VK6 President in 1989 and 1990
Vice-President on several occasions
and Assistant Broadcast Officer
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I am Cliff VK6LZ and I would like to say a few words on behalf of the Wireless Institute. I first met Alyn VK6ZGA as he was then, in
April 1980 when, having just moved from Adelaide
Alyn having found that Christine and I were new arrivals in Perth went out of his way to make us very welcome. I think it had something to do with recruiting us for WIA Council and in the event he was successful as both of us have been council members for most of the intervening years. Since the WIA was one of Alyn's main interests, we both got to know him very well and have seen him put in many hours of work on council. For a time he assisted with the Sunday morning state news broadcast and has been custodian of the valve bank for some time. Alyn was Divisional Vice- President for several years and became President in 1989, also serving in 1990. He was also a member of the Hills group, the VHF group, the WA Repeater group and the RTTY group which is now known as the Digi group, he was a supporter of WICEN, and also helped with setting up the club station at Shenton Park quadriplegic centre. I understand that he gained his Amateur Ticket at least 35 years ago, holding various call signs, and during his various postings to the eastern states whilst in the RAAF had assisted on other divisional councils and club committees. Alyn was always keen to welcome visitors to the state, and give a helping hand where he could especially to new amateurs. His technical knowledge was excellent and he often shared his knowledge with others. I think he met most of his goals in life but morse code at AOCP eluded him although he did gain his 5 wpm combined licence and took out the call VK6KWN which he referred to as either Kind Wise and Nice or Kinky Wild and Nuts. He was working towards the 10 wpm when he ran out of time. Of late Alyn had had difficulty controlling his insulin levels and this together with the loss of a leg had prevented him from continuing his work for the WIA although he was still a staunch supporter. Perth amateurs will remember Alyn for his cheerful jokes, not always appreciated by some and for his bunch of noisy keys which frequently disrupted meetings, but mainly for his hard work and helpfulness to others. Alyn was always larger than life itself. Everything
he did in Amateur Radio was with the very best intentions - he will be
missed, and he certainly won't be forgotten by those fortunate to have
known him. 73, old friend.
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1989 VK6KWN L.A. (ALYN) MASCHETTE - President 1990 VK6KWN L.A. (ALYN) MASCHETTE - President 1991 VK6LZ C.A. (CLIFF) BASTIN |
I joined the WIA in the late 1950's. During my RAAF career (1957 - 1980) I served the Wireless Institute in the New South Wales, Victorian and Western Australian Divisions as a Councillor, a Zone Representative and Vice-President. Since 1978 I have been a Councillor, Vice-President and for the last two years the President of the Western Australian Division.
I support all aspects of amateur radio and that the Institute must represent its members in whatever branch of our hobby they choose. Whenever possible I assist those who wish to become amateurs and encourage them to join the Institute.
I believe that each Division has the right to set its own fees and strongly resist the introduction of an Australia-wide common fee, forcing our amateurs to pay for services they do not use in the pursuance of our hobby.
By choice I am a financial member of our local VHF, Repeater and Digital Groups and the Hills Amateur Radio Group.
With your support I will continue to serve our Institute and you, its members.
Alyn's entry in the 1988/89 Competition - Write a letter to a friend inviting them to join the WIA Enclosed are 4 letters one for each grade of licence. The ideas could be combined or used as required. I would also be available to make any alterations or accept any other suggestions.
Yours in Amateur Radio Alyn VK6KWN.Hi (OM YL NAME ETC). (For the Full Call Amateur)
It was with some regret that I found that you were Not a member of the WIA. If I may I would like to point out why I am a member and what you could get out of being a member.
I have found that almost every privilege that the radio amateur has has come through the tireless work of members of the WIA.
On HF all modern modes of transmission have come about by submissions to the {various Department Of Communications bodies}, by the WIA. SSB, FM, RTTY, AMTOR, Packet and Amateur TV have been added to CW and AM Phone over the years.
The DOC has set up several grades of licensing enabling more use of our spectrum and enabling the Federal Government to use the use of these bands as an example so that we should keep them.
The latest allocation of common bands is 70cm which joins 146-148 MHz FM phone, has given us all a meeting place where all who share our great hobby can regardless of class of licence benefit from the experience of others.
Over the years the Wireless Institute has been able to represent the radio amateur in his or her negotiations with the Federal, State and Local authorities and has won such concessions as phone patch, third party traffic, reciprocal licensing and reduction in tariff and sales tax.
We in Australia can have other people talk over our radio’s on occasions such as JOTA and other community activities, we are one of the only countries which has this privilege and this was arranged by the WIA.
As a member of the WIA you can receive the monthly radio magazine Amateur Radio which contains excellent technical articles on equipment and antennae and is also the sounding board for all amateurs.
The WIA also runs a weekly News broadcast to keep you informed and has a Bookshop from which technical publications, maps and tapes etc. Can be purchased at a considerable discount.
The WIA also runs the inwards and outward QSL Bureau. All of your received QSL cards and any QSL cards you wish to send throughout Australia are handled Free of Charge except for the cost of a local stamp if you want them posted to you, QSL cards for overseas are handled by our bureau for a token sum of 2.5 cents each. You only have to send a few QSL cards direct to make up at least half your WIA Fees.
So whatever some people may say or whatever you read in some magazines the WIA has in the past and is still representing the radio amateur in Australia.
I can’t afford Not to be a member. Can you ?
I have enclosed a nomination for membership form to the WIA, please think about the reasons you are Not a member and see if they are valid reasons, and if Not please join us.Yours in Amateur Radio 73, 88, Alyn. VK6KWN.
(Note: QSL cards are now 7.5 cents each in 2001)
VK6 Identities index