ZRs get HF privileges as the face of amateur radio changes

"The publication of the amendments to the radio regulation is the culmination of many years of hard work and dedication by the council of the SARL" Graham Harlett, President of the SARL said. Speaking from his hospital bed he said that it heralds in a new era for amateur radio making it more accessible to the younger generation yet maintaining the standard for which the service is known.

From Friday ZR's have been given access to the HF band at a power level of 20 dBW, which translates to 100 watts input.

ZR's now have access to the following HF bands:
160, 80, 40, as well as the following frequencies ranges: on 20 metres 14 070 - 14 099 kHz, 14 225 - 14 250 kHz, on 15 metres 21 070 - 21 120 and 21 300 - 21 450 kHz, on 10 metres 28 050 - 28 150 and 28 300 - 28 500 kHz.

ZR's can upgrade to a full ZS licence with all privileges by meeting one of the following criteria:

Operating Achievement:
Confirmed contacts with 100 separate stations on any combination of bands or modes. Note that the requirement of 100 separate stations means that each station can only be counted once, even if it is contacted on many bands or modes.

Electronics Construction:
The candidate must construct and demonstrate one of the following:
A working direct conversion or superheterodyne radio receiver that can receive and demodulate transmissions on any frequency allocated to the amateur service in any mode used by the amateur service; A working crystal-controlled transmitter that can transmit modulated signals with a power of at least 1 watt on a frequency allocated to the amateur service using any modulation method used by the amateur service.

Public Service and Emergency Communications:
The candidate must provide proof that he or she has spent at least 50 hours providing communications services for one or more public service events.

Recognition of professional qualifications:
The candidate must provide proof that he or she has been awarded any of the following qualifications:
A nationally recognized tertiary degree, diploma or trade certificate in electronics or radio that would ordinarily require at least two years of study to complete; or a PMG1 or equivalent certificate qualifying the candidate as a marine radio officer.

Morse Code Proficiency:
The candidate must demonstrate the ability to send by hand and receive by ear Morse code at a speed of not less than 5 words per minute. Full details can be found on www.sarl.org or from your local radio club.

Courtesy of The South African Radio League

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