Via ARNSW via ARVic, September 3rd:

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has commissioned the new SPECTRA system for Apparatus Licences, and thanks all for their patience during the recent two week shut-down. Under its Project Helm (Holistic Engineering and Licence Management), the ACMA has transitioned from the old RADCOM platform that has been in use since 1996.

The SPECTRA system means a number of changes to the WIA Exams Service that will affect both the assessors and candidates. These may take a few weeks to fully filter through and assessors have been alerted to the new simpler system. The more efficient SPECTRA Enterprise platform is now handling all data for both Apparatus and Spectrum licensing. Broadcast Licences are due in early 2016.

There are a number of changes to Amateur Radio licence processing and recording, some not obvious while others reflect the new ways of doing things. No longer will specialised blue licensing paper be used but they will be on plain A4 paper, contact with licensees will be through email if that is the communication preference chosen, and the station location will be in the ACMA licensing database. The station location details, and any special conditions, were previously only included on the licence itself due to some privacy concerns.

New application forms are specific for the Foundation, Standard and Advance licence, with a single application only containing the fields relevant to Amateur Radio licences. There is also a new ACMA licence application form for repeater licences.  The simpler station licence application form will be in WIA Exam Service assessment packs but the WIA will no longer collect ACMA licence fees from candidates.

However, when the ACMA receives a WIA-processed licence application and callsign recommendation, it will issue an invoice to the candidate and a licence will be issued on payment. The ACMA has discontinued its licence variation for those seeking to upgrade. Appling for a new licence is the only option. Those upgrading can keep the existing licence until it is surrendered, expires or renewed.

The WIA has changed its publicly available listing of callsigns to comply with the format of the new system. The ACMA will send a Validation Notice 90 days before licences are due to expire (not sent under RADCOM). This will be emailed if provided, and come as a CSV file. A Renewal Summary is sent for licences which have been renewed. Project HELM, announced earlier this year, provides the ACMA with a system and tools to enhance support of its spectrum management activities.

From the WIA:

Date : 31 / 08 / 2015
Author : Jim Linton – VK3PC

Despite adverse winter Antarctic weather conditions the VI0ANZAC event in the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) ANZAC 100 program made it to air last weekend, with poor propagation enabling a total of 56 contacts to be logged. Those who had a QSO with VI0ANZAC were very pleased to be part of the WIA commemoration of the 100 years of the ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) landing at Gallipoli, Turkey. The operator Doug VK0DMV had been eager to use VI0ANZAC, but an earlier plan was postponed much to his disappointment when a storm struck with its high wind, a blizzard cutting visibility and freezing temperatures.

Doug VK0DMV described that storm as having wind reaching 112 knots and a fair bit of damage was caused, including to the antenna. He added: “There is always some damage after these sort of blows – this is the worse to date this year.” However, it did go ahead on August 29-30. Sheltered in the antenna shack with a 50 watt transceiver was Doug VK0DMV. Because of the wind had to first obtain official permission before venturing outdoors. He spent the night there because winds were at 80 knots. Doug said: “Lots and lots of noise … but there were some very clear signals from mainly Queensland (VK4) which was a good break from the noise in the background”.

He expressed sincere thanks to all those who contacted him and for a great couple of days. Many more listened or had signals too weak that could not be heard. Doug sent his apologises for having to leave early on Sunday, but a break in the weather was taken to get out of the antenna shack. “Even then it took me around 45 minutes to get back, as the ice build-up on the windscreen dropped the visibility back to less than 3 metres. Regular stops just to clean the build-up of ice/snow from the windscreen (wipers did not do anything), he said. The wind had started to decrease below 50 knots on Monday with very little snow and wind, appearing to be on the decrease that would allow normal work activities to occur.

There were a number of callers who asked about Doug’s VK0DMV callsign as well, once he started using the VI0ANZAC callsign. The QSL information for both are on QRZ.com VI0ANZAC log sheets will be loaded on to the eQSL system and also submitted to enable verification of contact with Casey Station VKFF 571 by Park Chasers. A special QSL card will be generated for this event.  The WIA expresses sincere thanks to Doug VK0DMV and his sterling effort as part of ANZAC 100, and to the Australian Antarctic Division for their assistance that made it all possible.

While the world is commemorating 100 years since WWI (1914 to 1918), in Australia the WIA has run commemorative stations with a suffix of the protected word ‘ANZAC’. The main activity continues until December 20, this year.

However, at the WIA annual meeting on Norfolk Island (VK9) on May 27, 28, & 29 2016, both VK100ANZAC and VI9ANZAC are to be on air.

From the WIA:

Date : 30 / 08 / 2015
Author : Jim Linton – VK3PC

The much anticipated VI0ANZAC activated by Doug VK0DMV as part of the WIA ANZAC 100 program made a number of first day contacts including those with Australia.

The day was due to start at 0001UTC on August 29, however the wind at Casey Station in the Australian Antarctic Territory was above 40 knots and required under standing procedures Doug to report his necessary outside travel to the Station Commander before progressing.

This resulted in an hour delay. A few early callers had some on air conversations with Fred VK3DAC, who was coordinating the activity.

When finally operating 40m it was not cooperating so a QSY to 20m was necessary. Still nothing in VK, VI0ANZAC did make some ZL contacts, but very poor propagation stopped it again until 0600UTC.

But when Doug came back onto 20m, contacts were very good and free flowing. If weather allows VI0ANZAC will be on air again August 30, it is due to start at about 0600UTC.

The WIA express thanks to Doug for activating the commemorative station from the Antarctic.

Regards, Fred VK3DAC

From the WIA:

Date : 27 / 08 / 2015
Author : Jim Linton – VK3PC

The commemorative callsign VI0ANZAC is planned to be activated at Casey Base and join the Wireless Institute of Australia ANZAC 100 program.

This is to mark the 100 years since the ANZAC or Australian and New Zealand Army Corps first fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during WWI.

VI0ANZAC will be on the air this weekend – weather permitting.

For a schedule and the latest check out qrz.com and the WIA website VI0ANZAC roster page via this Link.