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VK7AX > BCAST 30.08.26 03:10l 456 Lines 24335 Bytes #58 (0) @ WW
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VK7 Amateur Radio News 30Aug26
Text edition:
VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS
SUNDAY 30th August 2026
Welcome to the VK7 Amateur Radio News for the 30th day of August 2026, your gateway to whatâ€Ös happening across the airwaves in Tasmania and beyond.
Coming to you from the Tasmanian Amateur Radio News Desk is Idris, VK7ZIR with the latest updates, stories, and insights from our amateur radio community.
Weâ€Öre broadcasting far and wide thanks to our dedicated team:
DMR Talk Group 5 & D-Star Reflector 91C via the Digital Group
MF & HF relays:
1.860 MHz – Graham, VK7GS
3.670 MHz – Dale, VK7DG
7.140 MHz – Ross, VK7ALH
14.130 MHz – Garry, VK7JGD
28.525 MHz – Mark, VK7FMAC
And locally in Hobart on UHF CB Ch.24 - VK7FMAC and HFCB24 with Luke.
Missed it live? Catch the replay Tuesday 8pm on repeaters VK7RAA (North), VK7RHT, and on UHFCB24/HFCB24 (South).
Stay tuned, and enjoy the news!
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WWFF, SOTA, POTA, LLOTA and IOTA Weekly Wrap Up
Ian, VK7IAN, has been making the most of the warmer weather in VK4 this week, putting three references on the air and racking up an impressive 91 QSOs across the three activations. Ianâ€Ös travels took him to Bulcock State Beach, Happy Valley State Beach and the Caloundra Lighthouses State Heritage Area. Three references, plenty of contacts, and hopefully a good dose of sunshine along the way, not a bad way to spend a week!
Back in VK7, Rodney, VK7HAM, Al, VK7AN, and Peter, VK7ZPE, headed north of Launceston for an outing to Mount Arthur State Reserve. Mount Arthur offers a little more of a challenge to reach, with the reserve largely accessible only on foot. Vehicle access is limited to a 4WD track, along with a short section of around 500 metres where the reserve boundary meets Mount Arthur Road. The team was spotted operating on 40 metres, so hopefully they had plenty of contacts from a great location.
Thatâ€Ös it for another week! Hopefully, as the weather starts to warm up, youâ€Öll get a chance to head out and enjoy an activation.
73, Matt, VK7MAT
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Statewide SSTV Nights
A quiet net night that saw the following participants, VK7s – AX, EV, ZAB and ZCF, all sharing twenty four photos.
The main highlights were:
The Fire Tower on Mt Claude
The Fire Tower on Snow Hill which also houses the VK7REC repeater
Sunsets over George Town
Other highlights were:
A curved calendar of how time works
A new heavy metal band called “Italica”
The Four Musicians of The Apocalypse
A “Hulk” costume being modelled for the current Childrenâ€Ös Book Week
And Little Red Riding Hood from the Netherlands
Again Tony VK7AX interconnected VK7RJG to his SSTV International Gateway and VK7s exchanged photos with PD5JTB, PD0OKP and PA3EKI in the Netherlands.
Note - Ken VK7KRJâ€Ös and Steve VK7OOâ€Ös fully automatic 24/7 monitoring sites that allows anyone testing, to send a picture and the ability to check their transmission on these pages almost immediately, any time, both South and North Tasmania.
If you missed the net there are archives of these SSTV nights on Kenâ€Ös and Steveâ€Ös websites or on NTARCâ€Ös website under blogs.
https://vk7oo.tasme.com/vhfsstv/
https://sstv.vk7krj.com/scrolling%20web%20gallery.html
https://www.ntarc.net/blogs
https://www.qsl.net/vk7ax/sstvgate3/index.html
73 from Andreâ€Ö VK7ZAB
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WIA Contest News
2026 Remembrance Day Contest
Itâ€Ös time to get your logs in and electronics log submission is encouraged. The logs need to be in the Cabrillo V3.0 format and upload them the to the vklogchecker.com website within 14 Days by 0300z. That is the 30 August 2026 TODAY by 0300z or 1:00pm AEST.
Please check vklogchecker.com to confirm your log is submitted. You can also email your log as an attachment with the file name 'callsign.log' and email to rdlogs@wia.org.au. The contest manager will acknowledge emailed logs via return email.
73 from Richard, VK7ZBX.
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WIA News
WIA @ ACMA RadComms 2026
ACMA RadComms 2026, held in Melbourne on 25 and 26 August, brought together government, regulators, telecommunications and space industries, researchers and spectrum specialists to examine how Australia's radio spectrum will meet rapidly changing communications needs. WIA representatives Peter Young VK3MV and Justin Giles-Clark VK7TW attended the conference, where major themes included 6G, AI, satellite Direct-to-Device communications, LEO constellations, the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation and the increasing convergence of terrestrial and non-terrestrial communications.
For amateur radio, the international spectrum discussions were particularly important. Preparations for WRC-27, new satellite systems and changing spectrum requirements demonstrate the increasing competition and complexity surrounding the radio spectrum. The IARU was specifically acknowledged during discussion of the international ITU process, reinforcing the importance of amateur radio maintaining representation through the WIA, IARU and engagement with the ACMA.
Away from the presentations, Peter and Justin held valuable discussions with ACMA staff about amateur radio administration, assessor approvals and improving engagement with the amateur community. They also learned that additional ACMA resources are being directed towards amateur radio processes. RadComms therefore provided the WIA with both an insight into where radiocommunications technology and regulation are heading and, equally importantly, an opportunity to strengthen the relationships with our regulator that help ensure Australian amateur radio has a voice in the future of spectrum management.
73, Justin, VK7TW
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QSL News
Inwards QSL Bureau Information
The current updated list of QSL Cards held by the VK7 Inwards Bureau as at 26 Aug 2026 is in the email version of the Broadcast. If you would like your cards to be mailed to your local Radio Club please email Herman with the details.
Any Questions please email Herman at westyh@ozemail.com.au
73 Herman VK7HW
Manager WIA VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
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Sorted Cards held at 26 Aug 2026 ( Any errors in the listing are mine, I sometimes miss culling a call sign)
AA, AAA, AAC, AAD, AAE, AAH, AAP, AAR, AB, ACE, ACG, ACN, ADE, AED, AG(2014, 2016), AGC, AIJ, AIR, AJC, AKK, ALZ, ANC, AO, AP, APK, APZ, AQ, AS, ATH, AXZ, AY
BA, BBB, BPV, BT, BU, BYE
CA, CBK, CC, CBR, CH/T, CJ, CK, CMV, CTV, CV, CW, CX
DAN, DBX, DHT, DI, DIK, DN, DO, DON, DP, DQ, DV, DZ
EA, EE, EG, EI, ER, EYL
FA, FAA, FADZ, FALX (alx), FAZZ, FCIA, FG, FGGT, FKLW, FLAR, FMI, FPRN, FTAS, FTR
G, GA, GC, GEL, GGZ, GL, GOP, GP, GR, GS, GU, GZ
HCH, HCK, HDE, HDM, HDX, HL, HOB, HRS, HSA, HSD, HSE, HSJ, HSO, HZ
IAN, ID, IK, IR, IS
JA, JAB, JAZ, JCR, JGD, JOK, JP, JS, JW, JX
KAC, KAM, KBA, KD, KDO, KE, KO, KJ, KKR, KL
LA, LDH, LL, LLL, LM, LT, LTD, LVH, LW
M, MA, MAD, MAG, MBD, MD, MEL, MET, MHZ, MI, MJ, MS, MV
NB, NC, ND, NEC, NET, NFI, NG, NIK, NJB, NRF, NRT, NRX, NSE, NSS, NTE, NVH, NWX
OB, OO, OW
PAF, PBD, PDJ, PKA, PKJ, PLT, PM, POL, PRN, PS, PSH, PSJ, PSZ, PW
QK, QQ
RA, RB, RG, RW, RY
SD, SG(vi7SG), SIX, SM, SN, STC, STO, SV, SW, SZ
T, TA, TCE, TED, TK, TM, TO, TUX, TW, TX
UJ
VA, VAC, VAO, VAZ, VDC, VEK, VH, VM, VR, VTM, VZ
WA, WC, WIA, WL, WN, WO, WUU, W (VJ7W), WX, WZ
XTC, XV, XY, XYL
Y, YN
ZA, ZJJ, ZK, ZT
Cards in the box at REAST on 12 Aug - AZ, HVK, LW, MRS, SD, STO
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Tassie Ham-E-Con 2026
The Countdown is On!
With just over two months to go, Tassie Ham-E-Con 2026 is already shaping up as a genuinely national and international gathering of the amateur radio community. Registrations are open, and we already have attendees booked from every Australian state as well as New Zealand. This yearâ€Ös theme, “Hack the Ether: Education, Ingenuity, Connection,” celebrates what amateur radio does best: experimenting, learning, sharing ideas and finding ever more inventive ways of getting signals from one place to another.
The conference brings together amateurs, makers, educators, communicators and technical explorers for a fully catered weekend built around four streams: Hack the Mind, exploring education and learning; Hack the System, showcasing experimentation and ingenuity; Hack the Culture, looking at community, engagement and connection; and Hack the Future, examining leadership, purpose and where amateur radio heads next. Thereâ€Öll also be pre-conference and post-conference activities, making this much more than simply two days sitting in a theatre listening to presentations.
Tassie Ham-E-Con 2026 will be held on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November at the Sir Stanley Burbury Theatre on the University of Tasmaniaâ€Ös Sandy Bay campus in Hobart. With registrations already stretching across Australia and over the Tasman, and still two months to go, itâ€Ös looking like being quite a weekend. The preliminary program is available and bookings are open now through the conference website. Search for Tassie Ham-E-Con 2026 and come and Hack the Ether in Hobart this November.
https://www.reast.asn.au/news-events/tassie-ham-radio-conference/
73 from the Conference Organising Group.
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NEWS FROM THE NORTH
SOTA/WWFF PARKS GROUP
The Summits On The Air/World Wide Flora and Fauna parks group meets twice weekly – Mondays and Fridays 10.30AM till 12.00 at the Glebe Gardens Cafe, Henry Street, Launceston.
For more information contact Al on 0417 354 410.
73, Al, VK7AN
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Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club Incorporated
www.ntarc.net
You may remember that in April last year Colin VK7ZCF, demonstrated his fully self-contained canvas backpack system, which he had designed and constructed for his transceivers so he could go portable.
Colin is at it again, but this time a slightly different tack, everything and more is to be included in a medium sized “Pelican” style of case made by Tactix. And itâ€Ös not just for safe transportation, once the case lid is lifted it will be ready to function as a portable station on 2 m and 70 cm within seconds. A little bit longer for the HF bands if you have to deployed an HF antenna.
The fully waterproof Tactix case currently securely accommodates the following:
ICOM IC-7000 all mode transceiver with its accompanying 3D printed adjustable angle cradle, to tilt the transceiver for optimum viewing when in operation.
ATU100 antenna matcher that was built from a kit, also mounted on the transceivers 3D printed bracket.
3D printed 12 Volt power distribution enclosure
A NUC, which is a small form factor or size computer, complete with keyboard and mouse.
The NUC is secured by a rather stylish 3D printed frame.
Windows is installed along with various amateur radio software packages. Including Slow Scan Tele-Vision which was being demonstrated on the night.
A repurposed and internally gutted Apple iPad is mounted on the inside of the lid, providing a very clear display for the computer.
Plenty of room for rolled up antennas, cables and adaptors.
All powered by a 12 Volt 18 AH Lithium deep cycle battery that is external to the case, at the moment.
Colin is still in the “finding the best position for everything” phase, but it is well advanced as a work in progress.
Eric VK7ZPE brought in a brand new, just arrived in the post, End Fed antenna 1:64 balun. Externally it is about the size of a packet of cigarettes and appears to be a very solidly constructed plastic unit. Having interlocking lid mouldings it should also be quite weatherproof. It has three substantially reinforced holes on the top edge, this should make it easy to hang or be attached onto a support line. The antenna wire to be End Fed is attached onto one side of the enclosure with the SO239 co-axial cable feeder socket mounted on the bottom. Maximum power rating on SSB and CW is under 100 Watts with FT8, FM, and FSK under 60 Watts. From the sticker on the back it is made by “bh7jyr” - interestingly written in lower case, according to QRZ, “looks like a callsign from China”. This is probably why there is so many variations available from some of their local stores.
Being an avid POTA aficionado, I wouldnâ€Öt be surprised if Eric is able to give us a full run down on its operational suitability by next tech night. Thanks Eric.
Check out the pictures including the very neat 3D printable rig mounting accessory on the previous weekâ€Ös SSTV archives and on the NTARC Web site under “Blogs” for this broadcast.
https://www.ntarc.net/blogs
UPCOMING EVENTS
CW course - Every Wednesday night, on 3.580 MHz from 7 to 7.30 pm. Your CW Coach for the evening is Nic, VK7WW.
On Air Test and Technical gathering - Wednesday nights, on 3.567 MHz from 7.30 pm.
Club Room Technical night - The next session will be Wednesday the 2nd September and will commence at the usual time of 6.30 pm at the Club Room Archer Street, Rocherlea.
Coffee Morning - Held every Friday in the NTARC Club rooms. Time is from 10 am to noon.
Finally - If you have any items of news please email them to the Secretary at the following address news@ntarc.net all items to be received no later than 5 pm on the Friday prior to the Broadcast.
73 from Stefan, VK7ZSB, Secretary NTARC Inc.
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NEWS FROM THE NORTH WEST
The North West Coast Radio Repeater Association has inherited the keystone radio repeater VK7RWC from the legacy of the West Coast Radio Group. The repeater on frequency 147.075 megahertz, transmits amidst a number of telecommunications installations atop Mount Read near Rosebery. This recent transfer of asset and license to the Association means it's now supported by an organization with a wider repeater network rather than relying on the singular efforts of its previous sponsor, VK7DIK.
The wild and beautiful mountain terrain of Tasmania's West Coast has large areas outside of normal mobile phone coverage, and before the advent of this now universal technology, the former Radio Group's work established publicly accessible radio communications for a large swathe of the rugged western regions, known by local and visiting amateurs for its significant communications challenges. The responsibility of securing a future for amateur voice and APRS data packet transmission was gratefully accepted from the departing founder, by the Association's president and permanent local members.
NWCRRA was already actively maintaining RWC prior to the recent issuance of the new license, overhauling the repeater whose transmissions had become extinguished at the particularly challenging and noisy commercial broadcast site. An exhaustive bench top refurbishment and internet upgrade has VK7RWC broadcasting the regular bi-weekly amateur news service to West Coast listeners and carries their transmissions across linked VK7 repeaters. Multiple nodes of this network have Association callsigns and the recent formalization of RWC's acquisition significantly boosts their radio estate portfolio and extends the repeater's operational lifespan far into the future.
RWC's APRS repeater was also rebuilt around a professional grade transceiver and strengthened with a customized pass and reject radio frequency filter. This networked gateway beacon on the national standard 145.175 Megahertz, can put the GPS location of lost amateur adventurers on the map, critical for safety in the forbidding terrain overlooked by the antenna tower belonging to the commercial radio station operators whose installation kindly houses the repeater electronics.
The association acknowledges the work of the West Coast Radio Group in establishing and supporting VK7RWC over the years, and appreciates its cooperation in transferring this vital asset.
The critical equipment will be well maintained and reliable into the future because NWCRRA is committed the amateur community and to the presence of amateur radio services on Tasmania's West Coast.
73, John, VK7KKK, News Officer
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NEWS FROM THE SOUTH
Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania
https://www.reast.asn.au/
https://www.facebook.com/reasttas/
https://www.youtube.com/reasthobart/
Wednesday Experimenterâ€Ös Group (WEGs)
Please note that due to our September presentation night being on the 23rd of September - this Wednesday night - September 2 will be a streamed WEGS night and we are back in the DATV Studio and clubrooms with a full program of 3D Issues, magazine reviews, contest, ideas and antenna building. Starts 7:30pm and streamed via the REAST YouTube Channel.
Wednesday evenings kick off early, with members drifting in from about 6pm, many armed with takeaway containers or home-cooked dinners.
The DATV Studio broadcast begins at 7:30pm and around it unfolds the usual controlled chaos: lively debate, hands-on experimenting, gear tinkering, coffee consumption at industrial scale, the hatching of elaborate “cunning plans,” and the kind of wide-ranging amateur radio mischief and global problem-solving that somehow only ever truly makes sense inside the clubrooms.
https://www.reast.asn.au/news-events/live-stream/
https://www.reast.asn.au/special-interest-groups/amateur-tv/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ReastHobart/
73, REAST Committee
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NTP/GPS Clock First Build Night
https://www.reast.asn.au/event/ntp-gps-clock-build-night/
Our first NTP/GPS Clock Build night will be Wednesday night the 9th September 2026 from 7pm.
Please bring your tools and soldering iron. The room will be configured in a similar way to the construction nights for the ADX Transceivers. Take a look and familiarise yourself with the extensive construction notes that have been posted on the Discord NTP Clock Channel on the REAST Discord.
We will have a couple of power supply units setup to enable testing of the unit once assembled.
Invoicing for the units will be sent out to those that ordered them in the next few days. The final price has ended up at $55 as we had some issues sourcing the correct GPS module.
Reminder again the first construction night will be on the 9th of September in the Queens Domain Clubrooms from 7pm.
https://www.reast.asn.au/event/ntp-gps-clock-build-night/
73, REAST Committee
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ADSB Support Presentation
https://www.reast.asn.au/event/september-presentation-night-adsb-support/
In September we have a very special presentation night that will be occurring a little later in the month than normal!
On Wednesday 23rd September from 7:30pm we will have Mogens Andersen in the clubrooms to give us a presentation on the ADSB Support service.
For those who are in the know - Mogens is the Chief Operating Officer of the ADSB Support Organisation that is based in Denmark and they supply ADSB receivers all over the world to amateurs, non-amateurs, and many other areas to receive the ADSB signals from aircraft and feed it into the various aircraft tracking systems around the world.
Save the Date - September 23rd from 7:30pm.
https://www.adsbsupport.com
https://www.reast.asn.au/event/september-presentation-night-adsb-support/
73, REAST Committee
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REAST Training and Assessment Update
https://www.reast.asn.au/information/amateur-licence-assessments/
Thinking about getting your Amateur Radio licence or upgrading to the next level? REAST continues to offer regular Training and Assessment Days for all Australian amateur licence levels.
The next session is a Standard, Advanced and Regulations assessments that are held on alternate months, with the next session on Saturday 19th September 2026. Our next Foundation Training and Assessment Day will be held on Saturday 24th October 2026.
https://www.reast.asn.au/news-events/upcoming-events/
If you're planning to attend, please contact the Learning Organiser Justin VK7TW as soon as possible by emailing reast.assessor@gmail.com.
You'll also find the full training schedule on the REAST Events page, along with a range of free learning resources, including the popular Foundation Licence Training Video series on the REAST YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsnsP_zjw831mdC6sY4XqavRUY-53ZWUn
To help build your confidence before assessment day, don't forget to try the Wireless Institute of Australia's online Foundation Trial Exams, with links available in the text edition of this broadcast.
https://www.wia.org.au/licenses/foundation/onlineexams/foundation.php
Whether you're taking your first step into amateur radio or upgrading your qualifications, the REAST training team is ready to help you succeed.
73 from Justin VK7TW.
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Regular VK7 gatherings and events over the coming months:
VK7 Regular gatherings:
REAST - 6m AM Net on 53.1MHz Everyday from 4:30pm
SOTA/WWFF Group – Meeting Mondays and Fridays 10.30-12.00 midday at Glebe Gardens Cafe, Henry St, Launceston.
NTARC CW course - Every Wednesday night, on 3.580 MHz from 7 to 7.30 pm. Your CW Coach for the evening is Nic, VK7WW.
On Air Test and Technical gathering - Wednesday nights, on 3.567 MHz from 7.30 pm.
NTARC Technical night session - Wednesday 2nd September from 6.30 pm at the Club Room Archer Street, Rocherlea.
NTARC Coffee Mornings are held every Friday in the NTARC Club rooms. Time is from 10am to noon in the Rocherlea Clubrooms.
NW VK7 – Wednesday from 8:00pm local – NW Tassie Amateur Repeater Group Net on 2M VK7RMD and Allstar Node 56780
NW VK7 - Thursday commencing at 8:30pm local - N.W. Tassie 2m DX Net 144.190 USB
Statewide SSTV Net - held every Thursday night via the North/South Link on VK7RAF/VK7RJG from 7:30pm. In the North and North West - VK7RJG on 438.55 -7MHz and in the South - VK7RAF (146.650 -600kHz) CTCSS tone 141.3Hz to link RAF North-South. Plus VK7AX International SSTV Gateway connected to VK7RJG for the duration of the net.
State-wide – MICROWAVE QSO Party – following the Sunday broadcast call-back on 1296.15 MHz FM. One group in the greater Hobart area and another in the greater Launceston area.
Then North-south digital contacts on 1296.2MHz using Q65-60B.
Stations in the Launceston area transmitting on the odd minute. Southern stations on the even minute.
Sewing Circle Net – Daily on 3.640MHz commences at 6:30pm AEST.
VK7 Events:
REAST - 9 September - NTP/GPS Clock Build Night - Queens Domain Clubrooms from 7pm
REAST - 23 September - ADSB Support Presentation from 7:30pm in the Queens Domain Clubrooms and Streamed
VK - 7-8 Nov - Tassie Ham-E-Con Amateur Radio Conference - UTAS Sandy Bay
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A reminder to those people rostered for next weekâ€Ös broadcast:
Newsreader: VK7WW
Repeaters: REAST, NTARC and in the NW thanks to NWTARC, WCRG, NWCRRA, VK7AX, VK7JH and VK7DC
160m: VK7GS
80m: VK7JGD
40m: VK7ALH
20m: Any Takers
10m: Any Takers
UHFCB24 & HFCB24: VK7FMAC & Luke
DMR: Talk Group 5 and D-Star Reflector 91C - Digital Group
2026 Roster -
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iTod4MGlJRjXxi2vuDrHngoytZebSMph/view?usp=drive_link
--------------------------------
A big thank you to everyone who contributed to and supported this weekâ€Ös broadcast of the VK7 Amateur Radio News.
Thatâ€Ös it for this week! If you missed the live transmission, remember you can always catch the rebroadcast Tuesday at 8:00pm on VK7RAA in the North, VK7RHT, and UHFCB24/HFCB24 in the South.
Got news, stories, or updates to share? Weâ€Öd love to hear from you! Send them to vk7arnews@gmail.com by Friday 9pm. You can also join the conversation on our VK7 Amateur Radio News Groups.io page.
groups.io/g/vk7arnews
Stay tuned now for callbacks on this frequency, with each relay station using their own callsign.
On behalf of the VK7 News Team, this is Idris, VK7ZIR wishing you good DX, and a great week ahead!
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(Posted to the packet radio network on behalf of the 'VK7 AR News Team' courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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