President's Address This is Michael Corbin VK2PFQ. Well what a week...cheques at last, I hope...Trash and Treasure success.... threatening letters from a solicitor, amongst other things..... Listeners will be pleased to know that the process of cheque signing has commenced. As Council was unwilling to wait to see whether our friends with the signatures turned up at next Friday's council meeting, Peter Kloppenberg VK2CPK our hard working office Administrative secretary and myself decided to find out which cheque book was which; having achieved this we filled in the relevant details and send it on to the first signatory who, in turn will send it onto the next who, hopefully, will send it on to Lewarne and Goldsmith. It left for signatory person number one in Wednesday afternoon's mail. I know he will send it on to the second bloke.... but will the second send it on to the Solicitor??? We will keep our fingers crossed. The Trash and Treasure sale last weekend was a resounding success. The dollars and cents collected were the biggest for quite some time. The test gear that was bequeathed to us sold exceptionally well. Since Sunday Peter K and I have collected another truck load. So, if you missed out last time..Don't miss out next time. I have never been to one of these Trash & Treasure before and although my visit was only to drop in that Deceased Estate gear, I spoke of last weekend, something was immediately obvious.... It was a stinking hot day, but where were the drinks??!! So... from now on at Trash & Treasure you will be able to purchase an Icy Cold drink and.....for those who are peckish, a Hot Dog. I'm sure we are going to make millions out of it.... Now, does anyone have an old beer 'fridge they don't want. If so, call the office. Hot Dogs, well I'll take care of that, I'm the expert at the local Baseball Park every Saturday. I'll borrow their equipment for the day. Obviously, our aim is to make the sale more attractive for Buyers and Sellers ........Three course sit down meals will take just a little longer to provide. But we are working on it!! Now as to the threatening letter from a solicitor....Well I am unable to broadcast the exact details on this matter via this medium. You'll have to come to the next Council meeting....Hmmmm!!!!!!! The things people do to you. On the subject of that new amateur organisation. Our inquiries statewide can find nobody except the Propaganda Minister and some bloke from the North Coast, who know anything about it...If indeed you can believe what they are saying?? Not that I am suggesting that they are telling un-truths. One thing that does come out though however is ....The identity of the person who is advising this organisation, if indeed there is an organisation. How can you wear two hats or is it three??? I wonder if it will become an affiliated club. Christmas Parties:- Yes, it's that time of year again, so why don't I remind you of them. There's one tonight at Joe's place VK2KAA. But if you haven't booked you've missed out on that one. There's one next Friday night after the Council meeting. It's success depends on you. We will provide the venue, you can provide the wherewithal and the good cheer. The meeting won't go past 9.30 P.M. What isn't done by then will have to wait 'till after Christmas. So, bring yourself, your refreshments and perhaps something to nibble on....or if you forget then we can send out for some KFC....Which of course stands for Known Friend of Corbin's...not the other Bloke. The next one is the Broadcast Team Party, which will be held after the last broadcast for the year....that's December the 18th. But more on that next week, from the Broadcast Team Organiser Steve Pullan, VK2QZ. I was disturbed to hear this week, that Jim Walker VK2XJW had been admitted to Westmead Hospital with chest pains. I'm sure you will join with me in wishing him a speedy recovery. We hope he will be home for Christmas. As I said Jim is in Westmead Hospital... But not too many visitors just yet....If you want to visit Jim, it might be wise to call first. Those who made an offer on the Deceased Estate equipment offered for sale in November A.R. will be advised as to the result of their tenders later this week. However will the bloke who made the offer last weekend please submit it in writing by Monday, or give me another call... so as this can be finalised. The balance of the estate is advertised in this months Amateur Radio Magazine. For information on any piece of the equipment, please call the Divisional Office or myself. Finally, we have office space to rent...Unfortunately for us but fortunately for them The Appliance and Limb Centre, our downstairs tenants ever since we moved into our Parramatta premises, have outgrown themselves. Since they first moved there that have expanded by about half. We accommodated this expansion by putting them into what should be our lockup garage. As Parramatta City Council will not allow the Limb Centre to expand anymore. The only option open to them was, unfortunately for us, to move to a larger building. I don't need to tell you what sort of a hole that will make in our Income. My detractors will be overjoyed....I can almost hear the clackity clackity of their poison word processors from here....Never Mind...... Life wasn't meant to be easy. See you next week. ----------------------------------------------------- New WIA members The WIA bids a warm welcome to the following new members who were entered into the WIA Membership Register during the month of October 1994. VK2CAP Mr H Prehn VK2IBF Mr H Kenzian VK2MOM Mr B Shipton VK2MON Mr A Turvey VK2QC Mr K Sharpe VK2TDT Mr D J Taylor VK2TFT Mr E M Stringer The President and the Council of the NSW Division add their welcome to that of the Federal body ... WELCOME!!! ------------------------------------------------- New Federal Secretary Mr Lewis Badge has been appointed the new WIA Federal Secretary. His appointment was made by the WIA Federal Executive at the quarterly extraordinary convention over the weekend of 29-30th October. He took up his appointment in early November. Mr Badge is an accountant by profession and has a commercial background as a company secretary. Donna Reilly, who served as Federal Secretary following Bruce Thorne's resignation in August, has returned to her previous role as Office Manager. Boost to SMA Liaison Liaison with the SMA at Federal level will encompass a more cohesive team approach following a decision of the WIA Federal Council at its October quarterly meeting. The principal SMA Liaison team now consists of Federal SMA Liaison Officer, Gavan Berger VK1EB (appointed at the Federal AGM in May), Federal President Neil Penfold VK6NE, and Federal Vice Chairman Roger Harrison VK2ZRH. For particular meetings where specific know- edge or expertise is required in given areas of the hobby, other people will be called on to participate in meetings with the SMA. While SMA liaison has, in the past, been conducted with several WIA people occasionally present at various meetings, this new approach is expected to improve communication between the SMA and the WIA and keep the Federal Council more closely associated with activities and negotiations. Federal President Neil Penfold was to seek a team meeting with the SMA Spectrum Manager, Christine Goode, and other senior SMA staffers at the earliest available opportunity with a view to outlining general agendas, issues and approaches for future meetings. It was hoped that this could be done in early December. WIA Federal Budget The October quarterly convention of the WIA Federal Council, held in Melbourne over 29-30th of the month, considered the 1995 budget in some depth. Forecasting a further small decline in income from membership sub- scriptions, together with a fall in costs in some areas, the Council looked at the Federal Office operations and decided on a conservat- ive approach, budgeting for economies in several critical areas. Overall expenditure was set at a level below the past years' figures. However, an increase in SMA Liaison costs was budgeted to cover travel expenses expected following a separate Council decision to boost representation over the coming year. Costs for production of Amateur Radio magazine were maintained at forecast levels. In an effort to economise on Federal Office computer system costs and to further streamline office operations, the computer system software and hardware is to be upgraded, commencing in January. Bill Wardrop VK5AWM, VK5 Federal Councillor, volunteered his services to assist in this process and is to spend some time in the Federal Office during January. 80 metre DX window The SMA has confirmed that amateur stations operating in the 80 metre DX window must comply with the regulations as explained in recent issues of "Amateur Radio". A letter received from the SMA states: "The 80 metre DX window (3794-3800 kHz) is set aside for use by the Amateur service in Australiaon a secondary (non-interference) basis and is specified in Australian footnote AUS8 of the Australian Spectrum Plan (Statutory Rules 1990 No. 413). This band is available for use by unrestricted amateur licensees only and is conditional upon the avoidance of operation within 1 kHz of 3794 kHz, which in effect reduces the band to 3795-3800 kHz. Amateur licensees must ensure that their transmissions are wholly contained within the band. "When using lower sideband emission for voice transmission, as is customary for amateur operation on 80 metres, care must be taken to ensure that the transmitted sidebands do not extend below 3795 kHz. Consequently, depending on the transmitted audio bandwidth, the operating (carrier) frequency may be limited tp approximtely 3798- 3800 kHz. Ohter modes of transmission which occupy less spectrum (such as CW) permit closer operation to the 3795 kHz lower limit. "Within Australia, the spectrum immediately below the 80 metre DX window is occupied by a number of primary services. It is important that these services do not receive interference from out-of-band amateur transmissions. "I trust this information settles any disputes regarding the use of this band." The letter was signed by Mr. Peter Allen, Acting Manager, Technical Services Team, Customer Services Group of the SMA. To sum up briefly: 1. No part of an amateur signal should extend below 3795 kHz. 2. When using LSB, the lowest legal carrier frequency is approximatwely 3798 kHz. 3. Interference to services operating below the DX window must be avoided. John Martin VK3KWA Chairman, FTAC New National Parks Last Thursday, 1st December 1994, the New South Wales government proclaimed ten new National Parks. They are: Gardens of Stone National Park near Lithgow Cudmirrah National Park near Sussex Inlet Conjola National park near Lake Conjola Popran National Park near Gosford and six (or is it seven) in the south east forest near Eden Coolangubra National Park, Yowaka National Park, Tantawangalo National Park, Genoa Nationa Park, Bemboka National Park, Biamanga National Park, Bondi Gulf National Park. Now what has this to do with Amateur radio? Well in 1988, the New South Wales division of the Wireless Institute of Australia introduced a number of awards, among these awards was the National Parks award, which was for amateurs (and short wave listeners) who made 25 (or heard) contacts from or to National Parks, State Recreation Areas and Historic Sites. These new parks bring to a total of 125 National Parks, State Recreation Areas and Historic Sites that can be activated. For more details of the National Parks award, or the other awards; The Shires award, The Clubs award, The 25 award, or The Special award; then phone, write or call into the Divisional office for an awards booklet and I'll see you in a National Park soon. Peter O'Connell VK2EMU Divisional Awards Manager ------------------------------------------ WICEN News There is little to report for now, so we will lead with some items of interest to WICEN members. First off, it seems that the Parliamentary Committee currently investigating the January bushfires has found there was a serious lack of communications between the various agencies. Speaking of communications, we are fortunate that the Dural Engineer, who is responsible for maintaining the Divisional repeaters, is also an active WICEN member; he will personally ensure that the repeaters remain on air to provide auxiliary communications during what promises to be a worse bush-fire season than last year. Meanwhile, further to the north, we are informed of the scale of disasters suffered by Indonesia. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Indonesia, home of many of the world's active volcanoes and host to some of its worst earthquakes, bushfires and tidal waves, averaged at least four natural disasters a day. Poor communications and inadequate data hindered cataloguing the numbers of those affected by such disasters -- 772 killed, 2.2 million hurt and 15,000 buildings destroyed this year. We in Australia can count ourselves fortunate, although it is worth reminding listeners that this month is the 20th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy, which flattened Darwin on Christmas Day 1974, and the 5th anniversary of the Newcastle Earthquake, which did its best to level Newcastle on 28th December 1989. WICEN members were heavily involved in the aftermath of both disasters. Turning closer to home, we advise of a meeting of the Blue Mountains region tomorrow, starting at 8pm. The location is the Glenbrook Bush Fire Brigade Station, and there will be a talk-in on 147.175 MHz simplex for peoplc needing directions. All interested persons are invited to attend, and for more information please contact Alan VK2YYJ on (02) 839-1388 during office hours. The other events are the Management Committee meeting next Saturday (which we understand may be followed by a "barbie"); the NSW Water Ski Association "Lion Island Classic" next Sunday, for which David VK2KLX is the contact; and the Hunter region meeting at the Emergency Operations Centre, corner of Elizabeth and Hannel Sts, Carrington, commencing at 7pm, at which Pauline VK2GTB will make you welcome. Those regions wishing to have their activities publicised on this broadcast are requested to get the details to the Publicity Officer, Dave VK2KFU, by Thursday night at the latest. Packet radio is the preferred medium, to either VK2AAB or VK2OP. -- Dave VK2KFU, WICEN (NSW) Inc. Publicity Officer --------------------------------------------- Dural Report This report was submitted by Tony Liolio VK2ZLT Last weekend whilst some of you were spending myour money at the trash & treasure sale at Parramatta Head Office, I was slaving away in the attic (?) at Dural. Tim Mills (VK2ZTM) and yours truly (VK2ZLT) have now, some of you will say at last, installed emergency lighting at Dural. This was spurred on by those three power balckouts we have had over the last couple of months. Although the 7 trailer lights only have 12 volt 5 watt globes in them at present they will soon be replaced with 22 watt ones. The main thing is that there are emergency lights of some description installed and working. I would like to thank Tim Mills for helping me in the sweltering heat , when he could have been home in the air conditioned comfort of his home. Dave Horsfall (VK2KFU) has been putting together some recommendat- ions for the upgrade of the station. There is now once again a Dural committee. The Dural facility was put together in the early 1950's by Michael Corbin VK2PFQ's father Jim VK2YC together with many willing workers, not forgetting those donations from you blokes in the country. The Dural committee's aim is to modernise the Dural site and make the station better and that little bit more reliable for you the listener. Some of our ideas are: * more beacons and repeaters * a much needed coat of paint * conversion of as many transmitters as possible to 12 volt operation. This will mean blackouts won't put us off the air. * an upgraded battery back-up system. Finally a word on the six metre repeater. I have discovered a blown final transistor in the P.A. stage which, when it is replaced, will get things going again. My biggest problem is time ... something of which I never seem to have enough. I would like to thank all those who have helped with this project. We hope to have it back on the air sometime after Christmas. --------------------------------------------------- Magazine Roundup Here again is a summary of the local magazines, which in the author's opinion could be of interest to Amateurs. This week we discuss the December issues of the various magazines. "Electronics Australia" decribes "Asynchronous Transfer Mode" (or ATM), which will form the basis for networking in the future; discusses toxic computer scrap, soldering safety, and RFI from touch lamps; concludes the construction of their intelligent solar battery charger; shows how to adapt the "Pocket Packet" kit for a Macintosh; introduces Erasable Programmable Logic Devices (or EPLDs) with a simple pulse-generator kit; and finishes with a series on modems and data communications. "Silicon Chip" decribes how buyers of 9-bit SIMMs are being conned by fake memory modules (the parity bit is replaced with a much cheaper parity generator chip); Australian ingenuity is demonstrated once again by a "world first" -- a Dolby Pro Logic Surround Sound Decoder kit; Amateurs can torment their kids at Christmas by building an electronic cricket and hiding it; a simple but effective car burglar alarm using a dedicated chip is described; a "Basic Stamp" micro-controller is discussed ; a three-spot low distortion sinewave oscillator is constructed; and in another example of Australian ingenuity, a complex radio control system for models is introduced. "Amateur Radio" describes a simple and transportable tilt-over tower; an alternator is modified to produce a battery charger;adds a PLL carrier-detect circuit to the venerable "7910" packet modem; everything the packet beginner wanted to know about the various acronyms is explained; a noise bridge is modified for better performance; basic packet radio operation is explained; Morse code users will find an explanation of the Curtis keyer chip; and power supplies for repeaters are discussed. Finally, "Amateur Radio Action" describes the SMA's policy on interference (sub-titled "Read it and Weep"); how to get started cheaply in Amateur radio is discussed; a review of an antenna tuner would not have been mentioned, except it was used to tune up a lettuce successfully on 40m; the NOAA-11 weather satellite is discussed, as it appears to have failed in a peculiar manner; and high-speed packet radio is introduced, with particular attention paid to bandwidth. Be listening next month for another summary of the local magazines. --Dave VK2KFU News briefs With frequent thunder storms occurring at this time of the year, it's worth reminding listeners of the dangers. Most of us probably know not to go out playing golf or climbing our towers during thundery weather, but there are other precautions we can take to avoid injury. For example, you should avoid using the telephone during thunderstorms. A Sydney woman ended up in hospital last Sunday when she suffered an electric shock while talking on the telephone during a thunderstorm. Don't forget that your computer and telephone modem can also suffer a similar fate. And, of course, earth or unplug those antennas, and disconnect your radio and computer gear from the mains to be on the safe side. *** At the Solar '94 Conference in Sydney this week, Professor David Suzuki urged the Government to support solar energy and to adopt a long-term renewable energy strategy. The conference, hosted at the University of New South Wales by the Australia New Zealand Solar Energy Society, also saw the launch of a book by ABC science reporter Gavin Gilchrist. Entitled The Big Switch, the book argues that Australia's coal reserves will start to run out as early as the year 2007. Professor Suzuki said that solar energy technology by itself would not be enough to protect the environment, but that it would be a step on the way to "lightening the human ecological footprint on the Earth". Dr. David Mills, a physicist at the University of Sydney, lamented that the government was allocating less money to solar energy research than it was willing to spend tearing down old eyesores at Sydney's Circular Quay. He called for "broad-based simulation of a range of technologies, including bio fuels for vehicles, wind power, and solar thermal energy". A report from the Institute of Engineers Australia said that Australia was not on track for meeting its greenhouse gas emission targets for the year, and that in fact emissions were still on the increase. These targets were set under the 1992 United Nations Global Convention on Climate Change, to which Australia is a signatory. *** A common complaint from users of battery-powered laptop computers (well in fact anyone who uses batteries) is that the batteries never seem to last long enough. While the elctronic circuits themselves are becoming more efficient, manufacturers are packing in more circuits and features into their products, so that the power problem still remains. A.E.R. Energy thinks it has the answer, with a new zinc-air design it calls the Energy Power 220, a 1.3 kg battery with a capacity of 140 Watt-hours (by comparision, a Nickel Metal Hydride battery of similar weight has a capacity of only 50 Watt-hours). A.E.R. says its battery has a longer operating life and is environmentally friendly, as it uses air as the catalyst. On the downside, the air catalyst means the battery is significantly larger, and can only be recharged about 50 times. Offering better performance is a new lithium ion battery, which could be recycled between 500 and 1000 times. However, cost and availablilty are still a problem, and there is some concern over the safety of the unit. Other possible contenders in the "best battery" stakes are lithium polymer batteries being developed by companies like Dell Computers, Toshiba, and Texas Instruments. Meanwhile a Valence lithium battery could be available late next year: this battery will have a lifetime three to four times that of Nicads, and will be rechargeable over several hundred cycles. Initially a 110 Watt-hour battery will be available, with a 150 Watt-hour model coming into production later. *** Finally, environmentally-aware Amateurs might like to get hold of a free booklet published by the Environmental Protection Agency. Entitled "Everyday things we can do to improve our environment", the booklet may be obtained simply by phoning 1800 632-907. *** "News briefs" looks at communications news items that appear in the mainstream media. Thanks this week go to "The Australian" and "The Sydney Morning Herald". If your local or regional paper runs an item of interest to Radio Amateurs, why not send a clipping to the Divisional office? --Richard Murnane VK2SKY A free invitation to visit the telecommunications repository and see 100 years of telephony including: old phones photographs switchboards Morse equipment and demonstrations of morse equipment restored to working order telegraph and telex equipment Films on various telecommunications subjects shown in the theatrette. Convenient location: The old Ashfield Post Office 11 Hercules Street Ashfield NSW 100 metres from Ashfield Railway Station and undercover public car park. Open every Wednesday from 12.30pm to 2.30pm (closed public holidays). Just call in - you will be glad you did! Their phone number is 716-8071. submitted by Mal Sinclair VK2BMS Going to the Cook Islands? With the approach of the Christmas holidays some lucky amateurs may be doing just that. If this description fits you, why don't you get your own "ZK" callsign? How? Write to: Cook Island Amateur Radio Club ZK1CI P.O. Box 663 Raratonga Cook Island South Pacific Club meetings are held at Tangaroa Liqueur Bar Ara Metua (Inland Road) Tutakimoa (next to "The Perfume Factory") Raratonga, Cook Island. When: Meetings held first Thursday of every month at 8.30pm. General information: The club is a great place for visitors to meet LOCAL AMATEURS and RADIO ENTHUSIASTS. A warm welcome is guaranteed. No joining fee. Enjoy a swim amongst lush tropical garden setting in full size pool. Club can arrange meetings and skeds with Outer Island Amateurs and discounted travel to the outer islands. Full Amateur Shack at Club House with excellent Antennas available. Club can organize local ZK RADIO LICENCE whilst visiting. ORIGINAL: (SMA) AMATEUR OPERATOR'S CERTIFICATE of PROFICIENCY must be produced - A copy not acceptable, to obtain your ZK LICENCE to operate in the Cook Islands. Further information from John Abbott ZK1AX (Club Secretary) Telephone 0011-682-21190 Fax 0015-682-20964 IPS WEEKLY REPORT ----------------- 25 NOVEMBER - 01 DECEMBER DATE OF ISSUE: 02 DECEMBER 1994 INDICES: DATE 25 26 27 28 29 30 01 10CM 82 83 80 80 80 78 79 A 3 24 18 12 8 16 (10 ESTIMATED) T 3 31 -15 19 24 40 6 SOLAR ACTIVITY WAS VERY LOW, EXCEPT FOR 16TH NOVEMBER WHEN IT WAS LOW. THE GEOMAGNETIC FIELD AT LEARMONTH WAS QUIET ON 25TH, THEN WENT TO MAJOR STORM LEVELS ON 26TH, DECREASING TO ACTIVE TO MINOR STORM LEVELS DURING LOCAL NIGHT ON 26TH, THEN QUIET OR QUIET TO UNSETTLED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE PERIOD. IONOSPHERIC F2 CRITICAL FREQUENCIES AT SYDNEY WERE DEPRESSED ABOUT 15 PER CENT ON 25TH, THEN NEAR PREDICTED 26TH AND 28TH- 29TH NOVEMBER. fREQUENCIES WERE DEPRESSED 15-30 PER CENT DURING LOCAL NIGHT ON 27TH, 15-20 PER CENT ABOVE ON 30TH, AND NEAR PREDICTED TO SLIGHTLY DEPRESSED ON 1ST DECEMBER. FORECAST (02 NOVEMBER - 08 DECEMBER) SOLAR: VERY LOW GEOMAGNETIC: QUIET TO UNSETTLED. IONOSPHERIC: SLIGHTLY DEGRADED HF COMMS EXPECTED 2-3 DECEMBER, NEAR NORMAL OTHERWISE. COURTESY OF THE IPS RADIO AND SPACE SERVICES SUMMARY BY PAT VK2JPA ANARTS BROADCAST OFFICER CLUB NEWS A.A.T.C. Stop press - Attention all AATC mwembers - changes to the next meeting location - it will be on December 11th at Dave Pack's home 10 Manus Place 1.00 pm Glenfield owing to an oversight by the WIA - Parramatta. The technical lecture on the day will be on (a) oscilloscopes - the use and abuse. A demonstration of an 8 channel relay controlled output from your IBM computer so you can operate external devices via the keyboard, and the backup lecture (b) will be on charging lead acid batteries. Calling all AATC members - start thinking about what input you can do for the Wyong field day next year - remember Feb 26 is only 12 weeks away. Sort out what equipment you wish to have displayed. Also the timings you will be present to man or woman the site etc. For more information about the A.A.T.C. listen to the net on Tuesday nights from the Liverpool area on 146.625 MHz - approx 19.30 hrs - or watch us on 1250 MHz from our Oaldale repeater any- time. Also you can ring for more info to Sydney 02 587-3491 any time !!! AATC Inc. Publicity Officer Bob Barnes Parramatta Amateur Radio Club The planned picnic day this Sunday has been cancelled. In lieu of this the club's Christmas function will be held on the third Thursday of this month, that being the 15th of December, it will be held at the Lancers Barracks Bistro, the Commercial Inn located at the corner of Wigram Street and Station Street Parramatta, commenc- ing at 7.30pm. You can see us there after 7.30pm or meet at Amateur Radio House Wigram Street just prior to 7.30 and then walk up. The club's repeater VK2RPC located at Kurrajong has been in service since the 9th of October. This repeater has been used by many operators, the reports received have indicated excellent coverage of the Sydney and surrounding areas, it has also opened up coverage in previous known shadow areas not covered by other repeaters. It is worth noting that this amateur service shares the site with other commercial services, including 5 pager transmitters. It just goes to show that both commercial and amateur services can co-exist, despite the potential interference problems. Unfortunately, there are some problems. Apparently some stations accessing the Kurrajong repeater are also opening up the Tamworth repeater. This is causing problems to the Tamworth repeater as it is a solar powered service. Subsequently, NTAC have asked the Parramatta Club to temporarily close down the Kurrajong repeater. So in good faith, we will comply with this request. The repeater will be switched off some time in the next few days. Apologies to the current users of this service, we do promise to work with the relevant authorities and people, with the aim to return this excellent facility to full service, without causing any undue interference to other amateur service areas. If anyone can offer a potential solution to this problem, we would be keen to hear your comments. These can be sent to PARC PO Box 2391 North Parramatta 2151 or by packet to VK2TQM @ VK2XSO. The members of the club wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. submitted by David VK2TQM (Secretary) Great Lakes On Friday 25th November the Great Lakes Radio Club Inc. held its final meeting for 1994. During the Christmas break the repeater Committee will be pursuing finalisation of the club's four outstanding repeater applications with the hope that this may be reached in time for our first 1995 meeting on the 27th January, An informal Christmas function has been arranged for the evening of Thursday 8th December at the Forster Bowling Club. This will also be a farewell to our UK member, Stephen Linden, who will shortly be returning home after twelve months exchange teaching. Would any member wishing to attend please advise Stan Ellis on 065-54-7996 by Tuesday 6th. At our January meeting arrangements will be made for our annual pilgrimage to Wyong for the Central Coast Club's field day. Bus hire will depend on the number wanting this form of transport. Cost, including admission, is estimated at $25. Warm Christmas Greetings and Sincere Wishes for a more peaceful New Year are extended to all amateurs and their families from us here at the beautiful Great Lakes Stan Ellis VK2DDL Coming events Now, a summary of upcoming events of interest to members and other Radio Amateurs ... WAHRA, AAPRA, & SPARC Christmas Party. . . . . . . . . . . Today Summerland ARC Christmas party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Today Blue Mountains WICEN meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Monday Radio Amateurs Old Timers Club net . . . . . . . . . . . .Monday St George ARC meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wednesday Great Lakes ARC Christmas party. . . . . . . . . . . . .Thursday Divisional Council meeting & Christmas get-together. . . .Friday Waverley ARC Christmas Dinner. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Saturday NSW Water Ski Ass'n Lion island Classic (VK2KLX) . . Next Sunday Divisional exams at Parramatta . . . . . . . . . . . Next Sunday Summerland ARC exams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Next Sunday Australian Amateur TV Club gen.meeting at Glenfield Next Sunday Parramatta ARC Christmas function. . . . . . . . . . 15 December Do you have an event you'd like publicised on the weekly broad- cast? If so, then please send details to the Divisional Broadcast Officer, Michael Corbin VK2PFQ, by phone on (02) 626-9288, or by fax on (02) 626-6066.Items can also be forwarded to the Divisional Office. ------------------------------------------------------------------ VK2WI Broadcast, 4th December 1994. Copyright 1994 WIA (NSW) & contributors. Material may be used elsewhere if the source is acknowledged.