The purpose of the Net is to overcome the lack of member contact
since General Meetings of the VK6 division were discontinued.
As with the General Meetings of the past, visitors (non-members) are welcome to attend.

Call Sign VK6WIA 146.750 MHz Lesmurdie Repeater
and 80 Metre Gateway on 3.564 Mhz controlled by Will VK6UU.

 Net Control Tony VK6TS - Meeting Opened at 1930 Hours.

No formal check-in called for except 80 Metres.
VK6NT John (Beverly) VK6BH Bill (Allanson) 80 Metres somewhat noisy.

Those participating (22) were:
VK6BH Bill Allanson VK6CF Chuck Perth VK6CSW Clive Perth VK6HAO Peter Perth
VK6JP Jim Perth VK6KZ Wally Albany VK6 Councillor & Federal Director
VK6LZ Cliff Perth VK6 Councillor & VK6 President VK6NE Neil Perth VK6 Councillor & Federal Director
VK6NT John Beverley VK6OQ Steve Perth VK6PDF Brian Perth VK6PM Con Toodyay
VK6PNS Norma Mandurah VK6QM Gerrard Singleton VK6RF Ron Perth
VK6RO Grahame Perth VK6 Intruder Watch Co-ordinator
VK6SN Rex Mandurah VK6TS Tony Perth VK6 Councillor  & Broadcast
VK6UU Will Perth VK6 Councillor & Federal Councillor VK6WZ Harry Perth
VK6XH Keith Perth VK6 Councillor VK6ZLZ Christine Perth VK6 Councillor & Secretary

VK6TS Tony opened the net and invited participants to raise points of interest for discussion.

Net Notes published on Packet
One participant appreciated net notes on packet.
 

Amateur Radio Study/Courses

One participant thought that it had become too expensive to obtain an AR licence
 The WIA should make audio tapes available.
The Institute had approached an organisation specialising in talking books,
cost was about $30 to record a tape but needed a volunteer voice,
as they felt it needed an Amateur who understands the subject matter.
Another participant thought that audio was too limited, it should be video
--- Gladesville club provides video tapes at a cost ---
Thought to be a daunting task to create video tapes
Would show how to hold a morse key.

WIA run Courses

One participant asked if the WIA had run any courses, this was answered in the affirmative,
some years ago a series of courses had been run very successfully,
however in later years it had been almost impossible to find sufficient candidates
inspite of heavily subsidising the course and advertising it in the press.
The last WIA courses were held in 1996 and 1997,
although a course had also been run privately by VK6JG last year.
One participant harked back to the past (1920/30 era)
when the exam cost 50c and a license could be had for $2,
free tuition could be obtained from any of 8 or 9 local clubs
and commercial licensees subsidised the administration of AR licences.
He went on to say that what we needed was more volunteers
not just ideas and that the WIA should be more aggressive.

Examination Costs

It was reported that the exam material costs to invigilators were as follows:
AOCP Theory $20 Novice Theory $20
Morse RX $20 Morse TX $15
Regulations $15
Event Fee $10
To this must be added the cost of the venue
Was thought that this was too expensive
--- some countries hold free examinations ---
at least second attempt should be free
--- no guarantee that they will become a WIA member ---
All exams should be free.
It was stated that in the "Memorandum of Understanding" between the ACA/WIA
covering the operation of the exam service, the MINIMUM charge for examinations is set by the ACA,
to this the WIA adds administration cost (staff wage content).
other countries have no charge for exam and have 10 year free licenses,
the WIA should be more aggressive.

Examination Result delays

There had been complaints on a previous net about the time for exam results to become known
 it was reported that the results of the exams held just prior to xmas
had indeed been received before xmas as promised.

Benefits to Non-Members

One participant thought that, with the diminishing number of members
shouldering an increasing burden, and carrying non-members,
the WIA/ACA link will eventually fade if WIA is not supported.
He listed some of the WIA/ACA achievements and thought
that non-members should pay a fair share of the WIA burden
--- There was a time when the world was run by gentlemen, not anymore ---
Trade Unions have same problem (with non-members) what are they doing about it?
Benefits should only flow to members.

Include Levy in Licence fee for WIA

There was a suggestion that there should be a $15 levy on all licenses to go to WIA,
better to get $15 from all licenses than charge $60 to a few.
--- ACA would not want to know ---
Perhaps WIA could lobby for right to issue licence
refer to submission to 38th Parliament.

No Fee Licence

The WIA should (attempt to) persuade the ACA to grant 5 yearly NO FEE licenses
this would result in higher membership --- CB is fee free.

WARC/International Representation

One participant enquired whether the WARC levy from 20 years ago was still being collected
--- No it was a one off for WARC 79 ---
There are currently motions before Federal to increase funds for
International representation as the value of $AUS has decreased.

Inform Communications Minister about AR

One participant thought that the Minister for Communications did not know about AR.
It was pointed out that Senator Alston whilst in opposition
was fully appraised of Amateur Radio by the WIA,
as were many other politicians during the fee increase argument,
and since in government, he has received the WIA submission to the 38th Parliament
on Amateur Radio matters (a copy of which was included with AR as a supplement about 18 months ago).

Submission On AR to 38th Parliament

It was pointed out that most of the above suggestions are contained in the submission
which was published in AR about 18 months ago.
This is still being studied by the bureaucrats.

Response to New AR Magazine Format

Wally VK6KZ wanted to know how members
felt about the new format of AR Magazine (New Printer)
OK seems to contain all it had before.
Very Good - Excellent printing, excellent change over.
Good quality paper and printing.
Very good, was pleasantly surprised, good paper and printing.

Net closed at 2046 hours.
Notes prepared by VK6LZ apologies for Errors and Omissions if any.

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