VK2 DIV PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE This is Michael Corbin VK2PFQ Well that was the worst week on record...No, not for the Institute but for my business. I'd be a liar if I said that the W.I.A. wasn't wearing a little thin at 80 Lalor Rd., Quakers Hill. Anyhow it's surely a case of "If you can't stand the heat...don't come into the kitchen" I'll bore you no further with my personal problems, but once again appeal for people to do some painting, electrical work and general cleaning up of our downstairs premises in preparation for leasing. Perhaps as an added incentive, we should offer one years free membership to anyone who helps. Anything to get the job done. On a more positive note, after 4 full days on the job running backwards and forwards from Quakers Hill to Parramatta (via Seven Hills), we have at last sent the last letter, or rather copy of letters, to the politicians as well as all affiliated Clubs. Indeed, if you fall into this category, you should receive your letter on Monday or Tuesday. I've also sent copies to AR & ARA Magazine It will be interesting see how our Federal President handles this one....Perhaps you should reserve your copy of ARA now! My thanks must go to CESAR MIRANDA VK2TCM for the time that he has put into this exercise. So that The Minister and all his confreres would gain an appropriate impression of the Wireless Institute of Australia NSW Division it was necessary that our submission was produced in a professional manner. The previous Council used to PAY for the privilege...Nobody knew this at the time...But more of that in the Annual Report. To continue... Cesar offered his time and his fancy Laser Printer...The result....A more than Professional job. I only hope that it will impress those to who it was sent!!! I'm sure that this will spur the opposition's Minister for propaganda into print. I refer of course to Cesar's involvement NOT the professional job. You know, come to think of it....He hasn't had very much constructive to say lately Again once more I appeal to people, who have not written to do so. If you think that the licence issue has been won, think again. I will shortly read a letter, which has been written by Ms. Christine Goode, the Manager of the Spectrum Management Authority on behalf of the Minister to a fellow Amateur. Listen carefully. She is quite clear in her statements that the fee increases are here to stay. There does however seem to be an admission, that the politicians have the last say....So, once again, if you have not written -- write now!!! This weekend the Federal Councillors meet in Victoria. The agenda is not clear at this stage. A full report next week. I have yet to see any positive input from the Federal Office, save for criticism of this Division for giving them a hard time. I don't withdraw or apologise from this position. This Division has put in our submission. Where's the one from Federal....Talk, talk, talk that's all we have heard from them. Oh yeah, I understand, I have not seen it yet, that there is an insert in AR this month. This Division offered to do this, but our offer was only met with a call from a chap in VK5, who told us that he had been empowered by the Federal President to do it instead. Oh well...at least it was done. I wonder why we weren't allowed to do it....funny mob those Federal people or perhaps there's some outside influence !!!!?!* Since writing this epistle I have been informed by Peter Kloppenburg VK2CPK, our Federal Councillor, that I was to be the first item on the agenda after lunch....Perhaps someone else ought not to go into the kitchen unless.....etc. etc Well here's the letter which was written by Ms. Christine Goode, on behalf of the Minister, for Communications and the Arts, Mr. Michael Lees. Listen carefully, it's not very encouraging, but remember there has, as yet, been no vocal presentations by any overweight ladies -- you're not allowed to say... "the shows not over till the Fat Lady Sings" anymore...anti vilification Laws and all that....Now on to that letter. Please pay careful attention to the WORDS used by M/s Goode.... Note that she continually refers to FEES as TAXES!!!!! Hmmmmmmmmmm!!!! SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT AGENCY (Letter head) 3 February, 1995 Dear Mr. .....So & So.........and I quote... Thank you for your letter of 3 January 1995 to the Minister for Communications and the Arts, the Hon. Michael Lee MP, concerning the proposed changes in licence fees for Amateur Radio Licences. The Minister has asked me to reply on his behalf. Firstly, I want to stress that there is no new tax being proposed for users of the radiofrequency spectrum. The fees which you and other users (such as those with landmobile systems or fixed link) now pay are in fact taxes. The taxes are levied under the Radiocommunications (Transmitter licence tax) ACT 1983. The overall level of revenue collected from current licenses is not being varied. There will, however, be a fairer sharing of the fees/taxes amongst all categories of licensee. Some will pay more and some will pay less. The Spectrum Management Agency (SMA) has just completed a review of all aspects of apparatus licensing including the structure of radiocommunication license fees. The review concluded that there should be a more equitable and efficient method of calculation of fees (ie, taxes) for all licencees. In future the license fees will more accurately reflect the extent of actual spectrum use by each licensee. Further, within the total fee/tax, the cost recovery component will be identified. In the specific case of amateurs the proposal are, that fees will be increased from between $8 and $34 depending on the category. The highest level of fees (Unrestricted Amateur) will be $71 which we regard as quite reasonable in comparison with other license fees and the large amount of spectrum available for amateur use. The SMA will publish an information paper shortly on the outcome of its inquiry into apparatus licensing, including more detail on fees and recovery of SMA costs. We propose to then have detailed consultations with representatives of licensees who are substantially affected by the changes. These consultations will take place over the next six weeks or so. Indeed the information we passed to the Wireless Institute of Australia was advance information for the specific purpose of obtaining their comments and to assist further consultation. I want to assure you that the SMA appreciates the good work done by amateur radio enthusiasts in providing services at various times to assist the community. I am also aware of the benefits in encouraging young people to learn about radio technics. These aspects do not, however, affect the basic principle that amateurs who use the radio frequency spectrum should meet their share of the costs of managing the spectrum for the benefit of all users. I understand that some amateurs are concerned that the SMA is imposing charges which are not made in other countries. The approach taken overseas varies widely with some countries not charging fees to any users of the radiofrequency spectrum. However the most common approach is for fees to be charged for spectrum use, although the level of fees varies widely. Some amateurs have compared amateur use of the spectrum with that of CB operators, which is now covered by a class license. We see amateur and CB as quite different services. Amateur services require greater co-ordination both nationally and internationally for frequencies and call signs, with amateurs other than novices having access to vastly more spectrum than CB operators. The SMA also applies significant resources to handling problems of interference involving amateurs, mainly in cases where amateurs cause interference to other services. In the submissions to our public inquiry, the weight of opinion was against class licensing for amateurs. I have attached copies of a recent media release and a brief information sheet which gives further details. Thank you for your interest in this matter. Your sincerely, CHRISTINE GOODE, SPECTRUM MANAGER. Included with this letter was a copy of the Press Release I read out for you a few weeks ago, as well as a Resume of the History of the whole matter. I'll now read that for you now. INFORMATION PAPER INQUIRY INTO THE APPARATUS LICENSE SYSTEM BY THE SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT AGENCY (SMA) ...and I quote... The SMA, as a result of its inquiry into the apparatus license system, is proposing to make a number of changes. The key proposals involve restructuring license fees. There are over 250,000 licenses on issue with annual fees ranging from $18 (marine rescue) to $734,132 per MHz (PMTS). Under the proposed restructure there would be a consistent, more equitable approach to fees. They would be based on SMA costs, and the amount and relative scarcity of spectrum used by each licensee. As the current fees have been largely developed on ad hoc basis over many decades without major review, the proposal would mean that some fees would increase but many fees would decrease. Consultations are to be held with a number of key industry organisations and others. An information paper is to be published by mid January 1995. INTRODUCTION On 8 December 1993, the Minister for Communications at the time directed the SMA to hold a public inquiry into the apparatus license system. The apparatus license system enables the SMA to provide access to the radiofrequency spectrum to individual users by way of a license to operate devices. The SMA may determine the type of Transmitter licences and receiver licenses it may issue under the apparatus license system. Licence types are specified in determinations made by the Spectrum Manager. There are currently 94 types of transmitter license and 10 types of receiver license. There are currently about 250,000 licenses on issue (including approximately 20,000 amateur licences). The aim of the inquiry was to develop a more streamlined and simplified apparatus license system incorporating a transparent equitable and efficient fee methodology, consistent with the objectives of the new ACT. The terms of reference are attached. INQUIRY PROCESS In accordance with the terms of reference specified in the Minister's direction, the SMA developed a proposal of reform. These were published in a discussion paper, Inquiry into The Apparatus License System, released in January 1994. The SMA held public seminars during February and March 1994 in each of the 14 centres where the SMA has offices. They attracted more than 900 people. Public submissions on the discussion paper totalled 422. They covered a wide range of issues and provided a mix of views on how the apparatus license system could be improved. Submissions were made by individuals and a range of organisations. A report was provided to the Minister for Communications and the Arts on 31 May 1994. IMPLEMENTATION The SMA is now working towards implementing the proposals. The major areas of activity are: 1. the development of new apparatus license types (to number around 20); 2. a system to allow for the transfer of license between users; 3. a system to provide for different license periods up to the statutory limit of five years; 4. a system to allow licences to choose between paying for license fees up front (ie at the time of license issue) or by annual instalments; 5. concessions on annual license fees be provided to private, ,volunteer non-profit organisations involved in the safety of human life; and 6. The restructuring of annual license fees to incorporate three components: i. a component to cover the cost of issuing the licence; ii. a component to cover the spectrum maintenance costs of the SMA, and iii. a spectrum access component to provide a return to the Commonwealth Government for the use of a community resource taking account of the spectrum and geographic location of the spectrum access, and the bandwidth and area of coverage of access. All licence fees are taxes and the revenue from license fees is passed onto the Government. The proposed restructure does not mean changes in the level of revenue flowing to the Government from users of the spectrum. It is simply a restructure of the fees. Licence fees would be levied on a more equitable basis, as they would be based on SMA costs, and the amount and relative scarcity of spectrum used by each licensee. By incorporating SMA cost recovery components, licensees will be able to identify SMA costs and there contribution to the costs. In addition, the fees include a spectrum access component so that licensees with large spectrum holdings in high demand areas would pay higher fees than other licensees. Some fees would increase but many fees would decrease. The SMA is commencing consultations with a number of key industry organisations and others. The SMA has met with the WIA and explained the new proposals. An information paper on the outcomes of the inquiry is being prepared and is expected to be published by mid January 1995. The proposals are intended to coincide with the establishment of the SMA's new computer system, RADCOM, in April 1995. Spectrum Management Agency 3 January 1995. Well that's it for another week. Could I please have someone to do the electrical work and painting. If I hear nothing by Monday, we will just have to pay someone to do it! If anyone wishes to have a copy of this information..... Indeed, any information contained in any of my Broadcasts...Just ask See you next week ----------------------------------- VK2 LETTER TO COMM. C'TEE MEMBERS WIA LETTERHEAD....... Hon. Leo McLeay, MP 31st January 1995 PO Box 324 KINGSGROVE NSW 2208 Dear Sir, Enclosed herewith please find a copy of a submission I have made to The Minister for Communications and the Arts, and The Minister for Tourism The Hon. Michael Lee MP concerning an increase in fees for Amateur Radio Licence holders. I have taken this step as you are a member, indeed Chairman, of this Committee. I ask that you read this submission before any final decision is made on the matter of increased charges. I take issue with a recent Press Release issued by the Opposition Shadow Minister in which he stated that "proper Consultation" had not taken place. Indeed it seems that some Consultation did take place....It was unfortunately with persons from our Federal body who perhaps lacked the necessary drive and application. Your attention is particularly drawn to the final paragraph of our letter to The Minister where we suggest that the Administration of the Licencing system be handed over to The Wireless Institute of Australia. Currently our Organisation conducts qualification examinations. This function was formerly under the care of the old Department of Communications. If you are in need of any further information on this subject I would be only too pleased to any answers you may require. Please contact me on my home telephone number (02) 626 9288 or by Fax on (02) 626 6066. Yours Sincerely Michael B. Corbin PRESIDENT Encl. Copy of our Submission ----------------------------------- VK2 DIV LETTER TO PAUL KEATING (WIA letterhead) 31 January, 1995 THE HON. PAUL JOHN KEATING, MP Prime Minister of Australia, Suite MG8, Parliament House CANBERRA ACT 2600 My Dear Prime Minister, Enclosed herewith please find a copy of a submission I have made to The Minister for Communications and the Arts, and The Minister for Tourism The Hon. Michael Lee MP concerning an increase in fees for Amateur Radio Licence holders. I have also circulated this information to all members of your Transport, Communications and the Arts Committee. I ask that you read this submission before any final decision is made on the matter of increased charges. I take issue with a recent Press Release issued by the Opposition Shadow Minister in which he stated that "proper Consultation" had not taken place. Indeed it seems that some Consultation did take place....It was unfortunately with persons from our Federal body who perhaps lacked the necessary drive and application to influence any outcome. Your attention is particularly drawn to the final paragraph of our letter to The Minister where we suggest that the Administration of the Licencing system be handed over to The Wireless Institute of Australia. Currently our Organisation conducts qualification examinations. This function was formerly under the care of the old Department of Communications. If you are in need of any further information on this subject I would be only too pleased to provide any answers you may require. Please contact me on my home telephone number (02) 626 9288 or by Fax on (02) 626 6066. Yours Sincerely Michael B. Corbin PRESIDENT Encl. ------------------------------------------ VK2 LETTER TO MICHAEL LEE RE: FEES (WIA letterhead) 30 January, 1995 The Hon. Mr Michael Lee MP, Minister for Transport, Communications and the Arts, and Minister for Tourism. P.O. Box 525, The Entrance NSW 2261. Mr. Minister, RE: SUBMISSION CONCERNING THE PROPOSAL TO INCREASE FEES FOR RADIO AMATEUR LICENSES. I am taking the opportunity that has been provided, to send to you a submission concerning the proposed level of fees to be incurred by Radio Amateurs in the future. In this regard it is appropriate to note that this submission is a reflection of considerable dissatisfaction expressed to me by many members of the Wireless Institute of Australia New South Wales Division. The attached statement has been prepared by a small committee of members and chaired by one of the Councillors of the Division. It is noteworthy that the committee has had access to virtually all of the membership of the Institute in this State via the Amateur computer based "Packet Radio" network. In this regard some hundreds of messages concerning the proposed fees scale have been available for perusal and reference. The salient points of this statement are as follows: 1. The revenue already collected by the Spectrum Management Agency from the licensing of operators of radio equipment apparently exceeds the costs of administration of the "Spectrum" in the ratio 2 to 1. 2. On the basis of long-standing international treaty concerning the exclusive use of certain parts of the spectrum, the concept of "spectrum denial" is seen as irrelevant to the allocation of space to the Radio Amateur service. 3. Unlike commercial users and Citizen Band Operators, Amateur Radio operators are prevented by the terms of their licenses, based upon international agreement, from recovering any of the cost of their license fee for use of the "spectrum". The U.H.F. segment of the Citizen Band is used extensively for "Business Purposes"....Hardly equitable when one compares the costs of licenses to each group. 4. Late last year, the Spectrum Management Agency elected to forego license revenue from Citizen Band operators amounting to nearly $6.4 million dollars. By contrast the proposed increase in Amateur Radio operators license fees will amount to approximately 5% of the possible total revenue available from licensing all Citizen Band operators. This is seen as both irrational and inequitable. 5. There are major community benefits deriving from Amateur Radio activity, particularly associated with emergency support services. In l955 my late father, the then President of the W.I.A. N.S.W. Division, was awarded the M.B.E. This was in recognition of the work done by Amateur Radio operators during the floods which ravaged most of N.S.W. Amateur Radio operators ran the entire rescue operation. More recently your attention is drawn to the Cyclone Tracy Disaster....The Newcastle Earthquake....Certificates of appreciation from the Lord Mayor of Newcastle adorn many amateur radio operators walls. More recently the N.S.W. Bushfire of 1994. An amateur operator ran the Helicopter Water Bombing Network....The S.E.S. Communication system had broken down....and all this was at NO COST to the community. 6. Amateur Radio provides a basis for obtaining an education and practical experience in radio and telecommunications, computing, data communications and processing and satellite technology at little cost to the Government. 7. In some countries overseas including the United States, Amateur Radio is considered to be of sufficient significance as to justify the abolition of licensing fees. In the U.S.A. Amateurs have a 10 year license which attracts a fee for issue to cover costs but otherwise is "free". 8. The abolition of license fees may well be justified on the basis of further devolution of administrative responsibilities such as licensing and fees collection to the Wireless Institute of Australia. This is the position with many professional Institutions in all the States. Presently the examination of candidates for Amateur Certificates, a function handled exclusively by the SMA in the past, is carried out successfully by the Wireless Institute of Australia. 9. Given the Public benefits accruing from the Amateur Radio service, any form of tax as an addition to the existing license fee is seen as totally unjustified and is strongly resisted. I trust that this precis, when read in conjunction with the full statement, will make quite clear the position of this Division of the that the present proposals for fees increases are certainly not justified. Indeed what is suggested as a more appropriate direction to be taking is towards devolution of administrative responsibility from the SMA to the WIA and an abolition of the fee imposed upon Radio Amateurs. To this end could we propose an urgent meeting with representatives of your department with a view to discussion of possible devolvement of license issue and administration to the Wireless Institute. We believe that such a solution will greatly reduce costs to the Government and achieve a mutually acceptable solution. Yours faithfully, MICHAEL B. CORBIN, VK2PFQ PRESIDENT. c.c. The Hon Paul Keating MP, Prime Minister of Australia, All members of the Transport Communications and the Arts Cttee. Encl. --------------------------------------- VK2 SUBMISSION TO GOVT PROP NEW FEES SUBMISSION TO THE SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT AGENCY CONCERNING THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN LICENSING FEES FOR RADIO AMATEURS PREPARED BY THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA (NSW DIVISION), FEES SUB-COMMITTEE PETER R JENSEN, VK2AQJ, (CHAIRMAN) CESAR MIRANDA, VK2TCM DAVID HORSFALL, VK2KFU RICHARD MURNANE, VK2SKY January 1995 INTRODUCTION Since the very earliest days of radio, Amateur operators have been involved in generating some of the most important technical advances in the science of radio commuication. However with the extraordinary advances in technology over the last twenty years in particular, the significance of the individual in promoting new techniques has inevitably diminished, particularly in the face of research carried out by the major industrial organisations, most notably in America and Japan. In that same period, Australia's research efforts in the area of radio commuication and development have been severely attenuated. Conversely, during that same period the involvement of Amateur Radio operators with volunteer citizen emergency response type groups has significantly expanded. From its earliest days of convict settlement, Australia has had a long history of depending on unpaid and volunteer organisations for some of its most important emergency functions. For example the Bushfire Brigades and the State Emergency Service represent just two. In times of natural disaster, on many occasions, both in this country and overseas, communications has only been possible throught channels provided by unpaid Amateurs. The Radio Amateur service remains a national resource not only for dealing with natural disaster but also as a repository of technically competent persons available as a source of operators for military and quasi-military purposes. In addition, the impact of communications technology on the youth of Australia has over the years directed many capable persons into the path of science and very much to the national advantage. THE LESSONS OF HISTORY During the 1930's, Adolf Hitler decided that such dangerously free-thinking organisations as the German Radio Amateur clubs were a danger to the intended thousand year Reich. Accordingly, he had them systematically closed down in favour of amateur flying and gliding clubs which ultimately became the genesis of the Luftwaffe. By contrast, the United Kingdom continued to support its radio amateur community until the start of the Second World War. Upon its outhbreak, many of the British radio amateurs were taken into the forces as signallers but perhaps even more importantly, many of them were absorbed into military related scientific research in newly developing areas such as RDF of Radar as it was later to be known, with extraordinary consequences for the result of the hostilities. As the war proceded, it became apparent that the Germans had lost a major opportunity to involve technically relevant people in the nation's scientific effort. It was a loss, it has been contended, that made a significant impact on the outcome of the War. In his fascinating book, "Most Secret War", the noted British Scientist, Professor R.V. Jones, pointed to the disastrous consequences to the German war effort of the decision by Hitler to disband the Radio Amateur clubs and inhibit radio communication activity in the pre-War period. The conclusion to be drawn from these events seems clear. This is that the activities of Radio Amateurs are far from trivial or to be seen as simply a burden on the Public purse. On the contrary, they involve activities with a national strategic significance and represent a resource of major value in time of emergency. GOVERNMENT OBJECTIVES It has been asserted by the Spectrum Management Agency that the objective of its review of objectives and the proposed revised licensing fee to Radio Amateurs that has resulted, is directed at producing a "revenue neutral" result. However upon close reading it seems quite clear that in 1995 the introduction of a new tax associated with spectrum usage is based on a fundamentally changed perception of what the Radio Amateur service involves as compared with earlier Government attitudes. One has the impression that now the radio amateur service is seen as not so much a national resource but as an accessible group of dilettante hobbyists, readily susceptible to a new form of tax. If this is a correct perception of the attitude currently motivating the Agency, this can only be seen as rather ironic given the inclusion of at least one of the objectives of the legislation to support organisations with a public service function. In an economically rational time, it is not surprising that the Government should seek to expand the revenues from what appears to be already a generally profitable area of activity: The use of the radio frequency spectrum. One should scarcely be surprised at such an attitude, for it has prevailed in Government from the very start of radio in 1895. However, over the intervening years, the technological resource and value to the public of radio amateur activity, has generally been recognised through the maintenance of very low fees as compared with commercial operators and as related to the administrative responsibilities of the Government. It is noteworthy that, as a result of transfer of responsibility for setting and marking of exams to the Wireless Institute of Australia, even the expense of administering that part of the radio frequency spectrum which is inhabited by radio amateurs, has significantly reduced in recent years. An inspection of the material contained in the Spectrum Management Agency's year book reveals the range of objectives adopted with regard to the radio frequency spectrum. A significant objective remains that of acknowledging the public benefit of communication endeavours by citizen volunteer organisations and more importantly in providing support of such organisations either by direct subsidy or other less obvious incentive. In this context it is appropriate to recall that the resource provided by radio amateurs involves technical expertise confirmed by examination and the supply of equipment associated with the communication urge is provided entirely at expense and volition of the individual. THE COMPONENTS OF THE LICENSE FEE PROPOSED When one looks at the process by which the Spectrum Management Agency have reached the current fee level proposed, it is apparent that there are altogether three components. The first two, roughly speaking, equate with the cost of providing the service that is already given by the Agency. These two components are firstly involved with regulation and management of the spectrum as used by amateurs and secondly, a component to offset the general cost of running of the Agency. With regard to these two components, it appears that the costs sought to be offset are in reality already significantly exceeded by revenues obtained from license fees. As revealed in a study by the Bureau of Transport and Communications Economics prepared in 1990, in the period 1987-88, the predecessor of the Spectrum Management Agency, the Department of Transport and Communications, incurred costs totalling some $20.4 million and in the same period obtained revenue through licensing of some $44.2 million: Scarcely a "revenue neutral" result one would think. In this context, it appears to us that there is no reason to expect that the trends revealed in the study adverted to will be reversed, even given the effluxion of time between 1988 and the present. This would seem to particularly the case when one considers the extent to which the devolution of administrative procedures to the Wireless Insititute of Australia must have reduced the costs of operating the SMA in that same period. As compared with earlier arrangements particularly in the post-Second World War period, what appears to be significantly different and new, in the propossed license fee, is the component that has been added, which one could describe quite simply as a tax associated with use of the spectrum. In this context it is important to draw a distinction between the use of the radio frequency spectrum by commercial operators where profit is the ultimate ambition and that of other users with an entirely non-profit basis. Such users are the public service groups (the Bushfire Brigade, etc.) and radio amateurs. The general motivation of this last group could be described as involving intellectual curiosity on the one hand, and an urge to communicate on the other. It is rather unfortunate that these two issues tend to be coupled together and then dismissed as being merely associated with a hobby. Such motivations, it is contended, remain of vital significance to the national benefit. In this respect, the imposition of a tax on an activity that is erroneously seen as merely involving a self-serving activity, is clearly undesirable. There is an inevitable danger in expanding the present level of fees to the extent proposed, that those who are not firmly committed to the experimental or emergency service aspects of the activity or have the financial resources to support their interest, will simply make use of the Citizen Band service which is no longer subject to a license fee. In this regard it is considered somewhat ironic that the tax generated by radio amateurs, to be seen as persons with a real public utility in times of emergency, can now be related to the decision to set aside the taxation opportunities generated by an activity which is truly selfish in complexion, the Citizen Band. Not insignificant in this comparison is the extent of total fees available from the CB service and the capacity for significant growth that taxing this service would achieve given the overall numbers of persons susceptible to such a charge. The Wireless Institute has become aware that in October 1994, the Spectrum Management Agency decided to terminate annual license fees obtained from Citizen Band operators: In this process an annual revenue of nearly $6.5 million was foregone. Indeed, given the estimate that perhaps only half of the CB operators are properly licensed, this revenue may well be closer to $12 million on an annual basis. By contrast the proposed doubling of license fees of Radio Amateurs will produce approximately 5% of the lost revenue with all the attendant disbenefits to Amateurs ignored. In this general context, it is considered quite significant that currently the CB service is used extensively by commercial operators for the purpose of profit. This is to be contrasted with the position of radio amateurs who operate on a non-profit basis. Further this situation is enshrined in the regulations controlling their activity. Evidently, on this basis there is no opportunity for cost recovery of any charge or tax associated with the use of the radio frequency spectrum by radio amateurs. Again, given the public service implications of the radio amateur service, this is seen as being quite inequitable. PUBLIC BENEFIT Although it has already been conceded that in recent years there has been a diminution in the extent to which radio amateurs involve themselves in primary research associated with the radio frequency spectrum, nevertheless this does not diminish the quality of the intellectual resource provided by radio amateurs as a group. In this regard, it is significant that specific areas of activity by radio amateurs still constitute important "front lines" to the urge for technical change. The facility at Dural in New South Wales represents just such a centre associated with communication technology, which could be seen as important to the longer term future of communication in Australia. Other activities that spring to mind as relevant are the efforts of the Gladesville amateurs who employ broadcast television on a consistent basis for teaching purposes. In addition, the emergence of computer based message sending as provided by the Packet system are considered of extreme significance to the long term development of the so-called, "Information super- highway". In relation to the educational thrust adverted to earlier, the involvement of radio amateurs on an annual basis with young people involved in the Scouting movement and known as the Jamboree of the Air (JOTA), remains an important means of exposing impressionable young minds to the fascination and excitement of modern communication technology. INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS It is essential in any consideration of licensing fees to recall that Radio Amateurs do not operate in an isolated Australian vacuum. On the contrary, on the basis of long established international treaty, Amateur activity is confined to limited segments of the radio frequency spectrum which match the allocation of Radio Amateurs in most countrys which permit this form of operation. On this basis, the concept of "denial of the radio frequency spectrum to other users" is simply irrelevant. By definition and by international agreement, the Radio Amateur bands are unavailable rather than denied in the sense of precluding the derivation of some form of economic rent as can be the case with a commercial or other form of operator. While clearly the issue that has prompted this submission is specifically Australian in its complexion, it is appropriate to recall that the amateur radio activity is global in its scope. For this reason, it is possible to examine the operations of radio amateurs in other parts of the World and compare what they are doing with what is proposed for Australia. We consider it as entirely relevant to note that in the United States, where similar concerns for cost recovery by Government have operated over the years, in the ultimate radio amateurs in that country no longer are burdened with any form of license fee. The clear implication of this situation is that, in the United States, the public benefit available in having a strong resource of technically adept and motivated persons is seen as far outweighing the general cost burden of managing the activities of such a group. In this context it is perhaps relevant to note that, in the main, the management responsibilities of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), have been transferred to the American Radio Relay League in a comparable fashion to the devolution of the responsibility for examinations as it has occurred in Australia. What does not appear to have been an issue in America is the public benefit of a strong and well supported amateur radio service. By contrast, in Australia the proposed imposition of the new spectrum user tax on amateurs suggests that the activity is seen as purely self-serving and in the same general arena as social golf. It appears that the Americans take a far more enlightened approach to the benefits of having individuals increase their scientific and technical knowledge by self-help and an examination process, than appears to be the case in Australia currently. PROPOSAL As outlined in this submission, it is clear enough that over the years radio amateurs have provided an extremely important source of trained and motivated persons useful to the needs of the public community in times of emergency and also in time of war. While it is conceded that technical change has made less pressing some of the advantages of access to such persons as compared perhaps, with the 1940's, nevertheless as demonstrated by recent cataclysmic events such as Cyclone Tracey and the Newcastle earthquake, there remains an important place for individuals to provide independent amateur communication services. In this respect it is relevant that a substantial number of radio amateurs, numbered in thousands, provide significant communication services to such public organisations as the State Emergency Service and the Bushfire Brigades. This group is identified by the acronym WICEN, which stands for the Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network. The activities of this group were most notably demonstrated in the recent bushfire emergency in New South Wales and their efforts were universally acknowledged after the event. Beyond that, the significant success of the amateur service communication network as compared with the Government sponsored communication systems, has lead to a radical change of technology in New South Wales in the last six months. This suggests that the Radio Amateur remains an important resource in a practical and theoretical sense in much the same way as was the case 40 and 50 years ago. Examination of the objectives of the SMA coupled with the most recent proposals for increases to license fees suggests that the salient difference between what is now proposed and what has existed previously, is the imposition of a tax. This proposed tax assumes that the use of the spectrum is entirely a self-serving activity with effectively no public interest benefit as compared with what appears to have been perceived by legislators and motivated them in previous times. It is submitted that the Radio Amateur Service continues to provide facilities and an important public resource at its own expense, based upon education obtained in its own time and at its own volition. Such a service should not have imposed upon it a tax the sole purpose of which is raising additional Government revenue. This is more particularly the case, given the decision to surrender a revenue approximately ten times that currently available from the Radio Amateurs in the form of the licensing fees previously obtained from the Citizens Band Operators. Given the American example referred to, we consider that there is a very strong argument to support the proposition that there should be no license fee imposed upon Radio Amateurs and the cost of administration should be born by the Public at large. ---------------------------------- Dural Report Here again is another report on activities at the Dural broadcast station. The Dural Engineering team is looking upwards, with plans for a re- peater on 13cm, and beacons on 13cm, 9cm, 6cm and 3cm; as the saying goes: "Use them or lose them", and any assistance in these areas will be welcome. Also on the burner are a "Spread Spectrum" beacon on UHF and a "coherent CW" (CCW) beacon on HF, to encourage experi- mentation on these modes. The 23cm repeater has been overhauled, but according to reports on the callbacks there would still appear to be a fault in the antenna system; this will be looked at when a "working bee" has been arranged to inspect all antenna systems here at Dural. The 2m/70cm repeater controller has been placed back in service following an extended "grease and oil change", but some problems still remain, possibly as a result of the vandalism it suffered last year. The 2m SSB service will soon be back on air, and should a suitable 6m transceiver become available then this service can also be re- stored. A transceiver has been obtained which will be put to use as a 10m FM simplex outlet, for which we would like to thank Peter VK2EMU; equipment for a 10m repeater is also being obtained. Finally, although our half-kilowatt AM transmitters on 160m, 80m and 40m are assured of a steady diet of "810" modulators and finals, their supply of "807" drivers is drying up, so if anyone can supply these, along with bleeder resistors for AWA J54-800 transmitters, then could they please contact the Dural Engineering team. -- Dave VK2KFU, Dural Engineer MIR & Shuttle visible passes from Sydney Robin Gandevia VK2VN tells us that both the Russian Space Station, Mir, and the Space Shuttle Discovery, will be visible (weather permitting) over Sydney in the next few days. What is specially exciting about this event is that Discovery will be following MIR, in a rehearsal for a docking planned for later this year. The Shuttle and Mir will be separated by between a few hundred metres and eight kilometres. The passes are from the south west to the north east. In these passes, the spacecraft will fall into the earth's shadow of the sun over a 5 to 10 second period. The two should be relatively bright, however viewing on Monday is doubtful as the sun will not have set for long. But I have included the times in view of this unique event. When overhead, perhaps listen to 145.550 MHz -- the amateur radio frequency used by both spacecraft. The following are the UTC times. These should be accurate providing no manoeuvre is carried out in the meantime (that is apparently unlikely, but watch for STS-63 bulletins). Today Time (UTC) Azimuth Elevation RISE 10:13 245 2 (Highest) 10:17 310 18 Shadow 10:18:30 340 14 Monday (if visible) RISE 09:17 235 7 (Highest) 09:21 320 45 Shadow 09:25 030 4 The satellites will probably not be visible until they are at least 10 degrees above the horizon. Allow yourself at least several minutes to adjust to the light, and get your bearings. The "highest" time given is when the satellites will be at their highest elevation, which is as close as they will get to Randwick in Sydney. The satellites will be orbiting at a height of 400 kms. Elevation can be deceptive -- it is often higher than you think. They should be like bright stars, though brilliance can vary significantly during a pass. Robin says he's found that those most fascinated to see a "spaceship with men in it" are the totally non-technical, and he suggests you inform your non-amateur friends about it. Users of Robin's popular Ham Log program are advertised that he will be at the Wyong Field Day on 26th February, and will be distributing free updates to Ham Log's DXCC and prefix databases. Just bring along a disk, and Robin will copy the files for you. --Robin Gandevia VK2VN Help wanted An American Amateur, who has a friend on an exchange student basis, presently in Mullumbimby, would like to contact someone with whom he could arrange a sked for the time this student is in Australia. Anyone willing to provide this service, could you please call the Division on our toll free number tomorrow, Monday on 1-800-817644, or call the Broadcast Officer, Michael Corbin, VK2PFQ on 02 626 9288. ********************************* Help needed, please! Bob Yorston, VK2CAN, is desperately in need of a service manual, for an Icom IC12GE or IC12GAT transceiver. Icom, for various reasons, cannot oblige. If anyone has access to such a manual, Bob would be quite prepared either to purchase it, or else to cover the cost of photocopying and postage. Alternatively, rumour has it that there are some places in the United States which handle such things. Can anyone please help with information such as an address? Bob can be contacted QTHR, or on 02-416-3727. *********************************** Help available Remember those Plessey 12A LNCs which were available at the last Trash & Treasure? They will be on sale again at Wyong, $5 each -- personal shoppers only, no limit. Should you require any technical information, how to pull them apart, circuit diagrams, etc., contact Bob Yorston QTHR or phone 02 416 3727. ************************************* Magazine Roundup Here again is a summary of the local magazines, which in the author's opinion could be of interest to Amateurs. This week we discuss the February issues of the various magazines. "Electronics Australia" completes their story on pioneer Archie Cas- well; builds a solid-state audio recorder and a simple function gen- erator; completes a stereo TV sound receiver; and plays games with a "4060" binary counter. "Silicon Chip" builds a six-channel thermometer and an oil-change timer, and continues a series on remote-control receivers. "Amateur Radio" describes a simple way of constructing PCB circuits; builds a half-watt transmitter from a CMOS octal buffer; shows a simple replacement for lithium backup batteries; continues their series on repeater cavities and the tuning thereof; and presents some circuits for the Curtis 8044ABM CW keyer chip. "Amateur Radio Action" discusses whether Morse Code has a place in Amateur Radio; builds an Australian-designed packet radio TNC; and continues their series on weather satellites and remote imaging. Be listening next month for another summary of the local magazines. -- Dave VK2KFU News briefs A small company in Princeton, New Jersey, has developed what may turn out to be the "next wave" of hydroelectric innovations. Ocean Power Technologies has produced a piezoelectric polymer sheet which it hopes will be used to generate electricity from ocean waves. The idea is to anchor the sheets to the ocean floor, attaching the other end to a float on the surface. As the sheet stretches with passing waves, a DC current is generated, through the well-known piezoelectric effect. The sheets are made of a material called polyvinylidene fluoride (a cousin of PVC); where the system will score over other wave generation systems is that apart from the sheets, there are no moving parts, and nothing to corrode in the sea water. Eventually, hydropiezoelectricity (or HPE) could be used to generate electricity for the mational grid, for as little as 3 cents per kilowatt-hour. The company (one of whose founders hails from Parth, WA) is currently negotiating with potential partners in Australia, Japan, and Malaysia. *** "News Briefs" looks at communications news items that appear in the mainstream media. Thanks this week go to "The Sydney Morning Herald". If your local or regional paper runs an item of interest to Radio Amateurs, why not send a clipping to the Divisional Office? --Richard Murnane VK2SKY WICEN News The major event this month is the Central Coast Amateur Radio Club Field Day, at Wyong Racecourse, on Sunday 26th February. As usual there will be a WICEN stall next to the Caravan, and people, in uniform, are requested to help staff it for an hour or two from 1000 to about 1500; this is an important "PR" exercise, as we sign up many new members at this event. Please contact Alan VK2YYJ if you can help, during tbe day on (02) 839-1388, or via packet radio at VK2CZR; members will recall that Alan has run several such shows, and we hope he will receive all assistance this year. Events next month include the "RTA Big NSW Bike Ride" from the 4th to the 11th of March, and the annual Bungonia Cave Rescue on the weekend of 18th-19th March; there will be further information in a later broadcast. A major event in April is the Oberon Car Rally on 29th April, and about 20 people are required; please contact Alan VK2YYJ via packet radio at VK2CZR, or at work on (02) 839-1388. WICEN is always looking for members to provide the community with communications assistance. Write to WICEN (NSW) Inc, PO Box 123, St Leonards 2065 for further information, or come up on one of the WICEN nets: Blue Mountains on the first Monday of each month at 8.30pm on channel 7175 simplex, Hunter each Wednesday at 7.30pm on channel 6900, Northern Rivers each Wednesday at 8pm around 3610 kHz, Central Coast each Thursday at 8.30pm on channel 7125, and Sydney each Thursday at 9.30pm on channels 7150/8275. If there are any other regular nets then we'd like to hear about them. -- Dave VK2KFU, WICEN (NSW) Inc. Publicity Officer Central Coast Field Day The famous CENTRAL COAST FIELD DAY" is now just three weeks away. If you have neer previously been to a Central Coast Field Day, then you don't know what you have missed. The Central Coast Field Day is probably the largest event of its kind in the Southern hemisphere, more than 2,000 people regularly attend. Apart from the trading of truckloads of new and second hand equip- ment, the Field Day provides for interesting lectures and workshops on topical subjects. At this year's Field Day, there will be lectures on the latest developments in Packet Radio, amateur television, and technical product presentations by amateur equipment manufacturers. One of the most popular workshops for the past few years has been Lyall Patterson's Microwave experimentation and publicity bout his recent 10 GHz "Moon Bounce" has spread throughout the world. Lyall's Microwave Workshop will be packed out this year, so you better be early for that one. The 1995 Field Day is being held at Wyong Race Course, a 5 minute walk from Wyong Railway Station. Two entry gates will be in operation this year to avoid the traffic congestion that has occurred in the past. Gates will not open until 8.30 a.m., and this includes entry for Flea Market traders. Further enquiries concerning the Field day can be directed to the Field Day Committee, Box 252, Gosford, NSW, 2250. Telephone enquiries can be made by phoning (048) 40 2500, or via Packet to VK2AFY @ VK2EHQ. We hope to see you at the CENTRAL COAST FIELD DAY in three weeks time, on 26th February. --Bob Fitzgerald, VK2XRF CCARC Publicity Officer CLUB NEWS -Chifley ARC- Do you want to have your own Amateur Radio licence? The Chifley Amateur Radio Club is conducting classes for the amateur radio licence. They will cover Morse Code, Theory, and regulations, for the amateur radio licence. Classes start on Wednesday 8th February 1995. The classes are on every Wednesday night at 7-30 pm. The address is: Good Shepherd School Hall, Hyatts Road, Plumpton. 100 metres south of Jersey Road. Opposite the new shopping centre building (Plumpton Markets). Postal address: Chifley Amateur Radio Club Post Box 280 Mount Druitt 2770 Telephone number: 671-6992 or 637-2226 Once you have your Amateur radio licence, we will then show you how to connect your home computer to your radio and talk to the world using your computer. Using any one of the many DIGITAL modes is a fascinating way to use your radio and computer. Come along to our club rooms any Saturday afternoon and have a talk to any of any of our members for more information or come along on Wednesday night 8th Feb at 7-30 pm. Visitors are always welcome. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Bi-Monthly General Meeting On 11th February the Chifley Amateur Radio Club will be holding its bi-monthly general meeting, at the club rooms starting at 1-30 pm. At this meeting the members are able to ask the committee questions on operation of the club. At these meetings the committee ask the members for feedback on various topics in relation to the club. ------------------------------------------------------------------ The Chifley Amateur Radio Club holds meetings EVERY Saturday afternoon from 1-30 pm to 4-00 pm. These meetings are held for the members and their friends to come along and talk about any amateur radio, computer, related subject, or just to have a cuppa and chat with some friends. So come along any Saturday afternoon and meet some of the members of the Chifley Amateur Radio Club. You will be welcome. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Classes start on 8th February at 7-30 pm General meeting on 11th February at 1-30 pm from the Chifley Amateur Radio Club Inc. Publicity Officer: Ray Sparks VK2FKO ------------------------------------------------------------------- VK2WI Broadcast, 29th January 1995. Copyright 1995 WIA (NSW) & contributors. Material may be used elsewhere if the source is acknowledged. CLUB NEWS -AATVC- Australian Amateur Television Club Inc. The next meeting of the A.A.T.C. Inc. will be on February 12th 1995 to be held Radio House - Wigram St Parramatta - 1.00 pm. The meeting will outline the objectives for the Wyong Field Day and input from members is expected regarding the display. A technical overview will be given about the new CPU controlled repeater about to come on line plus other technical directions. Anyone interested in ATV is welcome to attend for general information about ATV. For more information about ATV - contact the Publicity Officer on (02) 587-3491 between 4.00 pm and 10.00 pm Monday to Fridays. Remember the Wyong Field Day is only 3 weeks away - see us there !! AATC Inc. Publicity Officer Bob Barnes VJ2R Coming events Now, a summary of upcoming events of interest to members and other Radio Amateurs and Short Wave Listeners ... Please note that the Divisional Office will be closed this month; however, you can still call us, as the phone has been redirected to a duty Councillor. SPARC meeting at new club room, North Sydney . . . . . . . Today Chifley ARC classes begin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wednesday Chifley ARC general meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Saturday AATC meeting at Parramatta . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 February Hunter WICEN meeting (Pauline VK2GTB). . . . . . . . 20 February Central Coast ARC Field Day at Wyong . . . . . . . . 26 February Proposed new Amateur Licence fees come into effect . . . 1 March RTA Big NSW Bike Ride (WICEN). . . . . . . . . . . . .4-11 March Daylight Saving Time ends. . . . . . . . . . . . 5 March (check) Signals Reunion at Wagga Wagga . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 March Bungonia Cave Rescue exercise (WICEN-Mark VK2XGK). . 18-19 March Hunter WICEN meeting (Pauline VK2TGB). . . . . . . . . .20 March Divisional Trash and Treasure Sale . . . . . . . . . . .28 March Easter Monday public holiday . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 April If you have an event you'd like publicised on the weekly broad- cast, then please send details to the Divisional Broadcast Officer, Michael Corbin VK2PFQ, by phone on (02) 626-9288, or by fax on (02) 626-6066.Items can also be forwarded to the Divisional Office before close of business on the Friday before the broad- cast. ------------------------------------------------------------------ VK2WI Broadcast, 5th February 1995. Copyright 1995 WIA (NSW) & contributors. Material may be used elsewhere if the source is acknowledged.