West Australian Repeater Group (Inc.)

Minutes of the General Meeting 4/01/1999
Held at the RSL Hall, Fred Bell Pde. East Victoria Park.

Meeting Commenced at 1945 Hours

1. Minutes

Minutes of General Meeting 7/12/98 accepted VK6UU/HAO carried.

2. Matters Arising

(a) RMS link antenna has been passed to VK6MS for installation.
Action: Carry forward.

(b) Audio on link to RMS is very low..
Action: Await confirmation of fitting of link antenna, then arrange visit on net.

(c) RCT Cataby - Still needs a visit.
Action- carry forward

(d) BBR refurbishing, Work in progress.
Two Flash TNCs were passed to VK6LD for the project, one purchased second-hand and one purchased in kit form and built by VK6CSW (needs testing)

(e) HF Tait transceivers on-going, EPROM board available soon.
It was reported that 10 xceivers are almost ready (including the 4 required for the BBS refurbisment project).

(f) 29 Mhz link on RLM
The need to source an HF rig and antenna still continues, since the current test is using equipment on loan from VK6UU.
ACTION: Carried forward

(g) There has been no response to request on WIA news for equipment, however a 150ft mast is available, Secretary has written to tower specialist for quote for removal, but specialist has been unable to contact owner so far.
ACTION: Carry forward.

(h) Hollywood Site
Mal VK6MT to carry out further 2m tests.
ACTION: Carry forward.

(i) Correspondence
Letter to Busselton site owner is awaiting reply from Insurers.
ACTION: WIA Secretary (VK6ZLZ) has been asked to follow up with Insurers.

(j) Busselton
VK6UU has proposed that the WIA news feed be taken direct from Rolleystone instead of Mt William, as was previously the case. New Xtal has arrived
ACTION: VK6UU

(k) RAV Avon Valley
VK6NT reported that he had recently been able to access the repeater from Beverly and consensus among users was that the desensing was not as bad as it had been.
VK6TRC reported that during the week he had to abandon a QSO when it became too noisy to continue.
It is understood that VK6BIK is keen to see the link to Perth installed.
We must visit site to find cause of desensing, it was therefore decided to visit the site on a Saturday or possibly the 26th January 1999 (Australia day holiday) if there was no objection from the site owner (farmer). Those interested were : VK6TRC, LZ, ZLZ, NT, UU, MT, HAO.
VK6NT to go equipped with fire water cart.
VK6TRC to go equipped with 70 cm Yagi to enable a check of the link path to VK6RUF to be carried out.

ACTION: The Secretary to contact the site manager VK6CA, to arrange visit. It was thought that it would be good PR for other members to meet the farmer to generate a good rapport.

(l) URC 101 Controller
VK6NT reported that the circuit diagram has been computerised, and that the next task is to produce the copper layout, however the 80 mtr morse beacon has taken priority on his spare time.

VK6IQ had enquired of VK6NT if we had any stock of the IC for the Esperance Board - we don't.

Action carry forward

(m) RTH Tic Hill
70 cm ident level problem has been fixed by VK6TRC, who also reported that the batteries needed topping up. He requested help in carrying a supply of distiled water up the very steep approach track and for a general tidy up of site (Co-axes etc).
ACTION: VK6TRC to set date.

Reminded that the VHF repeater is still using the standby antenna. In the absence of volunteer tower climbers, it was decided to get a professional quote to fit a new antenna, and to get a quote for the supply of same.

ACTION:
(a) VK6UU to get quote for new antenna.
(b) VK6LZ to get quote for fixing antenna.
 

3 Correspondence
Nil

4 Membership/Treasurer's Report

(a) VK6UU reported that of the $200 float for the Hamfest purchases, he had spent $152.20 on the following:

Hamfest purchases:
3 UHF duplexers @ $20 each 60 - 00
assorted co-ax adaptors 18 - 00
assorted co-ax leads 23 - 00
CH 15 News link
146.300 xtal 20 - 00
Petrol Cost (in advance) 25 - 00
CH 6 News link
assorted parts 6 - 20
Total $152 - 20
Float c/fwd $47 - 80
Proposed for acceptance: VK6HAO/CSW carried

(b) Financial Membership is now 132

(c) Cash at bank $4,144 -58 and cash in hand $20
     However ACA licenses are due shortly.

5 Technical & General Net
The idea of a computer segment had been tried and appeared to be successful, with Clive's son Ian providing expertise. He is willing to attend on a monthly basis if required. It was suggested that this could be on say the last Sunday of the month.
 

6 General Business

(a) Will VK6UU had reported at the November meeting that he was preparing a submission to WIA Federal/ACA liaison committee on repeater linking on behalf of the VK6WIA council.

Preliminary feedback from the liaison meeting is that the ACA has refused HF gateways because they do not want non HF qualified amateurs on HF, however neither do we, the submission went to great lengths to explain this.

ACTION: await official detailed minutes.

(b) Audit of Accounts for 1997/8 is awaiting the return of documents and auditor's report for the combined 1995/6 and 1996/7 audit, currently held by Ralph VK6KRB. - Mal has phoned Ralph who is going to return them to the Treasurer within the week.

ACTION : await return of documents.

(c) VK6ZLZ reported that Grahame VK4BB of Q-News thanks VK6 for publishing the WARG and WIA minutes on Packet.

(d) VK6HAO (committee) does not appear to be on WARCOM server

ACTION: Secretary to send packet to VK6LD with new list for WARCOM.

(e) VK6LD said that the VK6RUF to VK6RMS new link antennae should be fitted ASAP.
ACTION: he is to ring VK6MS re the Saddleback end.

(f) VK6BBR BBS Refurbishment
VK6GS has a rack cabinet which could be used to build replacement BBS at home and then moved in to replace the existing 3rd rack at Rolleystone. VK6LD has holiday due in April and could spend some time on the refurbishment.

We also need to upgrade the PC, and to install a Y2K compliant version of FBB.

Four converted UHF TAIT Xceivers to be earmarked for the project, also need 2 VHF xceivers.

It was proposed VK6UU/LZ that the $500 allocated to the project be increased to $700 - carried.

VK6CSW to follow up on possible upgrade chip for computer.

(g) VK6RMW Mt William
VK6UU reported that VK6MM has continued to try to solve the desensing problem but has had to temporally turn the xmitter down to 1 watt. Duplexer may have to be returned to Perth for retuning.

(h) BBQ
VK6TRC suggested that we precede the meeting with a BYO BBQ (at 1830 hours),  idea to be publicised on Net and WIA news. (VK6ZLZ has checked with RSL Hall  Committee and confirmed OK) VK6TRC will provide portable BBQ.

(i) Annual News Letter
Discussion on production of 1999 version, possibly including colour photos.
Carry forward as priority item to next meeting.
ACTION: VK6UU & VK6MT to obtain costings.

Next Meeting will be held on Monday 1/2/1999.

Meeting closed at 21.45

Secretary Cliff VK6LZ

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