This page has news mainly about ham radio administration and representation, especially from ACMA and ham non-goverment organisations – WIA and RASA.

ACMA is the Australian Communications and Media Authority. They are the government body that controls all the radio spectrum.

WIA is the Wireless Institute of Australia. They are the peak body representing Australian amateur operators on the local and world stage.

RASA is the Radio Amateur Society of Australia. They are a new organisation representing the interests of Australian amateur operators.

AMC TO QUIT HAM EXAMS

The latest news is that the AMC has decided not to renew their arrangement with ACMA for administering ham examinations. One can only speculate on the reasons.

ACMA is now planning to take over the whole process themselves and it will eventually come under the upcoming class licence structure.

In the meantime, ACMA have been contacting assessors, including those from SARC, with a view to keeping them in the present roles. Reaction from the ham community seems positive so far. Exam results will go direct to ACMA hopefully making the whole process cheaper and quicker, without a ‘middleman’.

The ACMA bulletin relating to this can be accessed here –

https://www.acma.gov.au/amateur-radio

ACMA SAYS NO TO AMATEUR 5MHZ ACCESS

The ACMA has announced its decision to not grant access to the 5MHz band, saying as follows (extract from email):

“In balancing defence’s existing use of the 5351.5–5366.5 kHz band against the impacts of introducing use by the amateur service, the ACMA has decided not to support amateur use in the band. The decision paper in the key documents section of the consultation gives the reasons for our decision.

Public and non-public submissions from the Department of Defence showed that expanding the use of the 5351.5–5366.5 kHz band to potentially several thousand amateur operators could impact important radiocommunications operations.

The ACMA recognises the high level of interest shown by the amateur community in adding this band, and understands there will be disappointment.

However, we are confident the decision is appropriate and consistent with the objects of the Radiocommunications Act. In particular, this includes supporting defence and national interest objectives.”

Available callsigns now on line

The Australian Maritime College has advised that the database of publicly available call signs is now live and can be found at https://csdb.utas.edu.au/Callsign/SearchUnallocated.