From the WIA, original post here.

Date : 11 / 11 / 2016 
Author : Jim Linton – VK3PC

The WIA Bookshop is now taking orders for the ‘Wireless Men and Women at War’ publication that details the history of wireless communications before World War I, and in later years and conflicts.  The price is $29.95 plus postage for members and $35 for non-members, plus postage.

The pre-sale period is now available, with a discount applying for orders received by December 21.  The pre-sale price for Members is $23.00 and non members $28.00.

WIA Historian Peter Wolfenden VK3RV has fully researched the content.  Together with numerous additional contributors, the WIA Board fully supports this timely record of history as a must read volume.

Selected Contents 
World War I: 

• An inspired experimenter and leader: Walter Hannam – his part of the jigsaw!
• The spark gap signal that changed ANZAC history: Telegrapher William Wolseley Falconer, RAN 

Between the Wars: 

• Bert Billings XJP, his service through WWI and WWII [The First and Last ANZAC Wireless Operator?]
• YLs at War
• HK Love A3BM/VK3KU: WW1 fighter pilot, engineer, magazine editor, explorer, electronics developer, WIA executive

World War II: 

• “Snow” Campbell VK3MR, International DXer, Prisoner Of War
• Making ‘Winnie the war winner’
• Recollections of Air Warning and Coast Watching in New Guinea

The modern Era:

• Australians at war get a radio station – Radio DJ Vietnam
• Things Naval

Epilogue 

• The ANZAC 100 activities begin
• The Centenary of Gallipoli: The opening address for the Centenary celebrations
• Closure of the ANZAC Centenary
• Stories from Centenary activation events.

Plus many more articles previously published in Amateur Radio magazine and several new stories.

The WIA Publications Committee is proud to make it available and after printing the book will be a mail order item from the WIA Bookshop.  To secure your limited edition copy, visit the WIA website via this Link.  Be sure to let others know of its availability.  A campaign has begun seeking a wider market for the publication, including libraries, RSL clubs, and those with an interest of this historical subject.

Purchase your copy today – click the following Link.

From the WIA, original post here.

Date : 11 / 11 / 2016 
Author : Jim Linton – VK3PC

The Amateur Radio activation of Anderson’s Mill at Smeaton in central Victoria in May has gone through its approval and logistic stages, with a clear go-ahead given by all to the project.  The five-storey bluestone flour and oat mill, part of the 19th century gold field region, is on a creek that helped drive its iron water wheel.

The Anderson’s Mill Heritage Weekend in 2017 will have Amateur Radio as part of the festivities.  Anderson’s Mill is managed by Parks Victoria with the free public event supported by the Hepburn Shire Council and many others.

The Mills on Air event run by the Denby Dale Radio Club, through the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, has had only European mills up to now, but that is about to change.  The Central Goldfields Group VK3BI will be active the Anderson’s Mill on May 13 to 15, using 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, 10m and VHF IRLP and UHF Echolink.  Behind this ambitious project are locals Alan and Cheryl Just, and Peter Rafferty VK3CC.  Now they invite more mills throughout Australia to join them on air in May.

It is an ideal club or individual project to activate many of the mills throughout Australia.

There is plenty of scope with old mills once used for sugar, wool, cotton, flour, and timber. Is there one near you? The challenge is to join the Mills on Air event in May 2017.

From the WIA, original post here.

Date : 11 / 11 / 2016 
Author : Jim Linton – VK3PC

The Wireless Institute of Australia symposium on the STEM or Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program in to take place in Canberra at the Canberra Region Amateur Radio Club.  Fred Swainston VK3DAC told the recent meeting of the WIA Board that the initiative had been well received with 30 expressions of interest, and a number of papers already been received.

The WIA symposium is to look at how a few radio amateurs can impart their knowledge and skills through the STEM program, and help through teachers inspire a greater thirst or awareness.

Fred VK3DAC says it will seek to identify a few realistic outcome projects and those to manage them.  There will be a guest speaker, and is to include a presentation on how to develop a possible teacher resource on STEM projects.

Those attending the invitation-only event on November 19 at the Canberra Region Amateur Radio Club venue, will receive more details next week via email.  To allow for catering, please make a booking to attend by contacting the WIA Office on bruce [at] wia.org.au.

The outcome of the symposium will be reported on this broadcast and on the WIA website.

From the WIA, original post here.

Date : 10 / 11 / 2016 
Author : Jim Linton – VK3PC

No less than 15 hoax radio calls on AM aeronautical channels have been made in the past weeks at Tullamarine Airport Melbourne, and the Avalon Airport near Geelong.

Police want public help to find the perpetrator.  Here is what happened:

• A man pretends to be in a control tower and orders three jets to abort their landing
• Impersonation of a light aircraft with engine trouble putting out a may-day call.

The story has attracted wide media attention across newspapers, television and internet news sites.  Melbourne’s Age and Sydney Morning Herald newspapers ran a story headed “lone-wolf hoaxer”, and unfortunately included a comment that “… rudimentary amateur VHF radio equipment could be used in such a hoax.”

The media coverage continued that a number of federal government agencies were investigating, but did say there were fears that copycat amateur radio operators might trying the same thing.  Members of various Amateur Radio Facebook sites picked up on the newspaper reports, expressing alarm and concern that Amateur Radio could be implicated in such a negative way.  Some radio amateurs emailed the WIA with their concerns.

The Institute understands that amateurs would be justifiably upset about any connection with such dangerous and illegal rogue transmissions.  Some have expressed the view that individual radio amateurs should write-in to set the record straight, and that the WIA should make a strong statement to the offending publications.  However, the WIA strongly advises caution about individuals making complaints.  In situations like this, misunderstanding is easily compounded and may make matters worse by re-invigorating the original story from another angle.

It is common for the media to focus on the “issue of the moment” in a way that sensationalises matters, which could easily be to our detriment.  Fortunately, the lone-wolf air-traffic radio hoaxer story had a very limited run.  The WIA is prepared for the story to arise again, and is developing a considered response to the media to counteract any negative references to Amateur Radio.

From the WIA, original post here.

Date : 05 / 11 / 2016 
Author : Phil Wait – VK2ASD

At the Tuesday night Board meeting the WIA’s new Treasurer, Chris Hendry VK3PAT and Assistant Treasurer Jeff Tubbenhauer VK5IU gave an outline of the financial and operational position of the WIA.  Both Chris and Jeff have significant corporate experience to tackle the accounting and operational systems of the WIA.  Chris has had a week in the office and reviewing the WIA’s accounting records.

Clearly, the WIA is solvent and it can pay its current liabilities such GST, Employee PAYG and Employee Superannuation as they fall due.

Unfortunately, getting the accounting up-to-date will be both a challenge and a time consuming exercise.  The sub-systems such as the online bookshop, and MEMNET do not integrate easily with the MYOB Accounting software.  Many of the transactions relating to these sub-systems have been incorrectly entered into the accounting software.  Chris has found that the bookshop inventory is incorrectly valued in the Accounts and that debtors, that is people who owe us money, are too high and more importantly may not have been reconciled correctly.

We now have many hours work reviewing all transactions to discover past errors.  This will take two to three months.  Producing an accurate Profit and Loss and Balance sheet to the Board will take some time.  Once we are satisfied that the accounts are accurate our goal is to have a reconciled set of financials provided to the board monthly.  In addition, the Treasurers are developing an operating budget for 2017 for approval by the Board.  A budget compliance report will be submitted to the Board each month.

Processes have already been put into place to make sure that all expenses are scrutinized.  For any proposed expenditures over $1,000 competitive quotes must be sought and approved by the Treasurer.  All unbudgeted expenditure over $1,000 must be approved by the Board.  Members can be assured that the issues are not life threatening but there are significant challenges to maintaining our revenue streams and providing member benefits.

The board has created a new volunteer charter which will be distributed shortly.

There are many operational issues to tackle and to solve these issues a strategic review is recommended.