Date : 02 / 01 / 2017 
Author : Peter Mill VK3APO

Australian Communications and Media Authority licence applications for Amateur Radio repeaters and beacons are now handled differently to speed up issuing and reduce errors that may occur.  The ACMA was having a problem with such licences under its SPECTRA system.  All applications for Amateur Radio repeaters and beacons had caused a problem in its software, due to the unique nature of the applications.

At a meeting in Canberra the ACMA explained the problem it had to two WIA representatives.  It was then mutually agreed that the ACMA would receive from the WIA a spreadsheet that had suitable formatting, to make the processing and issuing of licences run very smoothly.

From the WIA, original post here.

Date : 02 / 01 / 2017 
Author : Fred Swainston – VK3DAC

The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) is developing a plan for the involvement of radio amateurs in the Federal Government promoted Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) program.  This follows the successful WIA STEM symposium in Canberra on November 19, that had 24 people attend to discuss seven presentations and a further 12 papers of suggestions, ideas and concepts.  It confirmed that the target audience where contribution would have greatest impact was at the secondary schools level Years 7 to 10, and fit in with the school curriculum.

The WIA believes that through the existing networks, projects and programs can be developed that fit with and enhance schools STEM programs.  There are a number of existing projects and activities that should also be supported by the WIA STEM network.  A basic thrust of the event was to consider specialised talents through mentoring and coordinating interesting leading-edge activities.  The symposium also thought how to promote and market the STEM initiative.  Within Amateur Radio there are talented people including many who can develop educational programs and others having vast hands-on technical experience.

The plan being considered is to access a very broad range of skills and knowledge that exist in some radio amateurs, and develop with teachers STEM educational programs for young people.  This will need a coordination role across all States and Territories and the setting up of teams of interested radio amateurs to carry out identified projects.  Now being considered is having a National STEM program Coordinator who can lead it and State and Territory Coordinators, a STEM Wiki website that explains the resource available and a directory of the volunteers.  The Wiki facility for STEM related projects and activities would be made public and promoted, but its content moderated by the coordination team.  The outcomes of the WIA symposium and a possible STEM plan for the future will be considered in 2017 after further consultation takes place with interested parties and the broader Amateur Radio community.

From the WIA, original post here.

Date : 01 / 01 / 2017 
Author : Roger Harrison – VK2ZRH

The new amateur band at 5.3 MHz allocated world-wide to the Amateur Service in late 2015, has been incorporated into the Australian Radiofrequency Spectrum Plan (ARSP) 2017, but a number of further steps have to be taken before Australian amateurs can occupy the band.

ARSP 2017 was registered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) on 20 December 2016 and came into effect the next day, with a commencement date of 1 January 2017.

The purpose of the ARSP is to guide the ACMA in making decisions on use of radiofrequency spectrum.  The key feature of the ARSP is its Table of Frequency Allocations from 8.3 kHz to 420 terahertz (THz) that divides-up the spectrum to show the general purpose of each band, to which services the bands are allocated, and associated footnotes relevant to particular allocations.  The ACMA updates the ARSP following each World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC), organised by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and held about every three years.

As many amateurs are aware, the last Conference was WRC-15, held in November 2015, which approved the word-wide allocation of 5351.5 to 5366.5 kHz to the Amateur Service on a secondary basis, with different power specifications applying in different regions and countries, ranging from 15 watts effective isotropic radiated power (eirp) to 25 watts (eirp).  In Australia the ARSP specifies 15 watts (eirp).  Specifying ‘eirp’ takes account of the efficiency of different antenna systems, which are not particularly efficient at these frequencies.

Generally known as the 60 metre band, access to this 15 kHz allocation in Australia has been keenly awaited by many HF enthusiasts.  Consistent with previous outcomes of WRCs which impacted Australian frequency allocations, the next step is amending the Amateur licence conditions that provides more definite technical parameters than in the ARSP.

The Amateur Service is not the only one affected, and many other radiocommunications stakeholders have to wait for the administrative and regulatory details to be updated before the provisions of ARSP 2017 can take effect.

The WIA’s Spectrum Strategy Committee is working with the ACMA to determine when access to 60 metres for Australian amateurs will become available.

An article on why and how long we have to wait is in the ‘WIA current Hot Issues’ and can be downloaded here.

You can download the Australian Radiofrequency Spectrum Plan 2017 and its accompanying Explanatory Statement from the WIA website here.

Hello All,

Due to a lengthy gap in publishing news articles thanks to an impending holiday season (and the need to have everything done before it arrives), I though it may be wise to consolidate all of the WIA news posts regarding their current political situation into a single post.

This post is politically neutral – neither ORARC or myself endorse or condone any opinion or stance expressed below.  The new articles are linked purely for the information of readers (many of whom may be WIA members).

28/11/16 – Election of Directors – Call For Nominations
Pursuant to clause 14.1 (c) of the Constitution the WIA Board has determined that the election of directors shall be conducted by postal ballot.

01/12/16 – Call for a General Meeting of the WIA
Under clause 8.3 (b) of the Constitution of the Wireless Institute of Australia a call was made on Tuesday November 29 for a General Meeting of WIA members.

10/12/16 – Mediation
A mediation was conducted on Saturday 10 December 2016.

17/12/16 – Minor difference in 2015 accounts but significant 2016 deficit likely
The financial report approved by the annual general meeting at Norfolk Island in May has been checked and it has been found that the annual review and the MYOB figures are very close.

17/12/16 – General Meeting called under Clause 8.3 (b) cannot proceed at this time
On the 1st of December this year the WIA announced that, under clause 8.3 (b) of the Constitution, it had begun the process of calling a general meeting of members to consider motions for the removal of four WIA Directors.

19/12/16 – Claims WIA in trouble with ASIC and ACMA without foundation
Some members have commented that the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) has issues with the WIA’s financial processes and is investigating the WIA. 

20/12/16 – WIA Members to Decide Composition of the Next Board
Following the resignation of two directors, WIA members are to decide the composition of the seven-member Board through the annual election process now under way.

For those outside the loop, the above articles are largely in response to the ‘Wireless Institute of Australia Reform Group’.  See their page here for a counterpoint to the links above.

From the WIA, original post here.

Date : 19 / 12 / 2016 
Author : Fred Swainston – VK3DAC

A teenage boy who is legally blind has been successful at a special assessment for the Foundation Licence.  The Wireless Institute of Australia, through its Nominated Assessors, makes Amateur Radio licence assessments available to people who have a disability.

Nominated Assessor Eric van de Weyer VK2VE said the 13-year old sat the Foundation Licence assessment on Saturday December 17, and was found to be competent.  Eric VK2VE said he had the help of two other assessors, Grahame O’Brien VK2FA and Adam Gardiner VK2YK.

The assessment included the use of several model antennae made by Adam VK2YK especially for the occasion.  It also had Braille text and audio measurement devices to supplement the assessment.  He said: “We did the assessment for the candidate and he was successful in both parts.  He managed fine with the practical test, was quite confident on air, and also with the written paper.”  Eric VK2VE explained that the same level of knowledge under the relevant syllabus had to be demonstrated and assessed.

Any candidate seeking a special assessment due to a disability, needs first to produce a medical certificate that the normal assessment process poses a problem.  Provided to the WIA Office, it does not have to specify the exact nature of the problem, but must come from a qualified medical practitioner.  Inquiries about these assessments may be made to the WIA Exam Service or a WIA Nominated Assessor.

Eric VK2VE has posted all of the assessment paperwork and we will have a new ‘white cane’ operator with his Foundation Licence in early 2017.