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Engineers found space in the geriatric spacecraft’s memory to deal with a stuck bit On 14 November 2023, NASA’s interstellar space probe Voyager 1 began sending gibberish back to Earth. For five months, the spacecraft transmitted unusable data equivalent to a dial tone. In March, engineers discovered the cause of the communication snafu: a stuck bit in one of the chips comprising part of Voyager’s onboard memory. The chip contained lines of code used by the flight data subsystem (FDS), one of three computers aboard the spacecraft and the one that is responsible for collecting and packaging data before sending it back to Earth. Read More Here....

The History of 10-4 and 10-Codes Trucking has a long and vast history, not only in the United States but worldwide. Everyone knows that truckers have their own version of communication over radio. People across the United States know the very popular 10-4, but like many other common phrases, not many know where it comes from. In honor of it being October 4th, let's take a look at the origin of the universal trucker lingo. Background in Radio To understand where 10-Codes come from, you need to know some background information. In 1896, Guglielmo Marconi invented the first rendition of the radio. After 20 years of experience working with telegraphy, Marconi was one of the only inventors at the time that experimented with Hertz, which were found in electromagnetic waves. In the early 1900s, Marconi revolutionized communication methods when he successfully transmitted his first wireless telegraphy signal across the Atlantic Ocean. Throughout the 1900s and 1930s, he created various versions of radios with a few being adopted by the BBC and other organizations for wireless broadcasting. Prior to the 1920s, radio was not commercialized like it is today with it only being used for contacting military ships out at sea. In those years, Morse Code was used for communicating because the signals to transmit messages were often unclear and spotty. In the outbreak of World War I 1914, the importance of radio was recognized because it allowed to relay messages in real-time to officers and soldiers on the front lines. After the war and throughout the 1920s, radio was no longer used exclusively by the military, and citizens started buying radios of their own. Enthusiasts really changed the way radio was perceived by the public, showing its potential as a leader in communicating with wider audiences and in 1920, the first commercial radio broadcast was used to announce the election results. The 1920s were an important decade in the history of radio, with the first radio advertisement being run, major organizations being created like the BBC, CBS and NBC. As with every business that takes off widely, rules and regulations must be in place so the Radio Corporation Agreement (RCA) was sanctioned by the government. Despite radio's success in the 1920s and 30s, the signals being transmitted still needed improvement. Transmissions were still difficult to understand with words being cut off or unintelligible, so in 1937 the Association of Public Safety Commissions (APCO) had an idea to change that. History of 10-4 Radio had expanded its reach to many, but the main user for the majority of its early years were police stations and officers. In the late 1930s, Charles Hopper, the Communications Director for the Illinois State Police started creating a type of brevity code to shorten speech when radio channels were in short supply for police officers. Radios needed time to charge up completely to send a message, so the one syllable word 'ten' made it easier for the transmitter to capture and send a short message. It took a few years to catch on, but by 1940, a list of 10-Codes had been created and finally in 1955, standardized for wide use among police officers. Police officers soon weren't the only group of workers who began using radios and the 10-Code. Truckers began utilizing CB radios for communicating with each other and getting updates on traffic reports in the area. They encountered the same issues with choppy transmissions, so truckers adopted the 10 code which has changed slightly from the police code. 10-Codes didn't really reach public popularity until it was adopted by Hollywood. The mid 1950s saw the creation of a new television show, Highway Patrol with Broderick Crawford. The show captivated audiences with its emulation of police officers who fight crime with patrol cars, fast motorcycles and two-way radios. Citizens Band (CB) radios started flying off the shelves and the number of radio enthusiasts grew and they quickly picked up the 10-Code system. Although the 10 codes were around, their popularity dipped slightly in the 1960s until another famous personality stepped in. The 1970s had a wave of blue-collar pride, and singer C. W. McCall came out with the song Convoy in 1975 which demonstrated a trucker transmission and again the 10-Code was brought back into pop culture. Later in 1978, the movie Convoy was released and the 10-Code was forever engrained in the public's mind. Today 10 -Code has for the most part remained the same, but now there are over 200 10-Codes and various versions depending on line of work and area. Here's the main 10-Code used by truckers today. Trucker 10 Code 10-1: Receiving Poorly 10-2: Receiving well 10-3: Stop transmitting 10-4: Ok, message received 10-5: Relay message 10-6: Busy, stand by 10-7: Out of service 10-8: In service 10-9: Repeat Message 10-10: Transmission completed, standing by 10-11: Talking too rapidly 10-12: Visitors present ... Shhhh! 10-13: Advise weather/road conditions 10-17: Urgent Business 10-20: Location 10-34: Trouble at this station, help needed 10-42: Traffic accident 10-43: Traffic jam 10-70: Fire at truck stop 10-73: Speed trap 10-99: Mission completed, all units secure 10-100: Gotta go No. 1 10-200: Gotta go No. 2 Information from: Click Here.

In this day and age, there are countless methods of communication, but let's not leave radios in the past. Although smartphones offer similar functions, radios are still a trusted form of communication, so much so the U.S. government is fighting to keep AM radio in your car. And while professionals like police officers and truck drivers use them daily, radio use may not strike you as common. Read More: Click Here

1 May 2024 Updates to amateur radio information, qualification framework and call sign policy In February 2024, the Radiocommunications (Amateur Stations) Class Licence 2023 (class licence) commenced and we released the amateur radio call sign policy and qualification framework. Updates to amateur radio call sign policy Following feedback from amateur operators, we have updated the amateur radio call sign policyto: Remove Jervis Bay from the list of external territories that amateur operators can apply for a VK9 call sign from, as it is an internal territory. Clarify that: VK0 call signs can only be transmitted when the operator is in the Antarctic. VK9 call signs can only be transmitted when the operator is in an Australian external territory. Provide better links to information about our fees for call signs. Specify that F-series call signs cannot be reserved or transferred to another amateur operator. Outline the information we require from the representative of a deceased amateur, when reserving or seeking to transfer their call sign. Updates to the qualification framework We have updated the qualification framework to more clearly outline the qualifications that allow amateurs to operate under the class licence without first obtaining an ACMA recognition certificate. Table 1 in the qualification framework now specifies exemptions for holders of Advanced Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency if they wish to apply for an ACMA recognition certificate. Web updates Our website has been updated to clarify: What information Australian advanced amateur operators can provide to overseas regulators to be recognised under the reciprocal licensing arrangements, and what information they should provide to us if requesting a written confirmation for long-term reciprocal licensing. That amateur operators who want to transfer or surrender a call sign that is on their active non assigned amateur licence will also need to surrender their non-assigned amateur licence. How amateur operators can apply for repeater and beacon call signs.

DXing Welcome to meteor scatter. As the Earth moves along its orbital path, millions of particles known as meteoroids enter the Earth's atmosphere every day, a small fraction of which have properties useful for point-to-point communication. When these meteors begin to burn up, they create a glowing trail of ionized particles in the E layer of the atmosphere that can persist for up to several seconds. The ionization trails can be very dense and thus used to reflect radio waves. The frequencies that can be reflected by any particular ion trail are determined by the intensity of the ionization created by the meteor, often a function of the initial size of the particle, and are generally between 30MHz and 150MHz. The distance over which communications can be established is determined by the altitude at which the ionisation is created, the location over the surface of the Earth where the meteoroid is falling, the angle of entry into the atmosphere, and the relative locations of the stations attempting to establish communications. Because these ionization trails only exist for fractions of a second to as long as a few seconds, they create only brief windows of opportunity for communications. Here is a snapshot of my contact with Scott VK4CZ on 6m. You can clearly see three different pings over the receiving sequence of 15 seconds. The third ping is a loud, shot gun burst that generated multiple decodes. The two way contact could be completed within a couple of minutes or a bit longer, depending on the meteor shower. If you are already on 6m or 2m then you are ready for MS! Mode: MSK144 is a Minimum Shift Keying FSK signal used for amateur radio meteor-scatter contacts. It transmits 144 bit long packets at a Baud rate of 2000 bps using frequencies 1000 and 2000Hz. It is part of the WSJT-X suite. Where: on 6m band the watering hole for Australian stations is 50.230MHz. Skeds: random calling in morning hours is an option, however you will find more success by announcing your activity at http://www.VKspotter.com Note: VKspotter is not a 'casual' chat room. It is a place where dedicated chasers exchange time relevant information about openings, activities and scheduled skeds. Please join - but for a week or so simply observe until you get a feeling of what is appropriate and what is not. Of course, the group members are welcoming but they are not there to entertain you - or each other - but to watch the band for openings. Think of a business meeting atmosphere. If you join, you will learn a lot just by watching and listening. Meteor scatter is both visual and audio excitement. When a bounced signal is received, it creates a unique 'explosion' on the waterfall, accompanied with a equally unique sound. Once you decode your first MS signals, you will be hooked. See you on meteor scatter! Thanks to John VK3XM

In this video, I transmit at 5 different power levels, from 100 watts down to 1 watt. I record the audio from a station listening to my signal 250 miles away. You will be surprised how little audible difference can be heard when cutting your power! Thanks to Stanley VK3BOT for sending the video.. thanks mate well done ! CW Version SSB version

WHAT: MDRC Annual Hamfest WHERE: Kingston City Hall 979-985 Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin VIC 3189 Melways Ref: 77D4 Map: Click Here WHEN: Saturday the 11th of May 2024. The MDRC Annual Hamfest is held in May on a Saturday. The 2024 MDRC Hamfest will be held on Saturday the 11th of May. The MDRC Hamfest is widely renowned as the Biggest Hamfest in Victoria, with a huge turnout each year. Many attendees travel great distances to attend the MDRC Annual Hamfest from Interstate and overseas. In 2024 the MDRC Hamfest will be held at the Kingston City Hall 979-985 Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin VIC 3189. Ticket sales from 9.30am. Doors open at 10.00am 70 car spaces on site and more parking behind shops on Western side of Nepean Hwy. More Here

On the 13th of May 2024 myself, Stan VK3BOT and Craig, VK3NCR propose a radio and camping trip to The Poplars Campground, Loch Valley Rd via Noojee. I am going on the Monday 13th May , returning home on the Saturday. Depending on Weather Conditions! WHEN: (updated new date) 13Th May for a Week Pending Weather WHERE: The Poplars Campground, Loch Valley Rd via Noojee (See Map Here) Click Here for more information on the camp ground. Club Members are invited to join us. The campground is accessible by two wheel drive and can be done on less than a tank of fuel. The campground has drop pit toilets. There is a river running around one side. There are loads of trees to hang antennas from. There is also a gazebo type structure to shelter in. I am taking two radios. I want to put in some learning time on my Icom IC-705 and play with antennas. So, if you would like to play radio, eat bad food, breath campfire smoke and generally have a relaxing good time, please do join us. Make it a day trip or stay as many days as you like. Regards, Stanley J. Mitchell Location Map PHONE RECEPTION: Telstra only and that’s patchy at best. 4G one bar dropping to 3G.

World Amateur Radio Day Every April 18, radio amateurs worldwide take to the airwaves in celebration of World Amateur Radio Day. It was on this day in 1925 that the International Amateur Radio Union was formed in Paris. Amateur Radio experimenters were the first to discover that the short wave spectrum — far from being a wasteland — could support worldwide propagation. In the rush to use these shorter wavelengths, Amateur Radio was “in grave danger of being pushed aside,” the IARU’s history has noted. Amateur Radio pioneers met in Paris in 1925 and created the IARU to support Amateur Radio worldwide. Just two years later, at the International Radiotelegraph Conference, Amateur Radio gained the allocations still recognized today — 160, 80, 40, 20, and 10 meters.  Since its founding, the IARU has worked tirelessly to defend and expand the frequency allocations for Amateur Radio. Thanks to the support of enlightened administrations in every part of the globe, radio amateurs are now able to experiment and communicate in frequency bands strategically located throughout the radio spectrum. From the 25 countries that formed the IARU in 1925, the IARU has grown to include 160 member-societies in three regions. IARU Region 1 includes Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Northern Asia. Region 2 covers the Americas, and Region 3 is comprised of Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific island nations, and most of Asia. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has recognized the IARU as representing the interests of Amateur Radio. Today, Amateur Radio is more popular than ever, with more than 3,000,000 licensed operators! World Amateur Radio Day is the day when IARU Member-Societies can show our capabilities to the public and enjoy global friendship with other Amateurs worldwide. World Amateur Radio Day 2024 IARU is very pleased to announce the theme of: “A Century of Connections: Celebrating 100 years of Amateur Radio Innovation, Community, and Advocacy”. IARU celebrates its centenary in 2025. Since its founding in Paris, France, IARU has worked tirelessly to promote innovation in amateur radio and to encourage the growth of the service in communities throughout the world. IARU has represented the Amateur Services at international and regional regulatory bodies by relying on our volunteers who come from many countries and communities. IARU has been a sector member of the ITU since 1932 and the work of our volunteers has continued since that date with unmatched success, as was highlighted with the accomplishments at WRC-23. Leading up to our centenary year, we should take time to reflect on the remarkable achievements of radio amateurs over the last 100 years. While the Amateur Services have been in operation for over a century, 1924 was the first year that intercontinental amateur communication became more or less commonplace. Since that time radio amateurs have made unparalleled advances in technology related to the Amateur Services that play a critical role today in sustaining world-wide communications and allow us to respond to global emergencies. World Amateur Radio Day is an opportunity to reflect on our achievements since 1924. We should celebrate our diverse community and the advances and innovations we have made as we look forward to celebrating the IARU centenary next year. Material supplied by : https://www.iaru.org/on-the-air/world-amateur-radio-day/ And.. YouTubers.

The Islands On The Air program (IOTA) is an amateur radio activity program designed to encourage operations from island locations.  It was created in 1964 by Geoff Watts who was a leading English short wave listener.  It was taken on by the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) in 1985. The team has agreed that if you are located in Oceania, South America, or Africa, we will accept your call at any time, regardless of which specific region we are calling. Dates of operation   14th April 2024 - 21st April 2024. Islands On The Air (IOTA) Flinders Island OC-261 World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) Investigator Important Bird Area VKFF-0175 For more information Click Here Thanks to Roy VK3GB for the information.

It is with great sadness that I announce the recent passing of Mrs Gloria Seabridge, loved and cherished wife of our club member Roy Seabridge. Gloria passed away peacefully on March 17th. This will come to all of us as a great shock, and our hearts and thoughts are with Roy at this time of grief. We wish Roy and the ones close to him the very best during this terrible time.

Hello Members, Yep.. this is for you to download, Print & Display... As mentioned at our recent Monthly meeting, a way of getting new members to our club is to promote... We chatted about using a Club Flyer and attaching to your local Supermarket, Sports Hall, or any Community Poster Board in your area. I posted this one this morning at Hastings Pelican Park Recreation Centre. They were more than happy to allow me to place our flyer. This can be done at most if not all Supermarket's etc.. Below is a PDF for you to download, print and display.. Sample of the Flyer. For those of you that are not able to print this file.. Feel free to grab a few of these at the club. It's easy.. we all need to go to the Supermarket! Thanks !!! Craig vk3ncr