays some lucky amateurs may
    be doing just that.  If this description fits you, why don't you get
    your own "ZK" callsign?

    How? Write to:
          Cook Island Amateur Radio Club ZK1CI
          P.O. Box 663
          Raratonga
          Cook Island
          South Pacific

    Club  meetings  are held at Tangaroa Liqueur Bar  Ara  Metua (Inland
    Road)  Tutakimoa  (next to "The Perfume  Factory")  Raratonga,  Cook
    Island.

    When: Meetings held first Thursday of every month at 8.30pm.

    General information:  The club is a great place for visitors to meet
    LOCAL AMATEURS and  RADIO ENTHUSIASTS. A warm welcome is guaranteed.
    No joining fee. Enjoy a swim amongst lush tropical garden setting in
    full  size  pool.  Club  can arrange meetings and skeds  with  Outer
    Island  Amateurs and discounted travel to the  outer  islands.  Full
    Amateur Shack at Club House with excellent Antennas available.  Club
    can organize local ZK RADIO LICENCE whilst visiting.

    ORIGINAL:  (SMA) AMATEUR OPERATOR'S CERTIFICATE of PROFICIENCY  must
    be  produced - A copy not acceptable,  to obtain your ZK LICENCE  to
    operate in the Cook Islands.

    Further information from John Abbott ZK1AX (Club Secretary)
                  Telephone  0011-682-21190
                  Fax        0015-682-20964


                          IPS WEEKLY REPORT
                          -----------------
                       02 DECEMBER - 08 DECEMBER

    DATE OF ISSUE: 09 DECEMBER 1994

    INDICES:

    DATE     02    03    04    05    06    07    08
    10CM     79    82    82    81    78    80    81
    A        20    12     7     7    20    11   (12 ESTIMATED)
    T         6     4    34    24    31   -20    25


    SOLAR ACTIVITY WAS VERY LOW.


    THE GEOMAGNETIC FIELD AT LEARMONTH WAS QUIET ON 3RD DECEMBER, WITH
    A  BRIEF  ACTIVE  PERIOD 12-15 UT;  QUIET  TO  UNSETTLED  4TH-5TH;
    UNSETTLED  2ND,  7TH-8TH,  AND  UNSETTLED TO ACTIVE WITH  A  MINOR
    STORM PERIOD 06-09 UT ON 6TH.

    IONOSPHERIC F2 CRITICAL FREQUENCIES AT SYDNEY WERE NEAR PRE-DICTED
    TO SLIGHTLY DEPRESSED 2ND-3RD DECEMBER; ABOUT 15 PER CENT ABOVE ON
    4TH,  NEAR  PREDICTED  MONTHLY VALUES ON 5TH;  NEAR  PREDICTED  TO
    SLIGHTLY  ENHANCED  ON 6TH UNTIL 19 UT  WHEN  FRE-QUENCIES  BECAME
    DEPRESSED  15  TO  30  PER CENT THROUGH  7TH,  RERURNING  TO  NEAR
    PREDICTED MONTHLY VALUES ON 8TH.  SPORADIC E WAS OBSERVED AT TIMES
    ON 7TH-8TH.


                 FORECAST (09 DECEMBER - 15 DECEMBER)

    SOLAR:        VERY LOW

    GEOMAGNETIC:  QUIET TO UNSETTLED.

    IONOSPHERIC:  NEAR TO SLIGHTLY ABOVE PREDICTED MONTHLY VALUES.


    COURTESY OF THE IPS RADIO AND SPACE SERVICES


    SUMMARY BY PAT VK2JPA ANARTS BROADCAST OFFICER


Club news - Chifley

    From the Chifley Amateur Radio Club

    A  reminder  for all members of the Chifley Amateur Radio Club  that
    the  date  for this year's Annual General Meeting is  Saturday  17th
    December 1994. It will be held at the clubrooms and the meeting will
    start at 1.30pm.

    --Brett Hazell Publicity Officer Chifley Amateur Radio Club


Club News -  A.A.T.C.

    Stop  press  - Attention  all AATC mwembers - changes  to  the  next
    meeting  location - it will be on December 11th at Dave Pack's  home
    10 Manus Place 1.00 pm Glenfield owing to an overbooking at WIA -
    Parramatta.

    Main lecture: (a) oscilloscopes - the use and abuse. A demonstration
    of an 8 channel  relay  controlled output  from your IBM computer so
    you  can operate external devices via the  keyboard,  backup lecture
    (b) will be on  charging lead acid batteries.
    The  meetings  are  open  to any  amateur  with  an  inclination  to
    construct.

    Calling  all AATC members - start thinking about what input you  can
    do  for  the Wyong field day next year - remember Feb 26 is only  11
    weeks away. Sort out what equipment you wish to have displayed. Also
    the timings you will be present to man or woman the site etc.

    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 Oaldale repeater any-
    time. Also you can ring for more info to Sydney 02 587-3491 any time
    !!!

    Note  the  next AATC meeting at 1pm - 10 Manus Place Glenfield  Dec.
    11th  and note this is the last meeting of the AATC this  year  - be
    there !!!

    AATC Inc. Publicity Officer Bob Barnes


Club News - Waverley Amateur Radio Society

    The  Society's next meeting will commence at 7:30 p.m.  on Wednesday
    21st  December at the Rose Bay Scout Hall in  Vickery  Avenue,  Rose
    Bay,  located next door to the Rose Bay R.S.L.  Club.  Doors open at
    7:00 p.m.

    The  main topic for the evening will be a presentation by Dave  Pack
    on Amateur Television. Visitors are most welcome.

    Simon Buxton - VK2EII - Publicity Officer


Club News - Gladesville

    FROM THE GLADESVILLE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB INC.

    THE  GLADESVILLE CLUB THANKS ALL OUR VIEWERS AND FRIENDS FOR THEIR
    SUPPORT  OVER  THE PAST YEAR AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO  DOING  BETTER
    THINGS FOR YOU IN THE COMING YEAR.

    THE LAST LIVE ATV TEST TRANSMISSION ON CHANNEL 35 FROM VK2TVG  FOR
    1994   WILL  BE  ON  WEDNESDAY  14TH  DECEMBER,   WITH  LIVE  TEST
    TRANSMISSIONS RESUMING NEXT YEAR FROM 18TH JANUARY.

    DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON,  GLADESVILLE TELEVISION WILL BE WILL BE
    TELEVISING  TAPED MATERIAL ON THE USUAL TEST TRANSMISSION DAYS  --
    WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY AND SUNDAY EVENINGS -- EVEN ON CHRISTMAS DAY!

    AS USUAL THE TEST TRANSMISSION TIMES ON UHF CHANNEL 35 WILL BE:

            7.30 PM ON WEDNESDAYS
            7.00 PM FRIDAYS AND SUNDAYS

    KEEP  WATCHING  THROUGHOUT  THE  HOLIDAY  SEASON  FOR  INTERESTING
    TECHNICAL AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL!

    WE HOPE YOU HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

    -- PAT LEEPER VK2JPA, SECRETARY


Club News - ANARTS

    HOLIDAY DATES FOR ANARTS BROADCASTS

    THE ANARTS RTTY BROADCAST WILL GO INTO RECESS AFTER 18TH
    DECEMBER  AND RESUME ON 15TH JANUARY 1995.

    THANKS TO ALL OUR LISTENERS OVER THE PAST YEAR AND WE WISH YOU
    ALL THE COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON, AND MAY THE CHRISTMAS GIFTS
    BE JUST WHAT YOU DESIRE.

    MERRY CHRISTMAS, FROM PAT VK2JPA ANARTS BROADCAST OFFICER


                               Coming events

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

    NSW Water Ski Ass'n Lion island Classic (VK2KLX) . . . . . Today
    Divisional exams at Parramatta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Today
    Summerland ARC exams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Today
    Australian Amateur TV Club gen.meeting at Glenfield. . . . Today
    Gladesville Club's last live ATV Test TX for 1994.next Wednesday
    Parramatta ARC Christmas function. . . . . . . . . next Thursday
    Last VK2 Div. WIA broadcast for 1994 . . . . . . . . next Sunday
    Last ANARTS RTTY broadcast for 1994. . . . . . . . . next Sunday
    Fishers Ghost Amateur Radio Club meeting & BBQ . . 20th December
    Waverley Amateur Radio Club meeting. . . . . . . . 21st December
    Divisional office closes for Christmas . . . . . . 23rd December

    There  will  be no Divisional broadcasts on 25th December and  1st
    January, the first VK2 WIA broadcast for 1995 will be 8th January.

    You are reminded that the Divisional office will be closed  during
    January but the phone will be answered either by a duty Councillor
    or by some other mechanism due to redirection of the telephone.

    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, 11th December  1994. Copyright 1994 WIA (NSW) &
    contributors.   Material  may be used elsewhere if the source  is
    acknowledged.
