Europe considers Novice licensing

A new entry level licence under the Conference of Postal and
Telecommunications Administrations or CEPT umbrella has been progressed a little further with release of a proposed syllabus. With a look at this story, again, here's Jim Linton VK3PC.

A number of European countries have been considering the introduction of a Novice licence since Britain introduced its Foundation Licence in 2002. That demonstrated how such an entry point licence can be of benefit to amateur radio.

However there are regulatory or legislative difficulties in some countries that prevent their introduction of a Novice licence.

The CEPT is now considering at two measures. Firstly, seeking agreement on a Novice licence syllabus that can be used as a template for those countries who can, and want to introduce such a licence.

And it's also proposing that current Novice licences issued by CEPT and non-CEPT nations, that are deemed equivalent in standard, be recognised for visitor or guest licences by CEPT participating countries.

This could enable holders of a Novice licence to take their hobby with them on a holiday by simply using their home callsign slash the country in which they're holidaying and even if that nation doesn't have its own Novice licence.

Community consultation on these matters closes in September, but there's no indication of when a decision is likely.

Jim Linton VK3PC

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia

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