Weekly news from the WIA:
MP3 edition of news available at:
http://www.wia-files.com/podcast/wianews-2025-05-18.mp3 Text edition:
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2025 MAY 18 WIA NATIONAL NEWS BROADCAST ON VK1WIA
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THE BEST NEWS YOU'LL GET ALL WEEK
THIS LINK IS A VIDEO VERSION OF NEWS COMPILED BY VK5BD BEVAN
tinyurl.com/WIA-News-Videos
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NATIONAL NEWS FOR WEEK COMMENCING MAY 18 2025
IN OUR 30th YEAR OF NON STOP NEWS
THIS WEEK:-
Kevin VK4UH WIA VHF-UHF Records Manager.
Not quite "floating in a tin can" BUT we look at the now postponed ERIS TEST
FLGHT1
The Aussie firm Gilmour Space Technologies attempt for that first flight from
Bowen.
OH and for those who have been following this remarkable story Gilmour say
that
payload " the jar of Aussie vegemite" is SAFE!
BUT WAIT - THERE'S MUCH MUCH MORE IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE
WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA.
I'M EDITOR GRAHAM VK4BB
WIA
JOIN THE WIA
tinyurl.com/yyj87b9y
This Is Kevin VK4UH, and today Im wearing my hat as the WIA VHF-UHF Records
Manager.
Im delighted to share some exciting news about EIGHT new Australian VHF
distance records that have just been approved by the board. As many will know
the WIA has maintained an archive of all distance records in Australia for
all amateur bands above 50MHz. This includes records on some bands that we no
longer have access to.
The purpose of these records is to encourage experimentation on the higher
bands and to recognise the technical achievement of amateurs who achieve new
distances.
Awards for National records are made in five categories: Home/Portable; EME;
Mobile; ATV; and for Digital Modes. Home/Portable Records are also awarded
for each Australian call area. Since October 2022, records for digital
contacts have also been recognised at a STATE level on bands above 2m.
Recently the board has approved 8 new Australian VHF-UHF distance records
A contact on the 144MHz (2m) band was recognised between VK8AW in the
Northern Territory and JH0VJW in Japan, at a distance of 5636 km. This
contact represented a NEW National Digital record AND a VK8 State Digital
record on the 2m band.
A series of contacts on the 2.4GHz (13cms) and 3.4GHz (9cms) bands between
VK4IF/p, the club station of the Brisbane VHF Group, located at the Hummock
Lookout near Bundaberg, down to VK2QJ/p at Vista Point Lookout near Grafton
NSW, over a distance of 588km, achieved 6 new records.
These successful digital contacts on 13 and 9cms achieved new NATIONAL
Digital records and both VK4 and VK2 State Digital distance records on both
of these bands.
New record holders are awarded a very hansom Certificate of Achievement by
the Institute.
Full details on the VHF-UHF records program and information on how to lodge a
new claim are available on the WIA website. There is a direct e-mail address
for claims or queries which will appear in the text version of this news item
(
distancerecords@wia.org.au) and is also available on the website.
The archive is currently being upgraded to include all new records. During
that process anyone who believes a new claim has been missed or that
certificates have not been received is encouraged to contact me via that
e-mail address.
Congratulations to all those involved in achieving these exciting new records
Dr Kevin Johnston VK4UH
VHF-UHF records manager for the WIA
Remember Records are made to be broken and thats the point
AUSTRALIANA
ERIS TESTFLIGHT1
Pending final clearance from the Australian Space Agency, the launch window
for
Eris Test Flight 1 was to open No Earlier Than May 15, 2025 from Bowen
Orbital
Spaceport, North Queensland. However, the team identified an issue in the
ground
support system during checks; and were in an extended hold while they worked
through it with launch target Friday morning, WHICH, the following nite,
after the
nosecone opened unannounced due to an electrical fault, sees ERIS TESTFLIGHT1
being postponed.
A new testflight date will be announced later.
When Gilmour Spaces Eris Test Flight 1 does take to the sky, it will be the
first
Australian-made rocket to attempt low earth orbit, and the nation's first
orbital
launch attempt in over 50 years.
"Unfortunately," says a disclaimer on their website, "we will not be able to
support a livestream at this time." However ABC Queensland Mornings broadcast
live
from Flagstaff Hill in Bowen, speaking with space enthusiasts, shall we call
them
"trekkers"? HiHi who have travelled from across the nation.
QLD's Bowen Orbital Spaceport #BOS is the first licensed commercial orbital
launch
facility in Australia, with access to 20- to 65-degree (low to mid)
inclination
Low Earth Orbits.
AIRCRAFT:-
To facilitate the safety of air navigation during all launch activities,
Temporary
Restricted and Danger Areas will be declared for Airspace surrounding the
launch
area and along the rocket flightpath. The exact dates and times the
Restricted and
Danger Areas become active will be communicated via Notice to Airmen (NOTAM),
with
radio broadcasts made during NOTAM activation periods on applicable Aviation
VHF frequencies (callsign Gilmour Space).
MARINE:-
VHF Channels 16, 12, 11, and 14 broadcasts will provide real-time updates for
mariners.
It has been a long and expensive road to launch. The company had first moved
its
fully-integrated, ready to test Eris vehicle into its vertical position on
the
launch pad in April last year. Wet tests and full dress rehearsals to within
ten seconds of launch have been conducted starting last year
Located within the Abbot Point State Development Area in Queensland, this
private
launch site is operated by Gilmour Space with their man business HQ being
Yatala
south of Brisbane. (where, a SPARE nosecone is , as we speak, being prepared
to
make the long trip north to Bowen for their next attempt!
gspace.com/missions
Commercial launch of satellite-to-mobile looms.
Telstra has started a live trial of satellite-to-mobile messaging in regional
Australia, ahead of a commercial launch of the service in the coming months.
500-plus messages had been sent so far in the live trial, which is running
in areas outside of Telstras mobile network coverage in NT, WA, Qld and NSW.
The trial is also testing the ability of the service to send GPS coordinates
and emojis via text message.
When satellite-to-mobile launches, those with a supported device, up-to-date
software and an eligible plan wont need to do anything or activate any
settings
to access the satellite to mobile service.
Services will be available n mainland Australia and Tasmania, excluding the
Australian Radio Quiet Zone in Western Australia BUT, will support only SMS,
not internet messaging apps.
(itnews.com.au)
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS is with thanks to Amateur Radio Daily, ARRL, DX-WORLD,
eHam, Hackaday, IARU, ICQPodcast, IRTS, NEWSLINE, NZART, RAC,
Radioworld.com, RSGB, SARL and the World Wide sources of the WIA.
The IARU has re confirmed it's considering a proposal to unite 3 regions as
one,
combined with the International Secretariat, to streamline decision-making,
to
better coordinate shared concerns and to bolster membership in regions where
it is
declining. The International Secretariat, the IARU's administrative
headquarters,
is presently based in the United States.
This overwhelming change would not happen overnight, of course. The IARU will
be
asking member societies to vote after they have reviewed the consultation on
restructuring, which is available on the IARU website. Any changes that are
approved would not take place before next year.
tinyurl.com/5ewh5zrb
On last weeks WIA National News, the VK ham radio news you can trust, I told
you
of how VU 3 OOI is predicting Earthquakes using radio waves, now to light
comes
the story of W9XKB written in experimentalradio.news
A novel earthquake prediction system will use ionospheric measuring stations
in
California. The FCC has licensed this experiment as WY9XKB, in ten
high-frequency
HF bands.
Ionoterra US Survey LLC said, In theoretical scientific research conducted by
our
CTO Prof. Nathan Blunstein for three decades, he proved that earthquakes can
be
predicted by a set of certain phenomena in the ionosphere measured
algorithmically
hours before the earthquake using several ionosondes arranged in a certain
configuration.
In an initial limited proof of concept conducted way back in 2019, they
showed
that they can predict earthquakes hours in advance. Last year the company
obtained
a patent for their technology in the US and in Japan.
Los Angeles is the location of the research because Los Angeles is prone to
earthquakes with 82 reported earthquakes of 3 and above magnitude during
2023.
Proposed research, which will be conducted together with at UCLA, is
developing the
ability to predict earthquakes hours in advance, and will provide the
opportunity
to react and prepare in a timely manner in order to evacuate the population."
experimentalradio.news/experimental-radio-news-11/
The National Association for Amateur Radio (the ARRL) in the USA has filed
comments
with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission in response to its request
for
input on reducing or eliminating unnecessary regulatory requirements.
In a letter submitted to the Commission, the ARRL details nine separate
recommendations that it says "would promote and protect the art, science, and
enjoyment of amateur radio, and enhance the development of the next
generation of
radio amateurs."
The soldering iron and discrete physical components used in past experiments
often
are replaced by a personal computer and coding knowledge to experiment with
new
techniques and functions, the ARRL wrote.
The ARRL said that while digital technologies like FT8, RTTY and PSK31 have
become
integral to the Amateur Radio Service, entry-level Technician class license
privileges have not been updated accordingly. It advocates for granting
Technicians
access to HF frequencies where digital modes are prevalent, which it says is
crucial for introducing newcomers to the fundamentals of low-power
communication
and fostering self-training and emergency communication skills.
The youth attracted to amateur radio today will become the wireless engineers
and
space scientists of tomorrow that are critical to our nations future if given
a
chance, said the ARRL.
tinyurl.com/ydwz5jza
tinyurl.com/y4ku7a97
To promote amateur radio, to mark the 100th anniversary of the IARU and the
75th anniversary of the DARC, journal DUBUS is awarding a prize for the
theoretical
and practical proof that aircraft all over the world can be reliably tracked
simply
by analysing WSPR log data.
Five years ago, Dr. Robert Westphal, DJ4FF, presented his concept of using
WSPR
log data to locate aircraft. In particular, the application to the search
for the
crash site of the MH370 flight.
Opinions are divided as to whether this concept is valid.
Critics believe that it is physically impossible and that the proponents of
this
concept hallucinate flight movements from data only.
Proponents of the WSPR radar method, on the other hand, are convinced of the
scientific nature, repeatability and precision of their method.
Think you can prove it?
If successful, it will prove the functionality of a global, passive WSPR
radar in
theory and demonstrate it in practice.
The prize is endowed with a total of 7500 euros
The study in German or English should be sent as a PDF to:
DUBUS@t-online.deThe Board of Trustees of the Canadian Amateur Radio Hall of Fame has
announced that
John Schouten, VE7TI, and Adam Farson, VA7OJ (SK), have been named to the
Hall of
Fame.
Radio Amateurs of Canada recognizes deserving Amateurs by appointments to the
Canadian Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. The Constitution for the Hall specifies
that
the appointment as Member of the Hall is made for "outstanding achievement
and
excellence of the highest degree, for serious and sustained service to
Amateur
Radio in Canada, or to Amateur Radio at large".
WEIRD AND WONDERFUL
Scott Kelly, who was the first American astronaut to spend almost a year in
Earth
orbit on board the International Space Station, stars in Never Stop Dreaming,
a
minute-long film made by Goodnites as part of its Mission Dry campaign.
youtu.be/VFl3uv5Tkpk
The video was released by the night-time underwear brand on National
Astronaut Day,
May 5, which coincided with the event when NASA first learned that it needed
absorbent undergarments for its crew members.
lets not overlook this essential fashion statement:
The specially designed space suits come with a nifty little feature known as
the
maximum absorbency garment. Yes, you heard that rightadult diapers are the
unsung heroes of space travel. For those times when nature simply cant wait,
these
high-tech undergarments have saved many an astronaut from an awkward moment.
Man, I gotta pee, Alan Shepard, Americas soon-to-be first man in space,
radioed
to the launch control room from atop his Redstone rocket on May 5, 1961.
Astronauts are helping to destigmatize a common childhood experience by
pointing
out the similarities between what some kids wear to bed and what explorers
wear
into space.
Full story at bit.ly/43hMK0x
(ANS)
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Submitting news items
If you would like to submit news items for possible inclusion
in the VK1WIA broadcasts, please email your item in text to
nationalnews@wia.org.au and don't JUST send url's links or
posters, but take the time to pen YOUR contribution.
To submit audio, email
nationalnews@wia.org.auand send BOTH the audio and the text
We would appreciate items certainly no longer than 1.5 mts in
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Remember the sooner you submit material the more the
likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition of
WIA National News.
Each recorded item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple
of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your
event 'fresh' and always if the news room is to read your
item --- write it in the 3rd person. (First if YOU are
reading your own item). If you are mentioning your own name / call
in the story, say something like "and myself, Pat, vk11abc"
Promote your local rebroadcast; details on
wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/
A reminder when supplying HamFest info we obviously can't
plug DEALS from commercial traders "on air", but we at the
WIA will put your supporters 'goods' in this text edition
"no worries."
We will not give blatant 'plugs' to raffles, be it raffles
at the event or "on-line".
OPERATIONAL NEWS - A FELIX VK4FUQ PRESENTATION
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NOW CONTEST WISE:- 2025
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May 17/18 is the Sangster Shield.
QRP CW on 80m, wind back the rig to 5W and give it a go.
(nzart)
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Don Edwards memorial slow Morse contest May 17 - 18
80m on the evening of Saturday 17th May and
40m the afternoon of Sunday 18.
sgars.org
(vk2emu/vk2winews)
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His Majesty the King of Spain Contest, CW:
Again this weekend a third CW contest 1200Z, May 17 to 1200Z, May 18
With all this CW contest activity this weekend I "kind a think" it all a warm
up
for NEXT weekends BIGGIE.
-------------------------
CQ WPX Contest
CW: May 24 - 25.
Starts Zero hours UTC Saturday ending 2359 UTC Sunday.
(cq)
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Then in June, VK Shires Contest, 7th - 8th June.
wia.org.au/members/contests/wavks/
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NZ Straight Key Night
Next New Zealand Straight Key Night will be held Sunday 8 June
from 9pm to 10pm NZDT (0800 to 0900 UTC) on 80 metres.
Polish and lubricate that old morse key and enjoy an evening of
old-time radio fun.
Straight Key Night is an informal event which honours the roots of
amateur radio: Morse Code sent with a straight key (no bugs,
sideswipers, keyers or keyboards).
When.
Winter SKN is the second Sunday in June, 8-9pm NZ time.
Summer SKN is always the first Sunday in December, 9-10pm NZ time.
SKN honours the original amateur radio mode in an easy-going style.
Operators send signal report, name, location, type of key, type of
transmitter and power output. Stations are limited to 100W output
power.
SKN is not a contest - but the operator who gets the most votes for the
quality of their sending will win the Bruce Scahill Best Fist Award.
This certificate honours Bruce ZL1BWG (SK), who was a dedicated
supporter of SKN. Please email your nomination to ZL1NZ within one week
following the event.
(Neil ZL1NZ, SKN Manager)
-----------------
VHF UHF Field Days
Contest Manager Roger Harrison VK2ZRH.
Winter 2025
Saturday 21 June through Sunday 22 June
The Field Days provide VHF-UHF operators with the opportunity to "head for
the hills" and see how far distant and how many stations they can work.
The Field Days have separate sections for single and multiple operator
stations. The duration of the Field Day is 24 hours, but there are also
8-hour sections for operators who may not be able to camp overnight.
Notably, most club stations prefer to operate for the full 24 hours.
The Field Days also generate plenty of activity from home stations,
so there is also a separate Home Station section.
All contacts must be simplex: contacts through repeaters or satellites are
not allowed. There is plenty of FM activity, but one feature of the Field
Days is a high level of SSB activity.
It is possible to do very well with only modest antennas IF you pick a good
hilltop. Another option, if your station is easily transportable, is to
operate from more than one location during the contest period.
The overriding aim is to get away for the weekend and have fun!
But next after that, the aims are:
to encourage more activity on VHF, UHF, and microwave bands;
to encourage people to work greater distances than usual by operating
portable, and to provide opportunities for people to activate or work
into new grid squares.
wia.org.au/members/contests/vhfuhf/
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IARU HF World Championship.
The 24-hour IARU HF World Championship starts at 12 HUNDRED UTC on
Saturday 12 July and ends at 11:59 UTC on Sunday 13 July.
This annual contest supports amateur self-training in radio
communications, improving operating skills, conducting technical
investigations and inter-communicating with other amateurs around
the world using the 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 metre bands
Ken Yamamoto, JA1CJP Secretary, IARU Region 3 in an email passed to us by
WIA Secretary Peter Clee reminds us here at the WIA that in this contest
multipliers are the total number of ITU zones plus IARU member society HQ
stations worked on each band (not mode). Thus, Society's HQ stations
(WIA) participation is very important for the multipliers.
(SARL/VK8ZZ)
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Trans-Tasman Low Band Contest - 19 JUL 2025
The Trans-Tasman contest, held on the 3rd weekend in July, aims to encourage
Low Band activity between VK and ZL
Only contest bands 160 80 and 40M are allowed with SSB, CW and Digital (RTTY
OR PSK)
wia.org.au/members/contests/transtasman/
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YOTA Contest 2025
Organized by the IARU R1 Youth Working Group in cooperation with the
Hungarian Amateur Radio Society, the aim of the YOTA Contest is to
increase youngsters activity on the air, strengthen the reputation
of the YOTA programme and demonstrate support for youngsters across the
world.
The next 2 sessions of this year's YOTA Contest will be held
19 July
29 December
yotacontest.mrasz.org
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RSGB IOTA CONTEST
July 26 to July 27, 2025.
Mode: CW, SSB
Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m
Work once per band per mode.
(wa7bnm contest calendar)
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Remembrance Day Contest
This contest is held every year on the anniversary of the end of World War
II, in honour of the Australian amateurs who lost their lives in wartime.
This contest is unusual because the trophy goes to the Australian state or
territory that scores the highest level of activity.
Next contest 16th & 17th August 2025
Contest Manager is Alan Shannon VK4SN
vk4sn@wia.org.auwia.org.au/members/contests/rdcontest/
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NOW THE DX WINDOW TO THE WORLD.
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Celebrating the Deutsche Amateur-Radio-Club's 75th anniversary, four
special
callsigns have been activated by DARC till 31 October:
DC7, D5D, DD7, DK7 and DR75DARC.
See darc.de/der-club/referate/dx/sonderdiplome/
for the "75 Jahre DARC" certificate.
QSLs via the bureau, or direct to DL2VFR.
(425 DX NEWS)
------------
Special event station GB 0 SAR (GB ZERO SEARCH AND RECUE) is active until the
30th of May to support S.O.S. Radio Week. The station is mostly working using
FT4
on the 20m band, but you might also catch it on the other HF bands using
phone.
For more information visit QRZ.com
(rsgb)
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France.
TM 160 ITU now until the 31st May.
The special callsign marks the 160th anniversary of the International
Telecommunication Union.
QSL via LoTW and eQSL.
(sarl)
------------
Switzerland.
4 U 0 ITU is the call sign for the International Amateur Radio Club at ITU HQ
in Geneva to use from 16 May to the end of the year in celebration of the
160th
anniversary of the International Telecommunication Union.
QSL via LoTW, Club Logs OQRS, or direct to IARC, PO Box 6, 1211 Geneva 20,
Switzerland.
(sarl)
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RMINDERS
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North West Group ARC, MN NWG, is using the special-event callsign GB 0 AEL
until the 31st of May to commemorate the anniversary of Amelia Earhart's
transatlantic flight which she accomplished nonstop and solo in 1932.
Her trip took her from Newfoundland to Londonderry in Northern Ireland.
QSL via MIHOZ.
(arnewsline2479)
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DM LIMES is on the air until the 1st of July to mark UNESCO World Heritage
Day
on June 1st. The callsign DM 3 LIMES will join this DL0LIMES on the air and
operate
from the 31st of May through to the 1st of June. The callsigns was chosen in
recognition of the limes, which bordered the Roman Empire at its greatest
point.
See QRZ.com for QSL details.
(arnewsline2479)
------------
Recently Jason, VK2LAW, brought us news of the special event station
in Japan, 8 K 3 E.X.P.O. Now word of another station celebrating this
EXPO in the Kansai / Kinki region - JA3 X.P.O.
This station, JA3XPO, is a mobile commemorative station that will travel to
each of the Kansai prefectures. This callsign, originally used for the 1970
Japan World Exposition in Osaka, has been revived after 55 years.
BOTH 8K3EXPO and JA3XPO are on air now and conclude at World Expo's end
October 13, the FULL duration of the Expo.
(ARD)
-----------------
Peter, PD1RP, is celebrating the 80th anniversary since the end of the German
occupation of the Netherlands during World War II. He is on the air as
PD80FREE
until the 30th of June. All QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the
bureau.
(NewsLine)
--------------
It was 25 years ago but We Do Remember You as if it was yesterday and always
will.
Special Event to Honour the Victims of 9-11:
New York City Shanksville PA. and Washington D.C.
September 06 00:01 UTC ending Thursday September 12, 23:59 UTC.
Many members of the Alabama Contest Group will activate K4A for the fifth
year. This year's event will be called "9-11 We Do Remember."
SSB, FT8, CW, and RTTY on all bands 160 through 10 meters, including WARC
bands.
(ard)
---------
8K3EXPO is on the air until October 13, 1.8 MHz 10 GHz.
This event marks the first time a callsign has been established with the
8K prefix and draws attention to the Osaka World Expo.
(ard)
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WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ASTRONOMY (and Wireless Weather)
THE CENTENNIAL GLEISSBERG CYCLE WILL IMPACT NEXT SOLAR CYCLE
The next few solar cycles could be even more intense; the result of a
little-known
phenomenon called the "Centennial Gleissberg Cycle."
Radio amateurs are familiar with the 11-year solar cycle but for many, the
centennial cycle is a relatively unknown phenomenon. The Gleissberg Cycle is
a
slower modulation, which suppresses sunspot numbers every 80 to 100 years.
For the
past 15 years, the sun has been near a low point in this cycle, but this is
about
to change.
New research published in the journal Space Weather suggests that the
Gleissberg Cycle is waking up again.
If this is true, solar cycles for the next 50 years could become increasingly
intense.
(SARL)
A distress call that came in via radio - but this wasn't exactly a local call
or
even a conventional DX call. How about.... 26,000 light-years from Earth?
A PULSAR PACKS A PUNCH INTO OUR GALAXY
It's known as the Snake, the nickname by which astronomers identify one
dense,
elongated filament in the centre of our Milky Way galaxy. It apparently has
suffered fractures in two places. As best as scientists can tell, a
fast-rotating
neutron star, a pulsar, collided with the Snake at a not-too-shabby 12
million
miles per hour and caused a fracture that disrupted the Snake's magnetic
field,
releasing radio emissions from the site of the impact.
Chandra X-ray observatory and the MeerKAT radio array in South Africa studied
the
Snake, which is 230-light-years long, to get a better picture of what
scientists
compare to fractures in bones. Radio astronomers combined their findings with
those
of an observatory in Mexico and recently released a paper in the Monthly
Notices of
the London-based Royal Astronomical Society describing the event.
Whether the Snake can heal is another question altogether.
Cosmic veterinarians don't make long-distance house calls.
You can see images of the injury on the CHANDRA X-Ray Observatory website.
The link is in the text version of this week's WIA NATIONAL NEWS.
wia.or.au
tinyurl.com/2fa9dvwb
(newsline2480)
WORLD WIDE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP NEWS
SUMMITS ON THE AIR, WORLD WIDE FLORA, FAUNA PROGRAM,
PARKS ON THE AIR and other ADVENTURE GROUPS.
hema.org.uk/index.jsp
minesontheair.com/about-mota
parksontheair.com/
sota.org.uk
sotawatch.sota.org.uk/en/
facebook.com/SotaAustralia/
wwffaustralia.com/
Author of Ham2K Portable Logger is 2025 Recipient of Amateur Radio Software
Award
Sebastian Delmont KI2D is the recipient for his Ham2K Portable Logger.
Ham2K Portable Logger stood out among a competitive field of nominations for
its
transformative approach to field operations. Designed with intuitive,
user-friendly
interfaces and a suite of convenient features, the software empowers
operators to
log, analyse, and share their on-the-go radio activities seamlessly.
The Award Committee believes encouraging adventurous portable operations,
Ham2K
Portable Logger has redefined how enthusiasts engage with the hobbywhether
from
mountain summits, parks, or impromptu field setups.
Special event stations K6A, K6R, K6S will be on the air in November to
celebrate
Sebastian and promote the Amateur Radio Software Award.
(ARD)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - FINAL FRONTIER
AMSAT-VK Secretary -
secretary@amsat-vk.orgThe AMSAT website offers a comprehensive list of communications
satellites and supporting details was updated on April 27,2025. This list
is an excellent overview of FM Repeater, Linear Transponder, and Digital
Satellites as well as Re-entered or Inoperative Satellites. Each listing
includes a brief comment about links to details about each one. Also, there
are frequency charts for each type of satellite. Access the information
from the Satellite Info top level menu dropdown list which also includes
many other related choices. Alternatively, go directly from this link:
https://www.amsat.org/two-way-satellites/. (ANS thanks AMSAT for the
aboveinformation.)
The Trump-Vance Administration released toplines of the US Presidents budget
for
Fiscal Year 2026 a week ago. The budget accelerates human space exploration
of the
Moon and Mars with a fiscally responsible portfolio of missions.
This proposal includes investments to simultaneously pursue exploration of
the
Moon and Mars while still prioritizing critical science and technology
research,
said acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro.
Increased commitment to human space exploration in pursuit of exploration of
both
the Moon and Mars. By allocating more than $7 billion for lunar exploration
and
introducing $1 billion in new investments for Mars-focused programs, the
budget
ensures Americas human space exploration efforts remain unparalleled,
innovative,
and efficient.
Continue the process of transitioning the International Space Station to
commercial
replacements in 2030, focusing on-board research on efforts critical to the
exploration of the Moon and Mars. The budget reflects the upcoming transition
to a
more cost-effective, open commercial approach to human activities in low
Earth
orbit by reducing the space stations crew size and on-board research,
preparing for
the safe decommissioning of the station and its replacement by commercial
space
stations.
(nasa)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - IOTA
iota-world.org/
------------
V49K and V4/AC6ZM.
Juan, AC6ZM will be active as V4/AC6ZM from St. Kitts (NA-104) 18-27 May, CW,
FT8,
RTTY and some SSB on various HF bands and 6 metres, and will participate
in
the CQ WW WPX CW Contest as V49K. That contest period, May 24 - 25.
QSL via LoTW, Club Log's OQRS, or via home call, AC6ZM.
(425dxnews)
------------------
VP 8 DPD Falkland Islands
Gerard VK4BGL/G3WIP is active as VP8DPD from Falkland Islands, IOTA SA-002,
10 May - 12 July on HF.
QSL via G3WIP buro, LOTW, eQSL.
(dxnews)
-----------------
REMINDERS
Harald, DF2WO and Warren, KN6ZZI, are using the callsigns D44TWO and D44ZZI,
respectively, from Santiago Island, IOTA number AF-5, in Cape Verde, through
to
the 26th of May. Harald will be using primarily CW and FT4 and Warren will be
using
primarily SSB and FT8. They will also be looking to make QSOs via the QO-1
satellite. QSL to both via MOXOs OQRS.
(arnewsline 479 and rsgb)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - LAW ENFORCEMENT.
The FBI Amateur Radio Association in Virginia, has been hosting a special
event
for US National Police Week May 11 - 18.
K3FBI/-9 have been on air, operating all bands and all modes.
A certificate is available.
The event honours all law enforcement members who have died in the line of
duty.
K3FBI/9 operated from the Little Bohemia Lodge in Manitowish Waters,
Wisconsin.
This was the scene of the 1934 raid to capture John Dillinger and Baby Face
Nelson,
and where FBI Special Agent W. Carter Baum was killed.
In addition, the W. Travis Loften High School ARC, K4WTL, has been operating
special event station N4P.
(arrl)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - low down.
Eric, NO3M, of Pennsylvania, has been issued the first Worked All States
award from
ARRL for the 630-meter band.
NO3M had a draw to 160 meters early in his ham radio career and was active in
contesting and DXing on top band. When 630 meters opened to amateur use, he
got
straight to work. It seemed like an unreachable goal at the time, but
patience and
persistence as well as gaining more and more of an understanding of the
capabilities of the band over the years proved otherwise, he said.
After years of work and refinement of matching and loading techniques, his
67-foot
vertical with 8 sloping top loading wires as a wire skirt over a large radial
field
have proven to be the ticket to success. For reception, I have always used
dedicated receive antennas which have included phased Beverages, a full-sized
8-circle vertical array, and various others like a terminated loop,
he said.
(arrl)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO AMATEUR YOUNG TIMERS - YOTA
(Youngsters On The Air)
WIA committee:- Steve VK6SJ, Alec VK2MV and Pete VK2LP.
ham-yota.com/category/yota-region-3/
facebook.com/groups/YOTAOC/
youtube.com/channel/UClAapljf0VQ751sOgu2IzaA
Along with the CubeSat Simulator, the AMSAT Youth Initiative is another of
AMSATs
efforts to bring students into the world of amateur satellites and radio.
This
years AMSAT Hamvention booth features the first of a series of online courses
intended to generate that interest. BUT those of us NOT in Dayton can find
the
modules of the course on line. Links obviously shown in this WIA National
News
Service.
The Introduction to Satellite Meteorology course provides students with the
opportunity to learn the role that satellites play in the field of weather
forecasting. Following the programs theme, Satellites in Space Help Us Lead
Better Lives on Earth, the course appeals to students inherent interest in
earth
sciences.
As the courses progress, we are introduced to the concepts of radio
communications
and eventually amateur radio.
The free courses are available directly to students and their families but
teachers
and youth leaders are also encouraged to use the courses as they see fit.
Anyone
interested in STEM education is encouraged to experience the online course.
cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/satmet/modules/1_intro/intro-1.html
(ANS)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RESCUE RADIO
Prepared for Disaster
The Alpine Fault Network (AFN) is a team of New Zealand volunteer amateur
radio
operators passionate about disaster relief communications coordinated by
ZL3PWM
Peter Mott.
Amateur radio operators located in all regions of New Zealand are invited to
join
AFN and the team meets on-air on the first Sunday of every month to test
equipment and hone operating skills.
Both permanent base and temporary field stations are encouraged to
participate.
The on air group meet morning and evening using not only frequencies assigned
to
the amateur radio service, but also with local communities using UHF CB.
Voice: 7115 KHz LSB at 9:30 pm UTC Saturday
Voice: 3605 KHz LSB at 8.30 am UTC Sunday
(sourced to NZART)
------------------------------------------------------------*
IT'S A DATE
Clubs are welcome to email text with audio for this section,
nationalnews@wia.org.auDetails of all WIA affiliated clubs and societies can be found
on the WIA website, including email addresses and website links.
----------------------------
2025
VK2 - Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club's 49th Annual Field Day Weekend
at Wauchope Showground Hall June 7 and 8 (wiacal)
VK5 - SERG Convention and Fox Hunting Championship June 7 and 8
At Scout Hall in Mt. Gambier (vk5dj)
VK - Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association 50th anniversary
Glen Waverly July 26
president@alara.org (vk2ayl)
VK5 - AREG's Amateur Radio & Electronics Sale Sunday 26th October
at David Roche Park, Kilburn (VK5QI)
VK4 - GOLD COAST AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY 2025 HAMFEST NOV 9 (vk4dmh)
Country Paradise Parklands 231 Beaudesert Nerang Road.
VK3- Rosebud RadioFest, Eastbourne Primary School, Rosebud (wiacal)
November Sixteen.
VK8 - Darwin Amateur Radio Club DARC Xmas Party 6:30pm Dec 3 (wiacal)
Reception Reports
WIA News rebroadcasters often give Short Wave Listeners a
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straight after the Local News. Local news follows National
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WIANEWS for WEEK COMMENCING MAY 18 2025