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VK7AX > BCAST 26.10.24 02:38l 499 Lines 23844 Bytes #243 (0) @ WW
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VK7 Amateur Radio News 27Oct24
Text edition:
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VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 27th October 2024
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Welcome to the VK7 Amateur Radio News.
This was first broadcast on Sunday, October 27th, 2024 and we bring you the latest from the world of amateur radio in VK7.
This week, joining you from the Tasmanian Amateur Radio News desk is Idris, VK7ZIR.
Tune in as we share updates and insights across VK7, broadcast through an array of platforms and frequencies:
On DMR Talk Group 5 and D-Star Reflector 91C, managed by Gavin, VK7HGO.
On Medium and high frequency rebroadcasts thanks to our dedicated operators:
1.862 MHz by Graham, VK7GS
3.670 MHz by Dale, VK7DG
7.140 MHz by Peter, VK7TPE
14.130 MHz by Ross, VK7ALH
28.525 MHz by Garry, VK7JGD and
UHF CB Channel 24 in the Hobart area, hosted by Mark, VK7FMAC
If you missed todayâ€Ös broadcast then you can catch the replay on Tuesday night at 8:00pm on repeaters VK7RAA in Northern VK7 and VK7RHT and UHFCB24 in Southern VK7.
Thank you for tuning in and enjoy the broadcast!
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Tassie Ham-E-Con
Innovation in Amateur Radio - Bookings Now Open
https://www.reast.asn.au/news-events/tassie-ham-radio-conference/
Less than one week to go until the conference and the big news comes from ICOM our major sponsors.
As major sponsor they have donated to our raffle prize pool with a wonderful and unique prize. An ICOM ID-52 Plus 60th Anniversary Handheld. There have been only 2400 of these made and they come with a beautiful 60th anniversary embossed strap and box.
The other big news is that ICOM are bringing their new ICOM IC-7760 super rig down to the conference for their display - this rig was released recently at the Tokyo Hamfair and is the top of the line rig. There will also be many of their current rigs including the IC-905, along with a chronology of ICOM rigs on display in the Sir Stanley Burbury Theatre.
As a reminder the other raffle prizes include an ICOM IC-7300, a Yaesu FTM-500, a Xiegu G90, a DX Commander Expedition Antenna, five ZachTek WSPR transmitters. Plus, heaps of vouchers from TET-Emtron, Digirig, Messi & Paoloni, and exclusive merch from VK Radio.
Raffle tickets are only available to attendees, with extra chances to buy more raffle ticket at the conference.
As well as the presentations at the conference there will be a few fun segments that will include an online quiz session for the attendees to test their amateur radio knowledge and on the Sunday there will be a panel session with a start-studded panel from the National Peak Amateur Radio body - the Board of the Wireless Institute of Australia, the VK5 AREG club, Ham Radio DX and REAST for a panel session titled The Secret to Energising Ham Radio.
The Tassie Ham Conference happens next weekend November 2nd and 3rd, 2024, at the Sir Stanley Burbury Theatre on the Sandy Bay Campus of UTAS. This year's event is fully catered, offering endless tea, coffee, and other beverages, plus delicious morning and afternoon teas, and lunches on both days, all included in the conference fee.
This coming Friday night we kick off the weekend with a pre-conference BBQ social gathering at the REAST Clubrooms on Friday night.
Bookings for the conference are now closed however, you can still see the conference online with a streaming ticket that can still be booked up until 23:59 on Thursday 31st October 2024.
https://www.reast.asn.au/news-events/tassie-ham-radio-conference/
73, TassieHamECon Organising Committee
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QSL News
Report - from Herman VK7HW Manager of the WIA VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
The updated list of QSL cards held as at 25 October 2024 is in the email version of the broadcast.
If your callsign is on the list and you are attending the Conference at UTAS next weekend let Herman know by email and he will have the cards there for you, please contact Herman by email westyh(at)ozemail.com.au
73, Herman, VK7HW, WIA Manager VK7 Inwards QSL Bureau
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Cards held at 18 October 2024 ( Any errors in the listing are mine, I sometimes miss culling a call sign)
AAA, AAC, AAD, AAE, AAH, AAP, AAR, AB, ACE, ACG, ACN, ADE, AED, AG(2014), AGC, AHT, AIR, AJC, AKK, ALZ, AM, ANC, AO, APZ, AS, ATH, AXZ, AY
BA, BB, BO, BPV, BT, BU, BYE
C/GH, CA, CBK, CBR, CH/T, CJ, CTV, CV, CX
DAN, DHT, DI, DN, DO, DP, DQ, DT, DV, DW, DX, DY, DZ
EA, EG, EI, ER
FADZ, FALX (alx), FAZZ, FCIA, FF, FG, FGGT, FKLW, FLAR, FMI, FPRN, FTAS
GA, GEL, GGZ, GH/C, GM, GOP, GR, GU
HCH, HH, HL, HOB, HRS, HSA, HSD, HSJ, HVK, HXT, HZ
IAN, ID, IR, IS
JA, JAB, JAZ, JCR, JG, JOK, JP, JS, JW, JX
KAC, KAM, KBA, KD, KDO, KJ, KKR, KL, KO, KQ, KRJ
LA, LDH, LJ, LL, LLL, LM, LT, LVH
M, MA, MAD, MAG, MAT, MBD, MBP, MD, MEL, MET, MHZ, MI, MJ, MRS, MS, MV
NA, NB, NC, ND, NEC, NIK, NRF, NSE, NTE, NVH
OB
PAF, PBD, PM, PRN, PSH, PSJ, PSZ, PW
QK
RG, RJ, RN, ROY
SG(vi7SG), SN, SV, SZ
TCE, TED, TK, TL, TPE, TR, TS, TUX, TX, TZ
UT
VA, VAC, VAO, VAZ, VDC, VEK, VH, VI75G, VK7/AG9A9Mark), VR, VTM
WA, WC, WIA, WL, WO, WT, WUU
XV
Y, YN YY
ZA, ZJJ, ZK, ZM, ZR, ZT
Cards held at REAST Club Room 23 October 2024 (Sorted In wooden box on desk as you enter the door). AZ, HSD, HVK, MO, SD, STO, VKT
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Statewide News
Thursday Night SSTV Nets
A quiet net night that saw the following participants, VK7s – EV, KT and TW all sharing over twenty photos.
The highlights were:
The West Coast Wilderness steam train with driverâ€Ös cabin engine controls
The entrance to Luna Park
A Merry Go Round and a horse drawn cart
A series of Kenworth prime mover trucks
A “Sewing Circle†recipient with some dodgy looking “Z calls†at a past “Meet The Voiceâ€
The spaceship Heart of Gold from the Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy
AI generated spacecraft and pilot
A reminder to book for the Ham-E-Con
Some of the newly released Icom radios that will be displayed at the conference
Baseball caps for “Making Ham Radio Great Againâ€
“Making Political Incorrectness Great Againâ€
“Making Banana Bending Great Againâ€
And 73 from “Making Latex Great Againâ€
Note - Ken VK7KRJâ€Ös and Steve VK7OOâ€Ös fully automatic 24/7 monitoring sites allow anyone who has sent an SSTV picture the ability to check them on their pages almost immediately, any time, both South and North Tasmania.
If you missed the net there are archives of these SSTV nights.
These photos can be seen on Kenâ€Ös and Steveâ€Ös SSTV websites or on NTARCâ€Ös website under blogs.
Donâ€Öt forget to enable the transmit FSK ID to send your callsign and use your own photos or those that are copyright free.
SSTV VK7OO Tasmania Australia (tasme.com)
VK7KRJ's 2m SSTV scrolling web gallery
Blog 3 â€ö NTARC Inc.
73 from Andreâ€Ö VK7ZAB
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NEWS FROM THE NORTH WEST
JOTA 2024 NW Tassie a great success.
We had 35 participants booked to attend, and the weather was absolutely glorious.
A collaboration of NW Amateurs, meant a great JOTA event at the Paton Park Scout camp behind North Motton, on Saturday 19th October.
VK7DP Dan, VK7MAR Mark, VK7LSB Lucas, VK7GS Graham, VK7MOO Owen and VK7EV Eric operated at the Park, with VK7HSC Shirley and VK7HBR Rick acting as backup home stations, when we didnâ€Öt have Joeys, Cubs, Scouts or Guides for our participants to chat to.
We recently had inspected our antenna systems at the park after the recent storms, all was great, but on arrival it was noticed the OCF dipole had one leg dangling down the tower, some work by Owen VK7MOO quickly had the dipole repaired and operational.
We had a 2 metre and 70cm station, as well as 2 HF Stations utilising the OCF and HF Beams.
We are very grateful to Rick VK7HBR and Shirley VK7HSC who communicated with many of our participantâ€Ös, when we couldnâ€Öt raise any scouts etc.
On HF, we were very pleased to communicate with JOTA sites in VK2 and VK3 and a ZL station, and also speak to Scouts in the North at NTARC club rooms through VK7RMD Mt Duncan .
We also provided Morse Code send Receive station, so they could send Morse Code, sending messages to one another, and Handheld radios to practise sending phonetic messages, and some map reading activities.
All the participantâ€Ös got to have multiple turns communicating on HF and the local Tassie Amateur repeaters. We enjoyed a barbeque lunch with the Scout leaders and Scouts etc.
The enthusiasm of the amateurs who volunteered to help me to setup, run the event and pack up JOTA, made the event. Possible. The respectful attitude and great manners of the participants, was a testament to the leaders and their families.
The event is held to enable Scouts, Guides etc to speak to their counterparts in Australia, and around the World, and this was achieved, thank you for your support
Photos of the event, can be viewed on the VK7 Amateur Radio Face Book page.
73, Eric, VK7EV
NW Tassie JOTA Coordinator
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NEWS FROM THE NORTH
VK7RUN-3 Repeater Back On Air
News from VK7YAD in regard to the VK7RUN-3 repeater, which is active on weekends covering Launceston CBD in particular.
Due to an outbreak of unidentified data transmissions RUN-3 has been off air for quite a while however it seems that the problem has passed, testing over the last several weeks shows no signs of it so far.
As a result, VK7RUN-3 has resumed weekend services, 431.850MHz input, 438.850MHz output providing excellent cover in and about the CBD and additional capacity for the busy summer ahead and no CTCSS requirements for access.
73, Greg, VK7YAD
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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
Last weekend saw what has now become a very familiar event in NTARCâ€Ös yearly calendar. For as long as I can remember, this two day event has been organised and co-ordinated by Peter VK7KPC. So who better is there to give us a quick rundown on last weekendâ€Ös happenings, over to you Peter;
“Well JOTA is over for another year.
Sadly numbers at Rocherlea were down with visits from five Scout Groups, but many only had a few members attend. Girl Guides did not attend again.
On the bright side, those that did attend had fun and many seemed very interested in the activities. Thanks again to Northern Area Rover crew for running JOTI activity. No luck on HF, but the link to VK7RMD was fine. Had a few Echolink contacts and Skype worked well.
Thanks to Idris VK7ZIR, Andre VK7ZAB, Stefan VK7ZSB, Tony VK7YBG, Ian VK7IG, Stuart VK7ES and Fran, Ian VK7IH, Kevin VK7KJL and Colin VK7ZCF.
Thanks from Peter VK7KPC, JOTA Co-ordinator.â€
Thank you Peter for the update on another successful JOTA/JOTI weekend. It was excellent to see so many NTARC members giving up their time to help with this long running scouting event.
The Committee would like to thank everybody who helped at the club rooms, and those home stations that took the time to respond to CQ JOTA calls, when there were no scouts available. Thank you Shirley VK7HSC and Rick VK7HBR and anyone we may have missed. Also to Ross VK7ALH for scanning the HF bands for CQâ€Ös even though the bands werenâ€Öt in the mood to co-operate.
While we are on the subject of JOTA, at last Wednesdayâ€Ös Technical Club night Stuart VK7ES showed us his home made Spark Gap Morse Code sender and receiver. He had constructed it for last weekendâ€Ös JOTA to demonstrate Morse code equipment and its operation to the participating children and carers. Stuart tried to convey a low tech feel by using readily available scrap parts like PVC pipe off cuts for coil formers, a very buzzy old relay as a sounder and some vintage Bakelite headphones. All being mounted on two independently movable base boards of scrap ply wood. The shiny silver Morse keyer did look rather nice, but evidently even that was adorned with a Bunnings replacement wooden drawer knob.
For full technical disclosure we did try running a TinySA, spectrum analyser, alongside the set up. There was very clearly discernible “Hash†up past 1GHz every time it was keyed on….. need I say more!
Peter VK7KPC, now no longer in his JOTA mode, was able to turn back into a regular amateur. He brought along and demonstrated his “Mini-Kits†low pass transmitter filters that he had assembled and only just recently mounted into a small aluminium enclosure. This kit was designed for the 40 and 80 meter bands which are selectable by the front panel three position toggle switch, the centre position being off. Intended for portable use, it incorporated a rechargeable 12 Volt 0.8 Amp Hour Lead acid battery to power the in circuit coil switching relays. Using his FG-01 YouKits Antenna Analyser, Peter showed us some respectable frequency versus attenuation curves to prove the filterâ€Ös functioning.
As always, pictures will be available on the NTARC Web site under “Blogs†for this broadcast. NTARC Blogs
https://www.ntarc.net/blogs
UPCOMING EVENTS
TestNet and TechNet session - Every Wednesday, TestNet/CW course on 3.580MHz from 7 pm till 7.30 pm, then a TechNet on 3.567MHz from 7.30 pm till 8.30 pm. Your host for the evening is Nic VK7WW.
Club Room Technical night session - The next session will be on Wednesday the 6th November 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 and we look forward to seeing you all there. So why not pop in check the QSL cards and join us for a cuppa, there is endless tea and coffee along with biscuits available for a donation.
Finally - A reminder to all members that if you have any items of news you would like added to our weekly roundup, no matter how trivial, then please email them to the Secretary at the following address news(at)ntarc.net all items to be received no later than 5 pm on the Friday prior to the Broadcast.
Thatâ€Ös all folks,
73 from Stefan, VK7ZSB, Secretary NTARC Inc.
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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/
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Conference Volunteers Pizza Thank You Night
https://www.reast.asn.au/events/conference-volunteers-pizza-thank-you-night/
From 6:30pm on Wednesday 6th November we will be holding a conference pizza thank you night for all our conference volunteers.
Please come along and enjoy pizza and a drink on the club.
If you have any dietary requirements that we might be able to accommodate with a Pizza menu - please let us know.
tassiehamconference(at)gmail.com
73, Conference Organising Committee
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Conference Feedback Forum Night
https://www.reast.asn.au/events/conference-feedback-forum-night/
In our forum night time slot - will be holding a Conference Feedback Forum so, please come along and let us know your thoughts about the conference - the good, the bad and the ugly.
We will be providing some structure to the night and run through each aspect of the conference and provide an opportunity to input into the conference review so we can make the next one in 2026 even better.
See you there.
Conference Organising Committee
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REAST Training and Assessments Update
Foundation Training and Assessment Days are held every two months.
Standard, Advanced, and Regulations licence assessments held on the alternate months. Dates can be found on the REAST Events Page.
https://www.reast.asn.au/news-events/upcoming-events/
The final Standard, Advanced, and Regulations licence assessments will be held on Saturday 30 November 2024 from 10 am.
We are currently working through our 2025 training calendar and this will be published very soon.
For Bookings, Queries, and Questions:
Email: reast.assessor(at)gmail.com
This email is forwarded to the Learning Organiser, who will respond to all requests.
Foundation Licence Training Videos:
These have been updated to reflect the new Class Licence arrangements. Available on the REAST YouTube Training and Assessment Playlist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiSE6GEhcXU&list=PLsnsP_zjw831mdC6sY4XqavRUY-53ZWUn
Additional Resources:
Check out the WIA Foundation Trial Exams.
https://www.wia.org.au/licenses/foundation/onlineexams/foundation.php
73, Reg, VK7KK
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Wednesday Experimenterâ€Ös Nights
Last Wednesday Experimenterâ€Ös Group nights we featured the Tassie Ham-E-Con, Earth-Moon-Earth and the 2022 VHF and above field day results.
We started by fanfaring ICOMâ€Ös donation of the ICOM ID-52APlus 60th anniversary handheld and that we will have an ICOM IC-7760 on display at the conference amongst many other historic and current rigs.
https://www.reast.asn.au/news-events/tassie-ham-radio-conference/
We then moved to a great Earth-Moon-Earth presentation from Richard VK7ZBX starting with reference to our local EME guru Rex VK7MO. There was reference to decoding the DL0SHF Beacon along with a description of the beacon - a 7.2m dish and 40W or 500W output. Richard then outlined the use of the surplus Hydro MITEC dishes and building up the Az/El mechanism.
Richard then outlined many of the EME contests and rare EME DXpedition at Market Reef OJ0EME. Thanks to Richard for the presentation.
We then took a look at the preliminary results of the 2022 VHF/UHF Field Day Contest.
https://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/vhfuhf/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzVdLgum4aI
We go into recess for a fortnight with the conference thank you Pizza night on the 6th November and the Conference Feedback forum on the 13th November.
See you in a fortnight.
73, Justin, VK7TW
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Technology News
Could Satellite Signals ‘Un-Stealthâ€Ö Stealth Aircraft?
New research shows that satellite signals could be effective where radar fails.
According to a story on the Techno-Science website, a recent Chinese study shows that Starlink satellites could provide a means for detecting stealth aircraft. Stealth technology is devoted to developing aircraft shapes and surfaces that reduce the radar signature and deflect radar beams. But Chinese researchers have reportedly found that aircraftâ€öincluding stealth aircraftâ€öcause interference in regular satellite signals, such as those from the Starlink constellation, that can be analyzed to detect their presence, even when they are invisible to radar.
Chinese scientists tested the premise with a low-altitude DJI Phantom 4 Pro drone, which simulates the radar signature of a stealth aircraft such as the F-22. They were able to detect the drone based on the variations in electromagnetic signals emanating from the satellites.
This technology would have the added advantage over radar of not requiring easily detectable radar emissions. And as more Starlink satellites are placed in orbit, more opportunity exists for piggybacking on their transmissions for this purpose.
Though they noted that their research is still in the experimental stage, the Chinese scientists are already considering using other similar satellite constellations, including those from the Chinese Thousand Sails program.
https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/analyzing-interference-in-satellite-beams-could-detect-stealth-military-aircraft/
Written by Mark Phelps for the AVWeb Web E-Zine.
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Regular VK7 gatherings and events over the coming months:
Regular gatherings:
Sewing Circle Net – Daily on 3.640MHz commences at 6:30pm AEST.
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.
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.
REAST - WAGs - Wednesday Afternoon Group from 12 noon in the REAST Clubrooms Queenâ€Ös Domain.
REAST - WEGs - Wednesday Experimenterâ€Ös Group from around 6pm in the REAST Clubrooms Queenâ€Ös Domain.
SOTA/WWFF Group – Meeting Mondays and Fridays 10.30-12.00 midday at Glebe Gardens Cafe, Henry St, Launceston.
NTARC - Club Room Technical night session on Wednesday 23rd October from 6.30 pm at the Club Room Archer Street, Rocherlea.
NTARC - TestNet and TechNet sessions every Wednesday night. TestNet/CW course on 3.580MHz from 7pm till 7.30pm and a TechNet on 3.567MHz from 7.30pm till about 8.30pm
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 Node 56780
NW VK7 - Thursday commencing at 8:30pm local - N.W. Tassie 2m DX Net 144.190 USB
Events:
VK - November 2-3 - Tassie Ham Conference - Innovation in Amateur Radio - Sandy Bay Campus UTAS
REAST - November 6 - Conference Volunteers Thank-You Pizza Night - from 6:30pm - Queens Domain Clubrooms
REAST - November 13 - Ham Conference Feedback Forum - Queens Domain Clubrooms from 7:30pm
REAST - December 1 - End of Year Free BBQ and Spring Cleaning workshop from 11am after the broadcast at the Queens Domain Clubrooms
REAST - January - CarBoot Sale of the Century!
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A reminder to those people rostered for next weekâ€Ös broadcast:
Newsreader: VK7FB
Repeaters: REAST, NTARC and in the NW thanks to N W T A R C, West Coast Radio Group, Cradle Coast Radio Amateur Radio Club, VK7AX, VK7JH and VK7DC
160m: Any Takers
80m: VK7TPE
40m: VK7ALH
20m: VK7JGD
10m: VK7DG
UHFCB24: VK7FMAC
DMR: Talk Group 5 and D-Star: Reflector 91C VK7HGO
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A huge thank you to all people and organisations that assisted with this broadcast.
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That wraps up this week's edition of the VK7 Amateur Radio News. We hope you found it informative and enjoyable?
You've been listening to VK7WI, or if youâ€Öve just tuned in, you've just missed our live broadcast. But donâ€Öt worry! You can catch the
rebroadcast on Tuesday night at 8:00pm on repeaters VK7RAA in Northern VK7 and VK7RHT and UHFCB24 in the South.
We encourage you to share your news, stories, and updates with us. Email your contributions to vk7arnews(at)gmail.com.
For more information about the broadcast and to join the discussion, visit our VK7 Amateur Radio News Groups.IO Group.
groups.io/g/vk7arnews.
Remember, the deadline for submissions is 21:00 on the Friday before the Sunday broadcast.
Stay tuned for callbacks on the frequency youâ€Öre currently listening to. Relay stations will use their own callsigns during this time.
On behalf of the entire VK7 Amateur Radio News Team, this is Idris, VK7ZIR wishing you 73. Stay safe and have a fantastic week!
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(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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