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.
VK6AI Brian (Geraldton) VK6BH Bill (Allanson) VK6AT Geof (Mandurah )

Those participating (19) were:
VK6AI Brian Geraldton VK6AT Geof Mandurah VK6BH Bill Allanson VK6BSL Grahame Perth
VK6CF Chuck Perth VK6CSW Clive Perth VK6HAO Peter Perth VK6JP Jim Perth
VK6KZ Wally Perth VK6 Councillor & Federal Director VK6LZ Cliff Perth VK6 Councillor & VK6 President
VK6NE Neil Perth VK6 Councillor & Federal Director VK6PO Rob Perth VK6QM Gerrard Singleton
VK6RF Ron Perth VK6TS Tony Perth VK6 Councillor & Broadcast
VK6UU Will Perth VK6 Councillor & Federal Councillor VK6WT David 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.

Conference of VK6 Clubs

VK6ZLZ informed the net that the next conference of clubs
would be held on the same day/venue as the Divisional AGM
which would be on Saturday the 24th April 1999,
and asked for email addresses for club officials so that contacts could be made.

Amateur Radio Study/Courses

It was reported that a course to be run by VK6JN Ian is about to start in Mandurah
at his private address, charge would be approximately $15 for course materials.
One participant thought that the Perth clubs should also run courses,
however it was pointed out that it was difficult to get volunteers.
It was also reported that David VK6WT had offered his lecturer notes to any one willing to run a class.
VK6ZLZ reported that VK6JG was considering running another course for 30 weeks from mid-July,
he has approached the owners of the hall but the rent has risen considerably.
Cost of the course would be $120 (last year $80),
minimum number would be 8 with a maximum of 15.

Examination Costs

Following on from last months discussion, it was still thought that the WIA
should press the ACA for a lowering of the fee structure which was set by the ACA.
VK6KZ reiterated that the charges were set by the ACA, there was to be a review later
this year by the ACA, but it was possible that the future examination agency would not be the WIA.

Number of Licence Grades

A lively discussion on the number of licence grades and power allowed
found that some were in favour of more grades with more power similar to the US, others did not agree.

80 Metre DX Window

It was agreed that the current DX window frequency
was inadequate allowing basically only one station at a time.
It was thought that the WIA should push for more frequencies
possibly out of commercial business hours on a shared basis.

End of Coastal Radio Morse transmissions

It was noted that the use of morse code had been abandoned by coastal radio stations
with the final ceremony being reported by the TV/Radio media,
several participants congratulated Harry VK6WZ on his appearance on the media
where he interpreted the final morse message for the general public.

DOCITA review of the Radcom Act.

It was reported that the Institute had responded at short notice to a discussion paper
and that a summary of this response would be on the coming VK6 News.
VK6KZ pointed out that this review concerned the spectrum in totality not just AR.

Frequencies around 5 MHz

The possibility of a group carrying out experiments between 5.100 and 5.450 was discussed,
this might be possible under an experimental licence rather than AR.

Reciprocal License for UK/Europe

One participant is visiting Europe during July and wanted to talk to someone who had done it.
During general discussion several names were mentioned,
however some thought that the red tape and cost was not worth the effort
as on a trip you are too busy for AR.
Pros and Cons of VHF vs HF were discussed.

IPS Predictions in AR Magazine

VK6NE commented on the cost of printing the prediction in AR,
and asked for information on who used them and for what paths.
Several participants responded that they did in fact use them.

Response to New AR Magazine Format

Several had already received the magazine, some were still waiting.
Those that had received it thought the format was good and liked it.

Net closed at 2038 hours.
Notes prepared by VK6LZ apologies for Errors and Omissions if any.

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