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VK7AX > BCAST 02.05.90 23:34l 518 Lines 25509 Bytes #-13059 (0) @ WW
BID : 11289_VK7AX
Subj: VK National News 03May26
Path: OK0NBR<SR1BSZ<EA2RCF<LU9DCE<PY2BIL<HB9ON<VK7AX
Sent: 260503/0226Z 11289@VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.AUNZ LinBPQ6.0.24
VK National News 03May26
Weekly news from the WIA:
MP3 edition of news available at: http://www.wia-files.com/podcast/wianews-2026-05-03.mp3
Text edition:
2026 MAY 3 WIA NATIONAL NEWS BROADCAST ON VK1WIA
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THE BEST NEWS YOU'LL GET ALL WEEK
THIS LINK IS A VIDEO VERSION OF NEWS COMPILED BY VK5BD BEVAN
tinyurl.com/WIA-News-Videos
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IN WIA NATIONAL NEWS THIS WEEK:-
Scott Williams WIA President VK3KJ AGM NOTES. -
Henry VK2ZHE President of the Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club. -
Peter VK7PD on behalf of the RAOTC. -
Alan VK2COD for YOTA.
BUT WAIT - THERE'S MUCH MUCH MORE IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE
WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA AND IT'S FOR WEEK COMMENCING
SUNDAY MAY 3 2026
I'M EDITOR GRAHAM VK4BB
WIA
JOIN THE WIA
tinyurl.com/yyj87b9y
Scott Williams WIA President - VK3KJ
Embargoed until Saturday 2 May 2026 3pm
Recording for Broadcast 3 May 2026
This is WIA Director and President Scott WilliamsVK3KJ and welcome to the WIA broadcast this week.
What a huge couple of days it has been and as I am recording this message, I am in Albury New South Wales attending the VK Summit Conference hosted by the Albury Wodonga Amateur Radio Club (AWARC).
The event also hosted the WIA AGM for 2026, which took place yesterday here in Albury at the Commercial Club with over 100 people in attendance, both in person and online. VK Summit was attended by well over 200 people and what a credit it was to the organising committee and AWARC. There are 14 presentations taking place over weekend, and there was a wonderful dinner last night attended by over 150 people with our guest speaker being DX Hall of famer Adrian Ciuperca (KO8SCA) on his recent amazing and adventures trip to 3YOK (Bouvet Island).
One of highlights again this year was a live cross to the International Space Station, where Scouts from the Wodonga Scouts Group made contact with NA1SS, posing a range of questions to some of the NASA astronauts. A huge thanks goes to Jack Bramham (VK3WWW) and Shane Lynd (VK4KHZ) for making the cross possible.
The WIA thanks AWARC for hosting this years AGM with a special call out to the President Erwin Bejsta (VK3ERW), Vic President Anthony Cuffe (VK3TCM), Secretary Ross wheeler (VK2DGY) and all of the organising committee at the club, thank you for bringing this weekend together and making the VK Summit such a success.
At the AGM each year there are a range of Merit and Publication Awards that are presented to a range of very worthy recipients.
It is impossible to read the background on every award recipient on the broadcast however, we will separately publish a document on the WIA website that outlines the wonderful contribution that each of these award recipients have made to Amateur Radio.
The Merit Award winners for 2025 are:
Brenda Edmonds Education Award Paul Hoffman VK5PH
Chris Jones Award Dianne & Bill Main (VK4DI & VK4ZD)
WIA Technical Excellence Award Peter Cossins VK3BFG
Ron Wilkinson Award - Hayden Honeywood VK7HH
WIA Foundation Licence Award Alan Cherry VK2COD
Presidents Commendation - Shane Lynd VK4KHZ
Presidents Commendation Angelo Giuffre VK2NWT
There was also a range of Publication Awards for 2025:
Higginbotham Award Bruce Kendall VK3WL
Al Shawsmith Award Dale Hughes VK1DSH
Technical Award George Galanis VK3EIP
Technical Award Gary Gibson VK2DBN
Encouragement Award Peter Marks VK3TPM
Also, there was a new award this year for best image. This went to Greg Mew VK4GRM and Jack Bramham VK3WWW
We also recognised the Contest Champion for 2025, which was Alan Shannon VK4SH. also, VK4M.
The WIA congratulates all award recipients for 2025.
Thats it for me for another week and this has been Scott Williams, WIA President on behalf of the WIA Board
Best Wishes.
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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.
AST SpaceMobile Wins FCC Approval:
430440 MHz Used in Satellite Control:
The approval, granted by the Federal Communications Commission allows
AST to deploy its full planned constellation of 248 satellites and provide what it describes as "supplemental coverage from space," both within the U.S. and internationally.
Additionally, the FCC has permitted AST to use frequencies in the 430-440 MHz range as a backup for satellite control and tracking in emergency situations, despite concerns raised by amateur radio operators.
The regulator concluded that "AST has shown that harmful interference from AST's transmissions to other authorized operations, including to amateur operations, in the 430-440MHz band is extremely unlikely, and, if such interference should occur, AST is capable of ceasing such transmissions."
Thousands of tiny dots could save first responders' lives
A critical problem in emergency response namely tracking personnel inside buildings, where GPS simply doesnt work.
In complex environments like high-rise buildings or underground structures, incident commanders often have no reliable way to locate firefighters or responders in real time, creating serious safety risks.
To address this, US National Institute of Standards and Technology
researchers developed the First Responder Smart Tracking (FRST) Challenge,
aimed at creating wearable devices capable of accurately tracking
responders indoors. These devices must be rugged, easy to use, and able to
communicate location data back to a command centre while operating in harsh environments like fires or disaster zones.
A key innovation in testing these systems is the use of thousands of
precisely mapped dots across a large facility. These reference points act as a ground truth for measuring accuracy, allowing developers to compare estimated positions against known locations. Teams were tested in
realistic, mission-style scenarios, navigating buildings and identifying
hundreds of these points to validate how well their tracking technologies
performed.
The broader outcome is the development of reliable indoor positioning
technologies that could significantly improve situational awareness and
safety for first responders. While the formal challenge is winding down,
ongoing research and collaboration aim to turn these prototypes into
practical tools, helping ensure emergency personnel can be located quickly
and safely when it matters most.
tinyurl.com/5xw85u4s
Dayton Hamvention 2026 features a wide range of forums to appeal to amateur radio operators of all interests, experience levels, and ages.
BUT
You really need a MONTH to enjoy it all and let's face it its only over a weekend.
On opening day alone, Friday, May 15, there are 22 forums beginning at 9:15 AM. The Hamvention Forums Committee has assembled a diverse line-up covering technical topics, operating skills, and emerging interest areas.
Certainly Dayton is on most VK's bucket list and here in Australia what IS shaping up to be arguably the most professional Ham Conference ever attempted here (in the ilk of Dayton) is this years Tassie Ham-E-con in November.
In a reel posted to Facebook, Icom has teased a new radio, the X-026 to be revealed at Hamvention 2026. Dubbed as a "concept mock-up," the radio appears to be a mobile rig based on the focus of a vehicle through most of the video. The radio also appears to have a detachable faceplate and support multiple antenna inputs.
A nationwide analogue to digital upgrade of the New Zealand Defence Forces (NZDF) voice communication links has provided a large boost to network throughput, supporting a greater number of dedicated voice channels.
deploying MimoLink Tornado radios from Ubiik, NZDFs Waiouru site was chosen as a trial location, other NZDF sites across New Zealand followed, and the final site was completed in 2024.
Providing high-capacity voice backhaul links at NZDF camps and bases, the links are used for unclassified (unrestricted) voice communications for range safety, emergency services, security guards and general non-encrypted base communications. The priority traffic at each location is range control (i.e., ensuring firing stops to maintain personnel safety) with each range now having its own dedicated channel.
Given the remote locations of some of the NZDFs sites, terrain and climate challenges were considered during the RF design phase. Two of the NZDF sites are in the mountainous central regions of both the North and South Islands, which means snow and ice are a regular winter feature and the links needed to be designed to cope with environment.
NEW ZEALAND LAUNCES EIGHT SATELLITES.
Rocket Lab successfully launched eight satellites for Japan late Wednesday night as part of its Kakushin Rising mission, supporting the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agencys Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program.
The Electron rocket deployed all eight spacecraft into low Earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 336 miles (540 kilometres). Deployment occurred less than one hour after lift-off, in line with mission expectations. Rocket Lab confirmed successful separation of all payloads shortly after the event. The mission marked the 79th launch of the Electron launch vehicle.
Several of the satellites are IARU-coordinated with amateur radio downlinks in the VHF and UHF bands. Early reports from the SatNOGS network indicate that multiple satellites are already transmitting, with CW beacon signals received within hours of launch. These initial receptions confirm successful early operations and provide immediate opportunities for amateur radio operators to monitor and decode signals.
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OPERATIONAL NEWS -
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NOW CONTEST WISE:- 2026
WIA contest page :- wia.org.au/members/contests/about/
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MAY:- HARRY ANGEL MEMORIAL SPRINT May 2nd.
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Don Edwards Memorial Slow Morse Contest 16 and 17 of May.
This contest commemorates Don VK2NV, and Amateurs of all experience levels are encouraged to take part.
The rules are simple;
Morse code, sent by hand and received by ear, with operating speeds limited to 10 words per minute or less. Some contacts in previous years were as slow as three words per minute.
The contest runs for three hours on Saturday evening on 80 metres, and three hours on Sunday afternoon on 40 metres.
(Peter VK2EMU St. George Amateur Radio Society via vk2wi news)
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JUNE 6 -7 VK SHIRES CONTEST
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JUNE 20-21 VHF UHF FIELD DAY
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JULY 4-5 NZART MEMORIAL CONTEST
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JULY 11-12 IARU HF CHAMPIONSHIP
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JULY 18 VK TRANS TASMAN CONTEST
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JULY 25-26 RSGB IOTA CONTEST
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NOW LET'S OPEN THE DX WINDOW TO THE WORLD
Amateur radio will be licking goals this year for soccer to coincide with the FIFA World Cup 2026. The tournament and unaffiliated ham radio event will run June 11 to July 19.
As players from around the world compete in the stadiums, amateur radio operators will be looking for contacts during this Football/Futbol on the Air special event. Teams of hams will be on the air calling CQ from same 16 World Cup host cities.
The host cities, like the teams, are truly international: three are in Mexico, two are in Canada, and the remaining eleven are in the United States. With a roster of 48 football teams, this is the largest international tournament to date.
Many of the amateur stations will be using 'One by One' call signs such as W5C, operating CW, SSB, and the digital modes on HF and VHF as band conditions allow. Others will have longer special-event call signs that can be found on the website, there will also be a wildcard bonus station using the call sign WC5WC.
Football/Futbol on the Air, for more details, visit wc2026ses.org
(story sourced to KD2GUT and arrl letter)
Listen for Arnaud and Luc using the callsigns C5D and C5C respectively,
from The Gambia now until the 8th of May.
C5D will be active on RTTY, PSK and FT8
C5C will be using SSB and CW.
They are also scheduling an activation on the Bijol Islands, IOTA Number AF-060, where they will be using the callsign C5B and operating via satellite RS-44.
(newsline2530)
A group of operators from Belgium will be using the callsign GB9IOW (G B 9 EYE OH W) from the Isle of Wight, IOTA Number EU-120, through to the 5th of May. They will be operating SSB, CW and digital modes on the HF bands and 6 metres as well as via the QO-100 satellite and 23 cm moonbounce.
(newsline2530)
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AUGUST 8 WILL BE ONE "PURRFECT DAY"
Cat Pix on the Air (CPOTA) 2026 will celebrate International Cat Day by transmitting images of cats via SSTV.
The internet was made for sharing funny cat pictures and movies. On August 8th, International cat day, so will the radio waves! Ham radio amateurs will celebrate this day with a special SSTV event using cat pictures only.
This contest will score the number of QSOs made by each operator. Special callsigns PD6MEOW (Netherlands) and N1C (US) are already registered. Additional special callsigns may be registered with the event.
cpota.app/
(ARD)
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WORLD WIDE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP NEWS
SUMMITS ON THE AIR, WORLD WIDE FLORA, FAUNA PROGRAM,
PARKS ON THE AIR and other ADVENTURE GROUPS.
hema.org.uk/index.jsp
minesontheair.com/about-mota
parksontheair.com/
sota.org.uk
sotawatch.sota.org.uk/en/
facebook.com/SotaAustralia/
wwffaustralia.com/
GM Flora and Fauna (GMFF) is an amateur radio award program for activators and chasers who enjoy portable operating from natural and outdoor locations.
For 99% of our viewers activating is out of the question BUT chase we all can.
The programme includes awards such as the Islands of Scotland Award,
Scotlands Wildlife Award, Islands of the Crown Dependencies Award,
Islands of Wales Award, Islands of Northern Ireland Award, Islands of the Republic of Ireland Award, National Nature Reserves Award, British Overseas Territories Award and many more with more awards are expected to be added to the programme.
Check out their website, an easy one on gmff.uk
(eham)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - COMPUTING
Farewell ISDN, Ham Radio & Old Network Drivers:
Removal of AX.25 and hamradio subsystem support from the Linux kernel.
While the headline sounds ominous, most modern AX.25 implementations occur in software at the user level without relying on the kernel level implementation.
Direwolf, for example, does not require kernel level AX.25 support. Other software relying on AX.25 may take advantage of dedicated AX.25 Python libraries.
The change comes as a result of AI based bug detection services capable of identifying critical issues among code that may no longer be maintained or utilized by end users. Torvalds stated that the amateur radio related code in the Linux kernel no longer had any active maintainers:
Amateur radio did have occasional users but most users switched to user space implementations since its all super slow stuff. Nobody stepped up to maintain the kernel code. According to typesense the last Linux kernel commit related to AX.25 was 6 years ago.
phoronix.com/news/Linux-7.1-Removes-Old-Net
(ard)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - FINAL FRONTIER
AMSAT-VK Secretary - secretary@amsat-vk.org
SUCCESSFULL
Diamond Harbour School, Christchurch, New Zealand, telebridge via IK1SLD
The ISS callsign was OR 4 ISS and crewmember was Jack Hathaway KJ5NIV
The ARISS mentor was VK4KHZ
Contact was successful Monday April 20 so congratulations to the Diamond Harbour School students, Spaceman Jack, mentor VK4KHZ, and telebridge IK1SLD!
AND NOT SO SUCCESSFULL.
The US Federal Aviation Administration has grounded Blue Origins New Glenn following a launch incident from Cape Canaveral.
The rocket performed nominally during ascent but failed to place its payload, AST SpaceMobiles BlueBird 7 satellite, into the intended orbit.
The FAA classified the event as a mishap and has opened an investigation to determine the root cause and ensure public safety before allowing a return to flight. According to available telemetry, the payload reached only about a 153 kilometre orbit instead of the planned altitude, rendering it unsustainable.
Despite the anomaly, Blue Origin successfully landed and recovered the booster for the first time, supporting future reusability and higher launch cadence.
(ANS)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS MILLS ON THE AIR.
Where there's a mill.....there's a way.
Get ready to activate some of these historic sites or chase operators who are there.
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (S.P.A.B) runs a Mills Celebration event every year, on or around the second weekend in May, which this year falls next weekend May 9 and 10. The Denby Dale Amateur Radio Club (Formerly Denby Dale Amateur Radio Society) have organised the Mills on the Air event since 1996, showcasing mills of all descriptions around the world.
Closer to home, the Bendigo Amateur Radio & Electronics Club (BAREC) will once again activate a station over the Mills On The Air weekend when the atmosphere of Anderson's Mill comes alive with displays of heritage crafts, machinery and historical exhibitions, all free and open to the public. Parks Victoria describes this historical site situated on the banks of Birch's Creek at Smeaton, Anderson's Mill stands as a powerful reminder of an industry that flourished after the gold rush of the 1850's. Standing today much like it was over 100 years ago, the five-storey bluestone building and its magnificent iron water wheel are still in place. Anderson's Mill is located in Smeaton, north of Creswick, in an area well known for its fertile volcanic soils and gold mining past. Keep an eye on the BAREC website, barec.net.au for details and listen out for the special callsign VI3MILLS over the weekend, make a contact and receive a QSL card. If you or your club is planning on activatin!
g a Mills
On The Air station, wed love to hear from you.
Drop us an email nationalnews@wia.org.au
(vk3gtv)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - POLICE
From May 10 to May 16 a small group in SW Ontario will be putting on the special call sign VB 3 COPS during Police Services Week to honour and
thank all Police Personnel for what they do for us daily.
From May 17 to May 23 these Canadians will be putting on special call sign VB 3 EMS during Emergency Medical Services Week to honour and thank all our First Responders for the job they do daily for which we seldom get to thank them.
Information will be available on QRZ.com under VB3COPS and VB3EMS.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO AMATEUR OLD-TIMERS
qcwa.org
raotc.org.au
Hello everyone, this is Peter VK7PD reminding you that tomorrow is the
first Monday of the month, time for the Radio Amateurs Old Timers Club
of Australia's May bulletin to go to air.
This month as well as the latest Club news
Bill, VK3BR will give us some thoughts on the hazards of mobile phone towers, as it was perceived in 2014.
John, VK3MK will tell us about the memoirs of Winston Nickols VK7EM
from a recent OTN article, My Amateur Television Life.
Everyone, RAOTC members and non-Members alike, is most welcome to listen
to the program and join in the call backs afterwards.
Full details of all transmissions times and modes can be found on the
RAOTC website at www.raotc.org.au or just Google RAOTC broadcasts.
If none of the transmission times suit you, you can download the audio
file at any time from today from the clubs website.
Once again, tune in tomorrow for the May RAOTC bulletin, enjoy the
program and please join in the call backs afterwards.
73 from Peter VK7PD.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO AMATEUR YOUNG TIMERS - YOTA
(Youngsters On The Air)
ham-yota.com/category/yota-region-3/
facebook.com/groups/YOTAOC/
youtube.com/channel/UClAapljf0VQ751sOgu2IzaA
Earlier in this, the WIA NATIONAL NEWS, Jason told us of this years Dayton Hamvention.
Dayton certainly has NOT forgotten we "Youngsters on the air".
Young hams can start off Saturday morning with the Youth Forum, sponsored by the Radio Club of America. Student presenters include Webelos Scout Adam Grubb, KF8EKW, who is currently building a 70-centimeter EME station for his school science project.
That's some science project!
Carsten KQ4SJM, will share his interests in satellites, home brew antennas, and simple soldering kits. Other young presenters and panellists include Haley Pendell, KE2EVX; Maggie Dill, KR4FTN and Anderson Ray, K4RAY.
Young hams can also join in some Saturday afternoon fun with the ARRL Youth Rally Activities.
Advance registration is recommended for those students ages 11 to 21 who want this years Youth Rally T-shirt and badge. An ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Meetup will follow the Youth Rally at 4 PM.
(arrl letter)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RESCUE RADIO
On the occasion of World Amateur Radio Day, the Executive Body of the National Telecommunications Council (CONATEL) commends the remarkable contribution of amateur radio operators to the development and strengthening of communication systems in Haiti.
ONATEL is committed to promoting and supporting this sector, whose role has often been crucial in managing the various crises and disasters their society has faced.
In this regard, CONATEL, in collaboration with the Radio Club of Haiti
has already trained more than fifty amateur radio operators. Furthermore, the institution is currently working to establish an amateur radio station within its organization, with the aim of ensuring a better understanding of the issues and developing genuine expertise among the trained personnel.
In a context where the continuity of communications is a major strategic issue, CONATEL reaffirms its confidence in the reliability, resilience, and responsiveness of amateur radio stations, which remain essential partners, particularly in emergency situations. It encourages them to pursue their mission with professionalism, innovation, and a commitment to public service, for the benefit of the nation.
(twiar)
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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.
--------------------- SOCIAL SCENE 2026 ------------------
WW May 15 - 17 Dayton Hamvention, Xenia, Ohio (arrl)
VK2 - Picton HamFest May 31st. Showground 8am (vk2ts)
VK2 - Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club Field Day 6 and 7 June
Wauchope Showground hall. (vk2zhe)
Im Henry VK2ZHE, President of the Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club.
Its now only 5 weeks to the Oxley Region Amateur Radio Clubs 50th annual Field Day at the Wauchope Showground hall on Saturday and Sunday the 6th and 7th of June 2026 during the NSW Kings Birthday Long Weekend. There will be all the usual field day activities including traders, trash and treasure, foxhunting and a homebrew display.
The Field Day dinner will be held at the Port Macquarie Golf Club on the Saturday night.
Mark your calendar now for the June Long Weekend.
The Wauchope Showground permits camping so it is possible to stay on site in your own motor home, caravan or tent with power and amenities but you must book ahead with the Showground Caretaker.
Im Henry VK2ZHE for WIA National News.
VK5 - Sth Est Radio Group Convention & Australian Fox Hunting
Championship Mt Gambier June 6/7 (vk5dj)
WW June 26 - 28 HAM RADIO, International Amateur Radio Exhibition,
Friedrichshafen, Germany (arrl)
VK3 - Gippsland Gate Radio & Electronics Club HamFest Sale
Longwarry Community Hall 10am on the 4th of July. (vk3iu)
VK3 - Bendigo Amateur Radio & Electronics Club RadioFest.
Sunday 11 October, Bendigo East Hall, Lansell Street (vk3gtv)
VK7 - Tassie Ham-E-Con Radio Conference Nov 7 and 8 UTAS Sandy Bay
Campus. reast.asn.au/news-events/tassie-ham-radio-conference/
VK5 - Adelaide Amateur Radio & Electronics Car Boot Sale Dogs SA
Showground, Cromwell Road, Kil burn 10.00am. November 21. (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
news in all states. It would be great if those SWL's would
email their reception reports and location to
callbacks(at)wia.org.au
Not only but also those watching us on YouTube, leave a comment , access
is just below the picture on screen and again tell us where and maybe
even the day and time you are listening
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(Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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