
                     DIVISIONAL NEWS

    The latest news on Aub Topp VK2AXT, from Eric Fossey VK2EFY:

    "Aub's family were excited earlier this week, because doctors
    started to remove the artificial feeding, and tried him on
    light foods. Aub has now been moved to ward D4A at Westmead
    Hospital, and he can now receive visitors. The visting hours
    at Westmead Hospital are from 12 noon - 2pm and 4pm - 8pm.

    "If Aub continues to make progress, he may be allowed to go
    home next weekend."


EMDRC Balloon launch

    EMDRC Balloon launch

    At 10am on Saturday the 16th Sept 1995, the Eastern and Mountain
    Districts Radio Club will be releasing a Helium Balloon from the
    Vermont South Shopping Centre Car Park, Burwood Highway Vermont,
    Victoria.

    The payload will be transmitting on 144.250 MHz FM at a power
    level of approximately 100 milliwatts The Balloon is expected
    to reach an altitude of approximately 20km before bursting. The
    payload should be able to be heard in VK2, VK3, VK5 and VK7. The
    EMDRC encourages as many people as possible to record the
    transmissions on tape or (preferably) by logging the packet data
    to disk. A program will be distributed to analyse the data and
    concatenate results from multiple sources.

    Packet and voice telemetry, repeated once per minute, will send
    the following information:

            1) Flight Time
            2) Altitude
            3) Internal and External Temperature
            4) Background Radiation Count
            5) Global Position (subject to GPS availability)

    The voice and data transmission will repeat approximately once
    every minute.

    When the payload returns to ground level the transmission power
    will increase to approximately 2 watts for 5 seconds every 60
    seconds. This will aid in recovery of the payload once it reaches
    the ground. There is a $100 prize for the person who recovers the
    payload.

    --David Williams VK3KCP (and others)


NEWS BRIEFS

                             NEWS BRIEFS

                    Sydney Leads Again in Solar Energy

    Researchers at the Centre for Photovoltaic Devices and Systems,
    at the University of NSW have produced the world's most
    efficient ultra-thin solar cell. The cell, which measures only
    47 microns in thickness, has a efficency of 21.5%, very close
    to the theoretical maximum for photovoltaic cells, and beating
    the record of 17% set at the Australian National University
    last year. The ANU still has cause to be proud of its former
    record, as their solar cell was produced using materials
    costing only one-fifth of that used in the thin-film device.
    More? [Y]es, No or Continuous c

    Sydney's two solar cell manufacturers, BP Solar at Brookvale,
    and Solarex at Villawood between them produce 7.5% of the
    world's solar cells.

    --Sydney Morning Herald


    Not long ago, there was talk of the "Good Times" e-mail virus,
    which supposedly could work its way onto your computer by the
    simple act of your reading the message. That turned out to be
    a hoax, but now a real "document virus" is in existence, so
    watch out.

    Users of of Microsoft Word, version 6, should be aware of the
    "WinWord.Concept" macro virus, which is currently doing the
    rounds. It is real, because today's modern word processors
    can now embed executable commands (called macros) into the
    document structure. These commands can be executed just by
    opening the document to read it. Microsoft is reportedly
    embarassed that the virus made its way onto a CD-ROM they
    sent out to PC hardware manufacturers, to test their
    compatability with Windows 95.

    The virus itself is relatively harmless - it just forces
    the "Save As" command to place files in your template
    directory. The real danger is that it will be used as a basis
    for developing more damaging document viruses in the future.

    Fixes are now available on the World Wide Web, but it is also
    useful to hold down the left Shift key when loading a new
    document, as this prevents any macros from executing.

    Web sites with the fix are http://www.teleport.com/1/2trend
    and http://www.ncsa.com/wordvir1.html

    -- The Australian


                GERMAN REPEATER HEADED TO SPACE

    A new UHF FM voice repeater, called Safex Two, will soon be
    operational from earth orbit.  The first section of the
    repeater was due to be carried to the Russian MIR space station
    by German Cosmonaut Thomas Reiter, DF4TR this week.  Reiter has
    been stationed on MIR for the European Space Agency's EUROMIR 95
    mission. The rest of the system will be carried to MIR in the
    course of several missions over the next few months.

    The 70 cm space repeater, actually an FM transponder, was built
    by Thomas Kieselbach, DL2MDE.  Initially it will be FM only
    with downlinks at 437.925, 437.950, and 437.975 MHz, and an
    uplinks in the lower part of the 435 MHz space communications
    subband.  Safex Two will later be improved adding a 23 cm to
    13 cm transponder, capable of broad bandwidth modes including
    fast scan ATV.

    It's not known at this stage when the transponder will come
    on line. While you're waiting, however you can talk directly
    to DR4TR who will be on the air using the call sign DP0MIR
    on the normal 2 meter frequencies of Primary frequencies
    of 145.800, 145.550, and possibly 145.200 MHz.  These
    frequencies were adopted as standard for MIR and SAREX shuttle
    activities at the IARU session of this year's AMSAT-UK
    Colloquium.  QSLs for contacts with this mission will be
    handled via the usual German DARC QSL bureau.

    --Extracted from a recent Amateur Radio Newsline bulletin


                         HURRICANE LUIS

    The ARRL reported that Hurricane Luis has been marauding around
    the Carribean this week. As of 1800Z on 5 September, the center
    of the hurricane was 50 miles east of Saint-Martin. Luis was
    reduced to a Category Three storm, with sustained wind speeds
    of "only" 130mph with 9 to 12 foot storm surges, and extensive
    damage has been expected:  large trees blown down; some
    structural damage to small buildings; mobile homes destroyed;
    serious coastal flooding; many small structures near coast
    destroyed by wind and waves; almost all small boats torn from
    moorings.

    On-air monitoring at the ARRL HQ on 14.268 MHz indicated that
    Dominica suffered damage along its North coast:  some roads
    damaged and trees down; minor damage to residences; power was
    out.  Stations in St. Maarten report extensive damage along the
    waterfront at Simson Bay.  No reports of deaths or injuries had
    been received by the net as of Tuesday.

    The National Traffic System (NTS) Digital Net was preparing to
    handle Luis-related messages:  net staff recommended that
    messages addressed to affected areas be routed via N2JAW,
    W1FYR, KQ4ET, or WX4J.

    The Hurricane Watch Net is active on or near 14.325 MHz, and
    is currently soliciting reports from stations in the affected
    areas. Amateurs are advised to monitor storm-related net
    frequencies, but to not transmit unless directed to do so by
    net control stations.

    --ARRL Special Bulletin 49, dated 5 September


Magazine Roundup

    Magazine Roundup

    Here again is a summary of the local magazines, which in the author's
    opinion could be of interest to Amateurs.  This week we discuss
    the September issues of the various magazines.

    "Electronics Australia" has an editorial of interest to those who
    still value their genes; Neville VK2XV looks back to the early days
    of car radio; a serviceman reveals some of the tricks of the trade
    in fault-finding; old VU edge-style meters find a new lease of life
    as AGC meters; a family of low-cost sweep analysers, for audio and
    RF use and based upon a DDS chip, is introduced; a simple and
    effective low-voltage battery indicator is constructed, as are some
    more simple transistor circuits for the novice; vintage radio buffs
    can read more about the Hammarlund; and there is a story on the
    difficulties faced by local inventors.

    "Silicon Chip" also has an editorial on RF hazards, but taking a
    different point of view; "gizmo-lovers" can build a keypad combination
    lock (just the thing for keeping the harmonics out of your shack),
    whilst ATV types can add that "Frankenstein" look by building a
    Jacob's Ladder; and vintage radio buffs can brush up on some simple
    faults.

    "Amateur Radio" builds a simple but effective 80m direct conversion
    receiver; the theme is continued with a receiver convertor for 2m;
    the RD Contest address is printed, which will be of interest to
    those who could not decipher the supplied tape; a TRF receiver is
    described, along with a comparison of various transceivers allegedly
    handling 9600 bps packet radio; the famous "Z-match" is road-tested;
    some poems related to radio are published; and another audio circuit
    of use to repeater sponsors is described.

    "Radio and Communications" shows how to eavesdrop upon the astronauts
    with a scanner; the famous G5RV antenna is extended to 160m and
    6m; Bob Bell talks about air communications, and in particular how
    you can hear about bomb scares before the media does; the decline
    and fall of the CB empire is discussed; Field Day enthusiasts are
    reminded that the time to check your equipment is NOT just before
    the event; a list of radio-related resources available on the
    Internet is published, although we hasten to point out that the
    Australian newsgroups mentioned therein are now obsolete; tropospheric
    ducting is described; and finally those who want to import their
    own equipment are shown that is may not be such a good idea after
    all.

    Be listening next month for another summary of the local magazines.

    -- Dave VK2KFU


WICEN News

    WICEN News

    This month, we have been notified of the following exercises:  the
    big VRA Bike Ride, co-ordinated by David VK2KLX and Kevin VK2CKD,
    is next Sunday, followed by the Gosford Bike Ride, organised by
    Gosford Rotary Club in aid of the Camperdown Childrens Hospital on
    Sunday 24th September; this latter event requires up to six operators
    from Gosford to Woy Woy, from Adcock Park to Lions Park, from 1100
    to 1200, and Andy VK2XRX is arranging communications.  Also this
    month is the regular Hunter meeting, presided over by Pauline
    VK2GTB.

    The Hunter region is running a Training Camp for anyone who is
    interested, not just WICEN members, on the weekend of 7-8th October,
    at Crangan Bay YMCA Hostel, Lake Macquarie.  A location map will
    be sent to course participants.  The cost is $42, and it includes
    accommodation in dormitory style huts (male and female), or you
    can sleep out if you like the open air.  Separate male and female
    amenities and shower blocks (with power and hot water) are provided,
    all in the bush land on the shores of Lake Macquarie.  Meals will
    be provided for Saturday lunch and dinner, and Sunday breakfast
    and lunch.  Bring sleeping bag and pillow, toiletries and insect
    repellent, overalls and stout footwear (no joggers) for Sunday
    field exercise, radios for 80m through to 70 cm (if you have them)
    with antennas, compass, pen and paper etc.  Bring your own drinks
    for evening relaxation.  There will be lectures on map reading,
    critical incident stress, safety standards in power supplies and
    generators, and equipment needs.  Sunday will be a field exercise
    incorporating map reading and message handling on multiple net.
    As places are limited get in early and reserve your place now, by
    contacting Pauline VK2GTB on (049) 49-8786, or Frank VK2XVJ at
    VK2KLW.

    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 each Monday at 8.30pm on 7175 simplex,
    Northern Rivers each Tuesday at 8pm around 3610 kHz on odd Tuesdays
    and the Lismore repeater 6800 on even Tuesdays, Hunter each Wednesday
    at 7.30pm on the Newcastle repeater 6900, the State-wide HF net
    each Wednesday at 8.30pm around 3610 kHz, Central Coast each Thursday
    at 8.30pm on the Wyong repeater 7125, and Sydney each Thursday at
    9.30pm on the Chatswood repeater 7150/8275.

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


Club News - Manly Warringah Radio Society

    The MANLY WARRINGAH RADIO SOCIETY will be conducting a
    communications exercise next Sunday, in conjunction with
    the North Side Riding Club. The event takes place at St Ives
    Showground, starting at around midday.

    The Society will provide emergency communications for a
    cross-country equestrian event. Last time, there were several
    emergency calls, with at least one competitor requiring
    hospital treatment, so rapid communications are essential. This
    is generally an easy exercise (compared to some WICEN operations!)
    and is a good introduction to emergency communications.

    The Society needs to cover up to a dozen or so jumps, plus Start
    and Finish gates, and liaison with event organisers. If you can
    assist with this event, contact the Manly-Warringah Radio Society
    at its weekly club meeting this Wednesday, or call in on the local
    2m repeater VK2RMB, on 146.875 MHz on Sunday morning.

    The Manly-Warringah Radio Society meets every Wednesday at the
    Warringah Volunteer Services Centre, Kamber Road, Terry Hills,
    with business meetings on the second Wednesday, and lectures on
    the third Wednesday of each month. Doors open about 7:30pm and
    visitors are always welcome.

    --Richard VK2SKY, MWRS Publicity Officer


Club News - Waverley Amateur Radio Society

                 WAVERLEY AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY

    THE NEXT MEETING OF THE WAVERLEY AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY WILL
    BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER THE 20TH AT 7:30 P.M. THE
    VENUE IS THE CLUB'S PREMISES IN VICKERY AVENUE (OFF NEW SOUTH
    HEAD ROAD), NEXT DOOR TO THE ROSE BAY R.S.L. CLUB. MEMBERS AND
    ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED IN AMATEUR RADIO ARE INVITED TO COME ALONG.

    THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE EVENING WILL BE A LIVE DEMONSTRATION OF ALL
    ASPECTS OF "INTERNET" ACCESS GIVEN BY BEN BUXTON (VK2XUF). BEN
    IS CURRENTLY SETTING UP A HOME PAGE FOR THE SOCIETY ON THE WORLD
    WIDE WEB WHICH WILL HOLD DETAILS OF THE SOCIETY'S HISTORY AND
    MEMBERSHIP TOGETHER WITH A CALENDAR OF FORTHCOMING EVENTS AND
    TRAINING COURSES. "INTERNET" IS A VERY HOT TOPIC AT PRESENT,
    SO COME ALONG AND HAVE ALL YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

    THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER HELD ON SEPTEMBER THE 2ND WAS ENJOYED
    BY ALL ATTENDING AND OF SPECIAL INTEREST WAS THE 21ST ANNIVERSARY
    HISTORY WRITTEN IN 1940 THAT MICHAEL CORBIN (VK2YC) DISCOVERED AND
    READ OUT. MUCH OF ITS CONTENT WAS PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN TO CURRENT
    MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE FACT THAT THE SOCIETY CARRIED OUT THE FIRST
    AUSTRALIAN T.V. TRANSMISSION IN 1933 USING BAIRD'S MECHANICAL
    SCANNING TECHNIQUE.

    THE FIRST SATURDAY AFTERNOON OF EACH MONTH IS PROJECT TIME, AND
    THAT ON THE 7TH OCTOBER WILL BE DEVOTED TO FM828 CONVERSIONS. A
    NUMBER OF MEMBERS HAVE THESE RIGS THAT THEY WISH TO USE AND ERIC
    VAN DE WEYER (VK2KUR) HAS OFFERED TO ASSIST WITH THEIR ALIGNMENT.

    --SIMON BUXTON - VK2EII - PUBLICITY OFFICER


Club News - Illawarra Amateur Radio Society

    The  Illawarra  Amateur Radio Society will be holding its  monthly
    meeting  this  coming  Tuesday the 12th  of  September  commencing
    7.30pm at the SES Building Montague St North Wollongong.

    Dale  Hughes  VK2DSH has come back in from the cold,  and will  be
    giving  a  talk with slides on his experience with  the  Antarctic
    Research team at the meeting.  This promises to be an  interesting
    evening so invite a friend.

    The  meeting  will  finish  with the normal rag  chew  and  cuppa.
    Visitors are always welcome.

    submitted by Ken VK2KWG
    Publicity Officer


Club News - Central Coast Amateur Radio Club

    The  Central  Coast  Amateur Radio  Club  September  lecture  will
    feature a presentation from the Australian Amateur  Television
    Club  by  Paul  VK2UPB  and Mark VK2XOF.  Paul and  Mark  will  be
    outlining the current policies of the AATC and give an overview of
    the future goals and directions of the group.

    The AATC has developed a large range of ATV projects. This lecture
    will give an opportunity to those who are interested in   learning
    more the general subject and the AATC project.

    The  lecture  will be held at the CCARC  clubrooms,  Dandaloo  St.
    Kariong on Friday 15th September commencing at 8pm. Tea and coffee
    will be served. All members and visitors are most welcome.

    submitted by Bob Fitzgerald VK2XRF Publicity Officer


Club News - VHF/UHF DX Group

    VHF to UHF DX Group

    The  next  VHF-UHF DX Group meeting is scheduled for Tuesday  19th
    September at Amateur Radio House, starting at 7.30 pm.

    This meeting will be devoted to a session on the correct tuning-up
    and performance measurement of linear amplifiers.  There is a  lot
    more  to  tuning a linear than adjusting all controls for  maximum
    suds  and  there are many useful measurements that  can  be  made
    using simple test equipment available in the typical radio shack.

    Possession  is just as important to HF operators as VHF operators,
    co if you want to extract the best performance from the 21m linear
    come along.

    The date again is Tuesday 19th September.

    Don't  forget,  the Tuesday activity nights on 144  MHz,  and  the
    group's Sunday morning net on 146.5 MHz Fm starting at 11 am.

    submitted  by Michael Farrell VK2FLR on behalf of Richard  Soulie
    VK2ARS


Club News - St George Amateur Radio Society

    From the St George Amateur Radio Society

    Members and other interested amateurs are advised that on Saturday
    the 23rd of September the society will be holding its annual  Bill
    Shakespeare Auction.

    The  Auction will be held at the normal meeting venue,  that is in
    the  1st Allawah Scout Hall corner of Bellevue Pde  and  Blakesley
    Rd, South Hurstville.

    Equipment for the auction will be accepted between 10 and 11 am.

    Viewing will be between 11 and 12noon.

    Auction ot start at 12noon sharp.

    Credit  card  facilities  are expected to be available  for  those
    requiring this facility and the snack bar will be open during  the
    course of the auction.

    Inquiries regading any specific details are welcome,  please phone
    Publicity Officer, Allan VK2XF at home on 533-1006.

    de Allan VK2XF, Publicity Officer


Coming Events

                            COMING EVENTS

    Special Event Station VI50NAVY active . . . . . . until 30 September
    Special Event Station VI50PEACE active  until . . . . . . 31 October
    Illawarra ARS meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Tuesday
    Divisional Council meeting  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Friday
    Central Coast ARC meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Friday
    World Amateur Radio Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Saturday
    Eastern & Mountain Districts Radio Club Balloon Launch  . . Saturday
    VRA Bike Ride (WICEN--David VK2KLX and Kevin VK2CKD)  .  next Sunday
    Manly-Warringah Radio Society communications exercise .  next Sunday
    Hunter WICEN meeting (Pauline VK2GTB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18th
    VHF to SHF DX Group meeting at Parramatta . . . . . . . . . . . 19th
    IPS User Training Course  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20th
    Waverly ARS meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20th
    Radio Veterans meeting at Parramatta  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21st

    77th anniversary of first radio message sent direct from UK
    to Australia (Special event station VK2WAH active)  . . . . . . 22nd
    VKGW Gateway Sysops Conference, ACT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23rd
    St George ARS Bill Shakespeare auction  . . . . . . . . . . . . 23rd
    Divisional Trash and Treasure Sale at Parramatta  . . . . . . . 24th

    OCTOBER
    Labour Day  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3rd
    Waverley ARS Project Day  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7th

    If  you  have  an  event  you'd  like  publicised  on  the  weekly
    broadcast,  then  please send details to the Divisional  Broadcast
    Officer,  Michael Corbin VK2YC,  by phone on (02) 626-9288, by fax
    on (02) 626-6066, or on packet to VK2SKY @ VK2OP.

    Items can also be forwarded to the Divisional Office before close
    of business on the Friday before the broadcast.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------
    VK2WI Broadcast, 10th September 1995. Copyright 1995 WIA (NSW) &
    contributors.   Material  may  be used elsewhere if the source  is
    acknowledged.

-- 
