NZART Headquarters Infoline Issue 218
07-NOVEMBER-2010
NZART Website: http://www.nzart.org.nz/home/

In This Issue

*From The Business Manager ZL2TDM
*==Call Book
*==Elections for Council
*Missing and Incorrect Callsigns
*FMTAG Notes For November 2010 Council Meeting
*==Prop=Branch 66 ATV; Final=Branch 33 APRS, Branch 74 ATV, ZL2BDI ATV
*RSGB News From G4NJH - Concern For 24 GHz Band
*Defending The Amateur Radio Spectrum: Everyone's Responsibility
*ARRL President Makes Final QSO with Australia's WIA Centenary Station
*IARU Region 2 Conference
*New WB4MAK SDR Receiver in Atlanta Georgia
*Mapping UP
*WIA Centenary Award - Update
*Intruder Watch - Enforcement Zone
*Web Update
*Feilding Radio Club-ZL2AMR - Out of Recess
*Wireless Charging for Electric Vehicles
*Weird and Wonderful
*ELECTORAL
*Upcoming Events
*Contest News
==VHF/UHF/SHF Contest Notes
==HF Contests
*Housekeeping
*Attachment(s) for Branches:
NZART Headquarters Infoline 218.doc
ELECTORAL nomination form.doc

*******

Please think of the environment before printing this email

From The Business Manager ZL2TDM 

Debby says...

Call Book

The Ministries database of call signs was provided to the call book editor on the 18th of August, therefore in compliance of the Privacy Act, nothing on this database could be altered, updated or deleted after this date.

As I previously advised in an earlier broadcast the RSM did experience problems with the reintroduction of silent key call signs on a recent upgrade to the SMART system, therefore the Call Book Editor, RSM and myself carefully removed these from their system as best we could. I apologise if there are still some that need to be removed, however I need you to advise me in writing, so they can be deleted.

A tremendous amount of work has gone into ensuring the correctness and integrity of this data by Lorne Douglas, including branch information, and we do not wish to go back down the who is at fault and abusiveness received by us both, that has been experienced in the past. We really do want to give you the best most up to date and correct Call Book that you can possibly have, we do not intentionally want to get things wrong.

Elections for Council

If you are considering standing for NZART Council or President, attached to this Info Line edition, is the nomination form that needs to be completed and posted to "The Returning Officer" no later than 30 December 2010.

Talk soon...Debby ZL2TDM

Missing and Incorrect Callsigns

PLEASE ADVISE PHIL KING ON ZL1PK@NZART.ORG.NZ, BEFORE THE END OF 10th NOVEMBER, IF YOUR CALLSIGN AND/OR DETAILS ARE INCORRECT OR MISSING IN THE 2010/2011 CALL BOOK. THIS REQUEST APPLIES TO SECONDARY CALLS TOO. THIS SHOULD ENABLE THEM TO BE IN THE CORRECTIONS IN THE NEXT BREAK IN.

FMTAG Notes For November 2010 

NZART Council, at its meeting on the 2nd of November, approved the following notes.

Proposals

Branch 66 Auckland VHF Group has applied for a Spectrum License on TV Channel 39 for its Nihotupu AIV repeater, to replace its previous Radio License, cancelled by the MED as part of the Digital Switch-Over process. The location is Nihotupu, Topo50 map reference BA31 40l.84 114.69.

Final Recommendations to NZART Council

Branch 33 Rotorua has applied for a 2 metre APRS Digipeater at Makatiti Dome, Topo50 map reference BE38 038.75 730.97. An engineering evaluation confirms that there will be no interference to other stations and that the transmit and receive frequency will be 144.575 MHz.

Branch 74 Wellington VHF Group has applied for a Spectrum License on TV Channel 39 for its Belmont AIV repeater, to replace its previous Radio License, cancelled by the MED as part of the Digital Switch-Over process. The location is Belmont, Topo50 map reference BQ32 568.79 398.86. All of the engineering parameters are unchanged from those of the cancelled licence.

ZL2BDI has applied for a 70 centimetre ATV Beacon at Lower Hutt, Topo50 map reference BQ32 575.50 361.93. An engineering evaluation confirms that there will be no interference to other stations and that the Vision Carrier frequency will be 431.250 MHz, in accordance with the NZART bandplan.

Comments and Applications

Please send your comments and suggestions on the above matters, and on any other FMTAG matters, by e-mail to:
fmtag@nzart.org.nz?subject=FMTAG_INFOLINE
Applications for repeaters, beacons, digipeaters, point-to-point links, and so on, should be made on the latest version of FMTAG Form 10. The latest versions of FMTAG Form 10, and the explanatory Form 10A, are available at:
http://www.nzart.org.nz/nzart/fmtag/
Completed forms should be sent by e-mail to: fmtag@nzart.org.nz?subject=FMTAG_INFOLINE
END

RSGB News From G4NJH - Concern For 24 GHz Band

Earlier this year Ofcom (UK equivalent of NZ's MED) announced an exemption for Railway Level Crossing systems to use a part of the 24 GHz band where we have secondary status. More recently, on 6th October, the European Union's Radio Spectrum Committee published a review of automotive ultra-wideband short-range radars that currently operate across the entire 24 GHz band and which have caused considerable concern.

The Society actively participates in consultations on these matters and along with IARU Region 1, is working to protect and enhance our 24-24.05GHz Primary allocation where innovative DX and Beacon activity is concentrated.

Defending The Amateur Radio Spectrum: Everyone's Responsibility

The second edition of Spectrum Defense Matters -- a newsletter aimed at keeping ARRL members updated on issues related to the protection of Amateur Radio frequencies -- has just been released on the ARRL Web site. This newsletter covers both domestic and international topics related to the Amateur Radio spectrum. Your financial support is vital to continue the ARRL's work to protect your operating privileges...
http://tinyurl.com/345vunp

ARRL President Makes Final QSO with Australia's WIA Centenary Station

The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) marked the conclusion of their VK100WIA centennial special event operation on October 31 with a QSO between WIA President Michael Owen, VK3KI, and ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN. Logged five minutes before midnight in Australia the QSO between N3KN and VK100WIA, with VK3KI at the microphone, was the last contact recorded in the Australian special event's log. Would all who operated as vk100wia make sure to have completed all logging by the end of this month please.

More than 50 WIA-affiliated clubs have used the VK100WIA call sign for almost six months as part of WIA's centennial celebration; the WIA is the oldest Amateur Radio national society. For this contact, VK100WIA was operated portable for the Westlake's Amateur Radio Club, the club privileged to be the last club to use the call sign. Since VK100WIA went on the air in May, it logged 24,439 contacts.

Michael told Kay that the WIA was pleased that the special event station's final contact could be with her, and thanked the ARRL for its support and for participating in the WIA Centenary Weekend through ARRL International Affairs Vice President Jay Bellows, K0QB. Owen also said that the WIA was "passing the baton on to the ARRL, as the ARRL would be celebrating its centenary in four years."

Kay congratulated the WIA on their 100 years of service to Amateur Radio in Australia, wishing them well as they begin their second century. She noted that strong national societies around the world, working together through the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), are essential for the future well-being of Amateur Radio. VK3KI expressed the WIA's appreciation for the ARRL's contribution to Amateur Radio, especially the League's service as the International Secretariat of the IARU.

"Through their extensive program of centennial observances including the VK100WIA operation the WIA has set the bar very high for the ARRL's own 100th anniversary activities in 2014," N3KN said after the QSO.

"I am honoured to have been invited to be the last station to work VK100WIA on behalf of the ARRL and our members."

IARU Region 2 Conference

The 58 delegates and observers who gathered in Salinitas, Sonsonate, El Salvador for the 17th General Assembly of IARU Region 2 experienced a busy and enjoyable week. The conference began on October 4 and concluded on October 8. Twelve IARU Member-Societies in the Americas were represented in person, with another seven represented by proxy. President Kay Craigie, N3KN, served as the voting delegate for the ARRL and was assisted by International Affairs Vice President Jay Bellows, K0QB, and Executive Vice President David Sumner, K1ZZ. Observers from IARU Regions 1 and 3 and the International Secretariat were present to assist and to learn from the conferees. Read more here:
http://tinyurl.com/2dvtpnu

New WB4MAK SDR Receiver in Atlanta Georgia

Mack Mc Cormick, WB4MAK, of Atlanta, Georgia, has made available a web-based 80, 40 and 20 meter SDR based receiver. We gave it a try from the Newsline office. Its tuning is very responsive and the first station we came across on 20 meters turned out to be a guest operator at the ARRL Headquarters station W1AW in Newington Connecticut. We also heard W1AW contacting W6RO on board the Queen Mary ocean liner that's docked in Long Beach, California, but due to band conditions, we only heard the W1AW side of the contact.
The WB4MAK SDR receiver can be a handy tool to check out radio propagation to the South-Eastern United States by anyone with a high speed Internet connection. You will find it on line at:
http://wb4mak.com/

Mapping UP

Sydney-based developers of Google Maps have been recognised for their contribution to the industry.
Lars and Jens Rasmussen who are Brothers were named NSW's Entrepreneurs of the Year in the information and communications technology field.
The annual Pearcey Foundation award was announced at NSW Parliament on Tuesday, with their achievement being hailed as a coup for Australia, positioning it as a global leader in online services.
Google Maps is now used by around one-third of all Google visitors.
The Pearcey Foundation was established in 1998 to raise the profile of the Australian ICT industry and profession.

WIA Centenary Award - Update

So far 269 claims for this limited time operating award have been received and verified with certificates now issued.
The 200th award went to Monica Crockett VK3FMON of Axedale. It is good to see the enthusiasm of Foundation Licensees with some 30 having already qualified for and claimed the award.
The VK2AWA Contest Group is the very latest radio club on the award list. Some 15 DX stations from Finland, India, Hawaii, Japan, New Zealand, Russia and the USA are also recipients of the award.
For details about the WIA Centenary Award visit WIA website
http://www.wia.org.au/

Intruder Watch - Enforcement Zone

Region 3 IARUMS Coordinator Peter Young VK3MV

ZL (NZ) IARUMS Coordinator John Martin ms@nzart.org.nz

Intruder Nets

Friday 0730 UTC 7.065.5 MHz with VK4CEU David
Amateur exclusive frequencies where any non-amateur signal is definitely an
intruder.
Amateur HF Spectrum world wide
7.050 to 7.100 MHz
14.000 to 14.250 MHz
14.250 to 14.350 MHz No broadcasters
21.000 to 21.450 MHz
24.890 to 24.990 MHz
28.000 to 29.700 MHz

Old Beacon At Dump Sparks Rescue Mission

Rescue services were alerted Monday afternoon after Tauranga Airport in ZL and an aircraft flying over the Bay of Plenty picked up a distress signal in the region.

A helicopter from Rotorua narrowed down the search area, and Radio Spectrum Management traced it to the Te Maunga refuse transfer station. The beacon was located in the recycling centre.

The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand said the beacon had been placed on a glass conveyor belt and was probably triggered when it was lifted off the belt and set aside on a railing.

The beacon was operating on the old 121.5 MHz or 243 MHz frequencies.

The incident served as a reminder for people all around the world to dispose of old beacons properly, either by disconnecting the battery or taking the beacon to police, the coastguard or a beacon retailer.

Web Update

Continuing from the last Infoline's brief comments about the CMS Web, good progress has been made on the checking of the new website.
If you want a look check it out on:
http://www.nzart.org.nz/home/ Please e-mail me at:
ZL2NN@nzart.org.nz?subject=WEB_UPDATE_INFOLINE_218
if you have any comments. Jamie Pye ZL2NN

Feilding Radio Club-ZL2AMR - Out of Recess after 14 years

At a Meeting Held Jota at Grassmere venue Colyton Road, on Saturday the 16th October 2010 10.00 am, Feilding Radio Club-ZL2AMR came out of recess. Fifteen members were present and voted unanimously. Officers voted in are:
President: Mike Prior ZL2UKW,
Sec\Tres: John de Burgh ZL2TG, and
Callsign custodian: Mike Prior ZL2UKW

After General Business the following items were decided:
Website to be worked on by ZL2TG
Next AGM will be on the: 30th November 2011
General meeting every two months last Wednesdays of the month

Next meeting will be at:
Wednesday 24th November 7:30pm place TBA
Cups of Tea. Meeting closed at 11:00 hr's

Wireless Charging for Electric Vehicles

Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) for your Electric Car: System Detail

HaloIPT is the first company in the world to make Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) wireless charging for the electric car commercially available. This is the safest, most efficient and effective way to transfer power without wires - a proven technology that is ready - here, now, today.

How it Works

The mains supply is rectified with a full bridge rectifier followed by a small DC capacitor. Keeping this capacitor small helps the overall power factor and allows the system to have a fast start up with a minimal current surge. The inverter consists of an H-bridge to energise the tuned primary pad with current at 20kHz. The 20kHz current also has a 100Hz/120Hz envelope as a result of the small DC bus capacitor. Power is coupled to the secondary tuned pad. This is then rectified and controlled to a specified output DC voltage.... For more please see:
http://www.haloipt.com/technology.aspx#n_details

Weird and Wonderful

October 2010
The October we just had was very special as it had:
5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays all in 1 month.
This happens only once in 823 years.

Some items in this issue from WIA and ARRL Weekly Newsletters

Upcoming Events

1. 2010 Silverfern Rally 14-20 Nov 2010
   http://www.nzart.org.nz/news/2010-news/oct-2010-news/#oct02
2. New Zealand Amateur Radio Day
   http://www.nzart.org.nz/news/2010-news/sep-2010-news/#sep01
3. UPPER HUTT NZART Conference 2011 - Pre-registration
   http://www.nzart.org.nz/activities/events/2010-upper-hutt-conf/

Contest News

VHF/UHF/SHF Contest

The next contest is the FIELD DAY CONTEST, 4/5-DECEMBER-2010
The rules are at:  http://www.vhf.org.nz/VHF-UHF-SHF-ContestRules

Contest Calendar

Straight Key Night (1st SUN NOV) 07-NOV-2010
Boat Anchor Sprint (2nd SAT NOV) 13-NOV-2010
Papakura Sprint CW (2nd WE NOV) 13-NOV-2010
VHF/UHF/SHF Field Day (1st SAT DEC) 04/05-Dec-2010
Kiwi Digital Modes Group Twin Sprint Contest 04/05-Dec-2010

Contests 2011

VHF/UHF/SHF Contest DX Weekend 06/07-FEB-2011

Housekeeping

Next NZART Official Broadcast is on SUNDAY 28-NOVEMBER-2010

Next HQ-Infoline e-mailed on SUNDAY 21-NOVEMBER-2010

Greetings
Welcome to Headquarters-Infoline a twice-monthly bulletin of news from NZART Headquarters e-mailed directly to Branches, the amateur radio packet Bulletin Board Service and to others that subscribe through the NZART Website at:  http://www.nzart.org.nz/join/e-mail-lists/join-infoline-list/

Past and present Infolines can be found at: 
http://www.nzart.org.nz/h-quarter/infoline/
Where HTML, PDF and DOC formats can be found for the 2010 e-mailed Issues of Infoline.

Regards, Jamie Pye ZL2NN, Editor zl2nn@nzart.org.nz