The Australian Communications Authority, in its 2003 review of the Australian amateur service, will rationalize the current five levels of amateur licensing to three levels by May/June 2005. They will also introduce an entry level or Foundation licence. Details are still being finalized but general, preliminary information has been released and implementation is on-track. The three levels will be: Foundation, Standard and Advanced.

The Foundation license will allow operating experience without the technical knowledge required for a Standard or Advanced license. A multi-choice question paper and practical demonstration will place emphasis on operation, safety and necessary regulatory issues. The license will not have an age or time limit. Attendance at a training course will not be mandatory. It will, however, mandate the use of commercially manufactured transmitters, voice or morse code modes only, limited power output, access to the 80metre, 40metre, 15metre and 10metre HF bands, 144-148MHz VHF band and the 420-450MHz UHF band. Although progression through to the higher license grades is encouraged, it will not be a requirement. Log on to http://www.aca.gov.au for more details and other radio licensing related information.

Why become a Radio Amateur?

The hobby of Amateur Radio, now more than 100 years old, covers a vast array of activities. No one amateur could hope to regularly participate in all of them and it is not even necessary. Over time, individual amateurs gradually move towards the activities that are of most interest to them. Amateur Radio is represented in virtually every country and island in the world. In these days of the Internet, mobile telephones and many other distractions, why think about becoming a licensed amateur? What can you do?

· Contests:

There are many country-specific and worldwide contests all year round. Commemorative awards and certificates are available to reward active participation. Details are available via the Internet or one of many amateur radio publications.

· A worldwide, no cultural boundary hobby:

Be part of the International friendship of more than 3 million or so amateurs worldwide. Each country has its own representative body that represents the hobby in regular conventions and Government forums that ensure that the hobby's frequency allocations, etc., are preserved. Amateurs come from all walks of life and include school children, astronauts, professionals, royalty, members of parliament, kings and scientists. Many major transmitting equipment-manufacturing companies were started by radio amateurs.

The national language of Amateur Radio is English.

· Satellites:

There have been over 40 amateur satellites launched since the first one in December 1961. They can be viewed as "orbiting repeaters" for distant communication enhancement. More satellites are launched almost every year.

· Earth-Moon-Earth (EME):

Use the moon as an intermediate reflector by bouncing signals off it. Signals return to the earth at a distant location and permit radio contacts that would not otherwise be possible.

· Amateur Television:

Transmit your own black and white or colour amateur television pictures.

· Computer interface:

Connect your computer and communicate to the far corners of the earth via Radio-Internet-Radio (IRLP) or combine with GPS for position reporting (APRS). Use the computer to control your transmitter, to log your contacts, send and/or decode and display morse code, teletype and the many other digital modes that are available. Morse code, and its examination, is no longer an International requirement but you can still use it if you want to. When all else fails, it may well be the last mode to succeed.

There is a myriad of free, downloadable, operating and logging software on the Internet.

· International Space Station (ISS):

There is a permanent amateur station on the International Space Station. This is used as a voice repeater, packet transmission and as a simplex station where you can talk to the astronauts as they hurtle around the earth. Amateur communication is an integral, encouraged part of their mission. A large percentage of the world's astronauts are licensed amateurs.

· Experimentation:

Develop better performing antennas and test equipment. Enhance your electronic skills. If you possess the higher level licences you can build and then use your own transmitting equipment.

· Technology:

Amateurs have been at the forefront of technological developments over the last 100 years or so. Never think that everything has been invented. It hasn't and never will be. You could become part of the next great development that is just around the corner. A developing technology at the moment is Software Defined Radio or SDR. This is where a computer and its software controls the operation of a "black box" which could be a radio receiver, transmitter, a telephone or all at the same time. If you like computer programming, combine your electronic and programming skills.

· Emergency Communications:

Radio Amateurs can provide a source of emergency communications at times when conventional communications links are strained or out of action due to disasters or emergencies. The Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network (WICEN) is recognized in the State Disaster Plan and provides communications for many sporting events for practical, ongoing training. Amateur Radio was the only communication available after the earthquake and tsunamis on Boxing Day, 2004.

· Repeaters:

There is a network of VHF & UHF repeaters for local contact enhancement.

Created 2005 by Kevin Crockett. Comments and suggestions may be e-mailed to