West Australian Repeater Group (Inc.)

Minutes of the General Meeting 1/02/1999
Held at the RSL Hall, Fred Bell Pde. East Victoria Park.

The Meeting was preceded by a BBQ on the Patio

Meeting Commenced at 1955 Hours

1. Minutes

Minutes of General Meeting 4/01/98 accepted VK6UU/HAO carried.

2. Matters Arising

(a) RMS Mt Saddleback
The link antenna has been fitted by VK6MS and installation completed by a party
led by VK6LD.

VK6NT reported that the link to RUF from RMS as received by him in Beverly was
more than acceptable, however the problem of Pager interference when RUF (UHF)
was transmitting is still apparent on RMS (VHF). Possibly a mixing problem at
RMS.

Action:
(i) Wait and see if problem goes away when receiver is replaced.
(ii) Secretary to write letter of thanks to VK6MS.

(b) RCT Cataby
Locals complain of interference on link, however VK6UU reported that the link
(apart from news relay) has been switched off for months. Still needs a visit.

Action: VK6UU will visit site within the next two weeks.

(c) BBR Bulletin Board Refurbishment Work continues.

VK6GS Garry is modifying a cabinet to take Monitor with slide out drawer for
keyboard, and other equipment.

VK6LD has aquired a DRSI card from a VK7 for $200 this will cover 1200 baud and
9600 board, a Y2K compliant version of FBB has also been aquired.

A noisy cooling fan was replaced last week.

Action: Treasurer to draw cheque for $200 to reimburse VK6LD.

(d) HF Tait transceivers Action: On-going.

(e) 29 Mhz link on RLM
It was decided to inhibit the 29 Mhz link during the Sunday net which had been
causing interference.

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

(g) RBN Busselton
VK6UU reported that he had visited the site, and changed the news receiver xtal
however it had failed to work. other wise site was in working order and receiver
clock had been reset.

Action:
(1) Replacement receiver to be provided.
(ii) Secretary to reply to Busselton site owners concerns re tower climbing,
now that confirmation from Worksafe and Insurers has been received.

(h) RAV Avon Valley
A working party of seven visited the site on the 23rd January.
A UHF Yagi was temporally mounted half way up the tower and VK6TRC was able to
contact VK6HAO (readability 4) in Perth via VK6RUF thus proving the UHF path for
future linking with the antenna mounted higher up the mast above the tree line.

Tracing the source of noise in the repeater which was the main point of the
visit was unsuccessful as it was not apparent until the end of the visit.

It was noted that the lower guys on the tower each consisted of two parallel
lengths of light clothes line type wire which could be a source of noise.

VK6CA had suggested that temporary use of separate RX/TX antenni could be tried
to overcome noise/desensing problem, VK6UU thought this was worth a try.

Action: A visit to be arranged for mid March (possibly Saturday 20/3/99)

Volunteers to be followed up on the Sunday net nearer the date.

Antenna and lower guy work to be carried out, and link equipment may also be
installed.

Two dipoles and phasing harness are to be purchased by VK6UU. A motion to spend
up to $400 was proposed UU/HAO and carried.

(i) URC 101 Controller Action: Carry forward

(j) RTH Tic Hill

A visit is proposed within two weeks to carry out general tidy up of site (Co-axes etc), and to carry a supply of distiled water up the very steep approach track.

Action: VK6TRC to set date.
 

3 Correspondence
Copy of letter from WIA Insurance affirming coverage for tower work, and
pointing out that it would be expected that the group use experienced volunteers
on and around the tower.

4 Membership/Treasurer's Report
No change
One membership application form sent out. VK6LD reported that he had received a
donation to the group of $30 from Frank VK6FB which he would forward to the Treasurer.

5 Technical & General Net
The second computer segment took place yesterday and appeared to be very useful.

6 General Business
(a) A discussion on the possible use of 6 Metres for packet forwarding over
long distance (eg. Katanning to Albany) took place, however it was thought that
there would be a problem with the size of antenni where the group was a guest
user on commercial sites.

(b) Audit of Accounts for 1997/8 is still awaiting the return of documents and
auditor's report for combined 1995/6 and 1996/7 audit, currently held by Ralph VK6KRB.

Action: Still awaiting the return of documents, VK6MT to follow up.

(c) VK6RMW Mt William
A visit to the site was made on 28/01/99 by VK6AFA and VK6TQ, a damaged cable
was repaired and tests for desensing were carried out it was found that at a
output level of 6 watts there was no desensing, above this (6 to 8 watts) the
transmitter appears to generate white noise. Using a separate transmitter at 50
watts there was no noise on receive.

Action:
VK6MM is to pursue Rx problem, VK6TQ to pursue Tx Problem, VK6MM and VK6PH to
replace repeater with a temporary set-up to allow transceiver to be taken out of service for repair.

(d) News letter
Costs of various ways of producing the news letter were discussed.
The cheapest way to produce colour A4 pages for the relatively short run of 150, would cost
over $1 for each sheet, against 5c for black and white.

It was decided to produce all pages in black and white only and to hopefully
improve on the contrast levels of last year. All photos would be available in full colour on the internet.
Volunteers would be responsible for their own page or pages up to camera ready stage.

Size would be A4,
Font to be used was Times New Roman,
12 point for text, 14 point bold for headings,
Pages to be stapled at top left, folded twice,
Self stick labels to be used for addressing.
Columns 2 to page.

Subjects were as follows;
Table of WA Repeaters VK6NT
Packet Report and BBS network VK6LD
Group History VK6UU
Tait Conversion Project VK6CSW
Presidents Report VK6MT

Newsletter to be ready for stapling at next meeting 1/3/99

AGM will be 3rd May 1999

Action;
VK6ZLZ to check how many sheets can be posted for 45c, and newsletter to be limited to this amount.

(e) RMS Keys
VK6UU reported that his keys no longer fit the repeater cabinet.
Action: VK6LD to get copies of his keys made.

Next Meeting will be held on Monday 1/3/1999.

Meeting closed at 22.00

Secretary Cliff VK6LZ

WARG Minutes