It's no joke!

It was no laughing matter when signals popped up on 70cm band during the recent Melbourne Comedy Festival.

Staff of a security company were equipped with imported Chinese made hand-helds radios. They believed they were CB radios and okay to use for communications on the streets of Central Melbourne.

The ACMA acted quickly on reports of the intruders and was taking appropriate action to ensure compliance with the Radiocommunications Act.

The fear among the amateur radio community is that this incident could be just the start of many more commercial uses of similar radios.

That fear comes amid reports of another intrusion on the 70cm for valet parking at a major Melbourne entertainment complex.

It's important that radio amateurs let the ACMA get on with its job of investigation and enforcement.

Attempts to engage in on-air discussion with the intruders may be a breach of our amateur licence conditions, but can also frustrate ACMA investigations if the offender goes QSY.

Jim Linton VK3PC

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia