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VK National News 16Mar25
Text edition:
Weekly news from the WIA:
MP3 edition of news available at: http://www.wia-files.com/podcast/wianews-2025-03-16.mp3
Text edition:
------------------------------------------------------------*
2025 MARCH 16 WIA NATIONAL NEWS BROADCAST ON VK1WIA
------------------------------------------------------------*
THE BEST NEWS YOU'LL GET ALL WEEK
THIS LINK IS A VIDEO VERSION OF NEWS COMPILED BY VK5BD BEVAN
tinyurl.com/WIA-News-Videos
------------------------------------------------------------*
NATIONAL NEWS FOR WEEK COMMENCING MARCH 16 2025
IN OUR 30th YEAR OF NON STOP NEWS
THIS WEEK:-
WIA BOARD ELECTIONS. -
WIA Director and Secretary Peter Clee VK8ZZ.-
WIA Affiliated Clubs Coordinator Angelo VK2NWT. -
WIAs Education Committee spokesman Phil Wait VK2ASD.
BUT WAIT - THERE'S MUCH MUCH MORE IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE
WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA.
I'M EDITOR GRAHAM VK4BB
WIA
JOIN THE WIA
tinyurl.com/yyj87b9y
It has been a year since the introduction of the new amateur radio licence
conditions.
The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) is interested in your experience
with the transition to these new conditions and the administrative framework
surrounding them. We have created a short 10-minute survey for all
Australian radio amateurs and encourage everyone to participate. This is an
opportunity to share your experience with the transition and the new class
licence arrangements.
The link is available on the WIA Website.
surveymonkey.com/r/RDDVYPP
We are also keen to hear from amateurs who have used the new documentation
in situations where proof of a valid amateur radio licence was required.
Additionally, the survey includes questions about the revised callsign
allocation process for the Australian External and Antarctic Territories.
Please note all information shared with the WIA will be treated with the
strictest confidence.
Please share this survey with your amateur radio friends, including those
who are not WIA members - it is open to all Australian amateur radio
operators.
Thank you in advance for your contribution!
The WIA will compile the results and use them to work with the Australian
Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and the Department of
Communications and the Arts (DoC&A) to help improve services for the amateur
radio community in Australia.
Get in quick as the survey closes 23:59 on the 13th April 2025.
This has been WIA Director and Secretary Peter Clee VK8ZZ
Hello, this is Angelo VK2NWT WIA Affiliated Clubs Coordinator.
The new Public Insurance year for WIA Affiliated clubs starts on the 1st of
April which is a little over two weeks away.
Most clubs by now will have received an email from GippsInsure insurance
brokers advising of the upcoming policy renewal and to advise of any changes
to their status that may affect the renewal policy being offered.
Each year the WIA conducts an audit to ensure that all WIA Affiliated Clubs
continue to meet the WIA basic requirements for Affiliation that is, to have
at least 25% of your Clubs total membership are also current financial
members of the WIA. Whilst the overwhelming majority of clubs are well over
the 25% requirement some are not, which will unfortunately result in the
Public Liability Insurance not being offered and losing WIA Affiliation.
I strongly encourage all Club secretaries to check their members WIA
membership status right now as well as ensue the results your Clubs
Membership List is recorded on your WIA Club webpage.
The process of advising the WIA of your Clubs membership level is very
easy.
The nominated person in your club must first log onto your WIA club page
after which the Club Membership List will appear near the bottom of the
screen and ready for updating. In the dropdown box enter the callsigns of
all of your club members. Those club members that dont have a callsign
should have their name recorded with the letters SWL entered alongside their
name. The WIA will then cross-reference the callsigns and determine your
clubs WIA membership level.
As I have mentioned many times in the past it is absolutely vital that your
clubs contact details are always kept up to date on the WIA website so that
you dont miss out on the correspondence that both the WIA and GippsInsure
will be sending you.
You can review the WIA Policy on Club Affiliation and how to join on the
WIA Webpage or follow the links in the text version of this segment.
Affiliation: wia.org.au/members/clubs/about/
WIA Membership: wia.org.au/joinwia/wia/aboutjoin/
As always, if you have any questions about this issue or WIA Affiliation
matters in general please contact me via email at vk2nwt@gmail.com
This has been Angelo VK2NWT for WIA National News.
EDUCATION.
education.wia.org.au
WIAs new education website.
Hi, this is Phil Wait VK2ASD.
Dont forget to check out the new education website on education.wia.org.au
There you will find lots of useful information about how to gain an
amateur radio licence, training resources, and how to test the EMR safety
of your station.
Once again,
education.wia.org.au
BOARD ELECTION
Seems the results are in, but it is embargoed until March 28 the Newsroom
has been advised in a post by our Secretary. I for one will be looking
forward to seeing the actual numbers assigned to each of the 5 candidates
when our WIA returning officer posts the official publication.
As we say in the classics.. stay tuned.
TECHNORAMA
VK4JPM John Maizels reports that this coming Tuesday, 18 March, for anyone
who is involved in community broadcasting, or is interested in protecting
an IT network. Technorama, the group that looks after the technologists who
support community broadcasting is running a webinar on cybersecurity.
It's this coming Tuesday at 1730 Queensland time, 1830 Oz Daylight time.
The challenges of networking and cyber-protection certainly apply to hams,
and you're welcome to join the session and learn.
Register on technorama.org.au
(text edition only)
------------------------------------------------------------*
INTERNATIONAL NEWS is with thanks to ARRL, DX-WORLD, eHam, Hackaday,
IARU, ICQPodcast, IRTS, NEWSLINE, NZART, RAC, Radioworld.com, RSGB,
SARL and the World Wide sources of the WIA.
WASHINGTON.
Radioworld.com are reporting Democrats have introduced legislation to
prohibit the FCC from revoking broadcast licenses or taking action against
companies based on viewpoints aired on their stations.
The Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act states explicitly that the commission is an independent agency and must not use its authority to execute politically motivated attacks against licensees.
Democrats are worried that the commission under Chairman Brendan Carr could target specific broadcasters based on the views they express. Three senators wrote to Carr and Commissioner Nathan Simington last month saying the Republicans on the FCC appeared to be opening or reopening investigations into broadcast companies without evidence of wrongdoing in what appears to be an attempt to intimidate broadcasters for political purposes.
The new bill would seem to have no realistic chance of passage given that Republicans control both chambers of Congress and that the bill would have to be signed by President Trump to become law. But it is an effort by Democrats to amplify their concerns over the current direction of the FCC.
ARRL Honorary Vice President Frank Butler, W4RH, celebrated his 100th
birthday on March 6.
Frank has been a member of the ARRL for at least 78 years and lives in
Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He is a member of the ARRL Maxim Society
(at the Benefactor Class) and as Life Member.
Happy Birthday, Frank!
The Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club, according to the newspaper
Herald Beacon serving Long Island New York, will be commemorating the
birthday of Guglielmo Marconi on Saturday, April 26.
Marconi was responsible for sending the first communication with ships at
sea.
There will also be a replica of the shack that Marconi communicated in.
Enjoy history and transmissions being sent on this day throughout the world
as radio enthusiasts celebrate the birthday of Marconi.
As Bruce and Col report each week during their Special Interest Group News
there are LOTS OY "OTAS", YOTA, SOTA, JOTA as an example, now comes a news
one, not that is adventurous at all and you don't need to go hiking,
swimming or camping.
G.O.T.A.
Grids On The Air activity and awards programme offers new challenges to
HF enthusiasts.
Since March 1st, 2025, a fortnight or so back, this initiative, endorsed by
various major ham radio organisations, has been running as a challenge to
short wave operators at any level of skills and equipment to engage in
the ultimate DX art of Grid Hunting.
Grid Hunting consists in chasing grid squares of the worldwide Maidenhead
Locator system (e.g., IO75, KN78 etc.), much like VHF/SHF enthusiasts have
been doing for years. The difference with the new Grids On The Air (GOTA)
programme is its focus on promoting activity on the HF bands and on PHONE
and CW, as a similar programme is already available for digital modes.
GOTA aims to give ham operators (experienced - and possibly jaded - as well
as newcomers), and SWLs a reason to engage in a satisfying "hunting"
activity involving QSOs with stations from all worldwide squares, near or
far, important or not.
ATU DISCUSSES AMATEUR RADIO EXPANSION ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT
At the sixth Meeting of the African Telecommunications Union Task Group on
Spectrum Recommendations held last week, a paper proposing the ATU promoting
the development of Amateur Radio on the African continent was presented.
The Paper highlights that Amateur Radio is a vital resource for personal
development, technological innovation, emergency response and global
cultural exchange. In Africa, it holds untapped potential to bridge
communication gaps especially in emergency/disaster situations, support
drive technological advancements, and equip individuals, especially youth,
with critical technical skills. However, despite its numerous benefits,
amateur radio remains underutilised across the continent due to unabling
legal environment, limited infrastructure and low public awareness.
Addressing these barriers could unlock significant opportunities for growth,
empowerment, and connectivity.
With 37 IARU Member Societies and approximately 3000 licensed radio amateurs
in Africa, this recommendation underscores the urgent need for a unified
approach to promoting amateur radio in Africa. The recommendations emphasise
regulatory reform, infrastructure enhancement for emergency response,
capacity building, public awareness, and youth engagement.
By adopting and implementing these strategies and recommended actions,
the ATU and its partners would, leverage amateur radio as a powerful tool
for sustainable development, technical capacity building, and regional
connectivity, particularly during times of disaster when reliable
communication is crucial. During the discussion, delegates asked that
countries that have a well-established amateur radio service share their
experience.
Both Egypt and South Africa indicated that they would share their
experiences before the next meeting.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATIONAL NEWS - A FELIX VK4FUQ PRESENTATION
HG WELLS HAD A MASTER PIECE "THE TIME MACHINE": - so lets fire it up and
head back to 2023 and the WIA Contest Champion results for 2023.
The WIA Contest Champion Peter Brown trophy is awarded annually for the
best combined effort in WIA sponsored contests. It recognises those who
have participated in multiple WIA contests and submitted logs throughout
the year. There were a total of 349 contestants during 2023.
The winner of the VK4PJ Peter Brown trophy for 2023 is... Alan Shannon
VK4SN with a score of 500 points. Alan entered 7 of the 9 eligible
contests and gained 5 second places, 1 third place, and 1 fourth place.
Congratulations to Alan.
2nd place went to John Eyles VK2YW with a score of 320 points.
Equal 3rd place was Diane Main VK4DI and Bill Main VK4ZD with a score of
316 points each.
5th place was Lawrie Mew VK5LJ with a score of 300 points.
Full results can be viewed at
wia.org.au/members/contests/contestchampion.
(Peter VK2PR WIA Contest Champion Scorer)
--------------
--------------
NOW CONTEST WISE:- 2025 LET'S HEAD DOWN TO TOWNSVILLE.
--------------
--------------
This is Denis VK4AE Contest Manager for the John Moyle Field Day 2025.
As this news goes to air the contest is nearing completion, and as many stations will still be active, I wish them well for the remainder of the contest,
Logs have been arriving steadily. There does not seem to be as many as the number received at this point of the contest last year.
It is highly recommended that once you have submitted your log you should check a bit later that your callsign has been added to the list of logs received. If your call is not on the list, then it might not have been received.
In the same way a couple of logs were submitted using a N1MM format that does not contain all of the information required by the VHF/UHF rules JMMFD rules and requires much extra work for the Contest Manager and entrant to attempt to fix those logs.
It is timely to remind you all that while there is not a lot of time left to submit the log and it will pass quickly and the final date is the 5th April 2025. This is required by the very long lead times now for the AR Magazine.
Following that date all of the logs will be processed and the results prepared and made available soon after. The results will be shown on the WIA contest page as soon as they are ready.
So, check that your call is on the list, if it isnt then resend the log. It might also be a good idea to submit your log now as you never know what can happen to delay you in the next few days.
------------------------
Next weekend, 22 and 23 March the Africa All Mode International Contest
(sarl)
--------------
The IARU 100th Anniversary Centennial QSO Party.
The IARU CQP will be held for nine days, beginning Saturday 12 April and
ending Sunday 20 April. This event will celebrate 100 years of the IARU
(sarl)
------------------------
HARRY ANGEL MEMORIAL 80 Meter Sprint, Saturday May 3. (vk4uh)
wia.org.au/members/contests/harryangel/
-------------------------
VK Shires Contest 7th - 8th June 2025
wia.org.au/members/contests/wavks/
-----------------------
NZ Straight Key Night
Next New Zealand Straight Key Night will be held Sunday 8 June
from 9pm to 10pm NZDT (0800 to 0900 UTC) on 80 metres.
Polish and lubricate that old morse key and enjoy an evening of
old-time radio fun.
Straight Key Night is an informal event which honours the roots of
amateur radio: Morse Code sent with a straight key (no bugs,
sideswipers, keyers or keyboards).
When.
Winter SKN is the second Sunday in June, 8-9pm NZ time.
Summer SKN is always the first Sunday in December, 9-10pm NZ time.
SKN honours the original amateur radio mode in an easy-going style.
Operators send signal report, name, location, type of key, type of
transmitter and power output. Stations are limited to 100W output
power.
SKN is not a contest - but the operator who gets the most votes for the
quality of their sending will win the Bruce Scahill Best Fist Award.
This certificate honours Bruce ZL1BWG (SK), who was a dedicated
supporter of SKN. Please email your nomination to ZL1NZ within one week
following the event.
(Neil ZL1NZ, SKN Manager)
-----------------
IARU HF World Championship.
The 24-hour IARU HF World Championship starts at 12 HUNDRED UTC on
Saturday 12 July and ends at 11:59 UTC on Sunday 13 July.
This annual contest supports amateur self-training in radio
communications, improving operating skills, conducting technical
investigations and inter-communicating with other amateurs around
the world using the 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 metre bands
Ken Yamamoto, JA1CJP Secretary, IARU Region 3 in an email passed to us by
WIA Secretary Peter Clee reminds us here at the WIA that in this contest
multipliers are the total number of ITU zones plus IARU member society HQ
stations worked on each band (not mode). Thus, Society's HQ stations
(WIA) participation is very important for the multipliers.
(SARL/VK8ZZ)
-----------------
Trans-Tasman Low Band Contest - 19 JUL 2025
The Trans-Tasman contest, held on the 3rd weekend in July, aims to encourage Low Band activity between VK and ZL
Only contest bands 160 80 and 40M are allowed with SSB, CW and Digital (RTTY OR PSK)
wia.org.au/members/contests/transtasman/
----------
-----------------------------------------------------------------
NOW DX WINDOW TO THE WORLD.
-----------------
-----------------
Don, KW7R is active as V73KW from the Marshall Islands in the north
western Pacific Ocean. He is there on a work assignment until
September and in his spare time, he operates CW and FT8 on various bands.
QSL V73KW via Logbook of the World.
(RSGB)
---------
South Africa.
On 20 May 2025, the South African Radio League will celebrate its 100th
anniversary.
The SARL Centenary Marathon QSO Party has been running since 1 January and
throughout the year, the SARL, with the aid of its members and associated
clubs, are on the air with special event call sign ZS 100 SARL, as well as
the permanent call signs ZS 6 SRL and ZS 9 HQ and from April
Several awards will be available, see web page mysarl.org.za
(sarl)
--------
British Railways Amateur Radio Society is running special event stations GB0LMR and GB2SDR during 2025 to celebrate 200 years of train travel.
Operation will be mainly focused on 40m but there may be additional activity on other bands.
QSL via the Bureau.
(RSGB)
-----------
y
Joel W5ZN, Secretary International Amateur Radio Union advises the
Singapore Amateur Transmitting Society (SARTS) has closed its 9V QSL
bureau effective February 14, 2025, and is no longer accepting cards.
(eHam)
---------
y
Our I.A.R.U. celebrates its centenary this year (2025).
Since its founding in Paris, France, IARU has worked tirelessly to
promote innovation in amateur radio and to encourage the growth of
the service in communities throughout the world.
VI 100 IARU is a special event callsign transmitting from VK3 to help
celebrate the IARU Centennial.
qsl via MO 0 OXO
A team of operators from DARC is active until the 27th of April using
special callsign DA 0 IARU. The station is operating to celebrate the
100th anniversary of the IARU.
A 9 100 IARU is the special callsign for the Bahrain Amateur Radio
Society to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the International
Amateur Radio Union. Look for activity for five days each month
(which days don't ask me! HiHi) during 2025. QSL via EC6DX.
(qrz.com / 425 dx news / rsgb)
Celebrating the centenary of the International Amateur Radio Union
the local divisions of the Belgian IARU society will activate 28
YES TWENTY EIGHT special event stations between 15 March and 15 May:
ON100I, ON100A, ON100R, ON100U
OO100I, OO100A, OO100R, OO100U
OP100I, OP100A, OP100R, OP100U
OQ100I, OQ100A, OQ100R, OQ100U
OR100I, OR100A, OR100R, OR100U
OS100I, OS100A, OS100R, OS100U
OT100I, OT100A, OT100R, OT100U
In addition, members of the UBA Board and HF Committee will be
active as OQ 0 IARU and OR 0 IARU. A series of certificates will be
available, see uba.be/en/news/uba-iaru-100-event for the details.
(425 dx news)
--------------
y
PC 80 TT is the special callsign for members of VERON Leiden to celebrate
the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands during
World War II (5 May 1945).
Look for activity now until June One
QSL PC80TT via the bureau to PI4LDN.
The special call sign honours the memory of Rudolf Tappenbeck (PCTT),
a pioneer of Dutch amateur radio who died in Neuengamme concentration
camp 1944.
(425dxn)
----------
y
Over in "the Motherland", the RSGBs weekly news broadcast GB2RS is
celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. As part of the celebrations,
special callsign GB70RS is active throughout the year. The callsign is
being operated by radio amateurs who help to deliver GB2RS each week and
could include Newsreaders and RSGB Headquarters staff.
Unlike here in VK , in the UK RSGB have to have separate news readers for
each frequency.
You can listen out for RSGB operators on all modes and all bands, with
activity taking place at any time, although you are particularly likely to
hear them before and after the GB2RS broadcasts.
Find out more via the GB70RS page at QRZ.com
(rsgb)
--------------------
y
Special event station LZ 75 IPA is active right throughout 2025
celebrating the 75th anniversary of the International Police
Association.
QSL via Club Log's OQRS, or direct to LZ 3 HI.
(425 dx news )
------------------------------------------------------------*
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - FINAL FRONTIER
AMSAT-VK Secretary - secretary(at)amsat-vk.org
ISS Astronauts Reject Call for Early Retirement of the ISS.
Astronauts on the International Space Station said they disagreed with
Elon Musks claim that the station was past its prime and should be
deorbited in as soon as two years.
Speaking to reporters March 4, NASA astronauts Suni Williams, KD5PLB and
Butch Wilmore, who have been on the station since June on a flawed
Starliner test flight and Nick Hague, KG5TMV, the commander of the Crew-9
mission that will bring the two back with him later this month, addressed
political issues like an early retirement of the ISS and Musks claim he
offered NASA an early return of the Starliner crew.
Musk on Feb. 20 said the ISS has served its purpose and has very little
incremental utility. Musk called for deorbiting the ISS as soon as
possible, which he said should be in two years.
NASAs current plans call for operating the ISS to 2030.
I actually was extremely impressed coming up here and seeing how much
science is going on, Williams said when asked about Musks comments.
I would say were actually in our prime right now. Weve got all the power,
all the facilities, up and operating.
I would think that right now was probably not the right time to call it
quits, she concluded. We have probably until 2030 in our agreements, and I
think thats probably really accurate, because we should make the most of
this space station for our taxpayers and for all of our international
partners, and hold our obligations.
(ANS)
-----------
As part of the payloads on the Firefly Blue Ghost Mission 1 (BGM1) that recently touched down on the Moon, the Lunar GNNS Receiver Experiment (LuGRE) has become the first practical demonstration of acquiring and tracking Earth orbital GNSS satellites. LuGRE consists of a weak-signal GNSS receiver, a high-gain L-band patch antenna the requisite amplification and filter circuits, designed to track a number of GPS and Galileo signals.
Designed by NASA and the Italian Space Agency (ISA), the LuGRE payloads goal was to demonstrate GNSS-based positioning, navigation and timing at the Moon. This successful demonstration makes it plausible that future lunar missions, whether in orbit or on the surface, could use Earths GNSS satellites to navigate and position themselves with. On the way to the lunar surface, LuGRE confirmed being able track GNSS at various distances from the Earth.
Both LuGRE and BGM1 are part of NASAs Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, with BGM1 delivering a total of ten payloads to the Moon, each designed to study a different aspect of the lunar environment, as well as hardware and technologies relevant to future missions.
(twiar)
---------
Saying farewell is hard, and in the case of the Voyager 1 & 2 spacecraft doubly so, seeing as how they have been with us for more than 47 years. From the highs of the 1970s and 1980s during their primary mission in our Solar System, to their journey into the unknown of Deep Space, every bit of information which their instruments record and send back is something unique that we could not obtain any other way. Yet with the shutting down of two more instruments, both spacecraft are now getting awfully close to the end of their extended missions.
Last February 25 the cosmic ray system (CRS) on Voyager 1 was disabled, with the Low Energy Charged Particle Instrument (LECP) on Voyager 2 to follow on March 24. With each spacecraft losing about 4 watts of available power per year from their RTGs, the next few instruments to be turned off are already known. Voyager 1s LECP will be turned off next year, with that same year Voyager 2s CRS also getting disabled.
This would leave both spacecraft with only their magnetometer (MAG) and plasma wave subsystem (PWS). These provide data on the local magnetic field and electron density, respectively, with at least one of these instruments on each spacecraft likely to remain active until the end of this decade, possibly into the next. With some luck both spacecraft will see their 50th birthday before humanitys only presence in Deep Space falls silent.
(twiar)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - INTERNET - THE HAMS DOMAIN.
DX Data: A New DX Cluster
If youre into chasing DX, contesting, or just casually tuning the bands,
you might be interested in checking out DX Data (https://dxdata.io), a new
web-based DX cluster. DX Data is designed to make finding the DX youre
interested in a little easier, with a clean interface, instant updates, and
plenty of filtering options.
Whats Different About DX Data?
DX Data pulls in DX spots from both DXSpider and the Reverse Beacon Network
giving users the most comprehensive view possible of whats happening on the
bands. It also provides streaming real-time updates using WebSockets, so you
never have to refresh the page.
(eHam)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - IOTA
iota-world.org/
Arnala Island AS-169
The DX India Foundation is organizing a DXpedition to take place from
Arnala Island (AS-169) from 29 May to 1 June. This IOTA group was activated
back in the good years 2004 and 2006, BUT has been silent ever since.
Requested callsign is AU2M.
----
Jamaica NA-097
Iain is active as G4SGX/6Y from Jamaica (NA-097) until the 21 March.
He is operating CW only on 80-10 metres (hopefully also "some top band
action"), and will take part in the RSGB Commonwealth (BERU) Contest
next weekend 8-9 March. QSL via LoTW, or via M 0 OXO's OQRS.
--------
Maldives AS-013
Mamoru 8 Q 7VA from the Maldives (AS-013) now until the 5th of May.
QSL via home call JH 3 VA and LoTW.
(425 dx news)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - MILITARY
Recordings of military transmissions can be found on the
Signal Identification Guide Wiki at
sigidwiki.com/wiki/Category:Military
Something that you generally dont expect as a North-America-based enthusiast, is to listen in on Russian military communications during their war in Ukraine via WebSDR, or that these communications would be passing through US military satellites that are happy to just broadcast anything. Yet thats the situation that the Saveitforparts YouTube channel recently described. As it turns out, there is a gaggle of UFOs up there, as the US DoD lovingly calls them.
Between 1979 and 1989 eight FLTSATCOM launches took place, with FLTSATCOM 7 and 8 still operating today. They were later joined by their successor UHF Follow-On (UFO) with 11 launches between 1993 and 2003. All of these operate in the UHF spectrum, with some UFO satellites also covering other bands. Their goal is to provide communication for the militarys forces, with these satellites for the most part acting as simple repeaters. Over time non-military parties learned to use these satellites too, even if its technically illegal in many jurisdictions.
As described in the video, if you listen in on WebSDR streams from Ukraine, you can not only find encrypted military comms, but also unencrypted Russian radio traffic. It seems that in lieu of being provided with proper (encrypted) radio systems, Russian forces are using these US military satellites for communication much like how US (and NATO) forces would have. This is reminiscent of how Russian troops were caught using Discord via Starlink for communication, before Russian command shutdown Discord.
(twiar)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS QRP
Ken Yamamoto, JA1CJP Secretary, IARU Region 3 has reminded us, the WIA' that
QRP Day happens June 17.
Peter Clee Secretary forwarded that notice on to the WIA national news room
which in part says "That Region 3 Societies help to promote the IARU
objectives for QRP operation.
Accordingly, member Societies are requested to note and take appropriate
actions with reference to the holdings of the following events, for example,
in order to contribute to more effective use of radio spectrum:
Holding of a QRP Field Day;
Of a QRP Contest;
Distribution of QRP Transmitter Kits and Reference Book; and Workshop of
QRP Operation.
As they say in the classics, stay tuned for the details.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - RADIO SCOUTING
Over the weekend of February 22nd and 23rd, Radio Scouting Ireland (RSI)
brought exciting radio-related activities to scouts attending the annual
tree-planting event in Lough Dan Scout Centre, County Wicklow.
A high-frequency station was set up as well as a two-metre station to allow
scouts supervised radio operation under the EI 0 YOTA callsign.
In addition, scouts also took part in a range of fun and educational games
using PMR handsets. It seems like it was a fantastic event and a great
opportunity to introduce over 200 scouts to the world of amateur radio.
Radio Scouting Ireland report that they have a busy year ahead with some
amazing opportunities to promote the hobby to young people. To meet these
requests, they depend very much on the donations of equipment, the good will
and assistance from the I.R.T.S., radio clubs and operators throughout the
country.
radioscouting.ie
(irts)
------------------------------------------------------------*
IT'S A DATE
Clubs are welcome to email text with audio for this section
Details of all WIA affiliated clubs and societies can be found
on the WIA website, including email addresses and website links.
----------------------------
2025
VK7 - MEET THE VOICE social outing Ross Caravan Park March 23 (Al vk7)
VK4 - Redcliffe & Districts Radio Club REDFEST April 12 at
Deception Bay North State School. (wiacal)
VK - WIA AGM May 3 - 4. Hosted by Bendigo Amateur Radio & Electronics
Club and their Technology Expo (vk3gtv/wiacal)
VK2 - Solitary Islands Beach/Park-Fest for POTA 3 & 4 May
parksontheair.com/ (vk4kc)
VK3 - Moorabbin and District Amateur Radio clubs HamFest 10am May 10 (vk3gl)
HamFest 2025
The Moorabbin and District Amateur Radio club is pleased to announce the
2025 HamFest will be on Saturday 10th May, 2025 with doors opening at 10am.
This year's event will be held at The Kingston City Hall located at the
corner of Nepean Highway and South Rd, Moorabbin.
The Moorabbin Radio Club's annual HamFest is proud to be Victoria's biggest
with displays and sales of new and preloved equipment. This event supported
by commercial traders with specials on offer, as well as the many second
hand traders, and is an event not to be missed for anyone interested in
Radio Communications and Electronics.
As well as many bargains available on the day, there will be major and minor
door prizes, light refreshments will be available.
Trader table bookings online at mdrc.org.au/hamfest
General enquires can be made by emailing Graeme Lewis
vk3gl(at)wia.org.au
or 0418 171601.
Proudly Victoria's biggest Hamfest - A Must see, must come event!!
73 Graeme VK3GL
VK2 - Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club's 49th Annual Field Day Weekend
at Wauchope Showground Hall June 7 and 8 (wiacal)
VK5 - SERG Convention and Fox Hunting Championship June 7 and 8
At Scout Hall in Mt. Gambier (vk5dj)
VK - Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association 50th anniversary
Glen Waverly July 26 president@alara.org (vk2ayl)
VK5 - AREG's Amateur Radio & Electronics Sale Sunday 26th October
at David Roche Park, Kilburn (VK5QI)
VK4 - GOLD COAST AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY 2025 HAMFEST NOV 9 (vk4dmh)
Country Paradise Parklands 231 Beaudesert Nerang Road.
VK3- Rosebud RadioFest, Eastbourne Primary School, Rosebud (wiacal)
November Sixteen.
VK8 - Darwin Amateur Radio Club DARC Xmas Party 6:30pm Dec 3 (wiacal)
Reception Reports
WIA News rebroadcasters often give Short Wave Listeners a
welcome to the broadcast as they commence call-backs
straight after the Local News. Local news follows National
news in all states. It would be great if those SWL's would
email their reception reports and location to
callbacks(at)wia.org.au
---------------------------------------------------------------*
(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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