The Wireless Institute of Australia

When we say "Amateur Radio" many people instantly think of the old Morse code. They think that to get involved in amateur radio you have to learn Morse code, it is not necessary to learn or have knowledge of Morse code to obtain a standard or any other grade of amateur licence.

Learning some pretty heavy electronics theory and put in many months of study to pass a pretty difficult exam. Well that's the way it used to be, but not any more. October 2005 saw the introduction of the new standard grade syllabus and it is easier than the old novice license. It is now in line with the world standard for the middle grade licence and you can use your standard grade licence in many countries that have reciprocal licensing with Australia . A current list of countries with reciprocal licensing agreements with Australia can be found on the ACMA website.

Just complete a training course with as little as 20 hours training and at the end of the course a 50 question multiple choice examination, a multiple choice regulations examination and if you do not hold a foundation licence, practical test and a few days later yours on the air with your new standard grade licence.

The Standard Licence provides a great opportunity for young people to expand an interest in communications technology and can be a solid launching base to a rewarding career in science, electronics, and communications.

But most importantly standard licence will expand your horizons if you are upgrading from a foundation licence. It provides an opportunity to communicate with people all over the world as it allows for the use of more bands and higher power than the foundation licence. You will also be able to make and or modify your own equipment, as a foundation licensee must only use standard, unmodified commercial amateur radio equipment. The standard grade licensee can use the 20-meter band and can therefore join one of the several very popular maritime nets.

The standard Licence makes an amateur radio Licence upgrade from the foundation licence very achievable with around 20 hours study

Things You Will Need To Know

You will need to be able to correctly answer correctly 35 of 50 multiple-choice questions based on the standard syllabus, a copy of the syllabus can be downloaded from the link on the right hand menu bar of this page and a similar regulations assessment based on the LCD (Licence conditions determination), a copy of which can be also downloaded from the link on the right hand menu bar of this page. Alternatively if you already hold qualifications, which would allow you exemptions in training, then you can apply for recognition of prior learning from the WIA, details are on the WIA website under Become A Radio Amateur > Australian Amateur Licensing And Callsigns > Recognition Of Prior Learning Assessment.

Radio Bands You Can Use

The standard licence operator can operate in the bands listed below using
the modes listed in the right hand column.

Radio band	Frequency	Permitted Emission Modes
80 Metres	3.500 - 3.700 MHz	Any emission mode with a necessary bandwidth not exceeding 8 kHz
40 Metres	7.000 - 7.300 MHz
20 Metres	14.000 - 14.350 MHz
15 Metres	21.000 - 21.450 MHz
10 Metres	28.000 - 29.700 MHz	Any emission mode with a necessary bandwidth not exceeding 16 kHz
6 Metres	52 - 54 MHz
2 Metres	144 - 148 MHz
70 Centimetres	430 - 450 MHz
23 Centimetres	1240 - 1300 MHz
13 Centimetres	2400 - 2450 MHz
6 Centimetres	5650 - 5850 MHz

Note : These are general band ranges provided as a guide only, please ensure you consult
the ACMA LCD for specific frequency ranges, power limits and any special conditions.

Training For Your Licence

There are several radio clubs around Australia offering training for the standard licence and the charges can vary from club to club from as little as $10.00. You will also need to purchase some support technical reference information such as the ARRL handbook or the Radio Theory handbook. These publications plus many others related publications can be purchased via the WIA online bookshop here on this website.

Besides providing training the clubs are the ideal places to learn all about amateur radio. You can meet other hams, attend interesting lectures, and find out lots of information. If you decide to take up amateur radio as a hobby you will soon learn there are hundreds of different facets to the hobby.

The standard time for training is around 20 to 30 hours. Some clubs will conduct training over several nights and some over a weekend. The 50 question multiple choice written assessment and the regulations assessment takes around 1.5 hour.

Any charges associated with standard licence training are up to the radio clubs conducting the training. You will need to check with your local club to find out what their charges are.

The WIA webpages list most of the clubs that are offering training and assessment. If you have trouble finding a club then send us an email to nationaloffice@wia.org.au and we will assist you.

You can also study for the Standard Licence Multi-Media Course with the Radio and Electronics School in the comfort of your own home. This course is supplied on two CD ROMS, and is an easy short course which lasts from 4-5 weeks duration. The course is designed to get you on air "FAST", with the minimum amount of fuss, covering standard theory and regulations.

The school head office is located on the Gold Coast and services all Australian States and Territories. E-mail support is provided with this course should any questions or problems arise. Inquiries are answered within 24 hours, usually less. Please visit http://www.radioelectronicschool.net for further information about the Standard Licence Multi-Media Course and pricing.

Note that you will need complete your Practical Assessment for the Amateur Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency (Standard) AOCP(S) if not already done.

Assessments

You will also need to complete an assessment as soon as you feel you have completed the training. The price for the standard assessment, regulations assessment and practical assessments are $67.00 each or $35.00 each if you are under the age of 18, if you this licence is your entry point into amateur radio you will need to complete a practical assessment. A full list of assessors can be found on the WIA webpage. The Standard amateur radio licence is issued by ACMA and the licence cost is currently $64.00 per year.

The new licence structure introduces a practical assessment that is common to the three grades of licence. The practical assessment is required not only for foundation but also for standard and advanced licence grades. However a practical assessment only needs to be completed once, so by successfully completing a practical assessment as part of your foundation licence you will not be required to repeat it should you decide to upgrade to the standard or advanced licence grades. Even if you are an existing licenced amateur who received your licence before the requirement for a practical assessment was introduced and you wish to upgrade your licence, then you too will need to complete a practical assessment if you have not already done so.

The WIA webpages list assessors who can provide you with your Standard license assessment. If you have trouble finding an assessor then send us an email to nationaloffice@wia.org.au and we will assist you.

Remote Assessments

The WIA has made provision to conduct remote assessments for those people who live a long distance from a radio club or an assessor. A specially trained assessor will be able to conduct the assessment (via the phone) the candidate will need to be in the presence of a person, such as a local policeman or school headmaster. If you are one of these people and you would like more information you should contact the WIA. Remote assessments are available for all three-licence grades.

Services The WIA Provides

The WIA is the peak body representing amateur radio to ACMA, the government instrumentality who administers the radio spectrum, it also represents Australian amateurs internationally.; The WIA also produces a monthly magazine set to members, weekly broadcasts, provides a bookshop with a discount for members, works closely with the 100 affiliated radio clubs, provides the amateur examination service and helps members with the many questions and information they need to make the hobby more enjoyable.

Further Information

The Internet is a great source of information on amateur radio, the WIA website has a lot of information including links to club websites and a link to the WIA broadcast pages. You can down load last weeks or up to two year of broadcast and listen to the on MP3 files. The WIA website is www.wia.org.au Other sites are the American Radio Relay League at http://www.arrl.org/index.php3 the Radio Society of Great Britain at http://www.rsgb.org Radio Amateurs of Canada at http://www.rac.ca/ If you search the web you will find thousands of site world wide that have been set up by radio clubs and individual amateurs, after all there are around three million of us.

Who To Contact

The WIA does not have the resources to answer a large number of telephone enquiries All questions should be directed to you nearest club as listed in the club section of the WIA website or e-mail us with your question at nationaloffice@wia.org.au

Standard Licence

The Standard Licence

Your Second Step Into Amateur Radio