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)

Those participating (12) were:
VK6AI Brian Geraldton VK6BH Bill Allanson VK6CSW Clive Perth
VK6HAO Peter Perth VK6HK Don Perth VK6 Councillor VK6JP Jim Perth
VK6LZ Cliff Perth VK6 Councillor & VK6 President VK6PO Rob Perth
VK6SN Rex Mandurah VK6TS Tony Perth VK6 Councillor & Broadcast
VK6UU Will Perth VK6 Councillor & Federal Councillor
VK6ZLZ Christine Perth VK6 Councillor & Secretary

VK6TS Tony opened the net and summed up the points covered last month
and invited participants to raise points of interest for discussion.

Response to New AR Magazine Format.

It was mentioned that the quality of the technical articles in this month's magazine were excellent.

Conference of VK6 Clubs.

One participant asked that - if the AGM on the 24th April did not have a quorum,
would the conference of clubs go ahead ? VK6LZ assured him that it would.

Low Power Devices on 70cm band not requiring a licence.

Considerable discussion regarding possible interference took place regarding
the release of 20mW, FM, 20 channel handhelds not requiring a licence, by Dick Smith Electronics
which transmit in the range 433.75 MHz to 434.225 MHz.
(ie the simplex part of the 70cm Amateur band).
One considered that they would only be used, eg. to speak to dad in the back yard.
Possibly significant that they were advertised in EA but not in AR.
VK6LZ Read from Federal and Interstate E-Mails detailing
ongoing action which will be reported elsewhere when completed.

Current IOA DXpedition to Woody Island.

VK6HK drew attention to the expedition to Woody Island which is 15Km east of Esperance.
They are using the call sign VK6EWI and are activating
the following bands on SSB: 7 - 14- 21 - 28 - 144 - 432.
They also intend to be active during the John Moyle field day next weekend.
Frequencies suggested were: 7.075TX/7.228RX, 14.260, 21.260, 28.460, 144.1, 432.1

EMR Standards.

VK6CSW raised the subject for discussion as to how it might affect us.
He said that standards were already being enforced in the USA,
and were due to take effect in Australia from 1.1.2000.
Due to lack of information no discussion took place.

Rumours of AR licence fee hike.

It was reported by one participant, that an ACA excuse for late licence renewal letters
was that they were delayed pending a decision on a fee review.
Another participant had heard a figure of $150 mentioned.
However no hard facts or information are to hand.

Net closed at 2015 hours.
Notes prepared by VK6LZ apologies for Errors and Omissions if any.

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