Callsign wars: How ACMA develops VK amateur callsign policy

Amateurs in Australia can't organise to save themselves. ACMA is often trying to make sense of conflicting recommendations from those who claim to represent VK amateurs. What impact does this disunity have on callsign policy? Watch the video to find out.

Also watch these videos for background:

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(Note: video produced March 2021, not 2020 as shown).

[dennisbauer]

Thank you Peter. From my view point, its only you and Ron Bertrand that have consistently done any thing positive for Amateur Radio in Australia.

[lexis]

A great report, I loved your themed last scene, made even better with the rain drop smudging your face!

[MatFarringtonInfo]

With respect to the Australian government neither RASA nor WIA meets the definition of a representative body. ACMA would have done well polling callsign holders directly.

[MidlifeRenaissanceMan]

Thanks mate for doing all this....so we don’t have to :-)

Cheers

[davidbrayshaw]

I've been away from the hobby for the last few years.
It's refreshing to know that little has changed with certain orgaisations that claim to represent the interests of Australian amateurs. Tuck shop politics and bickering still features highly. The relentless pursuit of minor matters and the ability to blow them out of all proportion is something some still excel at. Of course, at the same time, ignoring issues such as bringing Australian amateur rights into line with many of our foreign counterparts. And then there's the small issue of these so called representatives making Amateur radio look like amateur hour in the eyes of the ACMA.
It is still not difficult to see why 70% of amateurs choose not to financially support the endeavors of those that lay claim to representing "all amateurs".

[brianm]

Thanks Peter, very interesting and informative.

[Paul_VKHN]

What a rabble we are. My sympathies sit with the Scouts. Dib dib. Dob dob.

[josefcregan]

Thanks Peter for doing the hard yards in deciphering the disjointed set of data into a reasonable chronology... very much appreciated.

It distresses me somewhat to see some of the comments made by public servants as being very much less than professional.

The comment about "...an early release of and ACMA decision..." is definitely designed to ensure that an internal ACMA officer didn't get a kick in the pants.

The comments attributed to officers at the ACMA seem to confirm that they do not understand statistics but does confirm an ignorance just based on numbers and not study design.

They do however suggest that a decision was based on WIA data that was, to say the least, misleading.

[johnshutte]

It's happening again "Warring" between WIA and RASA over the ACMA Class License proposal. With RASA taking the modified Option C:"Class License" side (which is actually not on the table) and the WIA opting for Option A: "Stay as is approach" but with possible negotiation on a combined approach. We can only hope they can get together and have a united approach to this issue so it least looks like the Amateur Radio community wants the same thing. Only then might the ACMA change there minds and listen to us.

[vkact]

So... if AR in VK is to become classless? Does that now mean that foundation licensees can now hide behind three letter callsigns and pretend to be advanced calls and have advanced privileges? Don’t say they won’t because they WILL.
Ledges

[StuffForNerds]

What a cluster f$#%$. All this started because of Foundation Licensees receiving the privilege of using digital modes. I was against that from the start. And now we have 2 parties, neither of which represent what amateur radio operators really want squabbling over petty "wins".

[ammocraft]

So my takeaway from this is no-one is really representing us well, ACMA don't care about us, and we need to engage directly when we are passionate about something. Oh, and ACMA don't like Ministerials!

[williamwatkins]

why don't both sides get on working together. I am a foundation level amateur and am happy with what I have in frequencies. Both sides should sort out their issues and work together as you are both in the hobby to learn about the world of Amateur Radio or we may lose out on all the bands and be given to the commercial companies.

[jonnewman]

Why are AMC "consulted". They are paid to deliver a service.... that is all.

[xwithQSB]

Should we be supporting RASA ? I'm confused

[dennisbauer]

Could the WIA get together with RASA please and come to a solution. Or, who has got what to hide.

[mostlypostie]

Regardless of who is the most to blame for this disaster (they all played a part) - "scrapping call areas" (grouping VK1-8) is the stupidest thing I've ever heard in this hobby. If YOU are responsible for this, if YOU think this is a good idea, then YOU are the problem with Amateur Radio in Australia today. Go right ahead and destroy something that works perfectly as it is, and adds significant value, for no reason at all...