ACMA to investigate BPL interference
(from
WIA.org.au - Nov 2006)
The extremely high level of interference experienced by radio amateur Ian Paul
VK3FIOP at Mt Beauty in north-east Victoria is now the subject of a written
complaint to the Australian Communications and Media Authority. He has exercised
his right as the holder of an apparatus licence to lodge a formal written complaint
to ACMA about the interference.
Ian has a firm ground for doing so. The interference was
confirmed as BPL, its source known and substantial and harmful
impact to this licensed amateur service communications well
documented.
The latest is that the BPL system operated
by SP AusNet radiates 60dB over S9 signal emissions over
the entire 3.5
MHz to 30 MHz spectrum.
Ian VK3FIOP appears to be the first VK radio
amateur to actually lodge a formal complaint of interference
to ACMA.
The amateur service, being a licensed radiocommunications
service, is protected from substantial interference under
sections of the Radiocommunications Act.
ACMA is the Authority responsible for administrating the
provisions of the Act and is required to investigate cases
of interference when they are reported.
Without complaints, BPL operators may be able to claim that
the technology is not cited in any formal way to have caused
interference to radiocommunications.
It is vitally important that any radio amateur affected
by BPL interference first verify that the interference is
in fact caused by a BPL system, and secondly lodge an effective
interference complaint with ACMA.
Without a valid and effective interference
complaint lodged with ACMA little can be done.
The WIA provides a BPL interference advisory service to
all radio amateurs - whether they are WIA members and non-members.
Check out http://www.wia.org.au/BPL/
Also available is an MP3 audio file of the BPL interference
recorded by Ian VK3FIOP.
Check it out http://www.wia.org.au/BPL/bplaudio_operat.mp3
Link
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VHF data weak signal segments
(from
WIA.org.au - Nov 2006)
Over the past few years, tremendous advances have
been made in weak signal communications on the VHF and
UHF bands using computer generated data modes.
"These modes enable communications at or below the
noise floor. Amateurs with modest stations are now making
contacts over thousands of kilometers via EME and Meteor
Scatter using these new modes"., WIA Director, Glenn
Dunstan VK4DU said.
"However, often these very weak data signals can not
be detected by ear, which makes them incompatible with normal
analogue SSB or CW signals. There have been instances of
interference caused by SSB operators who obviously can't
hear the data signals".
Should there be specific data sub bands, and, if so, where
should they be?
"The WIA seeks your comments on the suitability of
VHF and UHF weak signal data sub bands. If there is sufficient
support, we will modify the respective band plans to accommodate
these new segments." Glenn said.
Please send your comments by email to Glenn at vk4du@wia.org.au
(From the WIA Website)
Link to top
of Page
Van
Allen Belt discoverer dies (September 2006)
James Van Allen, the US physicist who discovered the
radiation belts surrounding the Earth, has died. He was 91.
In a career that stretched over more than half a century, Van
Allen designed scientific instruments for dozens of research
flights, first with small rockets and balloons, and eventually
with space probes that travelled to distant planets and beyond.
Van Allen gained global attention in the late-1950s when instruments
he designed for the first US satellite, Explorer I, discovered
the bands of intense radiation that surround the Earth. These
bands are now known as the Van Allen Belts. (from WIA Website)
Link to top of Page
Why not
listen to the WIA news each week on the VK3RML repeater. It is on Sunday nights
at 8pm and Wednesday 11am
Link to top of Page
Remembrance
Day Contest (from WIA.org.au - Aug
2006)
2006 Remembrance Day Contest - Introduced by VK4OD, Peter
Harding.
Firstly I would like to congratulate Alex VK6APK for his
many years as the RD Contest Manager, and with many thanks
to Chris Edmondson VK4AA/3CE who is unable to continue in
the role.
I would like to take this opportunity to explain the main
changes to the rules.
Distance Bonus Points were complex to the point that many
entrants were hopelessly confused by the bonuses. How did
one get precise distances on the boundaries without wasting
a lot of time on extra exchanges?. Many operators simply
gave up trying to work the points out.
Similarly, bonus points offered for working stations in
VK8, 9, 0 or P2 and ZL needlessly confused things and many
stations even within those zones were unaware that they,
could double all their points.
We actually ended up where a DX contact on 160mtrs CW in
the early hours of the Sunday morning could be worth 32 points.
Few entrants tried it, though. We needed to simplify scoring,
not only for the benefit of entrants but the Manager too.
We have also included a new rule to formally make ineligible
contacts which may use an Internet connection. Therefore,
the use of such things as IRLP or ECHOLINK are now specifically
banned. We want to emphasise the traditional values in this
contest to honour our diggers.
So this year we change the rules again. We hope you will
find the revised rules make it simpler for you to submit
your logs, without taking anything away from this long time-time
favourite of Australian and Pacific contesters.
This article presents the formal rules for the 2006 Remembrance
Day Contest, which appear in the contest section of the WIA
website and in the AR magazine for July.
Along with a new Contest Manager for this year comes a review
of the rules and, importantly, a new way of determining the
overall winner.
The RD Contest is an important event on the Australian amateur
calendar, with heavy participation by individual operators
and serious competition between states.
With the introduction of the Foundation and changes to all
licence structures, this year's changes are aimed at restoring
the drive and renewing the enthusiasm in the grand old lady.
We specifically wanted to strengthen the RD without confusion,
and hope the new rules will help the RD retain its rightful
place as the premier Australian contest event.
The Remembrance Day Contest for 2006 will be held on August
12-13 2006, for 24 hours commencing 0800 UTC on the Saturday
evening.
Firstly, in essence, what won't change is the spirit of
the thing. We haven't meddled with the basics which make
the RD so very special. The winning state will be the one
which stands head and shoulders over the rest. Those things
won't ever change. Other things will.
Due to the complexity and in order to simplify the points
tabulations, I have removed the bonus points for the HF operators,
previously you could claim double points for all contacts
in excess of 1000km on any HF band, this has been eliminated
for Transmitters? and the Receiving categories.
We have also removed the bonus points for contacts with
any station within VK8, VK9 and VK zero will also earn double
points for both sides of each contact. Logs for VK5 and VK8
will from 2005 be considered as coming from different states.
As from this year we have removed the necessity to show
the RST however if it is sent then it should be reflected
in the log and if a operator request an RST and is sent it
should represent a true assessment of the received signal.
Logs should still show sequential numbers starting at 001,
with bonus points tallied at the end of the contest and added
to the claimed score.
SSB and CW will continue to be considered separate modes
on HF, and from this year, subject to licence privileges,
any operator who works stations using 10 metres FM above
29MHz will also have the opportunity to immediately re-log
the same station using SSB or CW below 29 MHz.
On VHF, we'll forge ahead by going back to the days when
VHF operators could work a station on FM and immediately
rework them on SSB or CW, or, indeed, both. This provision
was inadvertently changed several years ago when the then
manager moved to ban completely automated exchanges between
packet stations.
The effect it had, other than to remove the packet robots,
of course, was to almost totally eradicate CW and SSB contest
operation on the VHF and higher bands in one fell swoop.
This year we redress the situation.
From 2006, your VHF log can include stations worked on CW,
FM or SSB. You do not need to separate the logs according
to mode, nor do you need to apply contact numbers according
to mode. However, you will continue to need separate logs
for HF and VHF categories, due to the different rules applying
to the two categories.
Many operators concentrate exclusively on VHF and higher
band operation, and many of them will have seen that stations
which might be very strong on six or two metres could be
substantially weaker on 70cm, and probably all but inaudible
on higher bands. From 2005 we seek to address this imbalance
by offering reward-based incentives for putting the work
into higher band operation.
All contacts on bands from and including 23cm and above
will attract double points, irrespective of and in addition
to any other incentives already offered. They join 160 metre
band HF operators who have enjoyed double points for some
years, as have all CW operators.
From this year onward, HF operators using either 10 or 160
metres will be able to work stations within their own state
boundaries.
We have not considered allowing WARC band operation, and
have decided to restrict HF operation to the 160, 80, 40,
20, 15 and 10 metre bands only.
When polled for comment on a recent VK1WIA broadcast, a
number of people asked about multiple contacts. Until now,
dupes were not allowed on HF but were allowed on VHF after
only two hours. The VHF arrangements will not change this
year. However, from 2006, repeat HF contacts will be allowed
after two hours. This will encourage both more and longer
operation, and real participation in the fun.
What's
more, there's a special time for all operators still on
the air between
1am and 6am local time. All points scored
during those wee hours will be doubled. If you work a station
whose time zone means they are outside the 1am to 6am point,
only your points will be doubled. Although the contest runs
during UTC times, the special "night owl" loading
is determined strictly by your time zone.
Until the 1970s ushered in substantial VHF operations, a
very convoluted point-scoring system was in place for HF,
in which more points were allocated for contacts spanning
multiple call areas than ones to neighbouring states. Even
with computer technology, scoring such a thing could be a
time-consuming process indeed, and very confusing for entrants.
For scoring
purposes, too, determining the overall winner is a different
affair
this year. The RD has always been state
against state, but determining the winner was a confusing
process involving overall "improvement factors".
From 2006 on, who wins is a simple question of how many people
take part from each state and actually submit logs. More
than ever before, then, for your state to win, submitting
your log is vital.
Electronic Logging is preferred but by no means mandatory.
Those entrants with a suitable PC may wish to consider it
for this years. By using one of these programs, the file
that is Emailed to me can be imported easily into the scoring
database program. links for these programs are listed below.
I have tried and tested them all and with the assistance
of all the creators, they have rewritten parts of their program
to assist scoring.
That's a basic summary of the changes. Every one of them
is designed to boost your scores without making the scoring
too messy for either the competitor or the manager. Good
luck, and good contesting!
Links to Computerised Logging Programs
NOTE:-- Please check your favourite website for current
versions, as most of the programmers are now doing a rewrite,
to allow for this years rule changes
From Mike Subocz VK3AVV, the VK Contest Log (VKCL) can be
found at the following URL:
http://web.aanet.com.au/mnds/
From John Drew VK5DJ RD logging program can be found at
the following URL
http://vk5dj.mountgambier.org/Amateur_radio.html
From James McBride VK6FJA WinRD+ logging program can be
found at the following URL
http://www.rjmb.net/rd/index.htm
Link
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Foundation
Licence .. its good for radio (Jan 2006)
We received the following by email from NERG. I have re-produced it because the
whole thing is a positive step for Amateur Radio.
Hi all,
The
NERG's first Foundation training and assessment weekend
was a great success with nine new amateurs joining our
ranks, with another two very likely by Christmas. All are
no doubt looking forward to using that new radio waiting
under the Christmas tree!
A couple of minor hiccups were identified in the process and will be rectified
for the next Foundation weekend, likely to be held on the weekend 21/22 January
2006.
Congratulations
to John and the team that he assembled; he is to be congratulated
on the terrific job he did and the results achieved.
John's
full report appears below, cheers, Mark, VK3BYY for NERG
NEWS
www.nerg.asn.au
NERG Foundation licence course 10-11 Dec 05
============================
The North East Radio Group Inc conducted a Foundation Licence course
over the weekend 10-11 Dec 2005 for 12 students. Of these one left after the
training day and of the remaining 11, 9 students passed and only two missed
out on the theory but were very close.
Arrangements are under way for both these students to sit the theory paper
again before Xmas.
The theory instruction was carried out by Fred Swainston with the use of his
powerpoint presentation which was greatly accepted by all students, assessors,
and observers present. Fred managed to maintain the interest of all by varying
the instruction between both theory and practical training periods.
The
practical training by assessors, and observers worked very
well. All aspects of the practical examination were covered
in these sessions.
Greg
VK3VT acted as chef and invigilator on the day and provided
a very good variety of food for the lunches and this was
appreciated by all. My thanks go to him for this effort.
My thanks to the following assessors and observers for their participation
in this event which made the days the success they were.
Firstly
to Fred for his presentation, to the observers Michael
Owen ( President WIA), Jim Linton (President AR Vic), Jonas
VK3VF, Cliff VK3CSL, David VK3THY, and to assessors Craig
VK3CMC, Mick VK3CH, Tonga VK3SJ, Peter VK3AUE, John VK3TKH,
Alan VK3VD, and Steven VK3TSR.
John
Weir VK3ZRV
Course Co-ordinator
Link to top of Page
Viclink Info 2006
Welcome to the new year and with VICLINK about to resume
at the end of January, I would like to introduce you to
our new service "Viclink Info" which
will provide regular updates about your news broadcast service in Victoria.
* Viclink
Summer Series
* VK3WIA Viclink's new callsign
* Foundation Watch
* Podcasting
* New webserver
* RSS News Feed
* Contributing to VICLINK
Viclink
Summer Series
Whilst
we take a short break from normal programming, we have been
issuing the Summer Series of Viclink, highlights from the
2005 year. So far we have revisited Amateur Television and
an interview with Michael Ampt, VK3CH at the NERG open day
and an interview with Paul O'Conner from the Australian Volunteer
Coastguard. www.vk3news.info
VK3WIA
Viclink's NEW Callsign
With the support of the WIA, Viclink has been given permission to use the VK3WIA
callsign as an identifier for Viclink. The VK3WIA callsign is licensed to the
WIA and in allowing us to use this callsign, shows their genuine interest in
local newscasts that supplement the National News. VICLINK over the 2005 year
supported the National News from VK1WIA with relay station announcements, voice
work for news items and in establishing the VK1WIA Podcast.
Foundation
Watch
A new segment to VICLINK for 2006 is called "Foundation Watch",
which essentially is a club round-up of Foundation
Licence education programs and
activities occurring around Victoria. Enhance you clubs profile by letting
Viclink know when you are running Foundation classes, locations, times etc.
and we will include them in the next newscast and publish them on our website.
Podcasting
Last
year we introduced podcasting to Viclink and the WIA National
News and by all accounts it's been a great success! - Podcasting
allows you to download the newscast direct to your PC each
week using an podcast application such as iTUNES, Doppler
etc. So if you can't catch Viclink or WIA National news on-air
each week, download it to your PC or MP3 player. Enter the
following feeds to your application:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/vk3news
(Viclink)
http://feeds.feedburnercom/vk1wia (WIA National News)
New
Web Server & Website
Last
year we purchased dedicated webspace to allow for faster
downloads of VICLINK. This is proving to be quite useful
and has allowed us to keep previous editions online as well.
Our webserver allows enough data and bandwidth to ensure
we can keep things flowing without interruption and ramp
it up if we need to. Likewise, our website (or more correctly
web blog) is allowing us to publish each week audio files
and news updates more easily than a standard html website.
RSS
News Feed
Want
to keep up-to-date with the VICLINK web blog? Its easy to
use a news aggregator such a Mozilla Thunderbird to get the
latest headlines from VICLINK and other news sources. Just
use of RSS feed, http://feeds.feedburner.com/vk3news and
it will update you as new content is added.
Contributing
to VICLINK "It's your news service!"
The
hardest part about researching and publishing a weekly
news service, even 5 minutes is getting news and information
from the radio clubs around the state. Websites and newsletters
are a great source of information plus the odd email here
and there from individuals and clubs and thank you to those
clubs and individuals who supported the news service in
2005.
To continue
the weekly newscast for VK3 in 2006, we need your news!
All
we ask is for a regular email, phone call or club newsletter
that we can turn into an item each week or month. Maybe
you might like to voice the item yourself and send it in
as a MP3 file, or we can record you over the phone or Skype/Gizmo.
We can also attend in person to record your item. Just
keep us in mind when something is being planned, happens
or you hear about something happening in VK3, we can chase
it up!
Thanks
to all and let's have a great 2006!
Grant
Stowell, VK3HFS
VICLINK Editor/Producer
Viclink Info 2006
Link to top of Page
M&DRC Trip - 22nd January 2006
Friends, an unofficial pleasant Sunday is arranged by M&DRC for Families & Friends
on Sunday Jan. 22rd. 2006.
Timetable.
Cars assemble at Combined Clubrooms, Highett Reserve, Turner Rd. Highett at
8.15am. Convoy departs, in radio contact (& net on 146.550 ) at 8.30 am.
Assemble in Sorrento pier carpark (South of pier) 10 am or asap. ( Hard to
judge traffic, and thus timing ).
Walk to end of pier, pay & board the good ship "Nepean" (Captain
Shannon) 10.30am.or asap.
" Nepean" departs 11 am. "Nepean" returns 1 pm. Disembark & return
to cars.
Convoy leaves for Nepean National Park. 1.30 pm. Arrive & assemble at National
Park Carpark at 2 pm. Have "cut" lunch in Carpark.
One member from each car purchases tickets for the Transporter, for "Tip
of Pt. Nepean" in the Visitor's Centre, and notes time of departure of
the Transport.
Group assembles at Transporter Station, ready for next departure.
Visit "Tip" explore fortifications, view the Rip, listen to handheld
on 156.600 NFM & other freq's.
When tired & satisfied, reboard the Transporter & return to Visitor's
Centre .
From now on, each Party operates on its own timetable. Try & have car net
on way home.
NOTES. Timetable is best approximation. Take money, handheld, field glasses,
dark glasses, camera, sunscreen lotion, lunch & liquids, hats, maybe pencils & notepaper.
Seasick pills etc. AND "Aeroguard." On cruise will see , seals, dolphins,b
irdlife. Pass "Witch's Hat, bird perches, Pope's Eye Rock. then towards
Shore, see Quarantine Station and rest of interesting shoreline back to Sorrento
Pier. Eat lunch "on the way", in boat & in carpark etc. At tip
of Pt. Nepean, use field glasses to see ships entering & leaving the Rip.
See Pilot Boat approach/leave each Ship, and try to see the Pilot's "Leap
of Faith" to/from the ropeladder on the ship. Remember Captain Carrol's
Talk ! Use handheld to listen to Harbour Control & Pilots .156.600 FM etc.
Take this opportunity to explore the fortifications, be amazed at brickwork, & remember
that all construction materials had to be ferried from Pt Lonsdale or Queenscliffe,
also much of the food for Workers & Soldiers.
The cost was enormous, and paid for by the gold from Ballarat, Bendigo etc.
A trip to & exploration of the Treasury Building in Melbourne is well worth
while for those interested in Australian History.
NOTE 1. The weather cannot be controlled. If it is bad, ring 1300 304 384 and
ask Captain Shannon's advice. If the boat does not go, the trip to Pt. Nepean
will still be "on". We will assemble at Sorrento Pier Carpark 10
am, discuss situation, and probably make earlier start to Pt. Nepean Carpark,
probably spending more time in the Visitor's Centre, which is very good. HOPE
YOU JOIN US. Ken Morgan. VK3CEK. NOTE 2. I would appreciate some idea of those
likely to join us. Ring 95929957, or make email message to ken@melbpc.org.au
Link to top of Page
A
Bulletin To Members From Amateur Radio Victoria
New licence structure begins. Key points at a glance:
