WEST AUSTRALIAN VHF GROUP (INC)

                Minutes of 528th General Meeting, Monday March 24th, 2003

                     Held Wireless Hill Meeting Room, Applecross

President, Alan VK6ZWZ, opened the meeting at 2005.

Apologies: Phil 6ZKO, Wal 6KZ.

MINUTES: 

The minutes of the February meeting were read and accepted. (6KCH/6ZAF).

Business arising:

None.

CORRESPONDENCE:

In: 

* Bank Statement
* Request from LISWA for Bulletin copies. (Passed to Bulletin Editor).

REPORTS:

Treasurer:

Cec 6AO advised that the current bank balance was $1402.35.

Bulletin:

Ben 6TLA advised that the Bulletin had been issued. The President reminded 
members that the January issue contained the rules for the 2003 Field day 
scheduled for April 13th.

Beacons:

Don 6HK reported that:-

In situ beacons were operational.

A power interruption at STW9 had tripped a circuit breaker which resulted in the 
Perth beacons being off over the weekend until corrected by STW9 staff on Monday 
24th March. STW9 have indicated that the said circuit breaker is to be replaced 
by a less sensitive type to avoid repetitive problems therewith. 

The Mt Barker Beacon Project (432 and 10 GHz transmitters) is scheduled for 
installation on 23/24th April. Details are being finalized. The required pipe 
mast has been ordered from Water Drop Hardware in Mt Barker.

Satellites:

Chris 6KCH reported that AO-40 is operational but is entering a less favorable 
attitude for about a month. JA's VK2-3 and KL7 have been worked.

Radio Astronomy:

Al 6ZAY is continuing to develop his system.

Museum:

No changes to report.

Meeting Activities:

Terry 6ZLT advised that activities planned are:-

March: Chris 6KCH on "APRS in the Perth Area"
April: Cedric 6CD "Automation for Satellite working"
May:   Junk Sale

The annual Field Day is scheduled for April 13th. There are two sessions; 1030-
1200 and 1230-1500.

Unusual VHF Activities:

Alan 6ZWZ and Don 6HK described a test in which a low power (10mW) transmitter 
on 2403.460 MHz was received over the path from 6HK Wembley Downs to 6ZWZ at 
Claremont. The transmitter local oscillator was a DDS signal source which was 
referenced to 30 MHz which in turn was referenced to GPS. The claimed long term 
accuracy of the GPS reference is better than 1 in 10^11 i.e. <1 Hz at 2403 Mhz. 
The DDS rounding error contribution at the particular output frequency is <2 Hz. 
Short term noise effects are being investigated. A longer term project is to 
apply some of the techniques to the 5 and 10 Ghz beacons at VK6VF Wireless Hill. 

GENERAL BUSINESS:

(1) Tom 6ZAF displayed a potentially useful "Angle finder" or inclinometer which 
is available cheaply from Collier Hardware outlets. WA Salvage were also 
reported to carry a similar item even more cheaply. Such tools are useful aids 
in setting angles of elevation for satellite antennas.

(2) Al 6ZAY sought advice on a source of supply of "Letraset" or similar. 
Suggestions were offered including Jacksons Drawing Supplies.

(3) Terry 6ZLT advised that an e-mail had been received from the President of 
the VK6 WIA Division seeking comment on the proposals for a new AR Licensing 
system. Considerable discussion ensued. It was agreed that any new entry level 
system should be based on the following principles:-

(a) It should be open to all without restrictions of bands or modes (but limited 
in power until experience is gained).
(b) Knowledge should be demonstrated about:

      * Safety; both electrical and EMR
      * Interference to other spectrum users
      * Regulatory matters 

A vote was taken to examine member preferences for a two level or three level 
licensing system following the abolition of the ITU required Morse test which is 
expected in 2003. 53% preferred a two level system and 47% three levels. The 
Secretary is to e-mail the meeting's views to the WIA.

************ACTION: Don 6HK




The meeting closed at 2105, to be followed by a presentation by Chris Hill 
VK6KCH on " APRS in the Perth area".



......................President                    ....................Secretary