
Silent key

    We  wish  to announce the passing of  Brian VK2DHO on  20th  January
    1995, aged 70 years. Brian, of Glenwarrie Place Parkes, was a member
    of  Parkes  and  Orange Districts Amateur Radio Club,  and  was  the
    Treasurer for many years.  He was instrumental in the  establishment
    of  the  Grenfell  2 metre repeater.

    Brian  was  also  a keen "home brewer" and was also a TV  and  radio
    technician.  he is survived by his wife,  and son David.  He will be
    missed by many of his friends.

    Information from Ian McGovern


VK2 DIV. President's Message

        This is Michael Corbin, VK2PFQ.

        This week we got one of those letters which demoralises hard workers
        in any organisation.  It was a  letter criticising my weekly
        addresses.  The information contained in these addresses is designed
        to inform.   This means by necessity that it might contain
        information which could be  unpleasant or critical of people or
        organisations..... I can't help that! Would you prefer something
        filled with platitudinous rubbish or..... do you want the facts.  All
        my information is factual, if anyone believes it isn't, then I
        invite them to take any action they might consider appropriate.  I
        put a great deal of time into keeping you informed.  I believe that
        my only opposition is by those who follow one of those old "teams" or
        by those who are ill informed. Under the olde guard EVERYONE was
        treated as just so many mushrooms. This is not the way I do things. I
        intend to keep you abreast of all the goings on in our hobby....
        Pleasant or Unpleasant. If you don't like what I say, it's like
        watching T.V. the on/off switch is in YOUR control......  I'll be
        finished in about five minutes.... Turn back on then!

        By now all affiliated clubs have received their latest posting, which
        included a copy of the submission to the SMA.  All members will
        receive one in the next issue of A.R.  To this end, anyone who has
        time to spare should present themselves at the Parramatta Office
        tomorrow, Monday at about 10.30a.m.  We need about four people to
        help fold and staple these pamphlets for distribution.  If nobody
        comes, then I guess. I'll do it all myself, with help from
        CESAR MIRANDA, VK2TCM.  CESAR and MAX VK2AFE photocopied 1,500 copies
        last Friday.  All we need now is to staple them together.  If you
        can come, give me a call.  Don't just turn up, we may change the
        venue. Perhaps we could leave them 'till Thursday and get the
        Veterans to help us!.....Only kidding Franklin.

        Now concerning our electrical work. Tim Mills VK2ZTM did the job for
        us.  I'm sure that will please all the knockers.  My answer to
        them....I'll accept any help from anyone who offers in the true
        spirit.  Speaking of help, the painting people are all asked to
        present themselves at Parramatta next Saturday morning.  We have had
        some good offers and one in particular from none other than Clive
        Robertson, that's ROBERTSON -- not Robinson.  Clive also expressed
        his appreciation of the tapes supplied by Tim Mills, and no Mr.
        Robertson they were not recorded in the bathtub under water on a
        wire tape recorder.... Although, you're probably not far wrong!!
        Now regarding your comments on our manner of Station
        Identification....could you please repeat your instructions, our
        secretary wiped the first part of your tape message, by mistake of
        course. Indeed, we would be both delighted and honoured to accept
        and appropriate replacement message. Robertson, as he prefers to be
        addressed, can be heard on Sydney Radio 2GB Monday to Friday
        5.00 AM 'till 9.00 AM. I do not apologise for the free plug. If you
        can't make  Breakfast with Robertson then attend our "celebrity
        paint in" next Saturday. However, you'll need a Ticket....Give me a
        call at home on 626 9288.

        Letters of reply are beginning to come in as a result of our writing
        to all the members of the ALP Communications Committee.  I'll give
        you details of these on a future broadcast.....And I promise to
        criticise those who deserve criticism!!!

        Finally a word to those, who are concerned at our threatened pullout
        from the Federal W.I.A.  For the benefit of those listeners who don't
        know anything about this, a short History lesson..... At a meeting of
        the Federal Executive in October, that's the organisation we are
        prevented from belonging to because Mr. Harrison steadfastly refuses
        to resign, i.e. we have NO representation, a motion was moved to
        change  the Examination function, presently with the Federal Office,
        to the VK4 Division.  This motion was then sent to the Federal
        Council to make a final decision.  The motion was put with little or
        no debate. Our representatives, who were in attendance this time,
        Peter Kloppenburg VK2CPK and Peter Naish VK2BPN, viewed this as a
        move which could spell the end of Federal. The ultimate fragmentation
        of the various functions of Federal throughout the States.
        Accordingly, they  voted against the matter....and rightly so!  VK6,
        whose delegate had not had an opportunity to discuss it with his
        council, declined to vote.  There is provision in the Federal M.& As.
        to cover this very situation, i.e. the motion "lays on the table"
        until a future meeting.

        VK2 decided, at a Council meeting, that this situation warranted
        stronger action....accordingly we threatened to resign from Federal
        ....and that's all it was, a threat.  Such an action would only ever
        be as a result of a complete breakdown of relationships with our
        fellow amateurs throughout Australia. This will never happen whilst
        I'm the President. Quite apart from that, a notification of Intention
        to Withdraw MUST BEAR THE SEAL OF THE N.S.W. Division.... and all
        this cannot happen without an Extraordinary Special Meeting which
        must decide that this is the way to go.  I believe that this Division
        acted quite properly.  All States except VK4 have since written in
        support of NOT moving the examination function.  Quite apart from
        that any change must be with the approval of the SMA.  They do not
        approve.  I hope that puts the matter to bed once and for all. My
        knockers on packet Radio will, I am sure, take due notice and react
        accordingly. This means of course a complete retraction... A nice
        start could be a message from none other than the Minister for
        Propaganda himself...Affectionately known to some as
        "THE FOOL ON THE HILL". This message was entitled
        "CORBIN IN DAMAGE CONTROL" from VK2XBR TO SPLIT @ VKNET MESSAGE NO.
        24452..... on VK2XSO BBS Yeah, fat chance CORBIN!!!!

        All painters will be contacted during the week and advised of
        starting times Etc.

        I'll  see the rest of you.....Next week. Someone tell those Blokes
        its safe to turn their Wireless back on again....Corbin's Finished
        for another week....  Hmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!


Radio Veterans' monthly meeting

    A  reminder  thet the next meeting of the Radio Veterans at  Amateur
    Radio  House 109 Wigram Street Parramatta will be on  Thursday  16th
    February 1995 at 11.00 am.

    All welcome.


WIA (NSW) Division services

    The NSW Division of the WIA runs amateur classes and examinations, a
    free QSL Bureau for members,  slow Morse practice on the 80m band, a
    technical library and bookshop -- and also a Trash and Treasure sale
    on the last Sunday of every odd-number month.

    Please contact the Divisional office for details.


WICEN  News

    Hunter advise that their first meeting for the year will be on  20th
    February  at  the  Emergency Operations Centre,  on  the  corner  of
    Elizabeth  and Hannell Streets,  Carrington,  starting at 1900,  and
    thereafter on the third Monday of each month.  Do any other  regions
    have regular meetings?

    The major event this month is the Central Coast Amateur Radio Club
    Field Day,  at Wyong Racecourse,  on Sunday 26th February.  As usual
    there  will be a WICEN stall next to the  Caravan,  and  people,  in
    uniform, are requested to help staff it for an hour or two from 1000
    to  about 1500;  this is an important "PR" exercise,  as we sign  up
    many  new members at this event.   Please contact Alan VK2YYJ if you
    can help,  during tbe day on (02) 839-1388,  or via packet radio  at
    VK2CZR;  members  will recall that Alan has run several such  shows,
    and we hope he will receive all assistance this year.

    Events next month include the "RTA Big NSW Bike Ride" from the 4th
    to the 11th of March for which the current contact is John VK2AMH,
    and  the  annual  Bungonia Cave Rescue on the weekend  of  18th-19th
    March,  and  Mark  VK2XGK  is  looking  for  volunteers  who   won't
    necessarily have to go underground; Mark can be contacted at work on
    (02) 936-8689.

    A major event in April is the Oberon Car Rally on 29th April, and
    about 20 people are required; please contact Alan VK2YYJ via packet
    radio at VK2CZR, or at work on (02) 839-1388.

    WICEN is always looking for members to provide the community with
    communications assistance.  Write to WICEN (NSW) Inc, PO Box 123, St
    Leonards  2065  for further information,  or come up on one  of  the
    WICEN  nets:  Blue  Mountains on the first Monday of each  month  at
    8.30pm  on channel 7175 simplex,  Hunter each Wednesday at 7.30pm on
    channel 6900, Northern Rivers each Wednesday at 8pm around 3610 kHz,
    Central  Coast each Thursday at 8.30pm on channel 7125,  and  Sydney
    each  Thursday at 9.30pm on channels 7150/8275.   If there  are  any
    other regular nets then we'd like to hear about them.

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


Dural Report

    Here  agin  is another report on activities at the  Dural  broadcast
    station.

    A  tower-climbing-bee  has been organised for Sunday  afternoon,  so
    that  some  of  the antennae can be inspected  and  where  necessary
    straightened; naturally it will be necessary to switch off the Dural
    beacons and repeaters at that time,  so users of these services  are
    hereby  warned.  Also  on the agenda is some work to help  make  the
    station power-failure-proof.

    One  member  of the Dural team took a trip down  South  lately,  and
    found  all sorts of hitherto-unknown Broadcast outlets.  Since  very
    few records,  if any,  can be found about these relays,  it would be
    appreciated  if ALL relay stations contact the Office,  with details
    of  their  relay  frequency (input  and  output),  period  (morning,
    evening, both, or occasional etc), and technique  (sub-audible tone,
    time-switch,  manually,  atc), plus anything else you believe may be
    relevant,  such as average number of callbacks etc,  so that we  can
    get  a better idea of our coverage,  and whether any backup channels
    are necessary. Listeners may recall that following the vandalisation
    of Dural last year the Broadcast originated from Parramatta for some
    time,  and many relay stations just disappeared. Please help us make
    the  VK2  Broadcast  to  be once again the  best  Broadcast  in  the
    country.

    --Dave VK2KFU, Dural Engineer


News Briefs

                               MEDICAL DX?

For the first time in Australia, Telecom's Integrated Services Digital
Network (ISDN) has been used to transmit high-definition ultrasound
images from Melbourne to medical specialists attending a conference
in Sydney.

Such uses of ISDN can be used in the future to pioneer the new field
of "telemedicine", which allow specialist medical treatment to be given
to patients at rural hospitals that are unable to afford their own
specialists.

                                ----------

As Robin VK2VN reported on last Sunday's broadcast, the Space Shuttle
Discovery and the Russian space station Mir were flying in close
formation, practising for a docking operation that will take place
in June.

Orbiting at a speed of 28,000 km/hour, Discovery closed to within
13 metres of Mir. The operation was made extra difficult by a fuel
leak on the Shuttle: officials at the Russian Sace Agency were
concerned that lumps of frozen fuel could damage Mir's optical sensors
and solar panels.

In June, the Space Shuttle Atlantis will perform a complete docking
manoeuvre with Mir, the first of seven such manoeuvres to take place
over the next two years.

                          ----------

Australia is to have its own annual solar car race, from next January.
Organised by Sustainable Energy Enterprise Developments, the "Great
Southern International Sunrace will take place over three days. The
first leg will be from Adelaide to Broken Hill, then on to Mildura,
then back to Adelaide.

The event's organiser, Mr. John Hoerner was involved in the 1993 World
Solar Challenge, in which the Australian entry, Aurora, came fifth.
Aurora also recently broke the solar car record for crossing Australia
from Perth to Sydney.

                            ----------

"News Briefs" looks at communications news items that appear in the
mainstream media. Thanks this week go to "The Australian" and "The
Sydney Morning Herald".  If your local  or regional paper runs an
item of interest to Radio Amateurs, please send a clipping to the
Divisional office.

   --Richard Murnane VK2SKY


Central Coast Field Day

    Now's  the time to put aside Sunday 26th February - that's just  two
    weeks  away  - for a trip to the Central Coast to visit  the  Annual
    Central  Coast Field Day.  The Field Day has something for everyone.
    There  are traders galore,  selling new and  second-hand  equipment,
    interesting  technical  lectures  and  workshops,  special  interest
    groups and displays,  fox hunts for those with a competitive spirit,
    bus  trips for the family,  and a chance to meet people who you  may
    not have seen for years or have only ever worked on the radio.

    More  than  2,000 people come from far and wide and this year as  in
    past years there will be many international visitors.

    The Central Coast Field day is held at Wyong Racecourse,  just  five
    minutes  from  Wyong Railway Station.  The  Racecourse  provides  an
    excellent  venue  with  under cover display area,  Bistro  and  food
    facilities and ample car parking within the grounds.

    Two entry gates will be in operation this year to avoid the  traffic
    congestion that has occurred in the past.  Gates will not open until
    8:30 a.m., and this includes entry for Flea Market traders.

    An information service will be provided on the Central Coast 2 Metre
    Repeater 146.725 MHz using the call sign VK2AFY on Saturday 25th and
    the morning of Sunday 26th February.

    Admission is $8.00 for adults, $5.00 for pensioners and Seniors Card
    holders and children under 12 are admitted free.

    Further  information  can  be obtained by writing to the  Field  Day
    Committee,  Box 252,  Gosford,  NSW, 2250, or via Packet to VK2AFY @
    VK2EHQ. Telephone enquiries can be made by phoning (043) 40 2500.

    See you at the Central Coast Field Day on 26th February.

    Bob Fitzgerald, VK2XRF
    CCARC Publicity Officer


CASTLE HILL MILITARY RADIOS

    Castle Hill  Military Radio Collection will once again be mounting a
    display at the Wyong Field Day this year.

        Items on display will include:
         a BC611 U.S. Infantry walkie-talkie
         the U.S. Navy TCS small ships transmitter
         a Bendix RA-1B Catalina aircraft receiver
         an Australian Wireless Set no 62, with no 10 Calibrator
         a late model No 19 Mark 3 tank transceiver
         and an Eddystone 730 receiver in military guise
    There will  also  be an associated display of the  English  Larkspur
    equipment.

    If you need any information on service type radio equipment,  please
    contact me and I will endeavour to bring it to the Field Day.

    Donations  of  equipment,  spares or manuals to the  collection  are
    always greatly appreciated.  As usual,  I will have an empty trailer
    with me.

    Please contact me on (02) 680 2112.

    Ian O'Toole, VK2ZIO, Curator, Castle Hill Military Radio Collection.


CLUB NEWS: A.A.T.C

    Australian Amateur Television Club Inc.

    The next meeting of the A.A.T.C.  Inc. will be on February 12th 1995
    to be held Radio House - Wigram St Parramatta - 1.00 pm.  Today!!!

    ----------

    The  meeting will outline the objectives for the Wyong Field Day and
    input from members is expected regarding the display.

    ----------

    A  technical  overview will be given about the  new  CPU  controlled
    repeater about to come on line plus other technical directions. Some
    new project conclusions will also be shown.

    ----------

    Anyone   interested  in  ATV  is  welcome  to  attend  for   general
    information about ATV and the needed requirements.

    ----------

    For  more  information about ATV - contact the Publicity Officer  on
    (02) 587-3491 between 4.00 pm and 10.00 pm Monday to Fridays.

    ----------

    Remember the Wyong Field Day is only 2 weeks away - see us there !!

    ----------

    AATC Inc. Publicity Officer Bob Barnes VJ2R


CLUB NEWS: SUMMERLAND

    Summerland Amateur Radio Club

    The  36th Annhual General Meeting of our Radio Club will be held  in
    the  Clubrooms 412 Richmond Hill Road,  Goonellabah,  on Sunday  5th
    March 1995, commencing at 2 pm.

    Business  to  include  - Presentation of reports  - Confirmation  of
    amendments   to  Club  by-laws  - Introduction  of  the   new   fees
    structures, plus Election of Office-bearers and Committee.

    Also  up  for discussion are proposed changes to our voice  repeater
    and Packet digipeater systems.

    All members are specifically requested to come along and voice their
    opinions on these topics.

    Guests and visitors are very welcome.

    Remember  - you must be a financial member of our club to make  your
    vote count.

    Ragchew and refreshments to follow meeting.

    Don't forget our Computer EXPO in May.

    For more information please contact Steve,  VK2JSM,  Ric, VK2EJV, or
    Graeme , VK2GJ on H.F., V.H.F. or Packet via VK2RPL-2 668900'

    VK2GJ - Graeme - Publicity Officer


CLUB NEWS: WAVERLEY

    Waverley Amateur Radio Society

    Tomorrow,  Monday  the  13th of February,  marks 75 completed  years
    since the formation of the Waverley Amateur Radio Society in 1919.

    The  Society has had a chequered career but the one thing which  has
    remained  constant is that it has been continuously  licenced  since
    that  time except for the years during the Second World War when all
    amateur licences were suspended.

    The Society invites all past and present members to come to the next
    meeting  on Wednesday 15th February at 7:30 p.m.  to  celebrate  the
    occasion.  One amateur,  Gordon Thompson,  VK2AVT,  whose connection
    with the Society dates right back to the 1920s,  will be present, so
    come  along  and reminisce and also find out where  the  Society  is
    going in future. The venue for the meeting is the Society's shack at
    the Rose Bay Scout Hall in Vickery Ave,  Rose Bay,  next door to the
    Rose Bay R.S.L. Club. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.

    We are planning some events for later in the year including a dinner
    and  would like to hear from anyone who has been associated with the
    Society over the years.

    Please contact the Publicity Officer,  Simon Buxton,  VK2EII, if you
    would be interested in the dinner or any other events o that we  can
    gauge  interest  and also if you have any tales you may be  able  to
    relate from the Society's past.

    Simon  may be contacted either by phone on 328-7141 at home or  391-
    9738 at work; or via the post to po Box 131, Watson's Bay, NSW 2030.

    Apart from the regular meeting on the 3rd Wednesday,  the Society is
    to start a "project night" on the 1st Friday of every month. This is
    intended for technical discussion, problem solving and a social get-
    together, so mark it in your diary and come along.

    Having  a  permanent venue,  we are now able to conduct classes  for
    prospective  amateurs and those wishing to upgrade  their  licences.
    The  first Morse class aiming at the 10 wpm test is nearing a  close
    and a new class will follow.  In addition a theory class will be run
    every  Tuesday night starting in mid-March.  Would anyone interested
    please contact the Secretary,  Grant Hinchcliff,  VK2TU, on 957-7100
    during working hours or 319-1913 after hours.

    Simon Buxton - VK2EII - Publicity Officer


CLUB NEWS: LIVERPOOL

    Liverpool and Districts Amateur radio Club

    The  Liverpool and Districts Amateur Radio Club welcomes members and
    interested parties to its first meeting for 1995.

    We  will be displaying the prototype of our new kit for  foxhunting.
    The kit is for a Doppler radio direction finder which will include a
    vehicle display unit and an antenna switching box.

    Paul  VK2UPB  wiill  be  giving  a  talk  about  the  features   and
    construction  of  the  unit.  The  unit will be  more  than  just  a
    foxhunter  with  applications suitable for other bands such  as  6m,
    aircraft and marine distress, and even 430 MegaHertz.

    Everyone  is  welcome  to  come  along on  Tuesday  night  for  more
    information.  The  meeting commences at 8 pm at the Scout Hall  Cam-
    bridge Avenue Glenfield.

    See you there

    --Brad VK2QQ Publicity Officer


CLUB NEWS: GREAT LAKES 

    Great Lakes Radio Club

    At its first meeting  for 1995 the Great Lakes Radio Club considered
    a  number  of proposals concerning the establishment of a second  2-
    metre  repeater linked to VK2RGL and located on a mountain top  some
    80 kilometres to the north-east.

    This  repeater is required to cover sections of the Pacific  Highway
    which,  because  of rugged terrain,  do not receive a strong  signal
    from  the main repeater.  Also to be located at this site will be  a
    UHF  CB  repeater  for use by the local Bushfire  Brigades  and  the
    highway traffic.  This repeater is at present being operated by  the
    Great Lakes Club at a much lower elevation.

    Unitl  recently VK2RGL had experienced considerable pager  interfer-
    ence,  although  not  co-sited  with  a  pager  transmitter.  Thanks
    to  outstanding  investigative work on the part of the Regional  SMA
    office,   the  sources  of  the  interference  were  identified  and
    eliminated by the insertion of isolating filters in the feedlines of
    multiple transmitters to common aerials.

    Stan Ellis VK2DDL


COMING EVENTS

Waverley ARC 75th Anniversary meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . Wednesday
Radio Veterans meeting at Parramatta  . . . . . . . . . . . .  Thursday
Hunter WICEN meeting (Pauline VK2GTB) . . . . . . . . . . . 20 February
Central Coast ARC Field Day at Wyong  . . . . . . . . . . . 26 February
Proposed new Amateur licence fees come into effect  . . . . . . 1 March
RTA Big NSW Bike Ride (WICEN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4-11 March
Daylight Saving Time ends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 March (check)
Summerland ARC Annual General Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 March
Signals Reunion at Wagga Wagga  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-12 March
Bungonia Cave Rescue exercise (WICEN - Mark VK2XGK) . . . . 18-19 March
Hunter WICEN meeting (Pauline VK2GTB) . . . . . . . . . . . .  20 March
Divisional Trash and Treasure Sale  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26 March
Easter Monday public holiday  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17 April
Hunter WICEN meeting (Pauline VK2GTB) . . . . . . . . . . . .  17 April
International Marconi Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22 April

If you have an event you'd like publicised on the weekly broadcast,
then please send details to the Divisional Broadcast Officer, Michael
Corbin VK2PFQ, by phone on (02) 626-9288, or by fax on (02) 626-6066.
Items can also be forwarded to the Divisional Office before close of
business on the Friday before the broadcast.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
VK2WI Broadcast, 12th February 1995. Copyright 1995 WIA (NSW) &
contributors.   Material  may  be used elsewhere if the source  is
acknowledged.
