Wireless Institute of Australia

11/08/2026

That mysterious noise on the band isn't going to find itself...

A recent Critical Comms article, based on a white paper from Rohde & Schwarz, provides an excellent introduction to RF interference hunting, and much of it is directly applicable to amateur radio.

The basic process is beautifully familiar: identify the interfering signal, examine its spectrum and behaviour, determine the general area it's coming from and then progressively narrow the search using portable equipment and a directional antenna. Spectrum analysers, monitoring receivers, waterfall displays and handheld Yagis or log-periodics can all play a role.

For amateurs battling local noise from electrical and electronic equipment, these professional techniques can help turn "I've got terrible noise on 40 metres" into a systematic investigation of what it is, when it occurs and where it's coming from. Pattern analysis can be particularly valuable because interference that appears at particular times or under particular conditions can provide important clues to its source.

Full credit to Critical Comms web e-zine for publishing the article and to Paul Denisowski, Peter Busch and Rohde & Schwarz for the original technical material.

Read the Critical Comms article
Explore the Rohde & Schwarz interference-hunting white paper - https://www.criticalcomms.com.au/content/test-measure/article/an-introduction-to-interference-hunting-582486794

11/08/2026

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS – COLOMBIA EARTHQUAKE

Following the earthquake in Colombia, the Colombian Amateur Radio League (LCR) has activated its emergency communications network.

LCR is using the following frequencies for emergency communications in Colombia:

80 m: 3985 kHz
40 m: 7060, 7240, and 7275 kHz
20 m: 14300 kHz
17 m: 18160 kHz
15 m: 21360 kHz

IARU Region 3 urges amateur radio operators throughout Region 3 to respect these frequencies and avoid causing interference whenever they are being used by the Colombian emergency communications network.

Operators are encouraged to monitor these frequencies where propagation permits and to give priority to emergency traffic should it be heard.

We thank all amateur radio operators for their cooperation and support during this emergency response.

Ageng Aditya, YB1BTM
Chair, IARU Region 3 Disaster Communication Committee

11/08/2026

Using WSJT-X? Put your contacts on the map with GridTracker

If you're operating FT8, FT4 or other WSJT-X modes, take a look at GridTracker.

GridTracker works seamlessly alongside WSJT-X, transforming decoded stations and logged QSOs into an interactive Maidenhead grid map. You can quickly see where stations are being heard, which grids you've already worked and where that next bit of DX is appearing.

Better still, configure your preferred online logging and QSL services and GridTracker can automatically pass newly logged WSJT-X contacts to services such as LoTW and QRZ.com, as well as interfacing with other logging applications and services.

Your operating workflow can become remarkably simple:

Make the contact → Log it in WSJT-X → GridTracker updates the map → QSO automatically goes to your configured online services.

GridTracker isn't intended to replace your main station logbook. Think of it as a powerful visual and connectivity companion to WSJT-X, particularly useful for DXers, grid hunters and anyone wanting to watch propagation unfold across the world in real time.

Why not explore GridTracker?

https://gridtracker.org/

10/08/2026

Contest logging made easier with N1MM Logger+

If you're taking part in a WIA contest, N1MM Logger+ is well worth a look.

N1MM is one of the world's most widely used amateur radio contest loggers, supporting phone, CW and digital modes, radio control, scoring, call history and contest-specific exchanges.

Even better for VK operators, Alan Shannon VK4SN has developed User Defined Contest files that allow N1MM to support many Australian contests, including:

* Australia Day
* Harry Angel Sprint
* John Moyle Memorial Field Day
* Remembrance Day Contest
* VHF/UHF Field Days
* VK Shires
* Trans-Tasman

Alan also provides setup instructions, support files and Call History files for selected contests.

After the contest, N1MM can produce the Cabrillo-format log required for contest submission, making the pathway straightforward:

Operate → Log in N1MM → Export Cabrillo → Upload to VK Log Checker

N1MM Logger+:
https://n1mmwp.hamdocs.com/

VK contest UDC files from VK4SN:
https://www.vk4sn.com/Contests/N1MMVK

Submit and check your log:
https://www.vklogchecker.com/

A big thank you to Alan VK4SN for putting these files together and keeping them available for Australian contesters.

08/08/2026

2026 Trans-Tasman Contest Results Are In!

Good propagation and low noise helped make this year’s WIA Trans-Tasman Low-Band Contest a strong one, with around 370 operators on air, 70 logs submitted and 6,355 QSOs recorded.

That’s a 19% log submission rate and a 12% increase in submitted logs over last year.

2026 Category Winners

* Multi-Operator Multi-Transmitter: VL4R
* Multi-Operator Single-Transmitter: VK3KK
* Single Operator QRP: VK3TUN
* Single Operator Low Power: VK2EZF
* Single Operator High Power: VK4SN

A special congratulations to Izaac VK4IKZ, winner of the Youth Award, with 2,184 points and an impressive 8th place overall out of 39 entrants in the SOLP category.

Full results, certificates, statistics and soapbox comments are available through VK Log Checker and the WIA Trans-Tasman contest page.

https://wia.org.au/members/contests/transtasman/
https://www.vklogchecker.com/

The Wireless Institute of Australia is Australia's national amateur radio peak body, powered by volunteers who contribute their time, expertise and passion to advance amateur radio for the benefit of the entire community.

08/08/2026

Good morning fellow radio enthusiasts, here is the link to the latest visual adaptation of the VK1WIA Weekly New Service for your viewing pleasure, I hope you enjoy
https://youtu.be/TBA-P9Licmc
73,
VK5BD

This is a visual adaptation of the VK1WIA Wireless Institute of Aus...

07/08/2026

National Science Week is almost here... and amateur radio has been doing citizen science for generations!

National Science Week runs from 15 to 23 August 2026, celebrating the science and technology that shapes our everyday lives.

Did you know that radio amateurs contribute to science by:

* Tracking satellites and CubeSats
* Studying HF propagation and the ionosphere
* Supporting eclipse research through HamSCI
* Receiving weather satellite imagery
* Experimenting with meteor scatter and weak-signal propagation
* Developing software-defined radio and digital communication techniques
Inspiring students through ARISS contacts with astronauts aboard the International Space Station

Many radio amateurs are scientists, engineers, teachers and technologists by profession, while many others contribute as dedicated citizen scientists.

If your club is planning an activity during National Science Week, consider registering it and showing your community that amateur radio is one of Australia's original STEM hobbies.

Learn more about National Science Week and find events near you:

https://www.scienceweek.net.au/

07/08/2026

Success! Tasmania talks to the International Space Station

Students from Geneva Christian College in Latrobe, Tasmania, have successfully spoken live with ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, KJ5LTN, aboard the International Space Station during an ARISS school contact.

The contact began right on schedule at 7:59 pm AEST and lasted around 10 minutes, giving students enough time to ask 13 of their 16 questions before the ISS disappeared over the horizon.

The contact was made possible through the ARISS Ham Radio Telebridge, with Claudio IK1SLD in northern Italy providing the radio link. Audio was distributed worldwide via EchoLink, IRLP and linked VoIP networks, while several Australian repeater systems carried the event across parts of New South Wales and the ACT, allowing many amateurs to experience an ARISS contact for the very first time.

This was a rescheduled contact after an earlier attempt in June was disrupted by technical issues, making the successful outcome even more rewarding. Congratulations to Geneva Christian College, ARISS Australia & New Zealand, ARISS International, NASA, Claudio IK1SLD, the many repeater operators and every volunteer who helped make this unforgettable event possible.

Watch the complete contact here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/T0G6tBuPLfg

05/08/2026

Tasmanian amateur radio earns international recognition!

The Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania (REAST) has been featured in the August 2026 edition of ARRL QST magazine, showcasing how the club is successfully introducing amateur radio to its community through innovative and engaging Open Days.

The article highlights REAST's hands-on approach to public engagement, including:

Morse code and SDR demonstrations
Satellite and amateur television displaysEarth-Moon-Earth communications
Raspberry Pi, maker and hacker activities
Foxhunts and STEM experiences for families

It also explains how effective planning, enthusiastic volunteers and strong community promotion have helped REAST become a leading example of how affiliated clubs can attract new people into amateur radio.

Congratulations to everyone involved in REAST. It's a well-deserved recognition of the dedication and creativity that continues to inspire clubs across Australia and beyond.

Read more about QST Magazine at https://www.arrl.org/qst

05/08/2026

Where Australia's communications revolution began...

Before satellites, mobile phones and the internet, there was Morse code.

The Alice Springs Telegraph Station Museum stands as one of Australia's most significant communications heritage sites. Completed as part of the Overland Telegraph Line in 1872 under the leadership of Sir Charles Todd, it helped connect Australia to the world, reducing communication with England from months to just hours.

For amateur radio operators, this remarkable history is still alive today. Across Australia, Morsecodians and radio amateurs continue to preserve the art and science of Morse code, using CW for DXing, contesting and portable operation. The same simple dots and dashes that once crossed the Australian continent continue to connect operators around the globe - no longer on wires but through radio.

The WIA encourages affiliated clubs to celebrate Australia's rich communications heritage by promoting Morse training, operating activities and visits to important historical sites such as the Alice Springs Telegrap

https://alicespringstelegraphstation.com.au/

Discover where Australia's communications story truly began.