WEST AUSTRALIAN VHF GROUP (INC)

Minutes of 582nd General Meeting, Monday 25th February, 2008

Held at Wireless Hill Meeting Room, Applecross @ 20.05hrs

Apologies: Don VK6HK, Bob 6ZFY, Ross VK6KAT

Visitors: Glen VK6KY

MINUTES:
The minutes of the January 2008 Meeting were broadcast email and circulated at the meeting. Proposed Colin VK6ZCR, Seconded. Tom VK6ZAF

BUSINESS ARISING:
Membership present verified that donation to Amsat-USA & Amsat-DL is A$100.
Treasurer has been authorized to proceed with the payment.

WIA requires an update of membership for the QBE insurance due in April 2008.
The treasurer Cess VK6AO is to arrange the latest update to be forwarded.

CORRESPONDENCE:
In:
1. Invitation to attend Wireless Hill Environmental Discussion report at the Melville Civic Centre on Wednesday 27th 2008.
2. BankWest statement.

Out: NIL

REPORTS:

Treasurer:
BankWest Statement of cheque account = $3222.72
No official confirmation from BankWest, as to the recognition of the new signatories for the clubs banking business. Terry 6ZLT reported that he had been recognized as a signatory during the course of transacting personal banking business.

Bulletin: - Nil – Volunteer editor required a.s.a.p.

Museum: Terry VK6ZLT reported on the formation of working group to overseer the implementation of the Melville City Wireless Hill vision 2020 program. The first meeting of the group will be on Thursday 28th 2008. Terry will be representing the interests of the club in this group.

Beacons: Limited information is available of the beacon status.

1. VK6REP (Esperance) OK at present, numerous reports from eastern states amateurs

2. VK6RST (Mt Barker) OK. Ongoing work for possible inclusion at this sight of a 1296 MHz beacon. Cess 6AO handed over the 1296 MHz corner reflector antenna to Bob VK6PO for replication. Enquires still to be made about practicality of this new installation on the existing mast along with negotiations with the site owners.

3. VK6RBU (Bunbury) OK__________

4. VK6RSW Operation suspended pending search for new location. Tom VK6ZAF to sound out possible sight near Augusta. However no info as yet.

5. VK6RBS (Busselton) Terry 6ZLT reported that aerial mast set up at the new Busselton Sea Rescue installation would be unsuitable for the club beacon aerials. Photographs of the installation were circulated to support this. Approaches should be made to the Busselton Yacht Club for the reinstallation of the club beacons on the existing radar mast. The 10GHz beacon status to be ascertained from Terry 6TRG a.s.a.p.

6. VK6RPH (Perth) -OK

7, VK6RSX (Dampier) No info.

Fritz VK6UZ spoke briefly as to the construction of a switched mode power supply in a compact rack mounting suitable for beacon installation.

Satellites: NIL Chris VK6KCH alerted the meeting as to excellent opportunity to observe the ISS satellite as it passes directly above the meeting room in about 20 minutes of time. It was hoped that members could retire to the lawns outside immediately on completion of business.
It was noted that observations of the ISS predictions could be made through the website “Heavens Above”

Activities:

February------Talk be Terry VK6ZLT and Wally VK6KZ on portable 6M antennas.

March----------Annual sale of pre-loved equipment (NO FORMAL MEETING)

April-----------Talk by Tony VK6CV on microwave spectrum analysers

May -------------Possible talk on software by Murray VK6HL

Tom VK6ZAF suggested that a talk and demo on the calibration of multimeters could be considered at a later date to be fixed.

UNUSUAL VHF EVENTS: NIL

GENERAL BUSINESS:
Ross VK6KAT was accepted as a new member and members present demonstrated their appreciation in the usual way.

Phil VK6ZKO brought to the attention of the members present that some country members are unable receive emails so could information and minutes etc. be mailed direct to them.
Also future membership lists should indicate who country members are and who WIA members are.


The meeting closed at 21.42 hrs, to be followed by:
Observation of the ISS satellite and then a talk by Terry VK6ZLT of 6M loop “HALO” antenna and folding 3 element YAGI also demo by Wally VLK6KZ of his compact 6M field day antenna, complete with mast and carry container.






....................................................President ......................................................Secretary
Wally VK6KZ Terry VK6ZLT