WEST AUSTRALIAN VHF GROUP (INC)

                Minutes of 533rd General Meeting, Monday August 25, 2003

                     Held Wireless Hill Meeting Room, Applecross

President, Alan VK6ZWZ, opened the meeting at 2000.

Apologies: Terry 6TRG, Cec 6AO, Ben 6IC, Phil 6ZKO and Fritz 6UZ.

MINUTES: 

The minutes of the July meeting were read and accepted. (Terry 6ZLT/Al 6ZAY).

Business arising:

Nothing further had been heard from Graham Lewis about the 2 Ghz equipment 
order. Another progress enquiry will be made by e-mail.

CORRESPONDENCE:

In: 

* Bank Statement
* AMSAT journal
* WIA account

Out:

* E-mail to Graham Lewis re 2.4 Ghz equipment.

REPORTS:

A/Treasurer:

Chris 6KCH advised that:-

* The bank balance at 18th August was $11496.05.

* The books were with the auditor and were expected to be available at the AGM 
in September.
 
Satellites:

Al 6ZAY reported that AO-40 was offering plenty of contacts. The latest new one 
was Nigeria. 
Museum:

Tom 6ZAF advised the meeting that the Museum was now only open by appointment.

Beacons:

Wal 6KZ reported that:-

* VK6RPH, VK6RSP (5 & 10 Ghz), VK6RSW, VK6RBS, VK6RSX, VK6REP and VK6RBU are 
operational.




* An installation date for VK6RST Mt Barker has been set for 5th October. 
Materials outstanding included 8 type "N" coaxial joiners. It was agreed that if 
donations were not forthcoming then these should be purchased. (Don 6HK/Terry 
6ZLT). Some coax cable had to be collected from Phil 6ZKO.

************ACTION: Wal 6KZ.

* The modified 10 Ghz transmitter for VK6RBS had yet to be soak tested and an 
installation date set. The existing power supply would need slight modification 
on site.

* It was confirmed that it was intended to proceed with the 2.4 Ghz beacon 
proposal for Wireless Hill. Luigi 6YEH was coordinating the equipment design.

* Don 6HK advised that new EPROMs for the VK6RSP callsign were now available.

FOXHUNT:

Phil 6AD reported on the Foxhunt held on the Saturday prior to the meeting. 
Three teams participated and searched with variable success for the fox which 
was concealed at Salter Point. Times ranged from 40 minutes to 2 ½ hours.

GENERAL BUSINESS:

(1) Chris 6KCH reported on the development of an APRS network in VK6. Work had 
been done on a personal basis to now. Was the Group interested in getting 
involved? A number of transmitter sites were becoming available. It was agreed 
that admin assistance would be readily available. If required, sharing existing 
beacon licences might be possible at Wireless Hill, subject to ACA approval, 
however other beacon sites are not suitable. Chris will also make an approach to 
the Repeater Group.

(2) The matter of the just released ACA Discussion Paper on the Future 
Regulation of Amateur Radio was discussed at length. It was agreed that the 
Group would prepare a submission. Input closes on 30th October 2003. The ACA 
paper of 51 pages is available on the ACA website.

*************ACTION: The Committee.




The meeting closed at 2130, to be followed by a presentation by Terry 6ZLT on 
the topic of "Construction of a Slotted Waveguide Antenna for 2.4 Ghz". 



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