HOME | AMATEUR (HAM)  RADIO | ATV | BPL WATCH | CLUB STATION - VK7OTC | CONTACTS & QSL | EVENTS &  MEETINGS | HISTORY | LINKS | OPTICAL | REPEATERS, BEACONS, IRLP & ECHOLINK | SEARCH | TASMANIA | VK7 AWARDS, CONTESTS & NETS | VK7 REGIONAL NEWS

You may need acrobat reader to view this type of file.

Quick Links:

What is amateur (ham) radio?

Promotional Presentation

ITU

Licencing Requirements

Examinations

Courses Available

What is amateur (ham) radio?

Amateur radio is an experimental radio communications service.

Experimental

Experimental means we can design, build, operate and modify all the equipment we use to communicate on the frequencies allowed by our licence conditions. This is a definite privilege in Australia that is not the case in other countries like Canada.

Radio Communications

It's a form of technical communication. This links with the experimental side of the hobby too. The regulations state that due to the international nature of our hobby all communication in relation to religious, political or of a culturally controversial nature are not to be transmitted on amateur bands. That leaves us with discussions about those technical matters and general conversation that make up most of what you hear on the bands!

Non Commercial

Amateur radio is non-commercial, meaning we don't gain any financial benefit, it is an intellectual, leisure and recreational activity. We get other benefits like:

• the challenge of getting something working like communicating through a satellite or a QRP (low power) transmitter;

• the pleasure from talking with like-minded people locally and internationally, nets, collecting QSL cards, equipment, participating in contests and certificates;

• the self improvement and experience gained through operation of different equipment, modes and mediums;

•  making contributions through experimentation to the fields of science, technology and engineering;

• the self-training and educational value; and,

• providing skilled personnel in emergency situations and community service with activities like Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) and the Targa tarmac rally.

A printable fact sheet on amateur radio is available here.

Promotional Presentation

A promotional presentation is available here (PDF) or here (PPS) Please note these files are large (5Mb). Accompanying ISS MP3 soundfile can be down-loaded from here (400kb). Both PPS & MP3 files need to be on desktop to work.

International Telecommunications Union

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) the world governing body for telecommunications recognises the amateur radio service and amateur satellite service in section 25 of their Radio Regulations:

1.56 Amateur service: A radiocommunication service for the purpose of self-training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out by amateurs, that is, by duly authorised persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest.

1.57 Amateur-satellite service: A radiocommunication service using space stations on earth satellites for the same purposes as those of the amateur service.

Licencing requirements

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is responsible for issuing Amateur Radio Licenses and supervising the standards of examinations. The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) Examination Service is responsible for syllabus setting, issuing, marking of examinations for Australian amateurs and maintaining the standards of examinations.

Within Southern Tasmania there are currently two accredited WIA Assessors and three Learning Facilitators who can administer an examination in conjunction with accredited invigilators:

Contact Reg for details about when the next examination is being held and the form and fee requirements. 

In the South examinations are normally held as required and are held at the clubroom on the Queen’s Domain Hobart, beginning at 7 pm.

Please note: If you want to sit a Standard or Advanced examination you must book and forward the appropriate fee 14 days before the intended examination.  A Foundation Licence can be requested at shorter notice.

Examinations

Amateur radio examinations cover a combination of the following areas dependent on the licence grade:

• Electronics & radio communication theory;

• Government radio regulations;

• Practical examination;

Not all examination elements need to be taken at the same time. You may focus on the theory and do the examination then focus on the regulation, etc

The following table summarises which examinations need to be taken for each licence grade:

Please check with the examination officer for confirmation or update on when the next course will be run.

The REAST Foundation course application form can be found here.  

Foundation license booklets (and Callbooks) are stocked at the Caltex Service Station which is at 136-138 Main Road Moonah thanks to Clayton VK7ZCR. 

Please note that only cash can be used to pay for callbooks and foundation manuals at the Service Station. 

Or they can be ordered through the WIA, see the Foundation Manual Page.

Courses available

There are a range of options available to study for amateur radio examinations:

• A Self Study Manual is available for the Foundation Licence

• Other self study options - self study – there are many courses of study available through books, the Internet and CD-ROM; or,

• By completing correspondence courses; or,

• Study in a radio class.

Contact our Examination Officer, Reg Emmett VK7KK at for more details.

We recommend the Radio and Electronics School courses. More information can be found at: www.radioelectronicschool.com

Copyright © 2004-2013 REAST Inc.
Last modified: May 14 2010 20:52:59.
Webmeister:
Thanks to oz-hams.org for the generous website hosting.