[continued from previous message]   
      
   These presentations, of wide general interest, were balanced by speakers   
   sharing their expertise in areas at the frontiers of the hobby including   
   microwave operation and equipment for our highest amateur band allocation at   
   241 GHz, using light for communication, Moonbounce at 10GHz and backyard   
   reception of radio signals from deep space probes.   
      
   Following the time-honoured Ham Radio tradition of improvisation and the   
   modification of existing equipment we even heard about expanding the   
   capabilities of the brand new Icom IC905 super radio transceiver.   
      
      
   A high spot of the entire conference was a live telebridge with Astronaut   
   Jonny Kim KJ5HFP aboard the International Space Station as it orbited over   
   Queensland. As a collaborative effort between the conference organises, the   
   ARISS project, and the Wavell State High School here in Brisbane.  Fifteen   
   students had the near unique opportunity to pose questions to Jonny through   
   the medium of Amateur Radio.  Contact with the spacecraft was made via the   
   ARISS ground station VK4ISS in Mackay, using the 2m band.  The ISS was in   
   range for 11 minutes which was enough time for all the students questions to   
   be asked and their replies received.  We are indebted to Shane VK4KHZ, the VK   
   ARISS coordinator for making this contact a reality.   
      
      
   I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone from The Brisbane VHF   
   Group who helped to stage this event in particular Scott VK4CZ and Peter   
   VK4EA without whos efforts this would not have been possible.   
      
      
   I would like to give my particular thanks to all of the QTech2025 presenters   
   who gave freely of their time and who shared their knowledge and expertise   
   with us all.   
      
      
   I would also like to thank all of delegates who supported the conference by   
   attending.  Without that support meetings like QTech have no purpose.   
      
      
   All of the presentations were recorded and will shortly be posted to the   
   Brisbane VHF Group YouTube library for remote screening by the wider amateur   
   community   
      
      
   Preparations are already underway for QTech 2027 and we hope to see you there   
      
   This has been Kevin VK4UH   
      
   Gidday all - this is Peter - VK4EA - WIA Vice-President recording this piece   
   in Turrbul and Yagera country - on behalf of the WIA board.   
      
      
   This weekend just past I swapped to my Brisbane VHF Group hat and assisted   
   with the delivery of QTech2025.  It was a hectic few months leading up the   
   weekend organising a lot of moving parts.  Highlight of the weekend for me   
   was the ARISS contact Saturday evening with 12 students and teachers from   
   Wavell State High School posing a number of questions to astronaut Jonny Kim   
   - live via Amateur Radio through Shane Lynd's - VK4KHZ - ground station. The   
   expression on the students faces when Shane established contact was   
   priceless.  We hope we have inspired a number to pursue a   
      
   career in technology and ideally consider pursing an interest in radio.   
      
   During the QTech2025 tech conference we heard from Grant - VK5GR - TAC   
   Chairman - explaining the the band plan change proposals and the consultation   
   process now underway.  It is vital that we all engage with this consultation   
   and understand the real challenges that our hobby faces.  Spectrum is hotly   
   contested by organisations with far deeper pockets - as our erstwhile life   
   member - Peter Young - vK3mv  - is known to quote often - No spectrum - no   
   hobby.   
      
      
   Also during the Qtech proceedings we were treated to a fantastic presentation   
   from Finn and Otto (VK4II and VK4OTZ) - demonstrating all is   
      
   not lost - there are plenty of young people wanting to get a license and   
   become active.	 A few very pertinent suggestions were put to the audience on   
   how and why, young people will want to participate.   
      
      
   With my WIA VP hat back on - the QTech town hall discussion highlighted a   
   number of initiatives the WIA and Clubs can embrace to encourage youth   
   participation.	I made many, many, many notes.   
      
      
   Shortly we will be placing the new website into production once we sort out   
   some linking issues.  For the moment the Clubs, Contests, Spectrum, National   
   News parts of the existing website will remain - with a progressive migration   
   towards the much more modern and engaging new instance.  We ask for members   
   patience while we work through the transition.   
      
      
   Next major WIA related event for me will be the VK Summit convened by the   
   Albury Wodonga Amateur Radio Club - first weekend in May 2026.	The club has   
   been working hard to organise a great event - we encourage all members to   
   support them by attending in person.   
      
      
   21st of November Im heading to the Bunya Mountains to help activate the   
   Brisbane VHF Group contest callsign - VK4IF - to get some fun Microwave   
   contacts while participating in the Spring VHF/UHF field day.  I hope to   
   speak to operators in SEQ during the contest.  PLease make sure you send a   
   log in, no matter how many contacts you make, many participants are relying   
   on your logs to verify their scores.   
      
      
   Thats enough from me this week - this has been Peter - VK4EA - Vice-President   
   of the WIA.   
      
   Cheers,   
   Peter Schrader - VK4EA / KQ4PSVice-President   
   Wireless Institute of Australia Ltd0407407636   
      
   JUST ASKING:-   
      
   Dougal vk4eka here.	   
   When looking for the WIA Band Plan Review, on the WIA page was also a   
   piece about Electromagnetic Radiation safety.   
      
   Unfortunately the video link showed no longer available".   
      
   The regulator started introducing rules about radio frequency radiation   
   safety around 2000 with an RLCD in 2003 (updated in 2015). The ACMA in   
   2005 produced a how to document (18 pages), including a check sheet to   
   fill in and instructions for Amateurs. A spreadsheet authored by VK3UM   
   was used by many (no longer updated).   
      
   The Class Licence for Amateurs contains 8 pages giving the radio   
   frequency radiation safety requirements for Amateurs, and the WIA   
   provide a link to the Radio Society of Great Britain calculator.   
      
   The Amateur Radio Relay League in the USA have similar.   
      
   The important part of the Class Licence is the Amateur must keep a record   
   of the radiation safety assessment of their station.   
      
   When I have been out with the local radio club portable for the John   
   Moyle or VHF/UHF field day or JOTA I have filled in the two pages of   
   the ACMA advisory of 2005 as a record. It takes about 15 minutes.   
   Although unlikely, the ACMA can ask for your assessment record.   
      
   Have you got one?   
      
   This is Dougal VK4EKA   
   ------------------------------------------------------------*   
   INTERNATIONAL NEWS is with thanks to Amateur Radio Daily, ARRL,   
   DX-WORLD, eHam, Hackaday, IARU, IRTS, NEWSLINE, NZART,  RAC,   
   Radioworld.com, RSGB, SARL and the World Wide sources of WIA.   
      
   YASME EXCELLENCE AWARD   
      
   This is presented to individuals and groups who, through their own   
   service, creativity, effort and dedication have made a significant   
   contribution to amateur radio.  The contribution may be in recognition of   
   technical, operating or organizational achievement,  as all three are   
   necessary for  amateur radio to grow and  prosper.   
      
   The latest recipients are:   
      
   Ed Engleman, KG8CX - Yasme recognizes Ed's years of support for young   
   amateurs through the YACHT program, licensing classes,	and   
   in-personmentoring.   
      
      
   Don Jones, K6ZO - Don has played  an instrumental role  in  developing  an   
   active  young amateur community  in Malawi.  The enthusiasm  of the young   
   operators is inspiring, especially their ability to train and support each   
   other as they develop on-the-air experience.   
      
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-DOS v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)