[VK] Proposed changes to amateur licence conditions. Consultation closes: 09 August 2019

Executive summary

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has conducted a review of licence conditions that apply to amateur radio operators with Foundation, Standard and Advanced level qualifications.

The amateur service is a longstanding user of the radiofrequency spectrum, with a range of bands made available for qualified amateurs. It is designed primarily to facilitate hobby radiocommunications and technical experimentation.

In the Draft five-year spectrum outlook 2019–23 (the draft FYSO), the ACMA indicated it would commence consultation on potential changes to amateur licensing conditions by June 2019.

Our review considered various requests for changes to licence conditions in submissions made by amateur peak bodies—the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) and the Radio Amateur Society of Australia (RASA).

The ACMA is also taking the opportunity to propose amendments to the Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Amateur Licence) Determination 2015 and Radiocommunications (Overseas Amateurs Visiting Australia) Class Licence 2015 to remove amateur advanced licensees’ access to the 3575–3600 MHz band within areas reallocated for spectrum licensing. The purpose of these changes is to prevent cancellation of advanced amateur licences that would otherwise occur as a result of the reallocation of the 3575–3700 MHz band (the 3.6 GHz band) for spectrum licences.

Source: https://www.acma.gov.au/theACMA/proposed-changes-to-amateur-licence-conditions