Australian regulator refuses to move on Amateur Radio power levels

In the ACA's Outcomes of the Review of Amateur Radio Service Regulation, published in May 2004, the proposed permitted power was specified as 10 W PEP all permitted modes for Foundation licensees, 100 W PEP for all permitted modes for Standard licensees and 400 W PEP all modes for Advanced licensees.

About a year ago the ACA advised the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) that this would not go ahead, because of its concerns about the potential for increased human exposure to electromagnetic radiation and increased interference resulting from what would be an effective increase in transmitter power output for some emission modes.

ACMA has already indicated that it will permit a transmitter output power of 10 Watts pep for all emission modes permitted under the Foundation licence.

The WIA requested reconsideration be given to this decision, to allow the power limits proposed in the Outcomes.

ACMA has now advised the WIA that it has reconsidered the matter, but has not changed its mind, and so will not change the power limits either Standard or Advanced as they now exist, effectively 100 and 400 watts PEP for sideband and 30 and 120 watts respectively for other modes.

Arising out of this matter I have discussed with ACMA the way high power may be permitted for Advanced Licensees for earth-moon-earth transmissions, as set out in the Amateur Radio Licence Information paper on the ACMA website.

In particular I drew attention to the requirement that the applicant for such a high power limit must obtain a written report from a laboratory accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities, which seemed inconsistent with some assertions in ACMA's correspondence, and that self assessment was more appropriate and less restrictive for Advanced licensees.

I am hopeful that at least this aspect of the review will be favourable.

Michael Owen VK3KI
WIA PRESIDENT

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia

Latest news stories..

• Get our news headlines for your website • Submit your news story