[continued from previous message]   
      
   This was no scam call, but a call to the ISS via Belgium, South Africa,   
   that originated in Nigeria.   
      
   In a landmark moment for Nigerias space sector, students from 20 schools in   
   the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, had a once-in-a-lifetime interaction   
   with astronaut Zena Cardman aboard the International Space Station.   
      
      
   The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), in its strides   
   to position the country among global players in the space sector, connected   
   via Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, ARISS, to give the   
   students a lifetime experience.   
      
      
   The programme was moderated in Belgium, through the manned ground   
   station, ZS6JON in South Africa.   
      
   The event marks Nigerias entry into direct human contact with space   
   exploration and represents more than symbolism.   
      
      
   It is a milestone for science education, technological advancement, and   
   empowering young people to dream bigger.   
      
   tinyurl.com/35v23ddh   
   (radionigeria)   
      
   Open Letter from AMSAT-SM Highlights Need for Full Duplex Handheld Radio.   
      
   The AMSAT-SM group in Sweden has issued an open letter to several major   
   amateur radio manufacturers calling for the development of a new handheld   
   transceiver with true full duplex capability. The initiative, led by Lars   
   Thunberg, SM0TGU, highlights the strong demand within the satellite operating   
   community for modern equipment that supports simultaneous transmit and   
   receive on different bands without desense.   
      
      
   The letter was sent to a dozen manufacturers, including Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu,   
   Baofeng and AnyTone.   
      
      
   These companies represent both long-established Japanese firms and newer   
   Chinese brands that have introduced a wide variety of handhelds in recent   
   years. While todays radios often feature APRS, GPS, Bluetooth, and USB-C   
   charging, none currently provide the full duplex FM capability needed for   
   effective satellite operation.   
      
      
   AMSAT-SM emphasized that full duplex operation is vital for amateur satellite   
   use, allowing operators to hear their own downlink while transmitting. This   
   feature was present in older, now-discontinued models such as the Kenwood   
   TH-D72, but is missing from all currently produced handhelds. The group   
   argued that satellite operators would be willing to pay a premium for this   
   capability, and that manufacturers could capture a unique market by stepping   
   into this, dare I say it, "space".   
      
   (sourced to AMSAT)   
      
   WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - IOTA   
   iota-world.org/   
   --------------------------   
      
   A NEW IOTA - AS-178   
      
   AT 2 AH is the callsign issued to the DXpedition to  Hope Island   
   AS 178, (new one for IOTA), which is scheduled to take place now   
   until October 2.   
      
   [425DXN].   
   ---------------   
      
   OC REMINDERS   
      
   OC-002 CHRISTMAS ISLAND  VK9QO October 3-7.   
   -------------   
   OC-047 - H44MS - Malaita Island in the Solomons until November 25 then   
   a small break, followed by more activity next year from January 25 to   
   April 10.   
   -------------   
   OC-054 - WALLIS ISLAND FW5K 20 October to 7 November.   
   -----------   
   OC-066 - TX9XG - Rangiroa Atoll  April 1-8, 2026.   
      
   WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO AMATEUR YOUNG TIMERS - YOTA   
   (Youngsters On The Air)   
   WIA committee:- Steve VK6SJ, Alec VK2MV and Pete VK2LP.   
   ham-yota.com/category/yota-region-3/   
   facebook.com/groups/YOTAOC/   
   youtube.com/channel/UClAapljf0VQ751sOgu2IzaA   
      
   Our Australian Army Cadet Drone Racing Team is scoring big in the UK!   
      
   Cadets CUO (Cadet Under Officer) Rhys subb20 James,   
   CUO Zac Shutterspeed Melvaine and CAPT (AAC) James Griffiths   
   left Sydney on 12 September for London to participate in the Military   
   International Drone Racing Tournament or M I D R T 2025   
      
      
   After landing at 5am in the UK, the team spent the day fighting jet lag with   
   a trip to the historic university town of Oxford.   
      
      
   The team then continued their travels to the Royal Military Academy   
   Sandhurst, where the tournament is being held.   
      
      
   After a challenging first day, CUO James and CUO Melvaine came in second in   
   the final heat.   
      
      
   Day 2 of qualifying was a very successful day for the team.   
      
   CUO James finished in 10th position and CUO Melvaine finished t in 7th   
   position.   
      
      
   On the final day of the Tournament, Shutterspeed and subb20 both achieved   
   amazing results, placing 1st and 2nd respectively in the cadet class.   
   Congrats go to Zachary and Rhys!   
      
      
   During the tournament , they took the opportunity to share their experiences   
   with members of allied militaries, including the UK, US and Philippines.   
      
      
   Being great ambassadors for Australia that they are, the two CUOs also took   
   an opportunity to introduce British Army Cadets to the fast-paced world of   
   drone racing - all set against the historic backdrop of the Royal Military   
   Academy Sandhurst.   
      
      
   For many of the British cadets, this was their very first experience flying   
   racing drones, and their enthusiasm was sky-high.   
      
      
   Congrats and well done go to Zachary and Rhys!   
      
   For WIA National News, I am Alan VK2COD in Sydney. Now back to you Col.   
      
   WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RESCUE RADIO   
      
   When wildfires tore through parts of Altadena and the Palisades in January,   
   many amateur radio operators lost more than their homes.   
      
      
   They also lost the equipment that kept them connected during power and phone   
   outages -- and pieces of a hobby that brought them community.   
      
      
   Now, the San Fernando Valley Amateur Radio Club (W6SD) is stepping in to help   
   those hams rebuild their stations. "We're probably the oldest Amateur Radio   
   Club in Southern California," Richard Frankie, president of W6SD, said.   
   "We're 70-plus years old." The goal with this drive is to identify licensed   
   amateur radio operators in Altadena and the Palisades who have lost equipment   
   and match them with radios and antennas that can get them back on the air.   
   Frankie noted that even a simple wire antenna can be built with modest   
   materials, but radios are harder to replace. That is where the clubs lending   
   and donation program comes in.   
      
   (eHam)   
   ------------------------------------------------------------*	   
   IT'S A DATE   
      
   Clubs are welcome to email text with audio for this section,   
   nationalnews@wia.org.au   
      
   Details of all WIA affiliated clubs and societies can be found   
   on the WIA website, including email addresses and website links.   
      
   ----------------------------   
      
   2025   
      
   VK2 - Westlakes Field Day 8am October 26 on club grounds. (vk2wi)   
      
   VK4 -Townsville Amateur Radio Club's Cardwell Gathering Field Day   
   October 3 at Meunga Creek Caravan Park & Camp             (wiacal)   
      
   VK5 - AREG's Amateur Radio & Electronics Sale Sunday 26th October   
   at David Roche Park, Kilburn                          (VK5QI)   
      
   VK - VKFF National Get Together October 24-27 Canberra.   (vk5pas)   
      
   VK4 - Qtech2025 a two-day conference Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd   
   November at Kedron-Wavell RSL                          (vk4uh)   
      
   VK4 - GOLD COAST AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY  2025 HAMFEST NOV 9   
   Country Paradise Parklands 231 Beaudesert Nerang Road. (vk4dmh)   
      
   VK7 - Miena HamFest Saturday Nov.15 10am (my-ee-nah)        (vk7news)   
      
   VK3 - Rosebud RadioFest, Eastbourne Primary School, Rosebud (wiacal)   
   November Sixteen.   
      
   VK2 - PICTON HAMFEST November 23 Picton Show Ground 8AM     (vk2xqx)   
   VK8 - Darwin Amateur Radio Club Xmas Party 6:30pm Dec 3     (wiacal)   
      
   VK - Dec 7 WIA Affiliated Clubs briefing webinar           (wiacal)   
   --------------------- SOCIAL SCENE 2026 ------------------   
   VK - WIA AGM May 2 at 2pm Albury VK2                          (wiacal)   
   final final   
      
   Reception Reports   
      
   No we DO like to hear where in the world you are listening to this,   
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)