[continued from previous message]   
      
   For we existing radio amateurs, they offer the opportunity for progression   
   through learning new skills.   
      
   Youll also find links to two RSGB Convention presentations, including the   
   newly released talk on 3D printing by Tom Wardill, 2E0JJI.   
      
   Go to rsgb.org/emerging-technology to learn more.   
      
   The Society will be adding even more technologies to the web page in the   
   coming months.   
      
   (rsgb)   
   AHH THE DAYS OF DIAL UP INTERNET!   
      
   The MP3 file format was always encumbered with patents, but as of 2017, the   
   last patent finally expired. Although the format became synonymous with the   
   digital music revolution that started in the late 90s, as an audio   
   compression format there is an argument to be made that it has long since   
   been superseded by better formats and other changes.   
      
      
   In a world with super-fast Internet speeds and the abstracting away of music   
   formats behind streaming services, few people still care about MP3.   
      
      
   The last patents for the MP3 format expired in 2012 in the EU and  2017 in   
   the US, ending many years of incessant legal sniping. For those of us   
   learning of the wonders of MP3 back around 98 through services like Napster   
   or Limewire, MP3s meant downloading music on 56k dialup in a matter of   
   minutes to hours rather than days to weeks with WAV, and with generally   
   better quality than Microsofts WMA format at lower bitrates. When portable   
   media players came onto the scene, they were called MP3 players, a name that   
   stuck around.   
      
      
   But is MP3 really obsolete and best forgotten in the dustbin of history at   
   this point? Would anyone care if computers dropped support  for MP3 tomorrow?   
      
   Food for thought!   
   (twiar)   
      
   WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - IOTA   
   iota-world.org/   
      
   Bernhard, DL2GAC, is using the callsign H44MS from Malaita [MUH-LIGHT-A],   
   IOTA number OC-047, in the Solomon Islands between the 9th of February   
   through to the 7th of May. He will be calling QRZ on 80-6 metres using SSB   
   and FT8. See QRZ.com for QSL details.   
      
   Marty, KE4TT, is on the air as P4/KE4TT from Aruba, IOTA number SA-036 until   
   the 11th of March, using CW, SSB and FT8 on various HF bands. See QRZ.com for   
   QSL details.   
      
      
   WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- POLICING   
      
   Special event station LZ 75 IPA is active right throughout 2025   
   celebrating the 75th anniversary of the International Police   
   Association.   
      
   QSL via Club Log's OQRS, or direct to LZ 3 HI.   
      
   (425 dx news )   
      
   WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO SCOUTING   
   VKJOTAJOTI.COM   
   scouts.com.au   
   scout.org/jota   
   international.scouts.com.au   
   jotajoti.info/   
      
   Brett Nicholas  VK2BNN Scouts Australia National co-ordinator   
   for JOTA.   
   Lorraine OHare VK2FICQ is Girl Guides Australia National   
   JOTA-JOTI Co-ordinator.   
   The Bharat Scouts and Guides Diamond Jubilee Jamboree, held in Tamilnadu,   
   from January 28th to February 3rd, 2025, witnessed a surge of interest   
   in amateur radio.   
      
   The event, which brought together approximately 20,000 Scouts and Guides   
   from across India and beyond, featured a Ham Radio Pavilion that proved a   
   major attraction, particularly among students. The Rajapalayam   
   International Radio Communicators Club, VU2IRD, was invited by the BSG   
   National Headquarters to set up and operate the Ham Radio stations.   
      
   RIRCOM provided HF, VHF, and even LEO Satellite Communication   
   demonstrations, showcasing the diverse capabilities of this fascinating   
   hobby and service.   
      
   tinyurl.com/3nfr9ajw   
   AND dont forget that Girlguiding groups are taking part in World Thinking   
   Day on the Air activities over this and next weekend, the 15th and 22nd of   
   February.   
      
   The aim of the event is to encourage Girlguiding members to make   
   friendships with those in other units, using amateur radio as the means   
   of communication. A list of stations who have provided the RSGB with   
   details of their callsign can be found by going to rsgb.org/thinking-day   
      
   (RSGB and eHam)   
      
   WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- SOFTWARE DEVELOPEMENT   
      
   You have until the 28th of February to nominate your favourite ham radio   
   open source software project for the 6th annual Amateur Radio Software   
   Award! This international honour promotes free innovative software that   
   enhances the ham radio experience. Past winners include David Rowe,   
   VK5DGR, for Codec 2, Anthony Good, K3NG, for Arduino CW Keyer and Jordan   
   Sherer, KN4CRD, for JS8Call. Find award rules and the official nomination   
   form at  A  R S award dot com.   
      
   (arsaward.com)   
   WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS  --- VIDEO.   
   ATV SSTV and other forms such as YouTube.   
      
   Peter VK3BFG is your WIA ATV representative. pcossins@bigpond.com   
      
   tinyurl.com/WIA-News-Videos   
   THAT LINK IS A VIDEO VERSION OF THIS NEWS COMPILED BY VK5BD BEVAN   
      
   In preparation for an upcoming mission to transmit SSTV images from a Space-X   
   Dragon capsule later this year, a simulation of that event will transmit from   
   the International Space Station beginning on February 13th.   
      
      
   SSTV images are expected to be transmitted from the ISS from 13 through   
   February 17th. Unlike previous ISS SSTV events, images will be transmitted   
   on 437.550 MHz rather than the standard 2 meter frequency.   
      
   This event is designed to be a practice session for educators and students   
   that will be participating in the Fram2 event.   
      
      
   The practice sessions will help participants get used to the doppler effect   
   of 70 cm as well as getting familiar with equipment.   
      
      
   More information on the Fram2 event later this spring can be viewed on the   
   Fram2 website.   
      
   fram2ham.com/   
   (ard)   
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------   
      
   IT'S A DATE   
      
   Clubs are welcome to email text with audio for this section   
      
   Details of all WIA affiliated clubs and societies can be found   
   on the WIA website, including email addresses and website links.   
      
   ----------------------------   
   2025   
      
   VK3 - Yarra Valley Amateur Radio Group HamFest March One at   
   Mooroolbark Community Centre.                        (wiacal)   
      
   VK7 - MEET THE VOICE social outing Ross Caravan Park March 23 (Al vk7)   
      
   VK4 - Redcliffe & Districts Radio Club REDFEST April 12 at   
   Deception Bay North State School.                     (wiacal)   
      
   VK - WIA AGM May 3 - 4. Hosted by Bendigo Amateur Radio & Electronics   
   Club and their Technology Expo                   (vk3gtv/wiacal)   
      
   VK2 - Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club's 49th Annual Field Day Weekend   
   at Wauchope Showground Hall June 7 and 8          (wiacal)   
      
   VK5 - SERG Convention and Fox Hunting Championship June 7 and 8   
   At Scout Hall in Mt. Gambier                        (vk5dj)   
      
   VK  - Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association 50th anniversary   
   Glen Waverly July 26 president@alara.org              (vk2ayl)   
      
   VK5 - AREG's Amateur Radio & Electronics Sale Sunday 26th October   
   at David Roche Park, Kilburn                            (VK5QI)   
      
   VK4 - GOLD COAST AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY  2025 HAMFEST NOV 9  (vk4dmh)   
   Country Paradise Parklands 231 Beaudesert Nerang Road.   
      
   VK3-  Rosebud RadioFest, Eastbourne Primary School, Rosebud (wiacal)   
   November Sixteen.   
      
   VK8 - Darwin Amateur Radio Club DARC Xmas Party 6:30pm Dec 3    (wiacal)   
   Reception Reports   
      
   WIA News rebroadcasters often give Short Wave Listeners a   
   welcome to the broadcast as they commence call-backs   
   straight after the Local News. Local news follows National   
   news in all states. It would be great if those SWL's would   
   email their reception reports and location to   
   callbacks@wia.org.au   
   Submitting news items   
      
   If you would like to submit news items for possible inclusion   
   in the VK1WIA broadcasts, please email your item in text to   
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-DOS v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)