The Limited Licence - a look back at history

It's 50 years since the Limited Licence was introduced in Australia.

In the early 1950s the Wireless Institute of Australia asked the then Postmaster General's Department to create both "Technician" and "Novice" licences.

Similar licences had already proved very popular in the United States. The WIA argued that the introduction of two new licence types in Australia would encourage Amateur Radio activity. The Technician grade would increase experimentation in the VHF bands, the WIA submitted, while also accommodating any person with a disability unable to learn or use Morse Code.

Responding to the WIA, the PMG's Department introduced in 1955 the Limited Licence.

The PMG did not then accept the need for a Novice licence - that took another 20 years to achieve.

After further negotiation by the WIA with the PMG's Department in the 1970s, the Novice licence was introduced. Authorities believed it would greatly reduce illegal CB activity. However CB radio had gained a strong following with many thousands of operators. Imported CB sets were readily available.

CB was ultimately legalised.

In 1995, just ten years ago, the Novice Limited licence, which was first proposed a decade earlier, was introduced.

The proposed new entry level Foundation Licence will also become a reality this year.

Jim Linton VK3PC

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia

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