Latest news
Christmas Island holiday activation
Posted May 23, 2013
Well-known educator and new WIA Director, Fred Swainston VK3DAC is heading to Christmas Island and found it too tempting not to take some radio equipment along.
After his duties at the WIA annual general meeting in Perth this weekend, he will be off to the beautiful location northwest of the Australian mainland.
The main reason is to watch some unique bird species and enjoy the very beautiful scenery and wildlife.
Fred will be VK9DAC on the DX entity, IOTA OC-003, ITU54 and CQ29 from May 28 until June 4. His website is www.vk9dac.coffeecup.com
The Yarra Valley Amateur Radio Group will be the back-up in Australia and see its website www.yvarg.org.au for details.
Be malware aware warns ACMA
Posted May 23, 2013
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) have released detailed statistics of malicious software (malware) infections throughout the nation.
These are reported daily by internet service providers and other network operators. The release is part of the National Cyber Security Awareness Week.
The ACMA reports that on average during this financial year around 16,500 malware reports that shows a significant level of malware affecting Australian Internet users.
Malware can rip-off personal identity, to steal money from a bank account, and infect other users.
Heathkit appears again
Posted May 23, 2013
Is the famed kit-building company Heathkit finished or not? In August 2011 it announced a return seemingly to rule out amateur radio, but in September that year was again set to make kits for hams.
The change of heart was attributed to an overwhelming flow of emails. Remember the new DIY products like a Garage Parking Assistant and the Wireless Swimming Pool Monitor kit.
The hope was that in 2012 it would work towards a watt meter, tuner, dummy load and accessories more suited to the average radio amateur.
The brand-name got many into the hobby. It started in 1926, then after World War 11 moved into electronics, but closed in 1992 reflecting a dramatic decline in its kits.
To the surprise and delight of many it re-appeared, but the dream was dashed once more with its closure.
Now its webspace presence has been revived. It has a postage stamp of Mark Twain, and a bubble of the well-known quote of “The news of my death has been greatly exaggerated”, after his obituary was published in the New York Journal.
Along with it is a new survey that can be found at http://heathkit.com/survey/index.php/278489?lang=en
Australian joins to the QRP Hall of Fame
Posted May 22, 2013
At the 'Four Days In May' annual convention of the QRP Amateur Radio Club International, Drew Diamond VK3XU was among three who were inducted into its QRP Hall of Fame.
Author and long-time exponent of homebrew and QRP, Drew VK3XU, was given the honour at a special banquet held on Saturday May 18, in Dayton Ohio. Others inducted for 2013 were Craig Johnson AA0ZZ and Dan Tayloe N7VE.
Among those honoured last year was Kevin Zietz VK5AKZ, Secretary-Treasurer of the VK QRP Club CW Operators' QRP Club. Only two from Australia have been given the honour with others from the USA, Great Britain, Cuba and Germany.
The award by the QRP Amateur Radio Club International recognises those who have made great contributions to the QRP community, and they do not have to be a club member.
It also produces the QRP Quarterly magazine which include further details of the inductees, runs contests and offers kits & components.
More information is available from its website www.qrparci.org/
