WEST AUSTRALIAN VHF GROUP (INC)

                Minutes of 529th General Meeting, Monday April 28th, 2003

                     Held Wireless Hill Meeting Room, Applecross

President, Alan VK6ZWZ, opened the meeting at 2000.

Apologies: Tom 6ZAF, Terry 6TRG

Visitors: Ron VK6TF and Glen VK6IQ.

New member: Nick Evans was welcomed as a new member.

MINUTES: 

The minutes of the March meeting were read and accepted. (6ZCR/6CD).

Business arising:

None.

CORRESPONDENCE:

In: 

* Bank Statement
* AR and AMSAT magazines

Out:

* E-mail advice to the President WIA (WA Division) about the Group's views on 
Entry Level Licensing.

REPORTS:

Treasurer:

Cec 6AO advised that the bank balance at 17th April was $1343.75.

A volunteer was sought to act as Treasurer when Cec is away.

Bulletin:

Ben 6TLA advised that the next issue would be in May.

Satellites:

AO-40 transponders gave been switched off for about two months due to 
unfavorable orientation. Beacons are still operating.

Beacons:

Wal 6KZ reported that:-

* In situ beacons were operational, VK6RSW Augusta included. The latter had been 
heard on 144 and 432 MHz in the past week.

* The Mt Barker installation had been postponed until about August. Most 
hardware was on hand.
* A new possible reporter/monitor had been identified for VK6RSX Dampier in 
Craig VK6JJJ who had been active on 50 MHz and the satellites from Karratha.

Unusual VHF/UHF/SHF activities:

* F2 propagation from Japan, Korea and China had occurred during the week, as 
well as Es to Dampier, Broome and VK2/3.

* It was noted that AR operations from Iraq had been approved by the American 
forces.

* One way tests had been conducted on 10 GHz SSB between 6HK Wembley Downs and 
6KZ at Melville and a two way QSO had been made between 6HK and 6ZWZ/P at 
Reabold Hill.

* Wal 6KZ had worked Doug VK4OE/6 on 2.4 and 10 GHz during the latter's recent 
Perth visit. The occasion was somewhat dampened when police were called to 
Doug's hotel room at 0200 to investigate the "suspicious activity".

Museum:

* Comment was made that there was no security lighting operating in the car park 
and Meeting room area. The duty Ranger had been advised and had attended but had 
no knowledge about how to correct the problem immediately.

* Terry 6ZLT advised that arrangements had been made to get vehicle access to 
the Meeting Room door for the may Junk Sale meeting.

Activities:

Terry 6ZLT advised that activities planned were:-

April: Cedric VK6CD on "Automatic Antenna Tracking for Satellites"
May:   Junk Sale

GENERAL BUSINESS:

* The President advised that long term member Tom Berg VK6ZAF had suffered a 
heart attack but was now recovering after surgery. The meeting wished Tom well 
for a speedy return to good health.

* Wal 6KZ also drew attention to the fact that the XYL of Bill VK6AS from 
Esperance was very ill. As a result Bill was currently resident in Perth and was 
unlikely to be AR active in the near future.

* Visitor Glen VK6IQ indicated that former member David VK6AOM had returned 
again from New Zealand to reside at Buntine. David's radio plans are not known.

* Alan 6ZWZ advised the meeting that with the retirement from the WIA Council of 
Don VK6HK, that the Group no longer had a WIA Council representative. Alan 
thanked Don for his past efforts.

* Chris 6KCH reported that the recent test of a WiFi 2.4 GHz transceiver at 
Wireless Hill had been successful, with good coverage being achieved.

* Alan 6ZWZ pointed out that the Group intended to instal a 2.4 GHz beacon on 
the Wireless Hill tower and this might produce some compatibility issues for the 
Wi-Fi 2.4 Ghz system. 




The meeting closed at 2040, to be followed by a presentation by Cedric Woods, 
VK6CD on "Automatic Antenna Tracking for Satellites".



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