WIA at IARU Conference in Bali

The Wireless Institute of Australia has submitted a paper on its main activities to the IARU Region 3 Conference, held this month (October 12-16) in Bali Indonesia. The WIA conference delegate is Peter Young VK3MV, with Phil Wait VK2ASD the Observer. Both are funded through member subscriptions for international representation that includes this regional conference held every three years.

The WIA in its paper talks about major challenges faced that include future spectrum management arrangements proposed by a Department of Communications review. The WIA delivers some administrative functions on behalf of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) in the assessment and licensing area, and is ready for further roles that may arise.

On the issue of growth, the WIA has noticed a small but steady decline in membership and it’s asking other IARU member societies comment on the factors behind the situation. Very recently, Maker groups have started to form in high schools. In all cases the catalyst appears to be a teacher who has a personal interest in technology, particularly hobbyist electronics.

Again, the WIA believes this creates a future opportunity, if it can be coupled with licence and regulation reform. The WIA also has a representative, Dale Hughes VK1DSH, at the World Radiocommunications Conference in Geneva (November 2-27) that will consider a possible new secondary allocation around 5300 kHz, while sharing is sought between 77.5 and 78 GHz with short range vehicle radar systems.

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