| HAVE YOU DONE YOUR REGULATIONS? |
 |
Unlike the multimedia course, this course does NOT include regulations. It covers only the the Advanced AOCP(A) theory. Regulations are exactly the same for the Standard licence as they are for the Advanced licence and can be done at any time.
You will also need to complete a practical assessment if you have not already done so. This is a very easy formality designed to show that you know your way around an amateur radio station and that you can identify the basic components which make up the station. You can download the guide to the practical assessment here. If you have not done the regulations or the practical assessment, please mention this in your enrolment.
|
|
| HOW MUCH DOES THE Advanced THEORY COURSE COST? |
|
|
The cost of this course is $40.00. This fee does NOT include the regulations or the practical assessment. Preference is give to local (Australian) students, however, students outside of Australia, or those who wish to do our course to a commercial standard, should make enquiries with the Course Manager. The course fee is not refundable if you do not complete the course or fail to pass the exam.
|
|
| THE COURSE IS DESIGNED TO BE INTERACTIVE WITH A TUTOR OVER THE INTERNET: |
|
|
The student downloads all of the required readings (subjects). The readings are in Adobe PDF format so you will need to download and install the free Adobe reader to view and/or print the readings. Assignments are sent via e-mail and returned to the tutor for comment and suggestions if necessary. This also gives you the opportunity to ask for clarification or discuss something you may be having trouble understanding. Assignments are based on the readings and one assignment will usually cover 2 readings. An assignment consists of about 20 questions.
|
|
| THIS STRUCTURED METHOD WITH FEEDBACK AND ASSISTANCE IS THE BEST WAY THIS COURSE WILL WORK FOR YOU: |
|
If you choose, you can, as an individual, download the readings and do the entire study yourself and sit the appropriate examinations. This is your option but is not recommended. If you are a non-profit club or organisation wishing to use the material please contact the Course Manager. Assignments can be provided. However, you must obtain permission to use the material. The purposes of this is to keep a record of who is using the material to keep you informed of any amendments and updates and to comply with my conditions of copyright. The material must not be ALTERED or DISTRIBUTED in anyway without permission.
You may also run this course as we do, over the Internet, just advise us and we will supply you with the set assignment sheets and answers and assist you in anyway we can. The course development is complete however the readings will be continually improved over time. All care has been taken to ensure the readings are correct and easy to read - However improvement is always the keyword - this will happen as time permits - for instance (a) more online calculators and purpose written software for training, and (b) short video clips of experiments are being considered in the future.
The course is run by experienced volunteer tutors (facilitators).
|
|
| HOW THE COURSE WORKS: |
|
The student downloads the readings from the web site at their leisure. Most are not very big. You will need Adobe Reader to view the readings (subjects). It is strongly recommended that you print these readings. The readings are under continuous revision for the purpose of improving them. Your facilitator (tutor) will send to you personally an assignment sheet by email. Typically an assignment sheet will cover two readings and will contain about 20 questions. The student answers the assignment sheet and emails it back to the facilitator for review and comment. The reviewed assignment is returned along with a new assignment.
Your facilitator is there for you to communicate with at any time regarding the course content and any troubles you may be having. You are also encouraged to communicate with other members of your group. There are other ways to communicate with facilitators in real time such as ICQ (keyboard) or Skype (voice over IP). Check with your facilitator to see if they use these facilities. The download section of this web site contains many other resources such as programs and other readings which you may find useful - check this area regularly as new material is often added.
Sample email assignment sheet - actual assignment 1.
|
|
ONLINE AMATEUR RADIO AND ELECTRONICS COURSE:
Advanced Amateur Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency - AOCP(A)
ASSIGNMENT 1
SUBJECT : Basic Electricity
BASED ON READINGS 1 and 2
Notes:
Any notes or special comments here
Interlace your answers with the questions and send the email back to your facilitator try to avoid sending back email quote marks if you know how (these are typically '>' signs in the email body placed their by the email program)
Provided you know how, please set your email program to send plain text only.
Posted: xxxxxx 2006 (note: the turn around here is normally a week)
Due: xxxxxx 2006
Q1. Describe the basic structure of an Atom and name each subatomic particle.
Your answer here...................
Q2. What is the difference between Atoms and Molecules?
Your answer here ...................
Q3. How does a Proton differ from an Electron?
A proton is about 1800 times more massive than an electron. A proton is said to have a positive charge which is equal to but opposite to that of the negatively charged electron. In electricity protons do not normally move - it is the lighter electron which does the moving.
Q4. What is the law of charges (like and unlike)
Like charges repel and unlike charges attract
Q5. Why is an atom in its normal state neutral.
An atom in its normal state has an equal amount of electrons and protons. These unlike charges exactly cancel making the charge of the atom neutral.
Q6. When most metals are heated their resistance increases. Why is this?
Q7. What makes a conductor a good conductor?
Q8. What is an electric current?
Q9. How do current and voltage differ?
Q10. In broad terms how fast is electron flow?
Q11. Why does electric current act at a distance so quickly?
Q12. Voltage is known by other names. Name as many as you can think of.
Q13 Define the unit of current. Electric current is the ordered movement of electrons in a conductor.
The unit of current is the Ampere. One Ampere is defined as one coulomb per second past a given point in the circuit. One Coulomb is equal to 6.25 x 10^18 electrons.
Q14. What must exist for there to be a voltage between any two points?
Q15. Name some of the ways of creating a voltage and some effects of electric current
Q16. What is meant by a Positive and a Negative Ion?
Q17. What are the basic types of electric current?
Q18. What is meant by "Resistance"
Q19. What is a Coulomb?
Q20. Is there any difference between a battery and a cell?
OPTIONAL QUESTIONS
note: optional questions are just that - optional - you do not have to do them they are here for those who want to go a little deeper and broader.
END ASSIGNMENT 1
|
|
|
| MORE INFO: |
|
The course is generally conducted one-on-one between the student and their facilitator. However if you have a group then this can also be managed. Groups from 3 to 20 have completed this course.
Facilitators have total control over the number of students they have and the rate at which their group progresses and have at their disposal the manager, course manager and other facilitators for any assistance in running the course or questions about the assignments or readings.
Regulations. To date there has been no formal tuition on regulations - there is a guide to studying the regulations in 'downloads' if you require assistance in studying regulations. Your facilitator can either help you directly or point you in the right direction.
|
|
| HOW TO DO THE ASSIGNMENTS: |
|
There are a number of ways of physically completing the assignments. The best way is to 'select', 'edit', 'copy' and 'paste' your assignment from your email program into a plain text editor. You can then save your assignment as plain text and please complete your assignment with your answers interleaved between the questions. When finished you can copy and paste the assignment back into your email program for return to your facilitator for review.
If you wish to do the assignments in a program such as Microsoft Word - you must check with your facilitator to see if this is okay. Your facilitator may not use Word or may have a version which is not compatible with yours. Our preference is to work in MS Word as this allows for the embedding of graphics and sound, which can be useful when explaining a topic.
The course can be done by normal mail if you post your assignment to your facilitator along with a self addressed stamped envelope. You need to talk to you facilitator about this method and whether he or she provides this service. If you do use this method you should leave at least 6 lines under each answer for the facilitators comments if necessary.
|
|
| NOT JUST A ONE WAY STREET: |
|
Just because we are here to help, doesn't mean we always get it right. Approximately half way through the course we urge you to complete a 'course evaluation form'. This evaluation assists us to improve any areas that you feel we may be lacking. The evaluation is distributed to all facilitators for their information unless you state otherwise.
The course evaluation can be found at the bottom of the "Course Readings" download page. You may remain completely anonymous if you wish.
|
|
| GETTING IN TOUCH WITH OTHERS DOING THIS COURSE: |
|
|
There is a message board established on Yahoo Groups. The board is called amateurradiostudy - this message board is there for anyone interested in amateur radio or electronics study - you do not have to be doing the course to join the board. It is strongly recommended you join this group as it is another resource for you. All New students have the opportunity to be subscribed to the message board. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/amateurradiostudy/ and subscribe or change your email delivery options.
|
|
| REVISION: |
|
The revision process is part of the main course and is designed to be as transparent as possible. The revision allows your facilitator to see any weakness you may have, and assist you in better understanding the topic so that you can pass the exam with greater confidence.
Facilitators are provided with the revision materials and they make them available to students when they have completed the necessary assignments. The revision question are multiple choice exam questions broken into topics. It is most important that if you are provided with these that you do not distribute them at all. They are given to you for your use only when you have completed the course.
|
|
| INTERESTED? |
|
|
If you would like to start this course use our web form to enrol. If you are a current student with a RESxxxxx Student iD, login to the Student Gateway and request an additional course (03RESADV). For further information please feel free to contact the Course Manager. When enrolling for the advanced course, please be sure to tell us a little about yourself; your professional background, educational background or learning problems you might have. This all help the Course Manager better place you with the right facilitator.
|
|
| FINAL WORD: |
|
This course is meant to be pleasurable and not a chore - there is no race to get it finished nor competition with others doing the course. Your facilitator will work to assist you at all times you are expected to put in a reasonable effort, but you are not expected to 'strain' yourself, if you find yourself doing this you need to be asking for more help. Typically to complete one assignment per week will require about 3 hours a week. Your facilitator will work hard to help you so you are expected to do your bit as well. The secret of a successful course is communication between you and your facilitator and a consistent regular approach to study. Pacing yourself to suit your needs. Good luck and enjoy.
See also: Standard Licence multimedia course (01RESSTD) AOCP(S).
So what are you waiting for? Come and join many others doing the course and enjoying it.
ENROL NOW!
|
