Message:24501 In: BCAST.WW
From: VK7AXDate: Sun, 21 Jun 26 03:45:00 Z
Newsgroups: BCAST.WW
Subject: VK7 Amateur Radio News 21Jun26
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VK7 Amateur Radio News 21Jun26
Text edition:
VK7 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS
SUNDAY 21st June 2026
Welcome to the VK7 Amateur Radio News for the 21st day of June 2026, your gateway to what’s happening across the airwaves in
Tasmania and beyond.
Coming to you from the Tasmanian Amateur Radio News Desk is Justin, VK7TW with the latest updates, stories, and insights from o
ur amateur radio community.
We’re broadcasting far and wide thanks to our dedicated team:
DMR Talk Group 5 & D-Star Reflector 91C via the Digital Group
MF & HF relays:
476kHz - Trial transmission NW VK7 - Brenton VK7HP
1.860 MHz – Any takers
3.670 MHz – Ross, VK7ALH
7.140 MHz – Garry, VK7JGD
14.130 MHz – Dale, VK7DG
28.525 MHz – Tony, VK7VKT
And locally in Hobart on UHF CB Ch.24 - Mark VK7FMAC and HFCB24 with Luke (no Callsign).
Missed it live? Catch the replay Tuesday 8pm on repeaters VK7RAA (North), VK7RHT, and on UHFCB24/HFCB24 (South).
Stay tuned, and enjoy the news!
--------------------------------
WIA Content News
VK Shires Contest Log Submission
Reminder that logs for the VK Shires Contest need to be submitted by 0000 UTC TODAY the 21st of June.
Details can be found on the email version of the broadcast.
https://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/wavks/
--------------------------------
VHF/UHF Field day
The annual WIA VHF-UHF Field Day is running this weekend from 0100 UTC Saturday 20 June through to 0059 UTC on Sunday 21 June,
providing almost 48 hours of operating opportunities across the VHF, UHF and microwave bands. Unlike many contests, distance is
everything in this event, with operators exchanging six-digit Maidenhead grid locators to maximise their scores. Whether you'r
e operating from home or heading portable to a hilltop, there are categories to suit everyone, and logging can be completed usi
ng either VKCL or N1MM Logger+ download links are available in the email version of this broadcast.
Download N1MM Logger+ here: https://n1mmwp.hamdocs.com/
Download VKCL 4.15 here: https://www.vk4sn.com/Contests/Contesting
In VK7, activity is expected across a wide range of frequencies and modes, with FM operators likely to gather on 52.525 MHz, 14
6.5 MHz, 439 MHz, 1296.15 MHz and several microwave bands, while weak-signal enthusiasts will be active on 50.15 MHz, 144.15 MH
z and 432.15MHz USB. With more than 50 Tasmanian operators equipped for 23 centimetres and many active on higher bands, the Fie
ld Day offers an excellent opportunity to dust off the gear, test your station and make some long-distance contacts as winter s
ettles in.
Hope to see plenty of VK7 callsigns in the log over the weekend.
https://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/vhfuhf/
73, Richard, VK7ZBX
--------------------------------
Tassie Ham-E-Con Radio Conference
Bookings are OPEN!!
The countdown is on for Tassie Ham-E-Con 2026, and bookings are officially open. This year's theme, Hack the Ether: Education,
Ingenuity, Connection, captures the spirit of amateur radio at its best, where experimentation, innovation and lifelong learnin
g come together. Humans have spent more than a century finding increasingly creative ways to throw signals through the air. Thi
s conference celebrates that tradition while looking firmly toward the future.
Join amateurs, makers, educators, communicators and technical explorers from across Australia and the world for a fully catered
weekend. The conference program is built around four major streams: Hack the Mind exploring education and learning futures, Ha
ck the System showcasing ingenuity and experimentation, Hack the Culture focusing on community engagement and connection, and H
ack the Future examining leadership, purpose and where amateur radio goes next.
Tassie Ham-E-Con 2026 takes place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November 2026 at the iconic Sir Stanley Burbury Theatre on the UTA
S Sandy Bay campus. Pre-conference and post-conference activities have also been planned, making it a full weekend of radio, le
arning and networking. The preliminary program is now available and registrations are open via the conference website: https://
www.reast.asn.au/news-events/tassie-ham-radio-conference/
73 from the Conference Organising Group.
--------------------------------
WWFF, SOTA, POTA, LLOTA and IOTA Weekly Wrap Up
The monthly WWFF statistics for May paint an impressive picture of activation activity across the VKFF program in Australia. Du
ring the month, 54 VK amateurs activated a total of 251 references and logged 20,688 QSOs, an average of 667 QSOs per day. Look
ing at the band breakdown, 40 metres was the most popular band for Phone and CW operations, while 20 metres proved to be the mo
st popular band for Data modes.
Lisa, VK7SGZ, Bruce, VK7SKY, and Travis, VK7VXT, headed to the Mount Wellington summit for a SOTA activation. This marked Lisa
and Bruce’s first-ever SOTA activation. Despite challenging band conditions, they each managed to make four contacts, enough
to successfully activate the summit and earn 10 SOTA points each. A fantastic result and the perfect way to begin their SOTA jo
urney.
Al, VK7AN, Peter, VK7ZPE, and Rodney, VK7HAM, made their way to the North Scottsdale Regional Reserve for an activation. The te
am logged 29 contacts, including a DX contact with Larry, F5PYI, in France. A great way to spend an afternoon enjoying the outd
oors and chasing contacts.
73, Matt, VK7MAT
--------------------------------
Statewide SSTV Nights
A quiet net night that saw the following participants, VK7s – AX, ZAB, OO, ZBX and ZIR, all sharing twenty five photos.
The highlights were:
Pets and wildlife
The Winter Feast 2026 and the tall ship Lady Nelson all lit up for Dark Mofo
If you are too happy at your job, you may get drug tested
If you ever get an email about pork, ham and salt - don’t open it, it’s Spam
23cm EME testing with a transportable dish
An Australian manufactured Wheatstone Bridge
And the latest device, a DeWalt battery powered toilet
Again Tony VK7AX interconnected VK7RJG to his SSTV International Gateway and VK7s exchanged photos with PE1NMM and PD0OKP in th
e Netherlands and F6EQZ in France. Please remember to leave a 30 second break between transmissions to allow the European count
ries a chance to send photos.
Note - Ken VK7KRJ’s and Steve VK7OO’s fully automatic 24/7 monitoring sites that allows anyone testing, to send a picture a
nd the ability to check their transmission on these pages almost immediately, any time, both South and North Tasmania.
If you missed the net there are archives of these SSTV nights on Ken’s and Steve’s websites or on NTARC’s website under b
logs.
https://vk7oo.tasme.com/vhfsstv/
https://sstv.vk7krj.com/scrolling%20web%20gallery.html
https://www.ntarc.net/blogs
https://www.qsl.net/vk7ax/sstvgate3/index.html
73 from Andre’ VK7ZAB
--------------------------------
NEWS FROM THE NORTH
SOTA/WWFF PARKS GROUP
The Summits On The Air/World Wide Flora and Fauna parks group meets twice weekly – Mondays and Fridays 10.30AM till 12.00 at
the Glebe Gardens Cafe, Henry Street, Launceston.
For more information contact Al on 0417 354 410.
73, Al, VK7AN
--------------------------------
Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club Incorporated
www.ntarc.net
Back in early May, Stuart VK7ES brought along a brand‑new Vici VC480+ milliohm meter, a compact unit about the size, looks an
d feel of a modern multimeter. In fact this piece of test gear is very easy to mistake for a multimeter. Except for the fact it
only measures resistance, and uses four‑terminal sensing, and operates on principles similar to a classic Wheatstone Bridge.
In contrast, last Wednesday Technical Night, Idris VK7ZIR arrived with a much older example of the same measurement concept - a
B.G. Instruments MechTest WB-100, built in Greystanes, New South Wales, late last century. Unlike Stuart’s modern unit, this
one couldn’t be mistaken for a multimeter. Its size and control layout were more reminiscent of an AVO valve tester, giving
it a distinctly “mature” test‑bench feel.
Despite its age, Idris’s WB-100 was in remarkably “as-new” condition, and it quickly became the centre of attention. Comp
aring the two instruments - one modern, one vintage - offered a fascinating comparison of how test equipment design has evolved
while still serving the same fundamental purpose.
A big thank you to Idris for intervening and saving it from the jaws of the “Rubbish Skip”, which allowed us to view such a
pristine example. Both units were superb representatives of their respective eras and made for an engaging and educational sho
w-and-tell session.
Mid-year Club get-together and meal - The venue has been booked, locking in the date and time. It is to be held on the 15th of
July, which is a Wednesday night, with the venue being the Iron Horse Bar and Grill located at 468 Westbury Rd, Prospect Vale,
Launceston. Those who wish to attend please register the number of places required by e-mailing the Secretary or filling in the
registration sheet at the club rooms. Menu is a-la-carte. We will be arriving at 6pm for a 6:30 meal. A link to the Iron Horse
location and menu information is available in the text version of this broadcast: Iron Horse Bar & Grill Menu
Just for information, the main access to the restaurant is via a wheel chair and walking friendly gentle ramp.
As usual pictures will be available on the NTARC Web site under “Blogs” for this broadcast.
https://www.ntarc.net/blogs
UPCOMING EVENTS
On Air Test and Technical Net session - Every Wednesday night, Test-Net and CW course on 3.580 MHz from 7 pm, then a Technical
Net on 3.567 MHz from 7.30 pm till 8.30 pm. Your host for the evening is Nic, VK7WW.
Club Room Technical night - The next session will be Wednesday the 24th June and will commence at the usual time of 6.30 pm at
the Club Room Archer Street, Rocherlea.
Mid-year Club get-together - Wednesday 15th July at Iron Horse Bar and Grill. 6pm for a 6:30 meal.
Coffee Morning - Held every Friday in the NTARC Club rooms. Time is from 10 am to noon.
Finally - If you have any items of news please email them to the Secretary at the following address news@ntarc.net all items to
be received no later than 5 pm on the Friday prior to the Broadcast.
73 from Stefan, VK7ZSB, Secretary NTARC Inc.
--------------------------------
NEWS FROM THE NORTH WEST
North West Tasmania Amateur Radio Club Inc.
Licence Upgrade and New Amateur Radio Operators
On Saturday, 13 June, the North West Tasmania Amateur Radio Club conducted amateur radio training and licence assessments.
Learning Organiser Brenton VK7HP and ACMA Assessor Andrew VK7XR oversaw the training and examination session.
Dan VK7DAN sat for his Advanced Amateur Licence assessment and was successful in achieving his upgrade.
In addition, three Scout Leaders undertook the Foundation Licence assessment and were all successful, becoming newly qualified
amateur radio operators.
The club congratulates Dan on attaining his Advanced Licence and welcomes the new Foundation licensees to the amateur radio com
munity.
73, Eric, VK7EV
News Officer, NWTARC Inc.
--------------------------------
NEWS FROM THE SOUTH
Radical Possibilities of Transmission
Sisters Akousmatica present Waves are Waves
The Sea Hag is casting spells at the mouth of Timtumili Minanya/River Derwent this winter solstice. Tune in to a one-off liste
ning session, commissioned for All the fires come alive, from the Battery Point foreshore.
Head down to Battery Point jetty this Sunday afternoon and follow the instructions on how to listen in.
Today - Sunday 21 June 2026 from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm at the Battery Point Jetty, Purdon & Featherstone Reserve, 2C Derwent Ln,
Battery Point
Sisters Akousmatica @radioqueens is the collaborative radio project of Julia Drouhin and Pip Stafford who have been exploring t
he radical possibilities of transmission since 2016. They work around, with and for radio – divining the airwaves in the betw
een spaces where things are blurry and borderless. The Sea Hag is their latest project – an art community vessel that can hos
t performances, residencies and other experiments at sea.
For more information take a look at the Instagram post.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DZofDHcj1IM/
73, Pip VK7SEA and Julia VK7HAG
--------------------------------
Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania
https://www.reast.asn.au/
https://www.facebook.com/reasttas/
https://www.youtube.com/reasthobart/
REAST Survey Live
The Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania is currently conducting its periodic member survey, inviting all mem
bers to give their views on a wide range of club topics and to provide input into the coming years activities.
The Survey runs from 15th of June to 29th of June 2026. REAST Members have been sent an email with a link to complete the surve
y online and there are printed copies of the survey form available in the clubrooms.
Questions can be directed to Tony VK7VKT on email - anthony.lathouras@gmail.com or Dave VK7CB on email david.bowerman@gmail.com
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