
    Silent keys

    Mr. M.L.T. (Jim) Rudder VK2DCF

    Jim  Rudder  passed away,  in Sydney's Westmead Hospital,  in  the
    early  hours of 22nd december,  1994,  some four months after  the
    onset  of an ill-defined illness,  at first thought to be a  heart
    attack. He was 78 years of age.

    Jim,  returning  to  'civvy' life after war  service  in  Signals,
    became  an active member of the original Gladesville and  District
    Experimental  Radio  Club,  in Sydney,  and obtained his  original
    call, VK2AJR in 1946.

    After some years, a competing interest in archery, in which he and
    his wife Dawn were enthusiastic participants,  and in quality cars
    (initially the Armstrong Siddeley, then the Triumph, and latterly,
    as befitted increasing maturity,  the Volvo),  caused him to  turn
    temporarily  from  Amateur  Radio and allow his original  call  to
    lapse.

    A  serious  motor  accident,  which left him  with  some  physical
    handicaps  reducing  his mobility,  no doubt  contributed  to  his
    return  to Amateur Radio,  and he once again took out a  callsign,
    now VK2DCF, the one he held up to his death.

    A  few  years  after  the  war,  Jim  joined  the  (former)  PMG's
    Department  as a temporary Technician,  progressing to permanency,
    achievement of Senior Technician's qualifications,  and ultimately
    switching  to the department's Training  organisation  where,  for
    many  years,  he  actively participated in the training  of  young
    future technicians, until his retirement.

    Jim's  wife,  Dawn,  passed away some seven years ago,  but he  is
    survived by his four children,  Patricia,  Tony,  Christopher  and
    Mark,  and  we  extend  our  deepest sympathy to  them  and  their
    families.

    Submitted by Ken Andrew VK2ATK

        ---------------------------------------------------------

    Ron Jones VK2VND

    It  is with deep regret that we report the passing of  VK2VND  Ron
    Jones  on the morning of last Monday 9/1/95.  His funeral  service
    will be held in the Carlingford Uniting Church,  cnr Pennant Hills
    Road and Lloyds Avenue,  at 1.15 pm on Monday 16/1/95 and later at
    the Northern Suburbs Crematorium at 3 pm.

    Ron  was born on 25/6/1926 and at the age of 17 years enlisted  in
    the  RAAF and developed his talents in the workshops of  the  RAAF
    working on numerous types of aircraft - talents demonstrated later
    with  his interest in cars,  radio, computers. In fact he became a
    compulsive experimenter in any and every field. So much so that at
    times  we had to lock the tools away when he came or you may  find
    your TV tuned to New Zealand or to a satellite transmission.

    Many  a  time he would repair a  radio,  computer  etc.  that  had
    baffled  the  experts.  One could always count on Ron to  brighten
    your  day.  The often-used phonetics for his call "VERY NICE  DAY'
    were  perfect for Ron even with the little things that he  did  at
    times  that  may  have  been aggravating.  We  all  treasured  his
    companionship and EVERY day in his company was ....  "A VERY  NICE
    DAY".

    In  1980 Ron named a NET on 21.184 "The See Australia First  Net".
    It  started out as a means of keeping in touch with a small  group
    of friends on a trip around Australia and it"GREW and GREW" to the
    point  that  it became one of the best promotions  ever to  create
    interest in the island continent of Australia.

    With  propagation  on  15 metres at  times  giving  good  coverage
    overseas it was the incentive to numerous overseas visitors taking
    up  the  challenge of touring one of the last frontiers.  For  the
    novice  amateurs  it  was similar to the "travellers  net"  on  20
    metres.

    JOTA  caught  Ron's interest and as always it had to be  the  best
    when Jones'y was involved,  as were the days of the "RD"  contests
    up  on the highest mountain available.  Whatever the reason for  a
    get together, if Ron was involved, it was sure to be a rip roaring
    success. You were never bored ... that's for sure.

    At one time the gang was involved with "The School on the Air" via
    "The  Flying Doctor Service".  Ron was Santa Claus to the kids and
    he was a real hit with the kids both on the air and at the  school
    here in Sydney. The idea was to give the children in the "Outback"
    and  those in the "Big Smoke" an insight into one another's school
    life and at the same time raise funds and support for the  "Flying
    Doctor Service".

    To his wife Joy,  sons Wayne & Bryson,  daughters-in-law Michele &
    Donna  and  his  grandchildren who have been denied the  joy  that
    would have been theirs of a loving and lovable grandfather, we all
    extend our love and condolence at their sad loss.

    Ron,  we thank God for your company.  You will always be a  "Peter
    Pan" to each of us and the Inspiration of eternal Youth.

    prepared by Tom Delandre VK2JTD



President's Address

This is Michael Corbin, VK2PFQ.

        This address will be like last week quite lengthy.  At the end of it
        there will be a media release issued by the Spectrum Management
        Authority head Ms. Christine Goode.

        But firstly some sad news....I regret to advise all amateurs that
        the mother of Ian Rosser, VK2XB died last Thursday, she had been
        unwell for sometime.  For the benefit of amateurs who wish to pay
        their final respects, a funeral mass will be held next Monday 16th
        January at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Blackwall Road
        , Woy Woy, commencing at 2.00p.m.  Following the mass the funeral
        cortege will proceed to Point Clare Cemetery.  Our condolences go to
        Ian and his family.


        This has been quite a busy week, most of which was spent researching
        the facts behind those proposed increases in Licence fees.  My
        broadcast last week attracted some criticism, in that it was alleged
        that I was unfair because I mentioned the people responsible for
        various actions, within the W.I.A.  I do not apologise for stating
        facts.  If I make mistakes I am prepared to withdraw statements that
        I have made which can be proved incorrect. I'll withdraw them
        immediately and apologise without reservation.  I have received no
        such requests.

        This Division has been criticised for serving notice, on the Federal
        Office, of it's intention to withdraw from the Federation.  I'll tell
        you the full story of that next week.  But before anyone else goes
        into print, they should consider this....Even if this Division were
        to withdraw from Federal, this Division would still hold the name
        Wireless Institute of Australia N.S.W. Division. After all we
        started it in the first place. The only difference would be cheaper
        fees, and no FORMAL liaison with the other States.  That's hardly the
        end of the world....anyhow, you the members would make the final
        decision NOT the Council.  But more of this next week.

        On 31/1/94 last year the Divisional Office received from the SMA, a
        Discussion Paper dated December, 1993.  It was titled "Inquiry into
        the Apparatus Licence System". ( I must acknowledge here that I
        would not have even known of the existence of this discussion paper
        were it not for Ted much VK2LF. Thanks Ted.) I went searching in the
        files and there it was...  The  booklet and a covering letter
        inviting the Institute to attend a public seminar, which was to be
        held at the Sebel Townhouse on 8th February, 1994 at 9.30a.m.  The
        aims of the inquiry, as stated in this letter, were... and I quote,
        "to develop a more streamlined and simplified apparatus licensing
        system incorporating a licence fee methodology that is transparent,
        equitable and efficient, and consistent with the objectives set out
        in section 3 of the Radiocommunications Act."

        The Booklet included was of 44 pages and contained some very
        interesting information.  Unfortunately these books were only
        printed in limited numbers. If you look around you might find a left
        over one somewhere in the SMA.

        Perhaps the things which most distresses amateurs, is the Section on
        Class Licences.  The SMA to date has issued six such licences, they
        are :

*       Low Interference Potential Devices (eg, garage door openers
        and radio transmitters used for the control of models);

*       Devices complying with certain standards (eg, emergency
        position indicating radio beacons (EPIRB));

*       Public mobile telephone handsets;

*       Cordless telephone handsets (in the frequency band from
        857MHz to 861 Mhz);

*       Cordless telephone handsets (in the frequency band from
        861Mhz to 856Mhz); and

*       Cordless telephone services......

at the end of the section on class licences the following statement is made,
quote...

"Other Possible Class Licences

        There are a number of spectrum uses - apart from CB radio, 27 MHz
        marine radio and 27 MHz handphones - which do not require individual
        frequency coordination and could be considered for class licensing.
        These include some aeronautical uses, amateur and interior paging.
        Comment on these uses would also be welcome." unquote.

        So what happened at the W.I.A. Federal as a result of this?  Well
        I'll tell you.....

        The meeting at the Sebel Town House was attended by Roger Harrison,
        as the N.S.W. Council Representative.  A full and comprehensive
        report was submitted by him to the N.S.W. Division and is attached
        to the minutes of the Council meeting of 14th February, 1994 - I'll
        quote the preamble to his report....


        "On behalf of the Division, and secondarily as the Division's Federal
        Councillor, I attended this seminar which was notified in an insert
        in the February issue of Amateur Radio Magazine.  A 43 page
        Discussion Paper booklet, sent to the Division by the SMA was copied
        by the Admin. Secretary and sent to all Councillors the prior week.

        As you are no doubt already aware from the insert in the February
        issue of Amateur Radio, the Spectrum Management Agency is conducting
        a far-reaching inquiry into the Apparatus Licence System.

        Over February and March, the SMA is holding a series of information
        seminars around the country, as part of the inquiry process.

BACKGROUND

        The SMA's inquiry into the Radiocommunications Apparatus Licence
        System was quietly announced by the Agency between Christmas and New
        Year.

        The SMA is looking to overhauling commercial and recreational radio
        licensing - which includes amateur radio, CB and inshore boating
        radio etc.  This inquiry is the first stage in the plan to revise
        spectrum management policies and procedures.

        So far as amateur radio is concerned, the results of the inquiry may
        ultimately affect our licence fees and the regulations.  Changes are
        in the wind and we, as amateur operators and users of the radio
        frequency spectrum, have an opportunity to influence the outcome.

        The SMA Discussion Paper on the Radiocommunications Apparatus
        Licence System can be obtained free of charge from all SMA area
        offices.

        The terms of reference for the inquiry include such things as
        opportunities to provide for different licence periods, flexibility
        in payment arrangements, and the framework for organisations
        providing public or community services."...unquote

        Later in this report the Class Licence matter was discussed.  I will
        again quote from Roger's report.

        "It was also suggested by an SMA presenter that THE AMATEUR SERVICE
        COULD OPERATE UNDER A CLASS LICENCE SYSTEM.  While a certificate of
        proficiency would still be necessary for amateurs, the issuing of CB
        and amateur callsigns could then be handled by outside organisations
        in place of the SMA - perhaps the "peak bodies" representing users,
        it was stated.  In our case, that means the WIA.  Government
        subsidies could assist in funding this service, it was suggested."...
        unquote.

        Now if anyone listening would like to verify what I have said,
        consult your March copy of Amateur Radio Magazine, pages 21 and 22,
        under the heading WIA News an article entitled SMA Inquiry, contains
        Mr. Harrison's report....CHECK IT! So what went wrong?  Why were no
        actions taken by Federal or the Council of the day???

        Mr. Harrison as his position required, attended the Seminar, reported
        the facts to his Division, as he was then a councillor and to the
        Federal Body where he was also then a councillor.  As you are all
        aware there were more than Roger Harrison on the Federal Body.  So
        what did the Federal Body then do about what Mr. Harrison told them..
        ...The answer, some of it, is contained in April. 1994 Amateur Radi
        o Magazine, page 51.....  There is absolutely No mention of Increased

        Fees or Class Licences......  Why not?

        In an effort to ascertain the truth I delved deeply into the Records
        of the Federal Office....Realistically, I consulted our files at
        Parramatta and came up with a two and three quarter page letter
        dated 10th March, 1994, written by Bruce Thorne the then Federal
        Secretary. He has since resigned The subjects addressed by this
        letter were:

1.      Categories of Licence
2       Tax Component of Fees.
3.      Transfer, Terms, and Payment of Licences.
4.      Class Licence.
5       Public or Community Service Providers.
6.      Further Comments.

        Before I read some of this letter to you, I must inform you that this
        Division has in the past been taken to task for quoting from W.I.A.
        Federal letters.  This Division believes, that this Division is the
        best judge of what should or should not be treated as "Confidential".
        Whilst this Division is Affiliated with Federal and contributes
        financially to the running of that organisation, it will continue
        along these lines....to continue with this letter....quote...

"2.     TAX COMPONENT OF FEES.

        Because the bands allocated to the Amateur Service are defined by
        international agreement and are used worldwide, they cannot be
        considered as a marketable resource within Australia.  In particular,
        non-amateur users of the amateur HF bands would encounter
        considerable interference from overseas amateurs legitimately using
        those bands.  All of the UHF amateur bands are already allocated by
        the ITU on a shared basis, and as far as amateurs are concerned are
        not therefore appropriate for commercial exploitation.  The same
        applies to many amateur microwave bands.

        The discussion paper does not clarify the intention of the SMA with
        regard to shared bands.The Amateur Service is able to work within the
        constraints imposed by band sharing and by being a secondary service
        in some bands.  If pressure from commercial interests is such that
        sharing is diminished, there has been no suggestion as to the fate of
        the dispossessed users.

        The WIA would welcome a policy along the lines that:

 (a)  No service will be deprived of access to bands
      which are allocated to it by ITU agreements.
 (b)  No shared band will be offered in its entirety for
      price-based allocation.
 (c)  If a shared band is earmarked for price-based
      allocation, a portion or portions of the band will
      be withheld from the price-based allocation process
      so that all services using the band may, if they
      wish, retain some access to it.
 (d)  Services deprived of spectrum space by price-based
      allocations will be compensated by receiving primary
      or exclusive status in the remaining portion of the
      band.

3.      TRANSFER, TERMS, AND PAYMENT OF LICENCES

        The WIA does not see the possibility of transfer of licence as being
        within the ITU regulations as they relate to the Amateur Service.

        However it has already approached the SMA requesting consideration of
        a licence term of more than one year, eg 5 years, a very short term
        licence for visitors, and the possibility of payment by credit card
        or EFT and through other agencies.  The WIA would be pleased to see
        action taken towards these aims.

4.      CLASS LICENCE

        If class licensing were to be applied to the Amateur Service, it
        would be necessary to make provision for the ITU criteria to be fully
        observed and to maintain an adequate level of regulatory activity.
        The WIA would welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter in more
        detail.

        Our interpretation of Class Licensing is that any person could
        purchase and use transmitting equipment within the amateur bands
        without having to be individually licensed and issued with a callsign
        after passing the appropriate examination.  An amateur licence is an
        operator's licence, not an apparatus licence.  Due to the
        experimental nature of the service, amateur equipment is not subject
        to standards or type approval."..unquote

        A copy of this letter can be viewed by members, at the Divisional
        Office.  Copies may be made available at my discretion.

        Well what happened next....as far as I can ascertain from the records
        we have at Parramatta, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!! If anyone can tell me
        anything to the contrary, I will be more than glad to tell you about
        it next week.  Subject of course to verification of the correctness
        of such information.

        O.K. so where do we go from here.....First and foremost, we need more
        letters from Amateurs, to the Federal Members.  As promised on last
        weekends broadcast, a list of Federal Members for N.S.W. has been
        placed on Packet under the Callsign of VK2WI.  Following the list is
        another list showing the members of the Transport Communications and
        Art Committee.  These are the Members who make the recommendations to
        Cabinet.  For the benefit of those who do not have Packet, or who
        have not as yet written a letter of objection, I will now list these
        individuals.  If your Member is amongst these, then you are doubly
        lucky.  You must do a particularly  hard sell on these people. The
        N.S.W. members of this Committee are:

 :  The Hon. Michael Lee, MP (ALP),
    Minister for Communications and Arts,
    P.O. Box 525, The Entrance.  N.S.W.  2261.

    The Hon. Laurence Brereton M.P.,(ALP)
    Minister for Industrial Relations,
    P.O. Box 294, Maroubra. N.S.W. 2035.

    The Hon. Janice Crosio MBE, M.P. (ALP),
    Parliamentary Secretary,
    P.O. Box 78, Fairfield.  N,S,W, 2165.

    Mr. Colin Hollis, MP, (ALP),
    P.O. Box 3000, Albion Park Rail, N.S.W. 2527.

    Mr. Peter Knott, M.P. (ALP),
    Shop 8 Bomaderry Plaza
    Merroo Street, Bomaderry, N.S.W. 2541.

    The Hon Leo McLeay M.P. (ALP)
    Chairman of the Committee and Government Whip,
    Suite 204, 1-5 Commercial Road, Kingsgrove. N.S.W. 2208.

    Mr. Daryl Melham, M.P. (ALP),
    6 Blamey Street, Revesby.  N.S.W. 2212.

    The Hon. Peter Morris, M.P. (ALP),
    1st Floor, 5 Library Lane, Charlestown.  N.S.W. 2290.

    The Hon. Roger Price, M.P. (ALP),
    P.O. Box 259, Mt. Druitt, N.S.W. 2770.

    Senator Bruce Childs, (ALP),
    GPO Box 36, SYDNEY.  N.S.W. 2000.

    Senator Michael Forshaw, (ALP),
    GPO Box 36, Sydney, N.S.W. 2000.

        By the way, there is little point is writing abusive letters to the
        SMA.  Having spoken to them and read everything that is available on
        the subject. I am satisfied that the SMA was not engaging in any
        revenue increasing scheme on behalf of the Government. This is
        evidenced by the enormous loss of Revenue from their decision to no
        longer collect licence fee from CB operators. These figures are worth
        quoting. Citizen Band Licenced Radio Stations as at 30th June 1993
        numbered 358,699. The Revenue collected from this source was
        $6,456,582. Yes you heard this correctly $6,456,582....and they are
        not going to bother collecting this anymore??? This, on the same
        date, is compared to 18,142 Amateur Radio Licences...Revenue
        $634,970. Elsewhere in this Report it is revealed that for the
        358,699 CB Licences payed for, there are probably an equal amount
        UNPAID!!!!

        Next Friday there will be an open meeting of the Divisional
        Council-members only of course.  At this meeting I propose to move a
        motion calling for the establishment of a Committee to urgently
        prepare a submission to the SMA on behalf of all amateurs.  This
        Division will not sit on it's hands but will prepare it's own
        submission. It should have done so before independently of Federal.
        If you wish to be a part of this committee, come along on Friday.
        If you are not a member of the W.I.A. but feel that you have valuable
        input to such a submission, we would be delighted to hear from you.
        But, time is of the essence.  YOUR FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS!!

        You will recall that I told you last week that I was sending a copy
        of the broadcast to all other State Presidents.  Well I heard from
        Victoria.  They share my concerns.  The others must be on holidays.
        Anyhow we will send them this weeks epistle and ONCE MORE seek their
        comments.

        Before I read a Press Release from  Ms Christine Goode, the Head of
        the Dept. of Communications, here some general news items....

        The NEW  M. & A's are currently being prepared for consideration by
        COLIN DUHIGG  VK2XXE, ERIC FOSSEY VK2EFY and CESAR MIRANDA VK2TCM.
        This is a mammoth task.  Last Tuesday when I stumbled upon Eric and
        Cesar hard at work, I was "sucked in"....Boy Oh Boy! what a complex
        issue.  One of their formost concerns is to develop a draft which
        will take into consideration all contingencies and avoid the problems
        of the past.  What was O.K. in 1920... isn't O.K. anymore.
        My thanks go to these three gentlemen for the time spent so far.  I
        certainly don't envy them the task.

        The Appliance and Limb Centre has now moved out and an agent will
        attend our premises tomorrow, Monday.  The position of Secretary
        will be discussed next Friday.  The Office is currently staffed each
        Monday and Monday evening, as well as each Friday.  Outside these
        hours our telephone is being redirected.  You'll find someone to
        take your message anytime during business hours on Tuesdays,
        Wednesdays and Thursdays until further notice. That's a New Service.

        Now to the media release.  This was received on Friday 12/1/95 at
        09.08 Hrs. local time, and is dated Thursday 12th January, 1995, and
        I quote....

"RESTRUCTURE FOR LICENCE FEES."

Proposed changes to fees for amateur radio licences were part of wider
restructuring of apparatus licences, the Spectrum Management Agency said
today.

The Agency was responding to claims that amateur licence operators were
being singled out for fee increases.

Spectrum Manager, Ms. Christine Goode, said that the restructuring of fees
which provide access to the radiofrequency spectrum - covered 250,000
different licences and fees ranging from $18 to $734,000 per annum.

"Some fees will increase and others will be reduced," she said.

"Some - like those for CB Radio operators - have been scrapped altogether
and replaced by a class licence."

"Most importantly, the SMA is not increasing its total fee revenue.  It is
restructuring fees to achieve a fairer distribution between all licences,
according to the amount of the spectrum used."

A detailed schedule of the new fees will be published later this month.

Ms Goode said that amateur radio operators were given advance notice of the
proposed fees as part of a consultation process at a meeting with the
Wireless Institute of Australia in December.

"They were told that under the proposed fees schedule, the yearly increase
could range from $8 to $34, depending on the type of licence," she said.

"The highest fee for an unrestricted amateur licence will be $71.  We
consider this to be still quite reasonable given the amount of spectrum
available for amateur services.

"The Institute was told that the new charges reflected a more consistent and
equitable approach to fees under the same rationale that has been applied to
all SMA licences."

The new SMA licence fees have three cost components;

*       The cost of issuing the licence;

*       the spectrum maintenance cost that covers the ongoing
        cost of managing the spectrum, including protection from
        interference.  For amateur radio operators, the cost
        also includes the SMA organising international operator's
        accreditation; and

*       a spectrum access cost that provides a return to the
        government for the use of a community resourse.  The
        cost reflects the location of the access, the bandwith,
        and the area of coverage.  Licensees with a large share
        of the spectrum in high demand areas will tend to pay
        more than those with a small share in low demand locations.

Ms Goode said that like many other licences, amateur band licence fee levels
had not been reviewed for many years and have remained between $25 to $35
since the mid 1980s.

"The SMA readily acknowledges that many of Australia's 20,000 amateur radio
operators perform regular community service work and concessions are
available for operators in volunteer, non profit organisations involved in
the safety of human life.

"These organisations include bush fire brigades and emergency services like
coastal surveillance operations,' she said.

She said the two hallmarks of the new system were:

*       Licence fees will be levied on a more equitable basis
        covering the SMA costs in administering the individual
        licence system and the relative scarcity of the spectrum
        used by each licence; and

*       The new licence fees provide the same amount of revenue
        in total - the only change is within the licence grouping.

"Options for reform have been in the public domain for the last 12 months as
part of the inquiry into Apparatus Licensing," she said.

The inquiry aimed at developing a simpler and more equitable licensing
system.

"A SMA discussion paper released in January last year (1994) was the basis
for a series of public seminars on the apparatus licensing system which
attracted 900 people and 422 submissions," she said.

"The SMA report on the responses was submitted to the Minister for
Communications and the Arts (Mr. Michael Lee) in May last year and the
recommendations are now being progressively implemented.

"The SMA will publish an information paper later this month on the proposed
licence fees'" she said.

The paper will be distributed to peak councils and industry bodies as the
basis for consultation with each of those groups.

End of quote...

        Well there you have it for another week. I hope that this information
        has served to inform you of the latest goings on. Come to the Council
        meeting next Friday evening. Join the Committee which will be set up
        to prepare that URGENT submission to the SMA...

This Division could well save the day!


        SEE YOU THERE!


Satellite LNCs at T&T

    Attention all satellite enthusiasts!

    The  New  South  Wales  Division  of  the  Wireless  Institute  of
    Australia has acquired a large quantity of Plessey 12A LNCs.

    For the uninitiated,  an LNC is a low noise converter, as distinct
    from a LNA (amplifier) and LNB (block) but the terms are generally
    interchangeable  - they are the things you attach to a feed  horn,
    in the middle of your dish.

    The Plessey 12a has been round for some years,  and is intended to
    accept  an incoming signal on Ku band (12.25 to 12.75  gigaHertz),
    preamplify it,  and mix it with an 11.3 gigaHertz from its own DRO
    (dielectic resonant oscillator). This mixer gives an output of 950
    to  1450  MegaHertz which is fed into a broad band  IF  amplifier,
    thence to its output terminal.

    All   these  units  are  readily  demolishable  for  their   fets,
    transistors  and other surface mount components,  and will be made
    available  for  sale  at  the next  Trash  and  Treasure  Sale  at
    Parramatta on the 29th of January,  1995,  for the princely sum of
    $5.

    That's right - $5! you can buy them up now and sell them next week
    at Gosford with up to 200 per cent markup.

    A  small  quantity  of these units will be held  for  our  country
    listeners,  still  at that price,  but you will have to make  your
    arrangements with the Parramatta office, or preferably one of your
    mates,  as the postage cost on the units,  0.81 kilograms, and the
    Jiffy bag, would be more than the cost of the unit.

    Technical information provided by Bob, VK2CAN, who can provide any
    further technical information if required.


Federal News

    Cable Pay TV and interference

    Cable-delivered  Pat  TV poses a possible threat to amateur  radio
    operations,  the WIA Federal Council learned from a report written
    by  Federal technical Advisory Committee Coordinator,  Johh Martin
    VK3KWA,  which  was considered at the Council's October  quarterly
    meeting.

    Frequencies to be used by the proposed cable system range from low
    VHF  through to UHF,  with a "return" channel in the  HF  spectrum
    (Pay  TV  is interactive,  or two-way).The greatest potential  for
    two-way  interference  between Pay TV  installations  and  amateur
    radio, apparently, involves the household feed points.

    The  cables  themselves are understood to pose less of  a  threat,
    with  today's standards.  Horror stories rom the United States and
    Canada abound, where "cheap" cable installations caused particular
    problems for amateurs.

    Legislation   excludes   the  Spectrum  Management   Agency   from
    administering  Pay  TV matters;  that's the  province  of  Austel,
    apparently.  Standards  Australia standards will likely cover  the
    appropriate  equipment  and installation  environment,  along with
    electromagnetic compatibility.

    However,  cable-delivered  Pay  TV was thrown into some  doubt  in
    November following an announcement by the Communications Minister,
    Michael  Lee,  hat the government would not allow Optus Vision  to
    hold a monopoly on its proposed cable system.

    Optus  Vision planned to sling cables between electricity poles in
    the  street,  with a target of reaching one million homes by  1996
    and more than three million by 1998.  Optus has scuttled the  plan
    following Minister Lee's announcement.

    The  WIA is monitoring the situation,  particularly with regard to
    Austel's involvement and developments with Standards Australia.


    WICEN News

    We trust that all WICEN members are writing letters to the various
    politicians,  objecting  to  the  proposed massive  fee  increase.
    Please point out how you willingly give up your time and equipment
    to  benefit  the  community,  and that WICEN is  one  of  the  few
    accredited  squads permitted to enter a disaster  area;  untrained
    volunters,  although  useful when supervised,  can be a  liability
    when  "the balloon goes up".  Incidentally,  it seems one or  more
    media reports have appeared purporting to link WICEN with the WIA;
    while  this was true at one time,  in NSW at least this connection
    had to be severed when we became an incorporated body, so it would
    be appreciated if these authors would first do their homework.

    It is time to refresh the information we hold on the regular  nets
    and  meetings around the State,  so it would be appreciated if all
    regions would advise the Publicity Officer,  Dave VK2KFU, of these
    events,  in  case  inaccuracies have crept in;  so  far  only  two
    regions have responded.

    There  are  no  events  this month,  but two new  events  for  the
    calendar  are  the Bathurst Car Rally on the  weekend  of  25-26th
    February, and the Eugowra Car Rally on 8th April; the organiser is
    Alan VK2YYJ, and please note that both events are merley tentative
    at  this stage.  Alan advises that a major event is the Oberon Car
    Rally  on  29th April,  and many people are required;  he  can  be
    contacted  on packet radio as VK2YYJ at VK2CZR.  In the  meantime,
    regular  events for March include the RTA Car Rally over the  week
    of 4-11th,  and the annual Bungonia Cave Rescue on the weekend  of
    18-19th.

    WICEN is always looking for members to provide the community with
    communications assistance.   Write to WICEN (NSW) Inc, PO Box 123,
    St Leonards 2065 for further information, or come up on one of the
    WICEN  nets:  Blue Mountains on the first Monday of each month  at
    8.30pm on channel 7175 simplex, Hunter each Wednesday at 7.30pm on
    channel  6900,  Northern Rivers each Wednesday at 8pm around  3610
    kHz,  Central  Coast each Thursday at 8.30pm on channel 7125,  and
    Sydney each Thursday at 9.30pm on channels 7150/8275. If there are
    any other regular nets then we'd like to hear about them.

    -- Dave VK2KFU, WICEN (NSW) Inc. Publicity Officer


    News briefs

    The  competitor in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race who was  washed
    overboard on the trip back to Sydney might have been located if he
    had been carrying a portable EPIRB (Emergency Positioning Indicat-
    ing Radio Beacon).  According to the Chief Pilot of the Search and
    Rescue  Team  who  tried  unsuccessfully  to  locate  the  missing
    yachtsman,  the  beacons are the size of a cigarette pack and  are
    automatically activated on contact with seawater.

    Unfortunately  the  personal  EPIRBs  have not  been  approved  by
    Spectrum because they only transmit for twelve hours and they only
    transmit on one of the two frequencies allocated to EPIRBs.

    Perhaps the situation will be reviewed in light of the incident.

                   ***********************************

    National  Parks  and  Wildlife Service in NSW  State  forests  are
    concerned that a monitoring programme involving eight rare  koalas
    has  gone wrong.  The koalas,  of which only 130 have been sighted
    since  1915,  have been fitted with radio collars to  track  their
    movements,  but  so far three of the koalas in the programme  have
    died.  Of the remaining five tracking collars,  four have  stopped
    transmitting, leaving  researchers concerned about the welfare  of
    the rare marsupials.

                   ***********************************

    Next  month a new and larger search for extraterrestrial  intelli-
    gence  begins at Parkes,  350 kilometres west of  Sydney.  Project
    Phoenix  will  scan millions of radio  frequencies  simultaneously
    until June.  If no intelligent signals are received, the equipment
    will  be transferred to scan the northern skies from  Japan,  then
    the  USA,  and  finally  from the 300 metres  radio  telescope  at
    Arecibo in Puerto Rico.

    Project  Phoenix  literally rose from the ashes of  a  search  for
    extraterrestrial  intelligence project begun in the 1960s but  was
    shelved by the US Congress in 1993. The project coordinator sought
    funding from private sources which included several major computer
    companies.  Even  science  writer Arthur C.  Clarke  supports  the
    project - or maybe he's digging for research material for his next
    book.


    "News briefs" looks at communications news items which appear in
    the  mainstream media.  Thanks this week go to the Sydney  Morning
    Herald.  If  your  local  or regional newspaper runs  an  item  of
    interest  to  radio  amateurs  why not  send  a  clipping  to  the
    Divisional Office.

    --Richard Murnane VK2SKY


                          IPS WEEKLY REPORT
                          -----------------
                       06 JANUARY - 12 JANUARY

    DATE OF ISSUE: 13 JANUARY 1994

    INDICES:

    DATE     06    07    08    09    10    11    12
    10CM     74    75    74    74    74    75    76
    A        15     7     7     5     7    15   ( 4 ESTIMATED)
    T        10    26    18    16    17    17    10

    SOLAR ACTIVITY WAS VERY LOW THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD.

    THE  GEOMAGNETIC FIELD AT LEARMONTH WAS MOSTLY QUIET TO  UNSETTLED
    WITH  BRIEF ACTIVE PERIODS ON 6TH-7TH JANUARY;  QUIET TO UNSETTLED
    ON 8TH;  QUIET ON 9TH;  QUIET TO UNSETTLED ON 10TH,  INCREASING TO
    UNSETTLED TO ACTIVE ON 11TH, AND RETURNING TO QUIET ON 12TH.

    IONOSPHERIC F2 CRITICAL FREQUENCIES AT SYDNEY WERE NEAR PRE-DICTED
    TO SLIGHTLY DEPRESSED DURING LOCAL DAY ON 6TH JANUARY; ENHANCED BY
    UP TO 10 PER CENT ON 7TH;  NEAR PREDICTED VALUES ON 8TH AND  10TH.
    ON  THE 9TH,  FREQUENCIES WERE ENHANCED BY UP TO 20 PERCENT DURING
    LOCAL DAY AND DEPRESSED BY UP TO 25 PERCENT DURING LOCAL NIGHT. ON
    THE 11TH,  F2 CRITICAL FREQUENCIES WERE NEAR NORMAL WITH A 25  PER
    CENT ENHANCED PERIOD 05-09UT.  FREQUENCIES AGAIN WERE DEPRESSED BY
    UP  TO  15  PER  CENT TO 06UT ON 12TH,  THEN  RECOVERING  TO  NEAR
    PREDICTED MONTHLY VALUES.

                  FORECAST (13 JANUARY - 19 JANUARY)

    SOLAR:        VERY LOW

    GEOMAGNETIC: QUIET. ACTIVE LEVELS EXPECTED 20TH JANUARY.

    IONOSPHERIC:    NORMAL.   DEGRADED  CONDITIONS  EXPECTED   20-21ST
                    JANUARY.

    COURTESY OF THE IPS RADIO AND SPACE SERVICES

    SUMMARY BY PAT VK2JPA ANARTS BROADCAST OFFICER


CLUB NEWS

    Gladesville Amateur Radio CLub

    Resumption  of  live ATV tests from the Gladesville Amateur  Radio
    Club

    Live ATV test transmissions for 1995 from the Gladesville  Amateur
    Radio Club will resume on Wednesday 18th January at 7.30 pm.

    These test transmissions of educational and technical material can
    be  seen  on ChanneL 35 UHF from West Lane  Cove.  The  signal  is
    beamed  southwest  to  the Australian  Amateur Television  Club's
    repeater  VK2RFM at Oakdale,  and relayed to the Central Coast  to
    VK2RTG  at  Kariong retransmitting on Channel 16 UHF.  The signal
    received  at Kariong is a relay from the Oakdale repeater on  1250
    MHz.

    Gladesville  Television  can also  be seen on  Friday  and  Sunday
    nights at 7 pm, the Sunday transmission also being relayed through
    VK2RFM to VK2RTG on the Central Coast.

    If you are interested in helping in Amateur Television and  learn-
    ing how it all works,  why not call the club on 427 0530 and  ask
    for further information? If you like to talk to people,   why not
    try out as a presenter?  ...  they're a friendly lot on the  other
    side of the camera.

    Again,  the club phone number is 427 0530 ... talk to us, or leave
    a message on the answering machine and we will get back to you.


    --Pat Leeper VK2JPA Club Secretary


Club News: Chifley

    Do you want to get your own Amateur Radio licence?

    The  Chifley  Amateur  Radio Club is conducting  classes  for  the
    amateur radio licence.

    They  will  cover Morse Code,  Theory,  and  regulations,  for  an
    amateur radio licence.

    The classes are on every Wednesday night at 7-30 pm.

    The address is:
    Good Shepherd School Hall, Hyatts Road, Plumpton.
    100 metres south of Jersey Road.  Opposite the new shopping centre
    building (Plumpton Markets).

    Postal address:
    Chifley Amateur Radio Club
    Post Box 280 Mount Druitt 2770

    Telephone number: 671-6992  or  637-2226

    Once  you have your Amateur radio licence,  we will then show  you
    how  to  connect your home computer to your radio and talk to  the
    world using your computer.

    Using  any  one of the many DIGITAL modes of  communicating  is  a
    fascinating way to use your radio and computer.

    Come  along  to our club rooms any Saturday afternoon and  have  a
    talk  to  any of any of our members for more information  or  come
    along on Wednesday night 8th Feb at 7-30 pm.

    Visitors are always welcome.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------
    JVFAX demonstration

    The  Chifley  Amateur  Radio  Clyb  will be  putting  on  a  JVFAX
    demonstartion on 28th January at 1-30 pm.

    This  demonstration  will  show you how easy it  is  to  send  and
    receive weather fax,  or any other fax,  SSTV,  in colour using an
    IBM compatible computer and a very simple modem.

    JVFAX70 is avery interesting program, it will open your eyes as it
    has to many other people.

    The circuit board that we use is from RCS Radio.

    This JVFAX demonstration is open to everyone.

    As always VISITORS ARE ALWAYS welcome.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------
    Bi-Monthly General Meeting

    On  11th  February the Chifley Amateur Radio Club will be  holding
    its bi-monthly general meeting, at the club rooms starting at 1-30
    pm.

    At  this  meeting  the  members are  able  to  ask  the  committee
    questions  on  operation  of  the  club.  At  these  meetings  the
    committee  ask  the  members  for feedback on  various  topics  in
    relation to the club.

    These  meetings  are  held so the members and  the  committee  can
    communicate  better,  so  no one feels like they are left  in  the
    dark.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------
    The  Chifley  Amateur  Radio Club holds  meetings  EVERY  Saturday
    afternoon from 1-30 pm to 4-00 pm.

    These meetings are held for the members and their friends to  come
    along and tlk about any amateur radio,  computer, related subject,
    or just to have a cuppa and chat with some friends.

    So  come along any Saturday afternoon and meet some of the members
    of the Chifley Amateur Radio Club. You will be welcome.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------
    JVFAX demonstration on 28th January at 1-30 pm
    Classes start on 8th February at 7-30 pm
    General meeting on 11th February at 1-30 pm

    from the
    Chifley Amateur Radio Club Inc.
    Publicity Officer: Ray Sparks VK2FKO


Club News: Waverley

    Waverley Amateur Radio Society

    The  Society's next meeting will be held on Wednesday 18th January
    at 7.30 pm in the Society's premises located in the Rose Bay Scout
    Hall in Vickery Avenue, Rose Bay, next door to the Rose Bay R.S.L.
    Club. Doors open at 7.00 pm.

    There  will  be no special topic so come along for a  ragchew  and
    help plan our activities for 1995.

    Simon Buxton - VK2EII - Publicity Officer


Club News: AATC

    Australian Amateur Television Club

    The  next  meeting of the A.A.T.C.  will be a  combined  committee
    meeting  and minor general meeting - January 29th on a Sunday 1.00
    pm at RCS Radio Bexley.

    The  purpose  of  this  unusual  procedure  is  so  the  Technical
    Committee  can  assess from the members attending as to  what  the
    AATC  will have on display at the Wyong Field Day ...  a  practice
    run you might say.

    So  please  be  here with your intended items for  display  to  be
    logged  on Sunday 29th of January 1995 at 1.00 pm - locstat =  RCS
    Bexley.

    -------------

    The AATC welcomes any one interested in Amateur Television to call
    over on the day for information as to what, where and how.

    --------------

    For  more  information about the A.A.T.C.  listen to  the  net  on
    Tuesday  nights  from the Liverpool area on 146.625  MHz  - approx
    19.30 hrs - or watch us on 1250 MHz from our Oakdale repeater any-
    time.

    Also you can ring the Publicity Officer on (02) 587-3491 bus. hrs.

    ---------------

    Remember the Wyong Field Day is only 6 weeks away - see us there!

    AATC Inc. Publicity Officer Bob Barnes


Club News: AAPRA

    Australian Amateur Packet Radio Association

    AAPRA  hopes that you all had an enjoyable Festive Season and that
    the enjoyment is continuing.

    The  Association has not been idle and opportunity  was  taken  to
    upgrade  our list of packet software.  This includes  YAPP,  Paket
    6.0,  Baycom  1.6,  TPK 1.82,  and several versions of NOS.  Other
    goodies are in the pipeline preparing for the Wyong Field Day.

    Our  shareware  library has been restocked.  See  the  listing  in
    DIGIPEAT. What no DIGIPEAT !! Well we always welcome new members.

    But the big news is that we have produced a built up "READY-TO-GO"
    simple  modem  for IBM type computers.  It will  run  BAYCOM,  TPK
    GRAPHIC PACKET and who knows what else.

    The AAPRA den is at    59 Westbrook Ave
                           Wahroonga NSW 2076
                           phone  (02) 489-4393

    from Geoff VK2BQ Publicity Officer


ARDF championships entries

    Amateur Radio Direction Finding Contest

    The   second  IARU  Region  3  Amateur  Radio  Direction   Finding
    Championships will be held in Townsville from 15th-20th July 1996.

    Anyone  interested  in nominating for the Australian  team  should
    conatct  Wally,  VK4DO,  at  PO Box 432 Proserpine 4800  for  full
    details.

    Thanks for your cooperation
    Wally VK4DO


                               Coming events

    Now, a summary of upcoming events of interest to members and
    other Radio Amateurs and Short Wave Listeners ...

    Please  note that the Divisional Office will be closed this month;
    however,  you can still call us,  as the phone has been redirected
    to a duty Councillor.

    ANARTS broadcasts resume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Today
    Live ATV transmissions from Gladesville resume . .next Wednesday
    Waverley Amateur Radio Society meeting . . . . . .next Wednesday
    Divisional Council meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . next Friday
    Australia Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 January
    Chifley ARC JVFAX demonstration. . . . . . . . . . . .28 January
    Divisional Trash and Treasure. . . . . . . . . . . . .29 January
    AATC combined committee/general meeting. . . . . . . .29 January
    Divisional Office reopens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ?? February
    WIA Federal convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 February
    Chifley ARC classes begin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 February
    Chifley ARC general meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 February
    Bathurst Car Rally (WICEN--contact Alan VK2YYJ). .25-26 February
    Central Coast ARC Field Day at Wyong . . . . . . . . 26 February
    RTA Big NSW Bike Ride (WICEN). . . . . . . . . . . . .4-11 March

    If  you  have an event you'd like publicised on the weekly  broad-
    cast,  then  please  send  details  to  the  Divisional  Broadcast
    Officer,  Michael Corbin VK2PFQ, by phone on (02) 626-9288,  or by
    fax on (02) 626-6066.Items can also be forwarded to the Divisional
    Office  before close of business on the Friday before  the  broad-
    cast.

    ------------------------------------------------------------------
    VK2WI Broadcast, 15th January  1995. Copyright 1995 WIA (NSW) &
    contributors.   Material  may be used elsewhere if the source  is
    acknowledged.
