When I was first licensed as a radio amateur almost 40 years ago, I looked to the Wireless Institute of Australia with profound respect. Here was an honorable organization, with a rich history and tradition of promoting an activity that was both a hobby and a community service. In my eyes, the WIA was a first rate organization operated of, by and for the radio amateur.
Over the past year, however, on finding the new WIA, I have developed serious doubts about not just the WIA, but some of my fellow radio amateurs. Far too many of us appear to no longer be fair minded. WIA policy seems to favour some interests over others. Leadership positions aren't being sought for altruistic purposes, but rather to promote a hidden agenda or to fill a void in the office-seeker's ego. Power and control issues seem to dominate the agenda of too many. Sniping, trolling and negativism on web pages seem to be centered on personal attacks rather than constructive debate.
Our avocation should be fraternal in spirit. It should be centered on building consensus and cooperation. It should be about inclusiveness and diversity. Yet, experience now suggests otherwise.
Perhaps unpleasant politics is the current new norm. However, such politics are still disillusioning and the politics of the Amateur Radio Service have largely eroded my remaining faith in the hobby.
I resigned my membership in the Wireless Institute of Australia after a series of events, from the lack of consultation of membership over such momentous important issues that affect us all such as the future of Amateur Radio licensing in Australia, which even current directors cannot tell me who was the author of an appalling submission to ACMA that did not represent our expertise, nor our vision of the way forward. It rather drives yet another nail into the coffin of traditional amateur radio.
The final straw was the publication of libelous and defamatory comments in the pages of the magazine, reducing its former proud stature to that of a rag unworthy of our contributions. My experience showed me that the WIA is heading for the rocks, and this became apparent even as I started contributing CW Today. I am pleased I was nevertheless able to contribute to those who value traditional amateur radio as it is defined in the ITU regulations and with CW at its heart.
It is my sincere hope that radio amateurs can once again work together in a constructive and fraternal spirit… but I am not holding my breath. I do not believe that the WIA is salvagable without a complete overhaul that would turn it into a union of radio amateurs that does not rule from the top down as managers of a private company, but which is a union of individuals and clubs, and gives voice to our collective concerns and embraces and makes use of the extensive talent among radio amateurs.
