Date: Wed, 19 Jan 94 22:34:57 PST
From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup <info-hams@ucsd.edu>
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Reply-To: Info-Hams@UCSD.Edu
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Subject: Info-Hams Digest V94 #56
To: Info-Hams
Info-Hams Digest Wed, 19 Jan 94 Volume 94 : Issue 56
Today's Topics:
ANARTS RTTY NEWS BULLETIN 792 16/01/94
Dipole Antenna
Getting my FT-101 tuned
Ham Radio FTP area on World
Recommendations for 2m/440 base verticals?
VK2WI Weekly News, 16th January, 1994
WANTED: W21AT mod for full UHF band TX
What could this mean?
Send Replies or notes for publication to: <Info-Hams@UCSD.Edu>
Send subscription requests to: <Info-Hams-REQUEST@UCSD.Edu>
Problems you can't solve otherwise to brian@ucsd.edu.
Archives of past issues of the Info-Hams Digest are available
(by FTP only) from UCSD.Edu in directory "mailarchives/info-hams".
We trust that readers are intelligent enough to realize that all text
herein consists of personal comments and does not represent the official
policies or positions of any party. Your mileage may vary. So there.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 18 Jan 94 23:44:38 GMT
From: munnari.oz.au!newshost.anu.edu.au!sserve!usage!metro!news.ci.com.au!eram!dave@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: ANARTS RTTY NEWS BULLETIN 792 16/01/94
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
[ ANARTS - Australian National Amateur Radio Teletype Society ]
ANARTS NEWS BULLETIN 792 16/01/94
SUNDAY BROADCAST SCHEDULES.
3.545 mhz 0930 utc VK2BQS (Jim)
7.045 mhz -3 0030 utc VK2CTD (COL)
14.070 mhz (amtor/fec) 0030 utc VK2DPM (ALAN)
14.091 mhz 0030 utc VK2BQS (JIM)
146.675 mhz 0030/0930 utc VK2JPA (PAT)
144.850 mhz (ax25 bbs) VK2JPA AT VK2RWI
146.675 mhz (rtty mmbbs/repeater) VK2RTY
Views expressed in this news bulletin are not necessarily
those of the Broadcast Officer, the Relay Officers, or of the
Society.
Thanks to all the helpers
=========================
ANARTS says thanks to all the helpers who came to fight the
fires and to man the communications where needed. Had it not
been for all the assistance from other states, we would have
had a much harder time of it. When the usual communications
could not cope, about 140 WICEN members and other amateur
radio operators stepped in and held them together, often
risking their lives as the fires raced through at a rate
beyond expectation. They were even coordinating helicopter
operations at some places, I hear.
Our heartfelt thanks to you all.
-------------------------------------
Guidelines for the preparation of programs for transmission by
-------------------------------------------------------------- Amateur Radio Teletype : By FRANK VK2FJL.
--------------------------------------------
Due to the diversity of RTTY equipment in common use
among Radio Amateurs, it is desirable that a few simple
guidelines be observed in order to ensure that transmitted
data is received as it is intended by the variety of
receiving equipment in use.
For instance - it is known that at least four
different keyboard layouts using different keys for the upper
case or upshift characters are in use by Amateur RTTY
stations. Certain characters are therefore incompatible and
their use should be avoided. Indeed characters used on some
machines are not used at all on others. Some examples are the
exclamation mark, the commercial at, the ampersand, semi-colon
and quotes.
Also, some RTTY'ers use `hard copy' teleprinter machines
of various types, the most common being teletype (both
CCITT and USA keyboard versions) Siemens, Creed and Olivetti.
Others use `Glass' or computers which run a variety of RTTY
programs, the main difference here being that computers reset
almost instantly to the beginning of a new line, whilst the
mechanical machines require longer time (usually 2-3 charact-
ers ) for the carriage to fly back to the other end, recover,
and prepare to `do it again'. These machines require a separ-
ate (CR) and (LF) to be received at the end of each line,
whereas the computer only needs the (CR). It does not see the
(LF) and automatically inserts one for itself everytime it
sees a (CR). Line lengths also vary for different equipment :
e.g 24, 32, 64, 69, 72, 76, and 80 or even more characters
per line.
These mechanical differences, as well as the need for uni-
formity of layout, e.g. in broadcast production, necessitate
the publication of a standard or protocol for the
preparation of RTTY material.
Uniformity will also result in the perpetuation of a higher
standard of transmitted RTTY, of which the individual
amateur can be justly proud.
This `punch tape protocol' is recommended for use by all
who prepare RTTY pictures, stories, programs, text or
broadcast items for re-transmission, or for those who just
enjoy having a higher standard associated with their callsign.
(1) END-OF-LINE PROTOCOL.
At the end of each line type (CR) and (LF).
Always type (CR) before (LF) - never the other way around.
For multiple line feeds type (CR)(LF)(CR)(LF)(CR)(LF), etc.
following the last (LF) add (LTRS) or (FIGS) as applicable.
For single line feed two (FIGS) or (LTRS) are recommended,
this ensures adequate non-printing characters following the
first (CR) for mechanical machines.
more next week
--------------------------------------------
IPS weekly report
-----------------
7 January - 13 January 1994
Issue no.: 02
Date of issue: 14 January 1994
Date 07 08 09 10 11 12 13
10cm 126 123 117 110 101 98 95
A 05 05 02 03 16 20 (20 estimated)
T 68 89 53 77 72 30 59
Summary of activity
Solar activity was very low 8th, and 10th - 13th January, low
on 9th, and moderate on 7th. There was an M1 flare on 7th.
The geomagnetic field at Learmonth (WA) was quiet 7th - 10th,
active on 11th, unsettled to active on 12th, and mostly quiet
on 13th January apart from active to minor storm levels 1200 -
1800 UT.
Ionospheric F2 critical frequencies at Sydney were mostly
enhanced 10 to 40 per cent except for a short 15 per cent
depressed period on 11th, and near normal on 12th and most of
13th.
Forecast for the next week (14 - 20 January)
Solar : Low to moderate.
Geomagnetic: Quiet to unsettled.
Ionospheric: Mostly 10 - 20 per cent above monthly predicted
values.
Courtesy of IPS Radio and Space Services
VK2SG RTTY DX NOTES FOR WEEKENDING JAN. 7, 1994 (BID RTDX0107)
A Happy New Year to you all, and may the good DXcome to
your shack with a 599 signal. May all the good wishes that
you have sent to your friends be returned to you manyfold. We
all hope for a Peaceful and Happy Year. Surely this week has
been a good start for 1994.
Our thanks this week go to: ZS5S, W2JGR WB2CJL, BV5AF,
SP5AA, I5ICY, OH2BBF, DJ3IW and the Central Eu Dx-Cluster
node DB0SPC, and NJ0M node of the Twin Cities Dx Packet
Cluster.
BANDPASS:
FRIDAY 31
0109-14083 HL9DG 1240-21087 UN5PR
1305-14089 RA2FB 1312-21089 KG4HG
1400-14091 LX1DA 1403-21083 4O9S Qsl YU7KMN
1510-21086 CU1AC 1534-21090 S57JZ
1552-14091 YL2KF 1600-14084 OM3TZW
1626-14088 4X6UO 1652-14082 VQ9WL
1912-21083 CH2STN Jesus Is. 2013-21089 J88BS
2215-21084 C6A/AA5AU 2250-14087 9Y4/I5JHW
2348-14083 XF4CI Revilla G.
SATURDAY 1 (HAPPY NEW YEAR)
0024-14080 XF4CI 0031-14083 V31JU
0804-14083 S92ZM 0849-21081 OH0MFP
0920-12084 4X85TA 1303-14088 S21A
1425-21090 J88BS 1523-28085 V50CM Qsl BOX
1500 Tsumeb Namibia
1601-21082 C6A/AA5AU 1645-28087 PJ0/N9FTC
1652-14082 5R8DG 1722-21085 TI2YO
1853-14983 HI8LEZ 2133--3588 UN7RX
2246-14091 9Y4/I5JHW Qsl I5JHW 2317-14086 VQ9WL
2337-14083 HL5AWS
SUNDAY 2
0028-14090 KG4CB 0905-21088 A45ZX
1134-14090 ER5OK 1153-14085 EY8CQ
1250-21086 UX0KN 1254-14087 UT2UZ
1320-21089 FG5FI 1323-28082 V50CM
1347-21088 PJ0/N9FTC 1352-21091 KG4HG
1356-14090 LI3OWG FER PFX (Olympic World Games)
1420-14088 SV5AZP 1445-21073 C91BN ARQ
1534-21086 CU1AC 1557-21086 HJ6SQQ
1610-28089 PJ0/N9FTC 1617-21085 C6A/AA5AU
1713-14085 J28JJ Qsl BOX 1076 Djibouti
MONDAY 3
0152--3585 C6A/AA5AU 0201-10122 C6A/AA5AU
0915-14088 UH8AAB 1157-14082 EY8CQ
1316-28088 OH0MFP 1355-21090 ET3YU
1407-14087 ER1PE Rev. 1420-14085 LI3OWG
1430-14081 4U1ITU Qsl DK7UY 1431-21085 4X/OK1FGC
TUESDAY 4
0051-14084 XF4CI 0140--7082 C6A/AA5AU
0752-14088 HP2CWB 0846-14083 UT5RP
1114-21089 4U1ITU 1119-21086 CU1AC
1120-21090 UH8AAB 1145-14084 EY8CQ
1239-21086 PJ0/N9FTC 1418-14086 LI3OWG
1450-14084 S53MJ 1500-14087 CN8LU
1628-14084 FR5GS 1631-21079 XF4CI
1636-18105 4U1ITU 1907-14085 7P8SR
2243-14088 C6A/AA5AU
WEDNESDAY 5
1104-14085 4Z85TA 1256-21083 4X/OK1FGC
1313-14088 VP5/WA0VQR 1315-14089 US5TCP
1341-14086 EA9DX 1602--7043 4U1ITU
THURSDAY 6
0606-14084 4Z85TA 0726-14087 LZ1DB
1114-14084 YL1ZE 1332-14088 5B4VX
1416-21083 4U1ITU 1312-21087 VP5/WA0VQR
1422-14088 9H1EL 1450-14089 S53MJ
1606-14084 J28JJ
NOTES OF INTEREST:
Regarding the RTTY Roundup contest Eric, OH2BBF/OH0BBF fired
a big way 1800z sharp on Jan. 1st. After an hour and two
QSOs switched to CW. He realized that was something wrong with
the contest. The OH league magazine says "first weekend in
Jan", CQ Magazine contest calendar says 1-2 Jan. 1994...He is
sorry could not make another trip for the contest and informs
that he is looking forward to be there again in the major
RTTY contest. (what a pity).
PRATAS IS. The first trip into this Island now is over. BV9P
has been active only on Jan. 5th from 0300z to 0700z on 14,
18, and 21 Mhz CW and SSB. Operators were BV2AP, BV4AS,
BV4OB, BV5AF, OH2BH. Bolon, BV5AF President of CTARL informs
that the 2nd BV9P DXped team will be available on air during
March 1994. (we all wish for a longer stay and RTTY as well).
Send your bandpass and notes for next week to Bob, WB2CJL at
W5KSI.#NOLA.LA.USA.NA or ZS5S.ZAF.AF.
GL de (DX2) Luciano, I5FLN AT ZS5S.ZAF.AF
[via HF AMTOR]
--------------------------------------
Coming events
-------------
1994
----
February 4th ANARTS meeting
12th-13th EA WW RTTY
Contest
March 19th-20th BARTG WW RTTY
Contest
April 16th-17th SARTG WW AMTOR
Contest
Society information
The Society may be contacted at : PO Box 860, Crows Nest 2065
Australia, for such matters as membership and general
enquiries. Enquiries can also be made by packet to the
President (Col) VK2CTD, or the Secretary (Pat) VK2JPA @ VK2RWI
News items may be sent to Broadcast Officer PO Box 60
Blacktown 2148 Australia, or by packet to VK2JPA @ VK2RWI.
The Internet address for the Broadcast Officer is :
patl@extro.edu.su.oz.au [???]
The Society welcomes news items on any digital subjects from
anywhere in the broadcast coverage area. We know we reach New
Zealand and many South Pacific islands, we are looking forward
to news from your areas to let other amateurs know what you
are doing in the hobby. Hope to hear from you.
73s de Pat VK2JPA Broadcast Officer
That concludes ANARTS NEWS792 16/01/94.
Inserted by VK2BQS Jim, Vice-President ANARTS.
--
Dave Horsfall (VK2KFU) VK2KFU @ VK2OP.NSW.AUS.OC PGP 2.3
dave@esi.COM.AU ...munnari!esi.COM.AU!dave available
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 1994 01:08:31 GMT
From: news.sprintlink.net!direct!news.direct.net!kg7bk@uunet.uu.net
Subject: Dipole Antenna
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Alan Bloom (alanb@sr.hp.com) wrote:
: However, after you run through a few feet of twinlead/ladder line,
: the impedance will no longer be so high anyway, so I don't think
: it's much of a consideration. AL N1AL
Al, if the impedence were 50 ohms at the antenna fed with 450 ohm
ladder-line, the impedence would go straight up to a maximum of 4000
ohms a quarter-wavelength down the transmission line from the antenna.
I think you know better than what you said above.
73, Cecil, kg7bk@indirect.com
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 1994 20:21:44 GMT
From: news.kpc.com!kpc!asrini@decwrl.dec.com
Subject: Getting my FT-101 tuned
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Hello,
Could someone tell me where I can get my FT-101 tuned? I bought
it used for my brother in India and I'd like to get it tuned locally
before shipping it. Does Yaesu tune their old radios anymore? If so can
I get a ph no?
Ashok Srinivasan
(ham-to-be)
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 1994 23:54:52 MST
From: library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!cyber2.cyberstore.ca!nntp.cs.ubc.ca!alberta!adec23!ve6mgs!rec-radio-info@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Ham Radio FTP area on World
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
This is a periodic reminder that the Boston Amateur Radio Club maintains an
FTP area on world.std.com (192.74.137.5) in pub/hamradio.
This area is accessible via: anonymous ftp, gopher, and World Wide Web
(and possibly other methods I'm not yet aware of). World is not
*fsp*-able yet (I asked them).
Via Gopher, the easiest path to the area is by selecting the following
from World's main menu:
18. Membership and Professional Associations
3. Boston Amateur Radio Club
And go from there...
Please feel free to browse through the area.
If anyone has any questions about it, please do not hesitate to e-mail me.
Also, up-to-date copies of the files on the ARRL's information server
(info@arrl.org) are available in the directory pub/hamradio/ARRL/Server-files.
All text files are uncompressed, so they are both retrievable and
viewable via Gopher and World Wide Web. (If you have any troubles with
any text file, please e-mail me).
Source code for programs is always welcome. It can permit people to use
those programs on other computers with other operating systems.
Scott
------------------------------
Date: 19 Jan 1994 20:58:34 GMT
From: csulb.edu!paris.ics.uci.edu!news.claremont.edu!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!sdd.hp.com!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!news.cs.columbia.edu!news@library.ucla.edu
Subject: Recommendations for 2m/440 base verticals?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Hi all! I'm looking for recommendations for 2m/440 dual band
base vertical gain antennas, such as the following:
Comet CA-2x4 series
Diamond X-500 and X-700 series
Cushcraft ARX-270 and AR-270 series (I hope I get a reply from Gary KE4ZV :-)
Naturally, comments, flames or smileys regarding these or any other
models are welcome. (these just seem to be common on the market)
I plan on mast mounting approx 25' above ground, and am looking
for durability and good design and construction, with inflated gain figures
as a secondary consideration.
Since this may be of interest to other hams, I'll summarize & post.
Would appreciate a cc: to ken@boxhill.com in case I miss a reply on the group.
73 and thanks!
Ken Stamm N2TIA BBBB H H i ll ll
(ken@boxhill.com) B B H H l l
BoxHill Systems Corporation BBBB ooo x x HHHH ii l l
161 Avenue of the Americas B B o o x H H i l l
New York, NY 10013 BBBB ooo x x H H iii lll lll
Tel: (212)989-HILL (4455)
Fax: (212)989-6817 S y s t e m s C o r p o r a t i o n
------------------------------
Date: 19 Jan 94 00:05:26 GMT
From: munnari.oz.au!newshost.anu.edu.au!sserve!usage!metro!news.ci.com.au!eram!dave@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: VK2WI Weekly News, 16th January, 1994
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
[ Taken from Packet Radio ]
SILENT KEY
We record the passing of Reginal V. Bulman VK2YL
Reg passed away suddenly in Armidale Hospital on the 16th of December,
following an extended illness. Apart from his last call, Reg previously
held the callsigns VK9RL and VK4YL.
Born in Tasmania in 1912, he became interested in radio in 1921, at the
age of nine. His interest was sparked by an Uncle who was an Infantry
Signalman in World War 1.
After leaving college in 1930, Reg was employed installing and
servicing radio receivers, as well as doing electrical wiring of homes
and businesses. In 1938, he attended a Radio Mechanics course plus a
course for his Amateur Operators Certificate of Proficiency.
He joined the Citizens Military Forces as a signalman in 1940, later
being transferred to the RAAF as a radio mechanic. Reg served in New
Guinea during World War 2.
After the war, Reg joined the then PMG (now known as Telecom), with
whom he remained for 22 years.
Reg's widow, Elsie, writes:
"I shall always cherish many happy memories of Reg's generous help with
his technical skills, to me, and the community at large; unforgettable
times with tape recorders, cameras and projectors, the Scout
Jamboree-of-the-air. He must have made a multitude of friends in the
ham world."
Item submitted by Reg's wife, Elsie Bulman.
MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT & RETENTION CAMPAIGN
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO WIN A BRAND NEW RIG?
Members who renew, or non-members who join up between the 1st of
December 1993 and the 28th of February 1994 will be eligible to win a
new rig from Kenwood.
First prize will be a TM-241A 2m, 50 watt mobile rig, while second
prize will be one of the very new TH-28A 2m, 5 watt handheld rigs.
Total value of the prizes is over $1400.
There are no special forms to fill in or convoluted quizzes to answer -
all you have to do is either join, if you're a non-member, or renew if
you're already a member. If your renewal does not fall within this
period, no matter - you can renew early! If you do renew early, please
do it through our Administrative Secretary, Margaret Morris, NOT
through the Federal Office in Victoria.
Both prizes will be awarded by way of a draw and presented to the
winners at the earliest opportunity this year after the close of the
promotion.
Thanks go to Kenwood Electronics Australia who have generously
sponsored the promotion by donating the prizes.
So, if your membership renewal falls due between 1st December this year
and 28th February next year, or if you're considering joining - DO IT -
you could be one of two lucky winners.
All grades of membership are eligible. Members currently on a
three-year term will be included in the draw, as will life members.
A reminder about the Extraordinary General Meeting.
The EGM will be held on Saturday the 26th of February, at Doonside
Community Centre, where the November EGM was held. It will open at 2.00
pm, or 1400 hours local time. Official notice of the EGM will appear in
the February issue of AR magazine.
Note that the 26th is the day before the Central Coast Field Day at
Wyong.
UK MORSE CODE SURVEY:
Through late-1992 to March 1993, The Radio Society of Great Britain
conducted a survey concerning the requirement of Morse Code as part of
the British licensing examinations, particularly canvassing opinions on
a "Code-free" HF licence. The RSGB has published a detailed, three-page
report in its December 1993 issue of the society journal, Radio
Communication. It makes fascinating reading.
By the closing date of March 8th last year, the survey had generated a
total of 1413 replies from the UK and 86 from outside the country. The
report, titled "To Key or Not to Key?", noted that the raw data,
"...shows that on this occasion there is a two-to-one majority in
favour of retaining the Morse test as a means of access to the amateur
bands below 30 MHz."
The report further noted that the majority of those wishing to retain
the Morse test were Class A licensees (who have full priviliges,
equating to our full licensees), while the majority of those wanting to
do away with it were Class B licensees (limited, no-code, VHF and up).
In addition, "...of the 86 letters received from overseas there is a
much higher proportion in favour of retaining the Morse test," the
report noted.
Of those replies expressing a view, 67.5% voted 'no' to a code-free HF
licence, while 32.5% voted 'yes'. More shortwave listeners replying to
the survey voted 'yes' to retaining the Morse test than voted 'no'.
In summing up, the report said, "Gone are the days when a knowledge of
Morse code was considered essential for communication between radio
amateurs.
"However, CW has been used, even in recent years, by other Services to
communicate with amateurs and it is used, for example, to identify
marine and aviation beacons.
"For a long time, it has been accepted that the Morse test does provide
a limiting effect on the number of radio amateurs using the finite
resource of the HF amateur bands."
Further, the report concluded that Morse code proficiency demonstrates
a practical skill, "...which is certainly relevant to amateur radio,
but acquiring this skill will put some at a disadvantage.
"However, few would dispute the fact that practical skills are an
important facet of amateur radio."
Noting that relevant knowledge and practical skills are required, the
report said, "There are some useful arguments both for and against a
Code Free Licence.
"It is primarily up to the amateur community World-wide, and its
representatives, to determine what qualifications are necessary and
what standards need to be met to gain different types of transmitting
licence."
The RSGB pointed out that the views expressed in the report do not
represent RSGB policy. A ten-point table of "perceived benefits of
Morse Code" was included with the report in Radio Communication
magazine and cited the mode's narrow bandwidth advantages; its ideal
nature for low power communications; advantages for beginners in
simple, low cost equipment; the use of Morse in developing nations;
lack of language difficulties and its advantage as the lowest common
denominator for emergency communications.
IPS REPORT
Here is the IPS Weekly Report, courtesy of IPS Radio & Space Services.
This report was issued on the 14th of January and covers the 7th to
the 13th of January.
First the ionospheric indices:
These are for January 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th respictively.
The 10 centimetre flux: 126 123 117 110 101 98 95
Now the A index: 5 5 2 3 16 20 20 forecast.
Finally, the T index: 68 89 53 77 72 30 59
Summary of activity:
solar activity was moderate on the 7th with an M-class solar flare at
0943UT. It was active to very low on the 8th and low on the 9th.
Activity fell to very low from the 10th through the 13th.
Ionospheric critical frequencies over Sydney were enhanced by between
10 per cent and up to 40 per cent from the 7th through the 11th when
the critical frequencies fell to predicted monthly values before
falling to 15 per cent depressed after 1700UT. On the 12th they rose
to near predicted monthly values and were enhanced by 15 to 40 per cent
for a period on the 13th.
Forecast for the next week, 14 to 20 January is as follows:
solar activity - low to moderate,
geomagnetic activity - quiet to unsettled.
Ionospheric critical frequencies will be mostly 10 to 20 per cent above
monthly predicted values.
Thanks to the IPS Radio & Space Services for that report.
CLASSES
Get your ticket! Classes for those wanting to study for their licence
examination will be held at Amateur Radio House again this year,
starting on Monday February 7th. Be there at 7.00 pm.
The classes are conducted each Monday night over a period of 40 weeks,
public holidays excepted. A licence exam is scheduled for just after
the course ends.
EXAMINATIONS
The next licence examinations to be conducted at Amateur Radio House in
Parramatta will be on February 20th. Avoid the rush, get your
applications in now.
This year, apart from February 20th, examinations will be held on the
9th of April (the day before the Divisional AGM), the 15th of May, the
26th of June, the 7th of August, 18th September, 30th October and the
11th of December.
Thanks to Jim Walker VK2XJW for that information on classes and exams.
DIVISIONAL NEWS
For the benefit of those who missed last week's broadcast, in part or
in whole, either because we only went out on limited frequencies or
because the transmissions suffered from deliberate jamming,
particularly to the evening broadcast, we are repeating much of the
information broadcast last week.
For those who know "the whole story", please bear with us.
CLOSURE OF THE DURAL STATION
Two recent events have brought about the closure of the Division's
Dural station. On Friday, December 31st, the Division was served with a
letter from Solicitors Marshall Marks Kennedy, acting for Ms Val
Bergman.
The letter alleged that she was seriously affronted by two packet radio
bulletins which named her, transmitted to the Division's Bulletin Board
VK2RWI on the 28th of December under the callsign of David Horsfall
VK2KFU.
We must point out at this stage that Val Bergman is married to the
Divisional Secretary, Roger Harrison. Val's full surname is
Bergman-Harrison.
In addition, the solicitor said that the bulletins were defamatory of
her and pointed out that, under the Radiocommunications Act, the
Division's station licence was subject to a condition that the station
could not be operated, or permitted to be operated, in such a manner.
The Division was given until 5.00 pm on Friday the 7th of January to
undertake to prevent such transmissions via the VK2RWI BBS in the
future, or else an injunction to stop its operation would be sought. In
addition, an action seeking damages for defamation was threatened.
This resulted in a decision to take the VK2RWI packet BBS off-air for
the time being. Vice-President John Robinson VK2XY handled this legal
business for the Division as Secretary Roger Harrison declined owing to
his relationship with Val Bergman.
This action is very serious indeed, not only for the Division, but
consequently for all packet radio BBS operators, users of packet radio
and the entire amateur radio service.
So what is a defamation?
It is anything in writing which attacks or injures the "good name" or
reputation of someone, either directly or by inference.
One of the packet bulletins complained of, alleged that she had sold a
secondhand 9-pin dot-matrix printer to the Division for the
unrealistically high figure of $350. The allegation made in the packet
bulletin, under the callsign of David Horsfall VK2KFU, is known to be
totally untrue, as the Division's accounts will testify.
Other bulletins were complained of but the one just detailed
illustrates the issue.
The Division, and any other packet BBS operator, is a "knowing
publisher" of whatever is posted to the packet BBS. Anyone who may be
knowingly involved in the publication of defamatory material can be
enjoined in a defamation action and thus includes ALL BBS Sysops who
may subsequently carry defamatory items on their BBSes.
That action only affected the VK2RWI packet bulletin board.
However, on Sunday morning the 2nd of January, there was a broadcast
made from Dural, which was purported to be an "official" broadcast. The
text of that broadcast was also transmitted as a series of bulletins
to the packet radio network under the callsign of VK2WI.
Those involved in that broadcast of the 2nd of January include:
Councillor Cesar Miranda VK2TCM,
Steve Pullan VK2QZ
and David Horsfall VK2KFU.
No broadcast was scheduled for the 2nd of January. Indeed, the then
Broadcast Coordinator Steve Pullan VK2QZ [sic] had informed Council
that the first broadcast for the year would be on January the 9th.
[ NB: VK2QZ is _not_ the Broadcast Coordinator. DH ]
These voice and packet broadcasts contained material which is untrue
and would likely mislead members and other listeners. The fact that the
Divisional News content was purported to be "official" could also
mislead members and other listeners as to the Division's true position
and actions.
For example, the resignation of the Chairman of NTAC was not known to
Council prior to the broadcast and the reason he gave, saying that
Council was exercising too much control over NTAC, is quite untrue, as
came out at Council's meeting in Wollongong on the 4th of January.
No control was exercised by Council. Over the three months from October
to December last year, there were ten Council meetings at which he
could have raised and had passed repeater applications and did not do
so.
The fact that no broadcast was scheduled and that material was
broadcast of which neither the responsible Executive Officers or the
Council had any knowledge in the ordinary course of business before it
was broadcast, in addition to untrue material likely to mislead
listeners, the broadcast was therefore unauthorised.
This is a breach of the Division's licence conditions.
Unconditional authority is not given to those appointed to organise
broadcasts.
We might also point out that unauthorised use by an amateur of anyone
else's callsign is a breach of their own licence conditions.
In view of these serious events, and following considerable discussion
among the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and two other
Councillors, being a majority of the Council including the executive,
firstly, the Institute's packet radio bulletin board system VK2RWI, was
removed from Dural on Sunday 2nd January 1994.
In addition, the other transmitting equipment at Dural was secured
against unauthorised use and the lock to the building changed as the
broadcast of the 2nd of January was not the first occasion there was an
unauthorised broadcast. Others were made on the 12th and 19th of
December.
A notice detailing the closure of the station has been posted on the
door of the building, and the same notice has been transmitted to the
packet radio network in New South Wales.
The Division's solicitors have advised that the station closure was an
appropriate action in view of all the circumstances.
However, the VK2RWI voice repeater was restored to operation on Saturdy
the 8th of January for the use of WICEN in support of bushfire
operations around Sydney.
We aim to have the Dural station back in operation as soon as
possible. The broadcast team and arrangements for broadcasts are to be
re-formed. More details on action plans for Dural will be given in
coming broadcasts.
It is unfortunate and regrettable that we have been forced to take
these steps owing to the acts of people who, for quite erroneous
reasons, believe that they have rights superior to the other members of
the Institute and superior to the management of the Division, which is
a company.
Next Council meeting
The next Council meeting will be on Friday the 21st of February [sic].
Following an invitation from the Westlakes Radio Club, the meeting will
be held at the Westlakes Club rooms, at 1 York Street, Teralba, just
south of Newcastle.
The Club's invitation to Council was received on the 5th of January.
Notices to all Councillors were posted at the end of last week.
Listeners may be aware that Westlakes operates the VK2 Inwards and
Outwards QSL Bureau on behalf of the Division. Council has not made an
official visit to Westlakes for some years.
COMING EVENTS
Next Divisional Council meeting . . . . . . 21st January
- note that it will be held at the Westlakes Club in Teralba.
Divisional Trash & Treasure Sale . . . . . . 23rd January
Packet Radio users meeting at Amateur Radio House. . . 23rd January
Amateur Licence Classes at Parramatta, start . . . 7th February
WICEN (NSW) Committee meeting. . . . . . . . 12th February
AATC meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13th February
Licence Examinations at Parrammatta . . . . . . 20th February
Divisional EGM . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26th February
Central Coast Field Day at Wyong. . . . . . . . 27th February
Closing date for the Division's AGM . . . . . . 27th February
Daylight Saving ends . . . . . . . . . . . 6th March
Bungonia Cave Rescue (WICEN). . . . . . . . . 19th & 20th March
AATC Workshop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20th March
Divisional Annual General Meeting . . . . . . . 10th April
The Councillor on duty at Parramatta next Wednesday the 19th of January,
is Julie Kentwell VK2XBR.
--
Dave Horsfall (VK2KFU) VK2KFU @ VK2OP.NSW.AUS.OC PGP 2.3
dave@esi.COM.AU ...munnari!esi.COM.AU!dave available
------------------------------
Date: 18 Jan 1994 15:53:19 GMT
From: utcsri!newsflash.concordia.ca!canopus.cc.umanitoba.ca!umthoma5@uunet.uu.net
Subject: WANTED: W21AT mod for full UHF band TX
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
I am looking for a mod for the Icom W21AT that will expand the TX range of
the 70 cm band from 440 - 450 Mhz to cover the entire amateur band 430-450 Mhz.
I have not been on this newsgroup for a while so I apologize for asking for something that might have been posted just recently. Does anyone know if such a
mod exists? Is there someplace where I can get it from?
I would greatly appreciate any help as there are various activities around here
that occur on the "lower" half of the 70 cm band that my radio cannot Tx on.
Thanks in advance.
--
Craig Thomasson VE4 CET "If your parents didn't have kids,
umthoma5@ccu.umanitoba.ca chances are, you won't either."
Model Railroading... Amateur Radio... Computers... Engineering...
More fun than any human being should be allowed to endure...
------------------------------
Date: 20 Jan 94 02:16:57 GMT
From: sdd.hp.com!col.hp.com!srgenprp!alanb@hplabs.hp.com
Subject: What could this mean?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Jack Hamilton (jfh@netcom.com) wrote:
: The following paragraph appeared in an article in today's San Francisco
: Chronicle about what local companies are doing to help prepare for the next
: earthquake:
: Finally, in an attempt to encourage the use of amateur (Ham) radios,
: which are used by many relief agencies during an emergency, Pacific
: Bell has reduced the cost of operating a Ham radio to the basic
: service rate of $8.35 a month. Ham radios are licensed through the
: phone company.
I think it refers to the fact that amateur repeater autopatches and
landline control links have had to pay commercial rates in the past.
Pac Bell now allows us the residential rates, on the theory that
Amateurs are prohibited by law from making a profit by Amateur Radio,
so we are thereby non-commercial.
AL N1AL
------------------------------
End of Info-Hams Digest V94 #56
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