CCARC NEWS 15-01
THE PERIODIC NEWSLETTER OF THE CENTRAL COAST AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
ISSUE No 15-01 9th January 2015
In this Issue:
- VHF UHF Summer Field Days
- WICEN during South Australian bushfires
- Amateur licence conditions re-make: what’s happening?
- History This Week
- Broke & fixed
- Reminders
1. VHF UHF Summer Field Days
The Summer VHF UHF Field Days are on this weekend 9th & 10th January. Doug VK2MDC & Col VK2KCM will have a team operating at Staples Lookout. If you would to join in the fun get in touch with Doug.
VHF UHF Field Days information
VK2EH came 7th in division in Spring Field Day
2. WICEN during South Australian bushfires
The bushfire that burned uncontrolled for many days since early new year in the Adelaide hills blackened more than 12,500 hectares of land, destroyed numerous houses, sheds and at least four business. The bush and grass fires in temperatures about 40 degrees (Celsius) and winds over 90km/h, sent 23 people, including firefighters to hospital. One man remains in a serious condition after being hit by a falling tree. It is sheep and cattle country with the loss of about 120 animals. Forecast cooler weather was to dampen the fire threat, but locals know they need to remain vigilant and prepared for the rest of summer.
WICEN President Nic McLean VK5ZAT reports that he has been at the One Tree Hill staging area assisting, including the issuing of handheld radios to SAVEM (SA Veterinary Emergency Management) a Response and Recovery agency for animals, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. WICEN has commercial UHF handhelds available and also set up an aluminium mast and antenna at the base station to give a more reliable range. Nic VK5ZAT says WICEN works very closely with SAVEM, enabling the veterinary community to effectively respond to any emergency incident involving companion animals, wildlife and livestock.
While SAVEM can’t provide an evacuation service for pets and other animals, which should be in personal emergency plans, it helps any animals caught up in an emergency. An approach to WICEN by SAVEM in late 2013 resulted in an agreement of help being provided with communications. Nic VK5ZAT says SAVEM with its veterinarians and nurses has been doing good work triaging, treating and euthanising animals, and where possible some emotional support to the farmers and owners of the animals.
Having WICEN South Australia support with communication facilities has made the vital humanitarian work a lot easier, and given radio amateurs a new worthy additional customer.
Author : Jim Linton – VK3PC via WIA
3. Amateur licence conditions re-make: what’s happening?
Not a lot, yet. The Amateur Licence Conditions Determination – the LCD – will sunset on 1 October this year. For the Amateur Service to continue, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has to re-make the LCD before then.
The ACMA has quite a lot on its plate right now, with many other sunsetting regulatory instruments to be re-made, quite aside from the Spectrum Review report to be completed in conjunction with the Department of Communications early this year, and the consequent revision of the Radiocommunications Act. The Amateur LCD is not a high priority.
Author : Roger Harrison – VK2ZRH via WIA
4. History This Week
A look back at events that made history this week – compiled by the Summerland Amateur Radio Club of Lismore, NSW
Monday, 5 January, 2015
1816 Sir Humphry Davy’s safety lamp was first used in a coal mine.
1839 The daguerreotype photo process was announced at the French Academy of Science.
1899 U.S. patent was issued for an “Electric Device,” invented by David Misell, a ‘Flashlight’.
1929 First TV broadcast in Australia by Gil Miles and Donald Macdonald in Melbourne from radio station 3UZ
BROKE & FIXED
No items for Broke & Fixed this week – all CCARC infrastructure is operational.
REMINDERS
This section lists important announcements and possibly items from previous CCARC NEWS editions that are still current and may need your input:
If you experience any problems with any of the repeaters not working, please report to Repeater Chairman, Don VK2ZCZ. Do not assume that he already knows about it. As soon as problems are brought to Don’s attention, they will be fixed ASAP.
Jaycar Tuggerah & Erina will give CCARC members a trade discount – approx 10% on purchases over $25. Make sure you ask for it.
Anyone reading this on the website who is not yet a member of the CCARC, please consider joining by emailing ccarc at ccarc dot org dot au for full details.
For submissions to this newsletter from CCARC club members please email the editor news-editor at ccarc dot org dot au
For what’s coming up in the next few months at the CCARC, please check the club calendar, accessible from the header on any page on the website.
Dave VK2DLS … News & Publicity Officer …