Around May this year, Australia will introduce the Foundation Licence as
part of a new three-tier licence system. Foundation, Standard & Advanced.
(Instead of the current 5 licence categories of Novice Limited, Novice,
Intermediate, Limited, Unrestricted)

It will be an easier test than the current Novice test and allow the
Foundation Licence operation on the following bands, with a maximum output
of 10w using unmodified commercial equipment only. It is a modified version
to suit VK of the UK Foundation Licence.

Foundations will have access to 3.5-3.7, 7.0-7.3, 21-21.45, 28.0-29.7,
144-148 and 430-450MHz

The Current VK Novice (VK$ L,M, N, P, V) and Novice Limited (VK$ H) will
become (upgraded to) Standard Licencees and will have access to
all of the above, plus 14-14.350, 52-54.00, 1.240GHz-1.3GHz, 2.4-2.45GHz,
5.6-5.8GHz. with max pwr of 100w. Meaning there is only four bands we wo't
gain automatic access to. (Yep, I'm a H call, didn't see the point in
sitting a Morse Exam when it's no longer a test requirement)

This means that all VK Novice and Novice Limited will gain automatic access
to a whole heap of new bands and modes when the Licence is introduced. So
our current lowest licence class, the Novice Limited, or "H" call will
become a mid-classed operator around May. Expect increased activity on many
bands when this happens.

Limited (VK$ T, U, X, Y, Z) and Intermediate will become (VK$ J, K)
(upgraded) to Advanced "Full Call" and have access to all VK Amateur Bands
with max pwr of 400w.

These changes are a result of the ACA's Review of the Amateur Service and
the Outcomes of that Review.

Ashley Geelan VK3HAG


www.wia.org.au The world's oldest and First Amateur Radio Society, formed
and operational Since 1910. (Before RSGB and the ARRL!)