Class licence summary

[VK5TOM]

https://youtu.be/X6AGiVanKnQ?si=b3RByHN_J4VDknwU

[VK5AAD]

One thing I did notice when reading the new class licence document is that call signs must be given at beginning and end of EACH transmission (my emphasis) and each period of 10 minutes or part thereof if a transmission is longer than 10 minutes. 

The current licence determination considers two scenarios, one of a single transmission and the second of a SERIES of transmissions, in which case the call sign must be given at the beginning and end of the SERIES of transmissions (and each 10 minutes if the SERIES is longer than 10 minutes).  They seem to have kept 8(1) - a single transmission - and forgotten 8(2) which covered a series of transmissions.

Relevant sections:
Current - Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Amateur Licence) Determination 2015 - Part 2 8(1) & 8(2).
New - Radiocommunications (Amateur Stations) Class Licence 2023 - Part 3 12(1)

[VK5ZLR]

given at beginning and end of EACH transmission

I too wondered about that.
One can only hope that people don't comply, especially on the linked repeater network.

[VK5ZLR]

One other thing I'm confused about is what happens below 10Mhz if using high power.
Could well be that I am missing something, but I have been through it several times and don't understand.....

Copy and paste from the regs below.




Measuring compliance with the condition

            (2)  For the purposes of subclauses 3(3), 3(4) and 4(3):

                    (a)  if the station operates on a frequency in the frequency band 10 MHz to 30 MHz, only one of the following properties needs to be measured or calculated to show compliance with subclause (1) at places in the far field of the antenna:

                              (i)  incident electric field strength;

                            (ii)  incident magnetic field strength;

                    (b)  if the station operates on a frequency in the frequency band 30 MHz to 2 GHz, only one of the following properties needs to be measured or calculated to show compliance with subclause (1) at places in the far field of the antenna:

                              (i)  incident electric field strength;

                            (ii)  incident magnetic field strength;

                            (iii)  incident power density;

                    (c)  if the station operates on a frequency greater than 2 GHz, only the incident power density needs to be measured or calculated to show compliance with subclause (1) at places in the far field of the antenna.

[VK5MCH]

If it doesn't say there is anything to measure, maybe you don't have to measure anything.

[VK5KKS]

Is anything mentioned in the new regulations about swearing, playing music, content of communications, advertising?

[VK5AAD]

Is anything mentioned in the new regulations about swearing, playing music, content of communications, advertising?

OK, I can be rather pedantic, but the "regulations" are an instrument issued under the Radiocommunications Act and contain nothing specific to amateur radio (they're only 12 pages in total).

The "LCD" (Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Amateur Licence) Determination 2015) still exists and was amended last year to allow for the use of 50-52MHz by Standard licencees, and new provisions for overseas visitors. So provisions re allowed and prohibited content in the LCD still apply.

The "Class Licence" (Radiocommunications (Amateur Stations) Class Licence 2023) omits some some duplication of provisions in the LCD but includes others such as the prohibition of advertising, transmitter power limits, etc.

Another determination, the Radiocommunications (Amateur Licences – Renewal Statement) Determination 2023 basicly covers transition arrangements.

Broadcasting of music is not specifically mentioned but I would posit that it is covered by the definitions of what amateur radio is, and provisions re interference to radio communications.  As an example, the weekly WIA national news broadcast includes small amounts of music and song in what is otherwise largely technical and other information relevant to amateur radio.  On the other hand playing music through a repeater thus preventing legitimate use falls into the intentional interference category.

I am not a lawyer!