Wow, the WIA Centenary callsign is red hot

The special callsign VK100WIA for the Centenary of Organised Amateur Radio in Australia and the foundation of the WIA, logged its first 1,000 contacts by Wednesday 19 May.

The callsign was launched by the WIA President Michael Owen VK3KI, next to operate was WIA Director Bob Bristow VK6POP and then WIA Centenary Committee member Jim Linton VK3PC.

The WIA had invited Amateur Radio Victoria to operate the callsign on its behalf last Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

A roster of four of its members, Keith Proctor VK3FT, Terry Murphy VK3UP, David McAuley VK3EW and Noel Ferguson VK3FI, did their best to keep up with the on air demand for contacts.

Another measure of worldwide interest in this special callsign is the 2,500 hits received for its listing on the qrz.com callsign database. There not only is the callsign purpose explained, but also details of the limited edition WIA Centenary Award can be found.

VK100WIA will be active from Australia's national capital, Canberra, during the WIA Centenary Convention 28 to 30 May. In June the WIA affiliated club's roster begins and runs until the end of October, with each club having a three-day operating slot.

(WIA Centenary Committee)

Wireless Institute of Australia