Australian Four Wheel Drivers
Join Fight Against BPL
The VKS737 4WD HF Radio Network, joined the fight against
BPL last week, following the recent WIA news broadcast by Jim Linton,
VK3PC, highlighting the BPL industry's attack on interference protection
for so called `recreational radio services' and an approach from WIA Director,
Glen
Dunstan, VK4DU.
VKS737 are currently circulating their members with information about
the threat BPL poses to their activities, and encouraging their members
to lobby politicians on the issue.
The VKS737 network is used extensively for emergency communications
in remote areas, as well as serving the communications needs of outback
travellers. Their current membership is around 7,000 and they potentially
reach 250,000 Australian 4WD owners.
Many of their network base stations are in urban areas potentially affected
by BPL and VKS737 members are rightly concerned about the threat presented
to their HF communications. Their organisation is also associated with
the Australian Citizens Emergency Radio network, (ACREM), who provide
similar services on citizens band frequencies.
The WIA is discussing ways our organisations can assist each other in
the fight against BPL. Their Administration manager, Steve Johnston OAM,
is very keen to join forces with the WIA. Steve believes the strengths
of the WIA
lie in the high technical competency of amateurs and the WIA's excellent
relations with the ACA, as well as its influence on international bodies
such as the IARU and the ITU. We believe the strengths on the VKS737 group
lie in its large diverse membership with people from many walks of life,
and their political influence.
The fight against BPL can only be strengthened by the activities of
the VKS737 4WD Radio Network.
Source: Wireless
Institute of Australia
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