Amateur Radio New South Wales

Originally formed in 1910 as "The Institute of Wireless Telegraphy", then became "The Wireless Institute of Australia" our organisation is the oldest radio societies in the world. The name "Wireless Institute of Australia (NSW Division)" was adopted in 1922. There followed separate state "divisions" which essentially took care of the members at a state and local level, there was also a Federal Division (based in Victoria), which amongst other things represented us all at a National and International level. It also printed the "Amateur Radio" magazine.
Over a period of time there were various "arrangements" between the state divisions and the Federal division, especially to cover the cost of the magazine. In general membership of a state division meant that you were also a member of the Federal division and the membership fees were apportioned accordingly.

In 2004 the organisation of what was generally called the "WIA" changed with the re-structure of the Federal Division into a National organisation which still represented it's own members and other Hams at a National and International level, also retaining the publication of Amateur Radio magazine and absorbing various services previously provided by the state divisions (QSL Bureau etc). In general the state divisions reformed into large "clubs" located in their particular state.
The WIA (NSW Division) signed an Implementation Agreement with the "National" Wireless Institute of Australia on December 10 , 2004. As a result, we have agreed to generally identify ourselves as "Amateur Radio New South Wales".

The major difference for Australia's amateur radio operators (and others interested in allied hobbies) was that to support and be involved in the activities of the National and the state based organizations they now needed to be financial members of the separate organizations. In general the new state based "clubs" continued to support the Ham Radio community at a local level. In fact most of "our" members are also members of WIA (National) and local clubs. The "Amateur Radio" magazine is also now available at your local newsagents as well as posted to "National" members.

In the case of "Amateur Radio New South Wales" we provide regular broadcasts, repeaters and signal beacons on most Ham frequencies. We also provide technical advice on frequency allocations, Licence training and assessments. Field Days, Trash and Treasure events and Deceased Estate disposals sales are amongst the services we provide our members and also the general amateur radio community. We are currently expanding our services with a large shed on our Dural property. In fact I think our transmitting facility at Dural may now be unique in Australia as most other Ham broadcast are studio generated and re-broadcast on a local basis, whereas Dural covers most of the east coast of Australia and out into the Pacific region. We do re-broadcast a recording of the "National" WIA news and in turn our own broadcasts are re-transmitted by local clubs into areas or at times unavailable to Dural.

Currently the WIA (National) are, on a commercial basis, Australian amateur radio operators "interface" to the ACMA on matters of licenses, training and frequency allocation.

All of this means that now each organisation levies it own membership fees :
WIA (National) - annual fees to cover services provided to it's members and the Ham radio community, at a
members option they can also pay for and receive the Amateur Radio magazine (or buy it at
their local newsagents).
Amateur Radio New South Wales (ARNSW) - by-annual (or five yearly) fees to cover services provided to it's
members and the Ham radio community, which (as mentioned above) include broadcast, repeater
and beacon facilities from our property at Dural. ARNSW (in general) supports Hams in NSW.
Local Clubs - annual fees (usually) to cover costs of Club premises or meeting venue and (often) a Club repeater
and workshop facilities. These Clubs usually provide provide support to members in a particular area or
even a particular aspect of Ham radio (QRP, Satellite etc)

NOTE: The above lists are by no means exhaustive and an operator or a person interested in Ham radio or electronics should check the individual organizations to see what level of support they provide for their particular interests.