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Graeme Cant wrote: <Much snipping> ------------------)
For some reason I haven't received Simon's original postings on this topic. I also no longer have access to the correspondence and documents regarding the matters which Graeme and Simon have raised, so I could not be specific about dates. However the general history of gliding frequency can be summarized from memory, albeit one in which time is slowly having an effect. The first VHF frequencies for gliding were, as I understand things, negotiated by either Bill Riley or Tony Tabart in the 60's, and were in the higher half of the air band allocation as we know it. They were for radios using dedicated crystals for frequency generation and such radios probably had only provision for a few frequencies. (I think this was the day of the Pye Bantam). These initial allocations did not fall within the range of the new "synthesized" 100 channel radios which were starting to appear on the market, so a couple of new allocations in that range were negotiated, again as I recall by Bill or Tony. These were 122.7 MHz which would be used as the "chatter" channel (and thus it was, and still is), and 122.9 MHz which would be used as comp frequency, most usually for start and finish line operations. This frequency was also to be shared with parachute operations, which resulted in some conflicts at times. (Much later, the parachute people later migrated to a channel of their own - I think they got sick of us after we swapped channels at a Benalla nationals and made 122.9 the chatter frequency to "tick them off" - apparently it worked) Somewhere in my first circuit as Radio Ossifer, it was decided that gliding needed another frequency - this was, as I recall in the late 70's or early 80's. This was negotiated directly with DCA (or whatever they were at the time), and it was agreed that a third frequency would be granted for full time use but only for a specific operational use which we (GFA) needed to define and justify. GFA undertook that such an allocation would be used for "full time operations" and would not be used for general operations other than by places like Waikerie, Toc' and Benalla - the main operations which so qualified at the time (others were to come later). Thus we came to get 122.50 MHz. Applications for additional frequencies for Nationals and some restricted training purposes were made as the need arose via the GFA Radio Officer initially to DOC (or whatever they too were called at the time), and they in turn would forward the GFA application on to DCA in it's then current guise and role, who actually did all of the frequency management for the VHF air band. Usually about ten frequencies would be granted for the use of competitors and official for the duration of the event, after which they were not to be used. Frequency allocation in these events was always specific to the location of the event under consideration, and might well often have interfered with other services if used in other areas of the country. Even then problems sometimes arose. I recall one particular Nationals, I think at Waikerie where one of the allocated extra frequencies was just that little bit too close to one which was used for lighting control at an aerodrome in the contest area. The lights were apparently being turned on by pilot's transmissions. All of these negotiations and allocations were made without charge to GFA, and it was, as I recall, a time of cordial co-operation between GFA and the "Departments of Changing Names". Personnel in both departments were most helpful in these discussions, often going beyond the usual bureaucratic limitations in ensuring a speedy result for an often late if not urgent request. This was especially evident during the World Comps at Benalla where the local radio inspectors were especially helpful in a variety of matters. The turning point in respect of extra frequency allocations which gives rise to the spirit of the present discussion occurred during the run up to a nationals at Narromine; I suggest it was around eighth years ago (picking a figure between 6 and 10). On this occasion, when application was made for a dozen or so frequencies for the comps as in the past, I was advised that a cost would be involved for the "service" and that the allocation would not proceed without the money. I think it involved about $300 or a bit more. This was a precedent which I was unwilling to condone, and I could certainly not accept it without approval by higher authority. I informed the GFA Executive Officer at the time of the situation and expressed my unhappiness with the development, and that I could not support the payment of the fee, and that if his/their decision was to accept the precedent, that it would be better (and more simple) if they took on the specific negotiation themselves. This they duly did, the fee was paid apparently on the condition that the frequencies would be available for the entire Australian continent. In due course two lists of frequencies were approved for differing areas of Australia, but were only available for one year, after which the situation would need to be re-appraised and a further fee paid. This entire negotiation was conducted by people further up the GFA flagpole without any further consultation with the radio officer; indeed I played no further part in any radio matters for the balance of my final term. I was seriously annoyed at this "capitulation" that I withdrew from further involvement in radio matters in the GFA. An additional irritation came about in that the "new" frequencies were announced with great glee in the gliding magazine but contained wrong information as to the areas in which they might be used. I understand that the "new" frequencies continued to be used at contests and elsewhere long after the expiration date and possibly still are in use by some. I am not aware that any further negotiation was conducted or that any further fee was paid. Certainly there was no information or publication to indicate that the original arrangement was extended beyond the initial expiration date. It did surface in discussion in this worthy forum a couple of years ago that the "new" frequencies were probably still being used at one of the the most recent contests, and that on reflection that it was probably illegal and to have done so. I am not aware of any official complaint about pilots using these frequencies if indeed they were. It can be observed that these days the activities of ACA have scaled down considerably from what they once were, and it is unlikely that anyone in any government agency is sitting at a scanner watching for operation by anyone on unauthorized frequencies anywhere in the spectrum. The current Radio Officer will be able to advise about the present situation. Thus endedth the history lesson as best I can tell it ....... Terry Neumann E and OE 8-) |
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