DX'peditions ETC

[VK4MIA]

Greetings All,

I am an avid DX chaser on all available bands to which my licence and Standard Licences are available to.

I recently worked TX3A on 80m after 2 hours of constant spotting on DX Cluster to which I am very greatful for.

To those throughout the world, Thankyou so much on behalf of the Foundation & Standard licencees from VK.

For those unaware of licencing restrictions, only Advanced (Full Call) operators are allowed above 3.700 on 80m, Foundation & Standard are only allowed 3.500-3.700

In future I would like to bring it to the attention of all Amateur Radio ops of these restrictions within VK

It is very easy to say "Upgrade your licence" to work these stations but why should we as the Amateur Radio Community, discriminate against those without full call licences to work DX?

Please take this into consideration when planning your next DX'pedition and using 80m as one of your "core frequencies" As it is the only band that splits the Advanced ops from the Novices and to me this is totally unfair.

This thread is in no way considered a complaint nor a negative perspective on licencing within VK, it is merely a notification to those unaware of frequency restrictions, very similar to USA stations on 40m that cannot work the lower part of the band.......which we all take for granted (some of us anyway)

Best 73's To All!

--

Derek VK4FREQ

[N3XP]

No matter where a DXpedition sets up on the band they are going to be leaving someone out. Trying to accommodate everyone all the time is a sure map to failure. The biggest reason to upgrade is more band you can use.

The gripes are always the same here. General licensees want the DXpeditions in the general portion of the band. But lets face it, the DXpeditions are going to have a pile no matter where they set up.

So, sorry. The best fix is to upgrade. It only took a few weeks of listening to stuff that was outside of where I could work before I started working on my upgrade.

[N2RJ]

For those unaware of licencing restrictions, only Advanced (Full Call) operators are allowed above 3.700 on 80m, Foundation & Standard are only allowed 3.500-3.700

Our licensing somewhat of the opposite for phone operation.

Our Technicians and Generals are allowed from 3525 to 3600 on CW and Technicians are allowed data on 3525 to 3600 and 3800 to 4000 on phone.

As for the "upgrade your license" issue and DXpeditions, it's called incentive licensing. I'm not putting down more entry level licenses like your foundation and our US Technician and General but when the pileups are large, the DXpeditions try to thin them out. One way they do that is by operating in the segments where only full licenses have privileges. Unfortunately the reality of it is that if you want to be able to work everything you want you need a full license.

[W0IS]

Technicians are allowed data on 3525 to 3600 and 3800 to 4000 on phone.

I think you meant to say "general" (which is basically our intermediate license in the U.S.)

I do have a question about the Foundation license. What power level are you allowed? I would actually like very much to work one, since the 4-letter suffix makes you pretty rare. The only one I've ever worked was VE7EXPO, and I don't think I got their QSL.

I think you're QRP, so would you be willing to give it a try on CW? I promise to QRS if needed!

[NN3W]

Ive worked several VK foundation class hams on 40 SSB - 7125 - 7200.

[N2RJ]

I think you meant to say "general" (which is basically our intermediate license in the U.S.)"

Yes, I meant General. The General is fast becoming an entry level license though, as many are entering the hobby with a General license these days instead of Tech.

I do have a question about the Foundation license. What power level are you allowed? I would actually like very much to work one, since the 4-letter suffix makes you pretty rare. The only one I've ever worked was VE7EXPO, and I don't think I got their QSL.

I think you're QRP, so would you be willing to give it a try on CW? I promise to QRS if needed!

I think Aussie foundations are allowed 10w.

[N2RJ]

Ive worked several VK foundation class hams on 40 SSB - 7125 - 7200.

Direct or via internet link?

[W0IS]

Yes, 10 watts on 40 SSB is quite an accomplishment. It's possible, but it would be quite an accomplishment for them (and for the station working them).

[VK4MIA]

As already mentioned 10w and yes sometimes it is quite a challenge but it is possible as long as the Propagation is strong.

Very rarely will I attempt to work a station under an S-5 because I know my chances will be very slim, but in saying that I have worked stations that are 5/5 and received 5/3, one of these being VK0BP.

I plan on upgrading but due to my work schedule this won't take place until the middle of 2010 when things have slowed down at work and I can concentrate it.

W0IS unfortunately I don't do CW so you'll have to try via phone ok.

This is also a change in the licencing for VK which some may be aware and some may not. CW is no longer part of any of the exams for Amateur Radio anymore, it was dropped years ago with the introduction of the Foundation Licence.

To bring you up to speed on the 3 levels of licences just check the links below

http://www.wia.org.au/licences/foundation/about/

http://www.wia.org.au/licences/standard/about/

http://www.wia.org.au/licences/advanced/about/

I think the only thing they forget to mention is the power levels for each class. 10w Foundation, 100w Standard, 400w Advanced

Best 73's

[NN3W]

Direct or via internet link?

Details NN3W VK2FHCM 2008-03-02 10:33:00 40M PHONE 7165
Details NN3W VK2FNRB 2008-03-01 10:33:00 40M PHONE 7180
Details NN3W VK3FABV 2008-03-01 10:46:00 40M PHONE 7180
Details NN3W VK3FADX 2008-03-01 07:42:00 40M PHONE 7177
Details NN3W VK3FSIM 2008-03-01 10:38:00 40M PHONE 7180
Details NN3W VK5FTDM 2008-03-02 10:35:00 40M PHONE 7165
Details NN3W VK7FACC 2007-10-28 08:53:00 40M PHONE 7137
Details NN3W VK7FACC 2007-10-28 08:12:00 40M PHONE 7160
Details NN3W VK7FWAY 2008-03-02 10:46:00 40M PHONE 7165