Following on from the annoucement of the DV4Mobile the other day, Uli AG0X provides some more details on the unit from the Dayton Hamvention:
It’s Linux based, so there’s a PC backend. $900-$1200 USD, shipping by Christmas 2016.
WIA AGM Question form on the website
From the WIA, original post here.
Date : 20 / 05 / 2016
Author : Phil Wait – VK2ASD
This year, the WIA is trialling a live audio and video streaming system for the AGM meeting in Norfolk Island. The streaming system is one-way, but the WIA has established a web form for questions to be submitted in advance.
The web form has been published on the WIA website and will remain online until 9pm Friday 27th May.
Here is the link to the web form.
Depending on the volume of questions received, common question topics may be grouped for presentation to the meeting.
Mobile phone jamming coming to Goulburn prison
From ITNews.com.au, original post here.
Super-max trial to inform a wider national rollout.
Australia’s communications regulator will extend a trial of mobile phone jamming in NSW prisons to the Goulburn Correctional Complex after successful tests of the technology at a Lithgow facility over the past few years.
In September 2013 ACMA started testing measures to restrict illegal mobile phone use by inmates at the Lithgow prison using CJAM jammers, which stop mobile signals within a precise perimeter.
Jammers overpower mobile networks by emitting a radiofrequency signal on the same frequencies used by the network, stopping mobile phones from receiving a signal from the mobile base station.
Using jammers to block mobile signals is illegal under Australian law, but ACMA granted NSW Corrective Services an exemption to go ahead with the trial.
The Lithgow tests were undertaken to work out whether the jammers could be deployed without causing service issues to citizens located near the perimeter of the prison. Other jurisdictions globally, including New Zealand, have run into problems containing a signal block to a specific area without leakages.
However ACMA today said the trial so far had been successful, and would continue in Lithgow until 2018.
It said the jammers had prevented mobile phone use by inmates, whilst no “substantiated” reports or complaints of interference by those outside the prison had been received.
The tests would also be brought to the Goulburn prison, ACMA said, for two years, should consultation on the proposal to extend the trial prove positive.
The Goulburn prison is surrounded by a higher density population than the Lithgow centre, and will therefore provide a better case study of jammer interference risks, ACMA said.
There are five mobile base stations within 3km of the Goulburn correctional facility providing 2G and 3G signals to the area – one of which is just 150m above the centre.
The trial will inform whether a mobile phone jammer is a viable long-term solution for the Goulburn facility, and whether the technology can be deployed more widely to the country’s correctional facilities.
Melbourne Essex Heights Primary talks to space
From ARVic, original post here.
With great anticipation, plenty of rehearsing, and even a mid-week media gig, a Melbourne suburban school community is the latest talk to a crew member in orbit on the International Space Station.
The Essex Heights Primary School in Melbourne’s east last Friday night, during a pre-arranged 10 minute pass, put a series of questions to Astronaut Jeff Williams KD5TVQ via an Amateur Radio telebridge. The school hall was very quiet as the range of questions were asked.
This is Jeff’s third stint at the International Space Station, being the American spending the most cumulative days in space. The event is part of the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station ARISS, through a telebridge provided by Tony Hutchison VK5ZAI.
Essex Heights Primary has a very strong science program. In the lead up to the big event students have been tracking overhead passes of the International Space Station which can be seen by the naked eye.
On Friday night, before their teachers and parents, the 11 students asked Jeff Williams questions including how he got into space travel, what sort of work is done in orbit, and the effects of zero gravity.
The year-three to year-six students had their questions ready and quickly stepped up to the microphone. The school’s Science Coordinator who organised the ARISS event, Jenny Ashtin, later reported that there was great excitement as the International Space Station orbited some 350 kms above.
Principal Andrew Crossett is hopeful the experience will help expand the students’ horizon. He also praised the Amateur Radio volunteers who made it all possible through the ARISS program.
ACMA shuts down licencing
From the WIA, original post here.
Date : 19 / 05 / 2016
Author : Jim Linton – VK3PC
The WIA Exam Service has been told by the ACMA that all processing of licence matters will stop for two weeks, while work is carried out on its new SPECTRA computerised processing system. The ACMA said that the project to implement SPECTRA is now in its final phase, as it transitions broadcast licensing from the old RADCOM system.
The shutdown will involve all licencing from 12pm, 20 May to 31 May. During the shutdown the ACMA will upgrade the facility including new features as it migrates licence records into SPECTRA.