ACMA Amateur radio update: June 2021

Amateur radio update: June 2021

In our third amateur e-bulletin for 2021, we provide an update on:

the review of non-assigned amateur licensing
2×1 contest call signs
consultation on proposed changes to class licences to harmonise EME requirements
accreditation arrangements.

Update: review of non-assigned amateur licensing arrangements

In February, we consulted on our review of non-assigned amateur and outpost licensing arrangements, which included proposed changes to accreditation arrangements for amateur beacon and repeater assignment.

We would like to thank everyone who provided feedback. We received over 800 submissions, which we are now considering.

We intend to publish submissions in Q3 2021, along with our response to the key issues raised.

Update: 2×1 contest call signs

Arrangements for issuing 2×1 call signs (for example, VK1Z) to use in contests are currently being developed.

Further information about the proposed application process and how 2×1 call signs will be issued will be provided in an upcoming e-bulletin.

Outcome: consultation on proposed changes to harmonise EME requirements

We have published the outcome of our consultation on proposed changes to how our electromagnetic energy (EME) regulatory framework applies to class licences.

This includes a proposed change to the Radiocommunications (Overseas Amateurs Visiting Australia) Class Licence 2015 (Overseas Class Licence) that would require overseas visiting amateurs to comply with the EME general public exposure limits set out in the Standard for Limiting Exposure to Radiofrequency Fields – 100 kHz to 300 GHz (ARPANSA Standard).

Following consideration of submissions, we have decided not to make this change to the Overseas Class Licence.

We will keep investigating the most appropriate longer-term EME-related requirements for domestic and overseas visiting amateurs as part of our review of non-assigned amateur licensing arrangements.

Outcome: accredited persons scheme

Following our consultation, we have made legislative instruments for the accreditation to issue Frequency Assignment Certificates (FACs) and Interference Impact Certificates.

In general, these instruments continue the arrangements in place under the accredited persons scheme (the AP scheme).

One significant difference is that the AP scheme now allows the ACMA to accredit a person to issue FACs for a single, specified licence type, such as assigned amateur licences (beacon and repeater) and at a lower application charge than for ‘full’ accreditation.

We also intend to publish technical and administrative guidance to improve the efficiency of the assignment process for assigned amateur licences. We’ll provide more information on this in subsequent bulletins.

Instruments for the AP scheme are: