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Foundation Licence AOCP(F) |
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| November 2005 |
THE LEAD UP TO THE FOUNDATION LICENCE: |
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On October 19, 2005 the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) implemented new regulations which apply to the Amateur Radio service. These changes are a direct result of the World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC) and review process which took place in 2003. Topics which were raised during the review process include: -
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- The addition of a new "Foundation" Licence
- The merging of the Novice Limited and Novice licences, to form a new licence to be known as the "Standard" Licence
- The merging of limited, combined and unrestricted or "Full call" licences, to be known as the "Advanced" Licence.
- Bringing the regulations into line with the new licensing structure, and
- The addition of new elements to the exam syllabus.
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Full details of the World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC) 2003, can be found on The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) web site under the heading "Activities" on the site index.
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Details of the new regulations governing Australian Radio Amateurs can be found on the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) web site. Follow the Consumer link and then point to Radio Operators and About Amateur Radio in the side menu.
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WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?: |
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The emphasis for this course is so that you have the knowledge and skills to assemble an Amateur Radio station from commercial equipment, and operate it without causing interference to other users.
You will also need to be aware of how amateur radio relates to other users of the radio spectrum, your licence conditions, technical basics of electricity and electronics, transmitters, receivers, feed-lines and antennas, propagation, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and electromagnetic radiation (EMR).
The new licence structure introduces a practical assessment that is common to the three grades of licence. This means that once you have been declared competent by an assessor for the practical assessment as part of the qualification in receiving an amateur licence, that competency is transferable should you upgrade your licence. A checklist for the practical assessment can be found on the supplementary downloads page.
An exemption is provided for Novice and Novice-Limited licensees who exist prior to the implementation date of the new structure.
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| WHAT DO I GET?: |
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Once qualified you can operate on 3.5-3.7 MHz, 7.0-7.3 MHz, 21.0-21.45 MHz, 28.0-29.7 MHz, 144-148 MHz, and 430-450 MHz using either Morse Code, AM, FM or Side Band (SSB) depending on the frequency being used. Output power must not exceed 10 watts.
The Foundation Licence does not allow you to use kit or home built transmitter the transmitter must be manufactured commercially.
Please refer to the Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Amateur Licence) Determination No. 1 of 1997 as amended, for full details on restrictions for the Foundation Licence.
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| DOES THE RADIO AND ELECTRONICS SCHOOL HAVE COURSES FOR THE FOUNDATION LICENCE?: |
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The Radio and Electronics School does not provide courses for the Foundation Licence (AOCP(F), as these courses are done at club level usually over a two or three day period.
We do however offer courses for standard and advanced licence electronics theory as well as regulations. See "About the course" in the side bar for more information on these courses.
The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) has produced a book called the Foundation Licence Manual. It is a full color manual consisting of 95 pages of information for those studying, or those who would just like a reference book for Foundation Licence Operators.
The manual contains the all relevant information you will need to know to successfully complete a training course to obtain a foundation licence. It also contains a wealth of information a Foundation Licence operator will need. Items like Band Plans, Electrical Safety information, operating procedures such as the Q code, how to contact you local radio club, the WIA and much more.
For more information on which clubs are hosting courses or obtaining the foundation licence manual please visit the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) web site.
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