WEST AUSTRALIAN VHF GROUP (INC)

                Minutes of 539th General Meeting, Monday, March 22, 2004

                     Held Wireless Hill Meeting Room, Applecross

President, Alan VK6ZWZ, opened the meeting at 2000.

Apologies: Terry 6TRG, Wal 6KZ, Al VK6ZAY.

MINUTES: 

The minutes of the February Meeting were unavailable.
 
CORRESPONDENCE:

In: 

* AR Magazine

Out:

* Payment to APO for PO Box rental.
* E-mail to VK6LC about the proposal for the VK6WH shack rebuild. (The Group 
will cooperate with WIA but are unable to commit extensive resources).

REPORTS:

Treasurer:

Chris 6KCH advised that:-

* The bank balance at 18th February was $1393.14

* $1500 had been transferred from the Term Deposit account to the current 
account in anticipation of a number of non recurring expenses. The Term Deposit 
now held $9227.99.

* Payments had been made as follows:-

(1) Four licences renewed for 5 years and two for 5 1/2 years for $1566.20.
    VK6RPH and VK6RBU renewed until September 2008 being the limit of the 50 MHz          
    "drop through" period at this stage.

(2) $55 to APO for the PO Box.

* The WIA (WA Division) had generously donated $780 to the Group on a "dollar 
for dollar" basis towards the renewal of the six licences. 

* Melville City had foreshadowed an account for meeting room rental for three 
years, being two years in arrears and one year in advance, taking coverage up to 
June 2005.

Bulletin:

Ben 6IC advised that the Bulletin was ready for printing and despatch. Articles 
were always welcome. Ben indicated that he is ready and willing to continue in 
the role despite work pressures.

 



Satellites:

Chris 6KCH reported that AO40 is still U/S. Col VK5HI had attempted commanding 
the beacon and had heard a noise level increase in the passband but no carrier.

Beacons:

Don 6HK reported that:

* All beacons VK6REP, VK6RST, VK6RSW, VK6RBS, VK6RBU, VK6RPH, VK6RSP and VK6RSX 
were believed to be operational.

* The 10 GHz transmitter for VK6RBS Busselton had been installed during the 
month by Terry 6ZLT and Luigi 6YEH. Tests to confirm its coverage were being 
undertaken, but no signals had been heard in Perth so far.

* The 24 GHz transmitter project for VK6RSP was proceeding with the completion 
of a keyer.

Museum:

Tom 6ZAF reprted that he and Terry 6ZLT had attended the party for Melville City 
Volunteers. Conversation had been had with three Councillors who were supportive 
of the idea of a business plan for refurbishment of the VK6WH Radio Room. Such a 
plan may fit with the recent proposal by WIA for a radio shack upgrade at 
Wireless Hill.

GENERAL BUSINESS:

(1) Colin VK6ZCR asked if Meeting Minutes could be published in the Bulletin. It 
was pointed out that minutes are already available on the website.

(2) Alan VK6ZWZ reminded the meeting that the VHF Field Day is to be held on 
18th April 2004. Rules are in the Bulletin.



The meeting closed at 2050, to be followed by a "Show and Tell" session of 
members Field Day gear. 



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