From the WIA, original post here.

Date : 30 / 01 / 2016 
Author : Phil Wait – VK2ASD

The Australian Communications and Media Authority wants to renew its sun-setting legislative instrument that allows those radio amateurs qualified through an overseas administration, to obtain an equivalent licence in Australia.  This however does not affect short-term visitors, who may automatically use their valid home callsign, prefixed with the VK call area in which they are located.  That provision, under a free Class Licence follows WIA advocacy, is available for 90-days, which can be suitable for those on a business trip or a holiday.

The ACMA has consulted on its Radiocommunications (Qualified Operators) Determination 2016, to replace its 2005 predecessor on April 1, 2016.  The ACMA in a discussion paper considers that the system has operated effectively and efficiently, and is worth renewal.  The ACMA says individuals may have existing qualifications obtained overseas, and these will continue to be addressed, but by eliminating any consistency that may have developed.

The WIA has submitted to the ACMA that it supports renewal of the system.  The WIA stressed that the qualification held, and not licence conditions, must always be the basis of any determination of equivalency of qualifications gained from an overseas administration.  The WIA submission suggested changes to the ACMA, and supports the remake of the Determination incorporating the proposed changes, in particular the equivalency of the US Technician Grade licence.  The WIA also flagged the need to review the Philippines Class C (Novice) licence grade, which is more aligned to the Australian Standard grade.

To read more about reciprocal and visitor licences, and option for overseas licensing, visit this Link 

We don’t see it in this part of the world, but Google has made a great Google Doodle for Hidetsugu Yagi’s 130th Birthday.  Google writes:

Today we celebrate Hidetsugu Yagi’s 130th birthday, and thank him for keeping our television and radio signal coming in loud and clear. Because of the Yagi antenna, radios and televisions can receive stronger signals from a specific direction, which helps avoid interference from surrounding signals.

Hidetsugu Yagi was a Japanese electrical engineer. He and his colleague Shintaro Uda developed and spread the technology for this antenna together, which is why the full name is the Yagi-Uda antenna. Their invention was patented in 1926 and is used today on millions of houses throughout the world for radio and television reception. If you look outside, you can probably see one or two of these right in your neighborhood—maybe even on your own roof!

Below, you can see Doodler Alyssa Winans’ early sketch animations of how quickly, and broadly, Yagi and Uda’s new technology was adopted.

Happy Birthday Mr Yagi and a concurrent nod of respect to the underappreciated Mr Uda from all of us in the Amateur community – you and your amazing work will always be remembered!

From ARVic, original post here.

Recent media attention has been drawn to lithium batteries used it many devices from laptops to hover-boards.  An airline sought to ban hover-boards with some imports known to burst into fire, and there was a cause of a Christmas gift left on a charge that destroyed a home.

Authorities are reinforcing the need for such devices to meet their standards and compliance.  Now a lithium battery technology has been proposed so they can work in extremes by thermal management, which can degrade performance, and may reduce them overheating and catching fire.

An integrated temperature sensor leaves the battery to function normally.  The aim is having a small power device used in electric vehicles, space travel and high altitude drones, where temperature extremes are faced.

In testing a prototype battery was able to warm from freezing temperature rapidly, and consume a small part of the battery capacity.  A disadvantage is that it’s 1.5 per cent heavier and costs slightly more than a conventional battery.

From the WIA, original post here.

Date : 21 / 01 / 2016 
Author : Jim Linton – VK3PC

Wireless Institute of Australia President Phil Wait VK2ASD has accepted an invitation to make a presentation at the Westlakes Club Rooms in Teralba on Saturday, January 30 at 1pm.  This will be an information session on the current activities and future directions of the WIA, and after a short break, will be open for questions.  The club has asked its members to mostly pre-submit their questions to maximise the time available by avoiding duplicated or very similar questions.

To help further, an outline of the WIA speech is given.  It will include the WIA organisational structure and functions, the balance of its business functions and advocacy role, maintaining financial viability, and always as a first priority, the advancement of Amateur Radio.  In future opportunities opening up to the WIA is to maximise the public benefit of Amateur Radio through education and youth.

Phil VK2ASD will mention the pressure on Spectrum by competing users, the Department of Communications Spectrum review, improving licence privileges and the opportunities for possible self-regulation of Amateur Radio.  An interesting presentation on the WIA to given at the Westlakes Club Rooms in at York Street Teralba next Saturday, January 30 at 1pm.  All are welcome, whether a member or not of the WIA or the club, to hear first-hand an insight on the WIA, that seeks to represent all.

From the WIA, original post here.

Date : 21 / 01 / 2016 
Author : Ben Broadbent VK5BB

The Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program (SHSSP) is jointly organised by the International Space University (ISU) and the University of South Australia.  It is a unique, five week live-in experience focusing on an international, intercultural and interdisciplinary (3 “I”s) educational philosophy for which the ISU is renowned.

The SHSSP have asked the AREG who have considerable experience with high altitude ballooning in Australia to assist with their participant Stratospheric Balloon Project, culminating in a high altitude balloon launch on Australia Day, the 26th of January 2016.  The balloon launch will take place, weather conditions favourable, from the Mt. Barker High School in the Adelaide Hills, just east of Adelaide.

The launch is expected to be released between 09:30 to 09:45 am local CDST January 26th, or 23:00 to 23:15 UTC January 25th.  The balloon is expected to carry two payloads, one supplied by the SHSSP participants as part of their course project and the usual AREG/Horus telemetry payloads.  Telemetry will the normal RTTY mode on 434.450 MHz USB.

Check the details closer to the launch date.

Further details may be found on AREG’s website here.