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AussieWinlink's Founder and Supporters
Anthony (Tony) Van Vugt, is an Australian citizen and
former Australian Public Servant. His career took him from Europe (The Netherlands), to Australia, to Asia
and eventually to the USA. He is a radio amateur with an Australian callsign VK1VM and a US callsign KN4VM. He sails his boat on the Chesapeake Bay
in the US and occasionally cruises internationally. During his travels he came
to appreciate the Winlink amateur digital communication system. It allows
participants to send
and receive email - for free - while onboard and also to file position reports and collect
weather information. In appreciation of the tremendous service provided by the Winlink Development Team (WDT) and the three dozen or so radio amateurs who
operate Winlink shore stations, he offered his services to Winlink.
The WDT had only one observation and request. That was
for his assistance with
getting Winlink established in Australia. Actually, Tony found it embarrassing
that on the Winlink map, Australia was known as the "Terra Incognito".
Australia is so advanced in many ways but in respect of Winlink it was about a
decade behind and it had little prospect of catching up anytime soon. Tony visited
Australia for discussions with the Australian Communications Authority (ACA -
the
Regulator); the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA); and the Wireless
Institute of Australia (WIA - the organization representing amateur radio in Australia) and met
many Australian radio amateurs.
Tony decided to
launch www.aussiewinlink.org
with the dual purpose of: (1) educating officials and radio amateurs about
Winlink; and (2) lobbying the government for the liberalization and recognition
of the Australian Amateur Radio Service as a national resource. This work
started in mid-2001. The first breakthrough in respect of Winlink in Australia came following the
Inquiry by Australia's Productivity Commission. It supported Winlink. In July 2003 there was
another important development in that the World Radio Communications Conference
adopted new rules significantly liberalizing amateur radio - worldwide. In
August 2003, ACA announced a comprehensive review of amateur radio
regulations in Australia. Eventually, ACA and WIA supported Winlink amd now it
is better represented in Australia with four Winlink ground stations one each in
the states of Western Australia; South Australia; Victoria and New South Wales.
The remaining challenge is to also establish a station at the "Top End",
that is, either Northern Queensland or the Northern Territory.
The success
achieved is due in large measure to the more than 500
amateur radio operators who have provided support, either by making submissions,
lodging expressions of support or advising AussieWinlink on technical, public
relations and legal matters. AussieWinlink is indebted also to the Winlink
Development Team, especially its Administrator Steve (K4CJX), for advise and
support. In addition, AussieWinlink is supported by
hundreds of radio amateurs - worldwide.
For a sample, read the Consolidated
Submission.
| Tony in his Radio Shack |
On the Boat (A) |
In the Home Office (B) |
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Note:
AussieWinlink has no formal relationship with the
Winlink Development Team or with any commercial or business interests.
(A) To read the story of Bojangles' cruise to
the Bahamas Islands, visit: www.van-vugt.com/ourcruise
(B) A Curriculum Vitae for possible international
economic, financial and institutional consulting work is available upon request.
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