As most readers are aware, this Net runs each Sunday at 10.30 am on Channel 6750 (still known to some as Channel 3) hot on the heels of Tony's WIA Divisional Broadcast. The main purpose of the Net is to keep WARG members informed of the Group's activities, but feedback on topics mentioned during the broadcast is also sought. Time permitting, general amateur radio topics may also be discussed once the main business has been dealt with. The Net is open to all comers, not just WARG members, but non-members are encouraged to "join-up" and thus swell the numbers and coffers of the Group.   I make no apology for the last comment; the repeater system costs money to set up, licence, run and maintain. Your support is essential.

I became net controller by chance (mischance?) in January 1996 when the previous incumbent, John VK6NT, changed QTH and was no longer able to continue his excellent stewardship. At that time I was not even a member of the Group, merely a new-comer to the West who had put in the occasional two-penn'oth on the Net when the spirit moved. John had approached others far better qualified than myself only to be knocked back, so his ultimatum to me was simply do the job or see the Net die! So on Sunday, January 28th 1996, you got lumbered with me and no one else has volunteered since! However, it has been a rewarding experience, and I express my thanks to Will VK6UU, Cliff VK6LZ, Christine VK6ZLZ, John VK6NT, Ralph VK6KRB, and all participants (regular or otherwise) for their patience and guidance as I fumbled through the early days. The technique of "guiding" your curly questions to the aforementioned knowledgeable gentle-folk developed quickly!
 

Over the Christmas 1996 holiday when the WIA broadcast was in recess for a fortnight, we experimented with using the newslink system to widen the Net's coverage. Although we could be heard by the "southerners" unfortunately they could not talk back. We may be able to rectify this shortcoming and widen the Net to include input from country members and perhaps run the Net on this basis regularly.

Support for the Net has been excellent with about a dozen participants each week - sometimes more, sometimes fewer - but thankfully never complete silence when check-in time comes! I try to provide some continuity from week to week with an opening blurb from which some discussion may ensue, but it is YOUR NET and success depends upon YOUR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION. If everyone listens and no-one talks, the "talk-back show" soon falls to pieces! We know that there are many who listen but rarely speak; if we accidentally tread on toes by suggestions of "transportation" or mention rumors of licence fee hikes and the comments come in quick-smart! Constructive comments or suggestions to improve the Net are always welcome, and if YOU would like to be Net Controller on a regular (or part-time) basis I'd be happy to hear that, too!
73 de Clive, VK6CSW.

TECHNICAL WORKING BEE

On Sunday the 16th of March a technical working bee was held at Mazenod College to find out where various repeater projects currently are at. This type of working bee was a retry of working bees that have been held in the past with mixed success. This working bee did achieve results. 3 repeater control boards were almost completed along with a newly acquired FM880 stripped ready for conversion to repeater service. Also some wiring of existing planed repeaters was continued. The Icom UHF repeater X Tic Hill was also repaired ready to replace the aging VK6RUF. This repeater needed a soldered in IC to be replaced after it was damaged. May sound easy but took over an hour. Bye the way this Icom UHF repeater X Tic Hill has been replaced at Tic Hill by a commercial unit donated to WARG many years ago. For a better view of the FM880 click right mouse button on image, then view image (Navigator 2 or 3).