E v e n 5 / - a m e m b e
r a n n u a l l y w o u l d h a v
e b e e n f i n a n c i a l l y d i
f f i c u l t , b u t a t l e a s
t t h e l a r g e r d i v i s i o n
s would contribute a proportionate share, rather than the same
Charge per division, whate
size! Great must have been the relief when, at the Institute
Meeting of February 25th (1926) Mr.Stevens moved that :
we inform the Federal Executive that we are agreeable to paying
the sum of 6d per member to the Federal Council for expenses : also
that we appreciate the Victorian Division's action in donating
¦5 to help the smaller States pay their Convention Delegates'
expenses."
During the first half of 1926, various progress reports of The
Incorporation Committee were presented to Council, and at the Council
Meeting of Thursday July 8th, Mr.Narroway moved :
that a meeting of the Affiliated Radio Societies be called for
the 29th inst. to wind up all matters appertaining to Affiliation "
And at a Special Council Meeting of July 15th, Mr.Phipps moved :
That all clubs affiliated up to 30 / 7 / 26 & financial
be requested to attend a meeting for the purpose of finalising all
matters appertaining to the affiliation with the Institute. "
And at that meeting of " the 29th inst." between the Council of the
Wireless Institute and representatives of the Affiliated Radio
Societies, it was explained that :
as The Institute was becoming an Incorporated
Body, it was
debarred from affiliating kindred bodies."
The Treasurer reported a Balance of ¦7. 10. 10d. held as a
trust fund on behalf of the Institute & Affiliated Bodies.
Mr.Phipps moved that " these funds be equally disbursed between The
Institute and Affiliated Societies sitll in existance on
30/6./26, and actually taking part in the Exhibition (May1925)
namely The Wireless Institute, Subiaco Radio Society and Fremantle
Radio Society.(In the event of the Fremantle Society being
defunct,their portion to be equally divided between The Institute &
Subiaco).
So there it was! With one chop of the axe, the Affiliated
Societies were no more!
THE GENTLE GIANT HAD BECOME AN OGRE AGAIN!
or so it seemed. Actually, the idea of Incorporation sems to have
arisen during the Convention, the NSW Division already being
Incorporated.
Meetings of the affiliated societies had been fewer, and representation
less during the last year - as it happens, most of the Clubs had no
doubt performed (or failed to perform!) their function, and by now had
ceased to exist. So that the dissolution of The Committee of Affilated
Radio Societies was inevitable - it was just a question of WHEN?
and HOW? It was ironic that Mr.Phipps, who brought the attention of the
Institute to the fact that " a number of radio enthusiasts at Subiaco
were desirous of forming a club" in March 1923 (the first of the
affiliated clubs) should be the one to propose the meeting to abolish
the Affiliated Body.
SO WHAT DID THE AFFILIATED SOCIETIES ACHEIVE?
Firstly, The Committee of Affiliated Radio Societies acted as a
desparately - needed link between
The Institute and the various
Radio Clubs then in
existance, both within the Metropolitan area,
and in the "Country."
They dealt with a number of problems referred to them by
The
Wireless Institute.
They contributed to Education of the public in wireless ( radio )
matters through their broadcasts from 6WF, albeit for a relatively
short time, and
through the Exhibitions and Wireless Concerts
they
arranged.
They played a very important part in the organisation and success
of
the 2nd Convention of The Wireless Institute of Australia, held in
Perth W.A. from August 7th - 11th 1925.
- And they also introduced many to "the new
science" that would later
become "Listeners-in"( later "ShortWave Listeners SWLs), Radio
Technicians, and even RADIO AMATEURS!
LADIES IN RADIO (Western Australian style)
Although
Experimental Wireless / Amateur Radio has always been a male-dominated
hobby, there has occasionally been invasions from "the fair sex",
however short, successful or not!
Soon after the W.A.Radio Club was founded in 1913, it was decided to
advertise for "Correspondence " members - those interested in the new
art & science of wireless, but were unable to attend club meetings
because of the distance (from Perth) . One such member (April 1914) was
MRS PYM of Rottnest , her subscription fee was 2/6d per annum (compared
with 5/- for 'attending' members. During the war years, membership fees
were suspended, so it is not known if membership was maintained, but by
October 1923, L.PYM of Rottnest Island had a Receiving Only Licence
(Callsign 6AW) and in the same list appears (also with a Receiving Only
licence) was Miss C.Stevens of The District High School, Bunbury - with
Callsign of 6BF.
(was she a Student, or a Teacher ?) And why did those licenced
to "Receive only "
need a Callsign??
After all, apart from Shipping, and Coastal Station VIP at Applecross,
and perhaps a few experimental transmitters in Perth and near Country
areas, what was there to hear ? There was as yet no Broadcasting,
at least in Australia,
THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA.
SECOND CONVENTION
Held in Perth W.A.-August 7th to 8th 1925
minutes of the W.A.Division of the Institute tells little of
the event. However, an account is given in "The Western
Wireless" Vol.3. No. 48 of August 19th 1925 :-
"Well, the Conference is over, and we won't get another chance of
showing our hospitality to any more delegates for several years to come.
Of the Convention itself we know little, it having been held behind
closed doors, but from remarks made, it would appear as though it were
not without its successes and the agenda was certainly got
through in an expeditious manner. As to its outcome, we can say very
little, but it is understood an All Clubs Night is to be held, when the
conclusions of the Convention will be put before the members of the
Wireless Institute and Affiliated Societies. As to the attendant
functions to the Convention, they were a marked success, and the
visitors certainly had the time of their lives.
Mr.Ames of 5AV , the South Australian delegate , arrived on Wednesday
morning by the trans- train , and although arrangements were made to
meet him, owing to QRM from the passing public, he escaped without a
civic reception, but was later located by the artful 6BBBBBBBB -
who, working on shortwaves with a Benzine Buggy and a supercharged
direction finder , soon tracked him to his location.
The arrival of 2CX, 3LM and 7PF all together on Friday morning lent
a little more formality to the arrangements, and 6AM, 6AG, 6BN,
6BB, 6WP and a few others were there in force to greet the visitors.
After the preliminary handshakes, the "gang" moved off to the City
Hotel , whence 6BB had already departed with the aforementioned
vehicle, there to dine & rest for the afternoon's ordeal which was
before them.
The Convention met on Friday afternoon for the first time under the
direction of the Chairman of the Wireless Institute (Mr.B.M.Holt) .
The delegates present were:-
Mr.H.Stowe (New South Wales, & proxy Queensland)
Mr.B.J.Masters (Victoria)
Mr.P.O.Fysh (Tasmania)
Mr.Ames (South Australia) , and
Mr.Phipps (Proxy Queensland)
- Mr.J.C.W.Park acted as Secretary, and
Mr.Goldsmith as official reporter.
On Friday night, a visit was paid to 6AM (210,Walcott St.) from whence
a message was dispatched to His Majesty the King.
On Saturday, a stenuous Convention day took place, and sittings were
held in the morning, afternoon & evening.
Sunday was occupied with a visit to Mundaring Wier, some 15
cars with 50 passengers taking part. The weather was beautiful
and remained so throughout the day. Leaving the G.P.O. at 10am on
Sunday morning, a run through Kings Park was made, the cars then
leaving immediately for the weir. At 12noon, all the cars had assembled
at the weir, & lunch was partaken of at the Weir Hotel. The
afternoon was spent visiting the Weir,
No.1 Pumping Station and other beauty spots around. At 3.15pm the cars
left for a trip on the Forestry Department's roads, which extended some
18 miles around the head of the weir. The return journey was made
without incident, the cars being in town again by 6pm.
The visitors expressed gratitude at the action of the local "hams" and
were deeply impressed by the weir and its surroundings. Much praise is
due to the persons who kindly loaned cars on the occasion, to whom our
thanks cannot be profuse enough.
Monday was spent by a tour of Perth & a visit to the the University.
The Dinner on Monday night was the social event , and a good muster of
amateurs was there to partake of the goodly fare - they always are! The
dinner was an excellent one, and interspersed with toasts &
speeches, as it was, put everyone in good humour. 2CX, 3LM,
5AV & 7PF all made interesting speeches on the activities of the
Institute in their respective States. The Hon. Alex McCallum M.L.A in
responding to the toast of Parliament, wished the Institute every
success and spoke of the State Government's attitude towards wireless
in opening up a new country like W.A., especially when its population
was so scattered.
Mr.J.Thompson, Managing Director of the W.A.Farmers, proposed the toast
of the Institute & Affiliated Societies, and Mr.K66ennedy the
visiting delegates. Other toasts included 6WF, the Press, the Artists
and The Entertainment Committee. A good musical programme
provided much enjoyment, and Mr.C.Dudley as a ventriloquist also gave
occasion for much laughter. The evening closed at
about 11pm, with a hearty singing of
" God Save The King" and "Auld Lang Syne"
The remaining days were spent in further visits to Perth's beauty
spots, and 6AG, 6CJ, and 6BN were favoured with a visit from the
visiting delegates, who were entertained to dinner on Thursday at
Parliament House, and to a Theatre Party by the Westralian
Farmers Ltd. They departed on Thursday (except Mr.Ames) by
the trans-train, considerably impressed by W.A. and hoping to come
again soon. Mr.Ames , of South Australia, is still with us, enjoying a
holiday with his relatives before going back.
We trust that these Conventions will be kept up, and we hope to
see W.A. represented in Sydney at the next one.
( M r . A m e s w a s t
o r e t u r n b y t h e
t r a n s - t r a i n o n T h u r s d a
y 2 7 t h - T h
e m e e t i n g o f t h
e C o m m i t t e e o f A f f i l i
a t e d R a d i o S o c i e t i e s
, h e l d t h a t e v e n i n
g a t 6 W F i n W e l l
i n g t o n S t . c l o s e d a
t 8 . 4 0 p m s o t h a
t m e m b e r s c o u l d f a r e w
e l l the South Australian delegate at the Railway Station)
To get an idea of what happened AT the Convention, it is neccessary to
refer to the Official Report of the Conference. . .
.
Here is included a brief summary of events, and some comments:.-
OFFICIAL REPORT of THE SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF
THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE
OF AUSTRALIA.
Held in Perth , August
7th and 8th
1925.
†††††–
The delegates having been met at the Railway Station earlier that
morning on their arrival in Perth, assembled in the Conference Hall at
6WF at 2.30pm.
The notice calling the Convention was read. Delegates presented thcir
credentials, and the roll was called.
Altogether, the delegates sat for 5 sessions (Two on the Friday and
Three on the Saturday) with breaks for meals, and considered in all, 27
Agenda items, before embarking on the busy social programme arranged
for them by the Amateur fraternity of Western Australia .
Some of the Agenda items were passed over, as being outside the scope
of the Conference, and of those considered, a number were broken down
into sub-items, as indicated as appropriate later in the text.
The following were present :
Mr.Bernard M.Holt (in the Chair)
Mr.H.A.Stowe (N.S.W.)
Mr.B.Jermyn Masters (Victoria)
Mr.P.O.Fysh (Tasmania)
Mr.C.E.Ames (South Australia)
Mr.W.Phipps (proxy Queensland)
Mr.W.E.Coxon (Western Australia)
and Mr J.C.Park (Convention Secretary.
A message from Queensland was received appointing
Mr.Stowe a
proxy delegate with Mr.Phipps.
(Because they were President & Secretary of the W.A.division of the
Institute, Messrs. Holt and Park officiated in those positions at the
Convention)
Concluding his opening speech of welcome , Mr.Holt recounted:-
"Some years
, the old educationalists used to consider the three "R"s - reading,
writing, and 'rithmetic! sufficient, but modern day teachers have added
another "R" - now education is not complete without
a knowledge of reading, writing, 'rithmetic and Radio!
Mr.Stowe began : "I bring with me from my Division a suggestion that if
possible we should arrange to transmit per radio a message of loyalty
to the King of England and congratulatory messages to the Radio Society
of Great Britain, and to the President of the American Radio Ralay
League. Our division was keen that these should go through. Such an
action as this would tend to make the conference more prominent
before the eyes of those interested in the science. I WONDER IF WE
REALISE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS CONVENTION ? I think that we will find
afterwards that it will have far-reaching results: more far-reaching
than perhaps we realise.
- This request had obviously been anticipated (or mentioned previously)
as Mr.Phipps was able to reply : " If you wish to send these messages,
I have made arrangements with 6AM to send them this afternoon. He will
transmit them to 2HT."
In agreeing, Mr.Coxon stated (amid laughter!) . .
once started at this end, we would be finished with it. It would then
be left to others to sit up all hours of the night to finish it off !
(As it turned out, it was not until after 10pm that they were able to
go to 6AM - at 210, Walcott - for their messages to begin their
journey!)
As to the Agenda Items, ITEM 1 was concerned with the
" Allocation of wavebands for Experimental Use."
- There had obviously been considerable discussion in the Eastern
States between Mr.Malone (The Chief Manager of Wireless &
Telegraphs in Melbourne) as he was often quoted in discussions. For
example, Mr.Stowe began discussion here by stating : I interviewed
Mr.Malone on Monday & he said there is no possibility of getting
anything between 30 & 50 meters - that having been reserved for the
Beam Station. He said we could go ahead & recommend anything we
liked, but it would be of little use recommending
anything in that band. Mr.Masters volunteered that Mr.Malone had asked
the Victorian Division's recommendations, and they had given him the
list of what they wanted:-
250 - 125 meters; 95 - 85 meters; 47 - 42 meters or 37 - 32
meters
20 - 17 meters; 10 - 8.5 meters; 5 - 4 meters; 2.5 - 2 meters
&
below 1 meter.
- "we advised him to wait (until after the results of the Convention
were passed on to him) but he said he couldn't wait. In reply, he
informed us he could not put them into the regulations but on
application would grant permits for 6 months for certain bands"
He said that THEY (Victorian Amateurs) " wanted something below 8
meters, and proposed the range:-
250 - 125;95 - 85; 37 - 32; 23 - 21; 10 - 8; 5 - 4; 2.5 -
2; and below 1.
Mr.Fysh seconded the motion which was
carried.
(or approximately 1.2 - 2.4MHz, 3.15 - 3.5MHz,
8.1 - 9.375MHz,
13 - 14.3MHz, 30 - 37.5MHz, 60 - 75MHz, 120 -
150MHz and
above 300MHz. )
A further division of this Item (1A) "That each of the above bands
should be sub-divided into SIX EQUAL FREQUENCY BANDS, one of such to be
allotted to each of the divisions." As Mr.Masters explained:-
. . . At the present , if Victoria wants to work W.A. you
hunt all over the place & don't find anything, as W.A. may be
somewhere else. If we had a definite frequency band which we knew W.A.
would be working on, it would be simple to set the receivers and
provide an opportunity of picking up the stations we want.
After a lot of discussion, it was agreed to ammend the motion that the
subdivision of the wavebands apply to 37 - 32 and above.
Messrs Stowe, Ames, Fysh & Coxon voted for the motion, which was
carried.
ITEM 2. dealt with the Cost of Experimental Licences as against
Broadcast Listeners' Licences.
To add to the confusion, Mr.Ames said that "We asked Mr.Malone to
define "Experimenter." He replied " I am afraid I am unable to answer
your question to define a wireless experimenter especially in the
looseness of the language that is currently employed in describing
wireless activities."
Mr.Stowe was of the opinion that : there should be only two licences -
Broadcast and experimenters, the latter of course covering
transmitting.
Mr. Stevens observed : There is a feeling among clubs that as members'
experimental licences peter out, they take up B.C.L. and lose interest.
Clubs throughout the state have been sadly depleted. An experimental
licence should be something to aspire to and a holder should have a
status which could be looked up to. And again :" There are
a lot of young fellows in this State forming the backbone of the clubs,
which is different to the case in the East. " He went on to
suggest Two Grades of Experimental Licence : "A" grade granting the use
of fairly high power, and "B" which limited to 5watts the maximum power
to be used.
(This sounds familiar - shades of Fuil
Call & Novice ! )
Before deciding on this issue, delegates went on to discuss ITEM 3.-
"The elimination of exams for experimental receiving licences, these to
be granted at the discretion of the Radio Inspector : The continuance
of an examination for Transmitting Licences.
Mr.Stowe moved that "the present system of licences be altered, and
that two licences only be issued :
(1) For Broadcast Listeners
(2) For experimenters: which licence will
include transmitting.
Mr.Ames seconded, and the motion was carried.
Sub item 2A was moved by Mr.Phipps on behalf of the Queensland
division, who had asked "that free experimental licences for all
recognised radio clubs and divisions of the Institute be granted." In
moving the motion,
Mr.Phipps said :" I do not think it too much to ask. Even if granted,
it would not be used to the full extent, and yet it would materially
help those who were carrying out experiments, especially where finances
were low."
The motion was carried. However, ITEM 4, that "The Wireless Institute
have a say in the renewal of Experimental Licences" was withdrawn .
ITEM 6 referred to " the erection of Official WaveLength Stations
throughout the Commonwealth: such stations to have a certified
wavelength."Mr.Masters stated that N.S.W. was the only division which
has an accurate Wave Meter. It was moved that "each division be
requested to arrange a certain number of Official WaveLength Stations,
and that the divisions take steps to certify to these stations'
wavemeters." Mr.Stowe seconded the motion, with the
addition that "unification of standards be brought about as soon as
possible." And ITEM 6A sought power " to establish an official station
for inter-state traffic." Mr.Masters exclaimed that "this is a
thing that (the Victorian division) have been after for some years !
Under present regulations we are not allowed to transmit messages of
any kind unless in connection with a test. We want to be able to carry
out out interstate traffic by the medium of radio." He estimated that
the amount of money the Department would lose throughout the whole
Commonwealth would not amount to more that ¦1 a
year.
Mr.Coxon, in seconding the motion, mentioned that "we have been doing
this unofficially (
Tut tut!)
and if officially granted, would make for closer co-operation between
divisions. Anything urgent has to be telegraphed, but most of it goes
by letter and takes time to get around, especially to Queensland (!) It
would be a great advantage to have this opportunity of conducting
(Institute) business. A lot of it, even if permission were
granted, would still be done by letter."
Mr.Phipps reminded delegates that " You may remember that some
information came by letter & arrived after the last Convention was
finished. Occasions arise when emergency meetings must be
held in Melbourne, and divisions' opinions quickly sought."
This
motion was also carried.
Other decisions to be made by the delegates were the recommendation
that Australia adopt the Kilocycle rating, instead of the
WaveLength. , agitation to be started for definite watching times
for all International Experimental Stations .( Mr.Masters explained
that the idea for moving this comes about where an Australian
station is trying to communicate with some other nation. Our
(Victoria's) idea is that the I.A.R.U. be asked to settle definite
times for the various nations during which time they may be on the air
to communicate with other nations." )
And ESPERANTO was adopted as the Official International Language.
But the ITEM which took up the whole of the 3rd and most of the 4th
sessions was ITEM 13 (and various sub-sections) which dealt with :
"THE UNIFORMITY OF INSTITUTE'S RULES,
AND
THE FORMATION OF A FEDERAL EXECUTIVE.'
Mr.Masters : I WISH TO MOVE THAT WE IMMEDIATELY FORM A FEDERAL
EXECUTIVE OF THE WIRELESS
INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA. -
This, I believe,
is the main item of the Agenda paper.
He went on to explain : To form a Federal Executive, we must have
uniformity of the various constitutions of the states. As far as the
Federal Executive is concerned, I WOULD SUGGEST PRESIDENT, SECRETARY
and TREASUmRER, and A BOARD, to be comprised of One representative from
each division.
The scheme was taken broadly from the A.R.R.U. The executive
would do the routine work, and on matters of policy, each of the Board
members will be communicated with either by letter or telegram, and a
majority vote would decide.
He went on "we were thinking the President of each division would be a
ood man for the Board, but I think each division should make its own
decision.
As far as the constitutions are concerned, we can take the N.S.W. one,
on account of that one being the only incorporated body. .
. . broadly the suggestion of Victoria is that some
provision be made for Affiliated Club. When N.S.W. incorporated,
affiliated clubs were not then known. . . . our scheme is
that the affiliated clubs should have a Clubs' Council composed of 2
delegates from each of the various clubs. This body will have its own
Chairman & Officers, and will send 2 members to the Board of the
Institute. - this will give the clubs direct access to the
council of the division . (WAS VICTORIA CONTROLLED BY A BOARD , NOT A
COUNCIL? It certainly reads that way)
Each delegate then outlined the situation in their respective (or
proxied) States. Mr. Masters voiced the fear that "the affairs of
the amateurs were being run by those who were not experimenters, being
purely Broadcast Listeners) He gave an example of two clubs in
particular, with a membership of 150, of which 80% were BCLs - they
were afraid that they would eventually get the reins of government and
crowd out the man who should be a member of the Wireless Institute.
( What did Mr.Hol
think of that? - after all, he never had
an
Experimenters Licence, although
he did have a Listeners Licence! )
- Did Mr.Masters realise what he had said? Perhaps not!
Mr.Masters proposed :
That a Federal Executive be formed, consisting of PRESIDENT, SECRETARY
AND TREASURER as executive, and a BOARD comprising of One
representative from each division."
Mr.Stowe wondered if there shold be a postal ballot for Federal
Executive, and pointed out that "W.A. of course, ceases to be the
Federal centre at the end of the Convention" , whereupon Mr. Masters
further proposed
" that the executive officers be elected each year by the
Federal Convention and that all three officers should be resident
within one State."
Mr.Stowe having proposed that the meeting place of the next Convention
be considered, Mr.Masters moved that it be held in SYDNEY next
year, "about July." He went on :
Some of the Eastern States have been put to great expense in coming
over to hold the Convention in W.A. In Victoria, we feel we should take
it turn about - East & West. Furthermore, if we hold it in
Sydney next year, we may have a chance of bringing in
Queensland.
Mr.Malone said to me, "I dont care what you do else,
but put a bomb under Queensland!
To get Queensland to attend the next Convention would, I think, be very
desirable.
Discussion then turned to The Executive Body, and Mr.Stevens moved
"that the executive officers be appointed from the division in which
the following Convention is to be held. Mr. Masters (for Victoria)
spoke against. " - I feel I am at a
disadvantage in speaking for an interested State!
I feel that the executive officers should be at the seat of Federal
Government. For example, if the Federal Executive were in Perth and the
Government wanted a recommendation in a hurry, they could not get it
even within a fortnight, whereas on the East Coast we could get a
division vote in 24 hours." He then moved as an ammendment "that
the Federal Executive be at the seat of Government. At this
point, Mr.Stevens withdrew his
original motion.
NOMINATIONS FOR THE EXECUTIVE
followed.
Mr.Stowe nominated as President
Mr. Phil RENSHAW ,
the motion being supported by Mr.Masters
Mr.Stevens then nominated as Treasurer
Mr. STOWE.
Mr. Coxon observed that it would save expense if a member of the
Executive could be a delegate too : Mr.Stowe "thought that could be
arranged."
Mr. Masters moved that , this being the first election of the Federal
Executive, "the election of Secretary be left in the hands of Mr.Stowe,
in conjunction with the President, to be dealt with on his (Mr.Stowe's)
return to N.S.W. - it being no good nominating a man unless we know he
is willing to act!
Mr.Stowe expressed appreciation for the position given him, and gave an
assurance that he and Mr.Renshaw would do the best possible.
Because of Mr. Stowe's indication that he was under Doctor's orders
regarding work, he asked for power to transfer the Treasurership if he
was unable to continue.
Mr.Fysh accordingly moved
"that the Federal Council have the power to fill all vacancies occuring
on their executive."
The motion was seconded by Mr. Masters, and carried.
Mr.Stowe
moved
" that the constitution of the Federal Executive be drawn up by the
Federal Council, and be submitted to each state for ratification. "
To close the 3rd session, THE OFFICIAL ORGAN of t