[continued from previous message]   
      
   What started as an experiment between two teenagers testing the range of   
   their walkie-talkies later grew into a test of CB radios' range in young   
   drivers' cars.   
      
      
   The activity, which began formally in 1987, is known as the Mountain Radio   
   Challenge and it is a test of what a radio operator can accomplish using only   
   line-of-sight communications.   
      
      
   This year's challenge is taking place on Saturday the 29th of November.   
      
   Instead of school kids on beaches, this growing challenge attracts CB radio   
   operators on 27 MHz and amateur radio operators on the ham frequencies, many   
   of whom are also activating SOTA summits.   
      
      
   Tony Lock, the founder and event director, told our US Sister publication   
   'Newsline' in an email that the very challenge that began long ago between   
   himself and a schoolmate has since expanded to several groups on hills within   
   his home state of Victoria and has expanded to Tasmania, South Australia and   
   here in New South Wales.   
      
      
   The objective is to transmit a predetermined relay message in one direction,   
   from one operator to the next, and a responding message back in the reverse   
   direction.   
      
      
   According to the event website, although ham radio operators will not be   
   participating in the message relay itself, their presence on the mountains is   
   still useful because the hams can help with operator coordination and, of   
   course, if there is a need for emergency communications.   
      
      
   For details about participating, see the link the text version of this week's   
   WIA NATIONAL NEWS.   
      
      
   mountainradiochallenge.weebly.com   
   (newsline 2506) ]   
      
   WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RESCUE RADIO   
      
   After Hurricane Melissa, more than 70 percent of Jamaica was left without   
   power -- causing major communication outages.   
      
   With many areas offline, families often had to travel just to find a   
   signal or a phone line. Some students waited with no word back from   
   family. "I pretty much used that Amateur Radio Emergency Service that   
   and the traffic systems that we use both through the ARRL and then   
   Radio Relay International and we finally got some Puerto Rico contacts,   
   said Derrick Ouellette who is the Maine Section Emergency Coordinator   
   for the ARRL.   
      
   (eHam)   
      
   Radio amateurs from the Radio Society of Sri Lanka (RSSL) participated in the   
   Indian Ocean Wave 2025 exercise (IOWave25), coordinated by UNESCOs   
   intergovernmental coordination group for Indian Ocean tsunamis, November 5   
      
      
   RSSL supported the Disaster Management Centre by operating HF and VHF   
   emergency communication networks during the exercise, which tested tsunami   
   preparedness and communication readiness across Indian Ocean nations.   
      
   (arrl)   
      
   WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- SOFTWARE FOR HAMS   
      
   Finding older versions of particular software can be a real chore, all too   
   often only made possible by the sheer grace and benevolence of their   
   creators. At the same time older versions of software can be the only way to   
   dodge undesirable upgrades, track down regressions, do historical research,   
   set up a retro computer system, and so on. This is where an archive like   
   OldVersion.com is/was incredibly useful, offering thousands of installers for   
   software covering a number of platforms.   
      
      
   Unfortunately, as noted on the website, they recently lost their main source   
   of incoming in the form of Google advertising. This means that after   
   launching in 2001, this archive may have to be shut down before long.   
      
      
   Although these days we have sites like Archive.org to do more large scale   
   archiving, OldVersion.com is special for being focused and well-organized,   
   along with a long and rich history that would be a shame to lose.   
      
   (twiar)   
      
   WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- VHF AND ABOVE.   
      
   Over in the UK, Ofcom, their regulator akin to our ACMA, has agreed to   
   the RSGB request to extend the 146-147MHz Notice of Variation for a   
   further year. It is available on a non-interference basis and the NoV is   
   subject to a 30-day notice period of change or withdrawal.   
      
   Full licence holders can apply to use the 146  147MHz band.   
      
   (twiar)   
      
   WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - VIDEO   
      
   SSTV, the International Space Station is celebrating its 25th anniversary   
   with a special SSTV event, transmitting images from space.   
      
      
   This commenced Wednesday November 12th and runs until November 20th.   
      
   The event, organized by Amateur Radio on the International Space Station,   
   will feature 12 images using the PD120 encoding on a frequency of 145.800MHz.   
   For this new series, there will be six images of ISS at 25, and six images   
   concerning scouting.   
      
      
   This marks the 25th anniversary of both the ISS and ARISS's role as the   
   station's first educational payload.   
      
   (irts)   
   ------------------------------------------------------------*	   
   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   
      
   VK3 - Rosebud RadioFest, Eastbourne Primary School, Rosebud (wiacal)   
   November Sixteen.   
   VK3 - NOVEMBER 21.   
      
   Hi Im Graeme VK3GRK from Bendigo.   
      
   Bendigo Amateur Radio & Electronics Club invites you to our November meeting.   
    Join Heath VK3TWO, as he provides an interesting presentation on LoRa in Ham   
   Radio and Emergency Communications.   
      
      
   LoRa, or Long Range, is a wireless communication technology for long-range,   
   low-power devices.  Not only is it used for APRS, Automatic Packet Reporting   
   System but the technology can also be used for off-grid text communications   
   using networks such as Meshtastic and MeshCore.   
      
      
   Subjects covered will include   
   Meshtastic Basics   
   Meshcore Basics & the VK3 NetworkReticulum overview   
   LoRa APRS Basics   
   An overview  of LoRa in High Altitude Balloon Launches   
   Equipment Examples, and getting connected for under $30   
      
   The presentation commences at 7.30 pm, Friday November 21st at BAREC   
   Headquarters, Bendigo East Hall, 35 Lansell St.  A gold coin donation would   
   be appreciated, and a light supper will be provided.   
      
      
   The presentation will also be available live via Zoom.   
   Zoom details:   
      
   Topic: ' LoRa in Ham Radio and Emergency Communications' - BAREC   
   presentation.   
      
      
   Time: Friday November 21st at 7.30pm AEDT.   
   Join Zoom Meeting:   
   https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84406531024?pwd=dkNUYXlDWnFNbmk4MDhxQ21HZTBpZz09   
      
   Meeting ID: 844 0653 1024Passcode: 535376   
   (vk3grk)   
   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 ------------------   
   VK3 - Ballarat Amateur Radio Group Hamvention Sunday Feb 1    (wiacal)   
      
   VK6 - PARGFEST Mandurah Bowling Club February 7 9am           (vk6pbs)   
      
   VK4 - Redfest - Deception Bay North State School 9am April 11. (vk4ble)   
      
   The Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club will be holding Redfest 2026 on   
   the 11th of April 2026 at the Deception Bay North State School,   
   49 Old Bay Road, Deception Bay starting at 9am.   
   For further information contact the Club Secretary,   
   secretary@redclifferadioclub.org.au   
      
   VK  - WIA AGM May 2 at 2pm Albury VK2                         (wiacal)   
      
   Reception Reports   
      
   No we DO like to hear where in the world you are listening to this,   
   the WIA NATIONAL NEWS SERVICE.   
      
   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   
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)