Two Decades of Decline — How the WIA Failed Australian Amateurs

[VK5TOM]

Thanks for that Mick,

The article raises fair concerns, but I think we need some perspective.

Spectrum losses: These weren't unique to the WIA — regulators worldwide have pushed 3.4–3.6 GHz and 5 MHz toward defence and broadband. Even the ARRL and RSGB haven't been able to stop that tide.

Class licence: Yes, ACMA drove it, but it still removed annual fees and simplified access. It might not feel like a "win," but it makes the hobby more accessible.

High-power trial: Compliance problems hurt, but that's not the end of the story. Other countries allow it, and standards evolve.

Governance: The 2016–17 meltdown damaged trust, but since then the WIA has stabilised and remains our IARU representative — something RASA doesn't have. Without that, Australia would have no voice at WRCs.

Bottom line: the WIA isn't perfect, but spectrum pressure is global. If we want stronger advocacy and outcomes, we need more members engaging, not fewer. Splitting into rival camps only makes ACMA's job easier.

73,
VK5TOM

[VK5 Admin]

An interesting read from RASA.

https://vkradioamateurs.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Why-we-dont-have-60m-Rel3.0.pdf

[VK5 Admin]

Fellow operators,

For too long we've all paid $95 a year to an organisation that has failed to defend our spectrum, bungled key trials, and fought amongst itself instead of for us. The article below pulls no punches — every claim is backed by WIA and ACMA's own documents. Read it carefully, because it's time we faced the truth about how the WIA has overseen two decades of decline in Australian amateur radio.

Editorial: Two Decades of Decline — How the WIA Failed Australian Amateurs

For more than 100 years, the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) has styled itself as the peak body representing Australian amateur radio. But in the past two decades, the Institute has overseen a steady erosion of spectrum access, failed advocacy efforts, and boardroom infighting that shattered trust among members.

While organisations like the ARRL (U.S.) and RSGB (U.K.) have secured new privileges and fought to defend existing bands, the WIA's track record is one of losses, dysfunction, and missed opportunities.

1. Spectrum Losses: 60 m, 9 cm, and 2.3 GHz
The 60 Metre Band (5 MHz)

In 2020, ACMA consulted on amateur access to 5351.5–5366.5 kHz, reflecting the ITU WRC-15 allocation. The WIA surveyed 1,139 amateurs (just 7–8% of ~15,000 licencees) and recommended "Option 2" — 5351.5–5365 kHz at 15 W EIRP for Advanced licensees.

But Defence objected on national security grounds, and NSW Ambulance opposed sharing because it uses 5 MHz for emergency HF communications. ACMA sided with both, refusing amateur access outright. In hindsight, the campaign was symbolic: Defence will never yield NVIS-capable HF spectrum, and life-safety objections are politically unassailable. WIA resources were spent on a fight that was doomed from the start.

9 cm (3.4–3.6 GHz)

In July 2023, ACMA confirmed the removal of amateur access to 3.4–3.6 GHz in re-allocated areas, prioritising wireless broadband. WIA lodged objections but achieved nothing.

2300–2302 MHz

Since 2013, ACMA has proposed clearing the 2300–2302 MHz sliver to harmonise spectrum licences. More than a decade later, the allocation remains precarious. In 2025, WIA was still pleading with ACMA to protect it.

2. High-Power Trial: A Self-Inflicted Failure

Between 2008 and 2010, ACMA authorised a trial of 1 kW HF operation for Advanced licensees under Scientific Licences. Roughly 297 amateurs participated; 90 were audited, and 17 failed EMR compliance checks.

Critically, many participants were not ordinary amateurs but WIA insiders, including Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) chairs and appointees. These representatives — chosen to set the gold standard — failed to maintain proper EMR documentation or demonstrate compliance. Some assumed approval would be a "formality," pointing to New Zealand where 1 kW has long been permitted under looser rules.

Instead of proving amateurs could be trusted, the trial convinced ACMA that even WIA's best-qualified operators weren't ready. The 400 W cap remained, and "high power" is still off the table 15 years later.

3. Class Licences: Win or Trade-Off?

On 19 February 2024, ACMA replaced amateur apparatus licences with the Amateur Class Licence.

Upside: no annual fees (~$55–75 saved per operator).

Upside for ACMA: huge administrative savings.

But this "win" came after repeated spectrum losses: 60 m (2020), 9 cm (2023), and the continuing threat to 2300–2302 MHz. There is no evidence of an explicit trade — ACMA has been class-licensing other services too — but the optics are clear. Valuable spectrum disappeared, and the only visible gain was a $55 discount.

The WIA pivoted from cautious reservations to selling class licensing as an advocacy victory, when in reality it was regulator-driven simplification.

4. Governance Meltdown (2016–2017): The Institute at War with Itself

The deepest wound to the WIA came not from ACMA, but from within. Between 2016 and 2017, the Institute was paralysed by internal warfare.

Member revolt: 124 members formally petitioned for a general meeting to sack directors. The Treasurer refused to fund legal costs for directors fighting removal. The petition itself was later blocked on legal technicalities.

Mediation collapse: A mediation in December 2016 between the Board, Treasurer, and the WIA Reform Group was "unable to resolve" the conflict.

Resignations: Directors Andrew Smith VK6AS and Paul Simmonds VK5PAS resigned, along with the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer.

Governance accusations: In his resignation letter, Dr Andrew Smith VK6AS alleged "the Board had no formal governance" and that board meetings were a "nightmare." He described factional blocs and undeclared conflicts.

Fact Sheets: WIA issued "Fact Sheets" in early 2017 to defend itself. These admitted missed ACMA reporting deadlines and disputes over financial reporting. One leaked Treasurer's report called the 2015 accounts "not worth the paper they were printed on."

The clean-out: At the May 2017 AGM, six new directors were elected — "almost a clean sweep."

This period destroyed member trust, eroded ACMA's confidence, and led directly to the creation of RASA in 2017 as an alternative representative body.

5. Technical Advisory Committees: Titles over Outcomes

The WIA's TACs were meant to be the technical brains trust. But under their stewardship, amateurs have:

Lost 60 m access,

Lost large parts of 9 cm,

Failed the high-power trial (with TAC members themselves involved),

Seen 2300–2302 MHz remain unresolved, and

Been left exposed at 23 cm after WRC-23 coexistence rulings.

The committees are full of skilled volunteers, but with poor resourcing and weak board support, they became toothless. Worse, their failure in the high-power trial undermined amateur credibility with ACMA.

6. Membership Value

WIA membership costs $95 per year. In 2022, subscriptions raised $236,270. But what did members get?

No new bands,

No high-power privileges,

Ongoing spectrum erosion,

A divided amateur lobby,

A glossy magazine and a QSL bureau.

Contrast that with ARRL in the U.S., where ~20% of licensees are members and the organisation has secured 60 m access, defended 9 cm allocations, and successfully influenced FCC rule-makings.

Conclusion: A Record of Decline

The WIA has presided over:

The loss of 60 m and 9 cm,

The unresolved 2300–2302 MHz threat,

The failure of the high-power trial,

A class licence "win" that was regulator-driven,

And a governance collapse that shattered trust and split the amateur lobby.

The verdict is inescapable: the WIA has failed to defend spectrum and privileges, failed to prepare its own representatives for regulatory trials, and failed to govern itself. What remains is an organisation more concerned with titles at the bottom of email signatures than the responsibilities those titles carry.

Unless the WIA radically reforms, improves transparency, and unifies with other advocacy groups, the next two decades will look exactly like the last: more losses, fewer privileges, and a steadily shrinking relevance for amateur radio in Australia.

References

WIA submission to ACMA on 5 MHz consultation (June 2020, PDF):
https://www.wia.org.au/newsevents/news/2020/20200619-1/documents/WIA%20Submission%20-%205%20MHz%20Consultation.pdf

ACMA IFC-13/2020 outcome – "Possible use of 5351.5–5366.5 kHz band":
https://www.acma.gov.au/consultations/2020-04/possible-use-53515366-khz-band-amateur-service-ifc-132020

ACMA – Amateur radio class licensing arrangements (2022–23):
https://www.acma.gov.au/consultations/2022-08/amateur-radio-class-licensing-arrangements-consultation-222020

ACMA – Five-Year Spectrum Outlook 2013–2017 (2300 MHz):
https://www.acma.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-06/five-year-spectrum-outlook-2013-2017.pdf

WIA – Response to ACMA Five-Year Spectrum Outlook 2025:
https://www.wia.org.au/newsevents/news/2025/20250420-1/documents/WIA%20Response%20to%20the%20ACMA%20FYSO%20-%20April%202025.pdf

WIA news (2010) – Announcement of high-power trial:
https://www.wia.org.au/newsevents/news/2010/20100902-1/

WIA news (2014) – Report on ACMA audit of high-power trial:
https://www.wia.org.au/newsevents/news/2014/20140111-1/

ACMA – Amateur radio transition to class licence (2024):
https://www.acma.gov.au/amateur-radio-transition-class-licence-and-supporting-arrangements

WIA Board newsletter (Dec 2016) – Resignations and blocked EGM:
https://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/wianews/display.php?file_id=2016-12-11

WIA Fact Sheets (2017) – ASIC/ACMA claims and accounts disputes:
https://www.wia.org.au/newsevents/news/2017/20170201-1/index.php

Andrew Smith VK6AS resignation letter (Dec 2016):
https://vk6.net/vk6as-resignation-letter-from-wia-board/

Amateur Radio Magazine (May 2017) – AGM results, "six new directors elected":
https://www.wia.org.au/members/armag/2017/may/2017may.pdf

IARU Region 3 – WRC-23 outcomes for 23 cm:
https://www.iaru-r3.org/2023/12/16/wrc-23-outcomes-on-23cm/

WIA membership page:
https://www.wia.org.au/members/joinwia/about/

WIA 2022 Annual Report (financials):
https://www.wia.org.au/joinwia/wia/2022%20WIA%20Financial%20Report.pdf

ARRL 60 m FAQ:
http://www.arrl.org/60m-faq

RASA vs WIA on class licensing survey (2018):
https://vkradioamateurs.org/2018/10/23/rasa-vs-wia-on-class-licensing-survey/