A busy time ahead for the WIA and the ACA

This year will see a number of important changes occurring for amateur radio in Australia with licence restructuring, a new approach to interference management, and lots more, as Jim Linton VK3PC brings us up-to-date.

Report:
The Australian Communications Authority (ACA) is on track to implement the remaining of its decisions arising out of the Review of Amateur Service Regulation.

That review began in August 2003. A major change from it has already occurred. That was the end to Morse code tests as an amateur licence requirement for access to the HF bands.

It has been more than a year since the ACA announced its decisions on the review, but a lot of work has been underway to progress and implement them.

The introduction of the Foundation Licence expected in April this year will be part of a new three-tier structure of Foundation, Standard and Advance licences.

A revamped style and content of the exams and assessments are to be in place for the new licence system.

The WIA has drafted a Foundation Licence syllabus. The syllabuses for the Standard and Advance licences are also being prepared.

They will include additional material, such as the new electromagnetic radiation (EMR) exposure requirements, and greater emphasis on interference.

The responsibilities of radio amateurs for resolving interference are to be included in the Amateur Licence Condition Determinations - our regulations.

The ACA proposes to publish as an Advisory Guideline, under the Radiocommunications Act, outlining the responsibility of those affected by interference and the ACA's method of dealing with it.

The ACA intends to outsource the issuing of amateur certificates of proficiency and the management of callsigns, that may include new four-letter callsign suffixes.

A Class Licence is also being created so that visiting radio amateurs with European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) licences can operate portable in Australia, for short term visits, using
their home callsign.

Jim Linton VK3PC

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia

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