20-09-2016, 04:51 AM
I think I'm becoming a bit of a fan for these podcasts. That link you posted Roger, I decided to listen to them all, great stuff.
I have to say, the effort the WIA are going too in regard to the licence conditions submissions, to the ACMA is pretty impressive. I hope it bares fruit after all the effort.
When I said "the expense of actually upgrading", I wasn't actually meaning the expense of radio gear as such, although of course that can be very expensive, all those shiny radios and things :mrgreen: I actually meant the licence costs.
It was over $200 to obtain my foundation licence, that was with a vanity call. To upgrade to standard, it will cost $70 for the theory exam, $70 for the rules and regs exam, I've already done the practical exam as part of the foundation so there is a saving of $65. Then it's $76 for the actual licence, then another $20 odd for a vanity call again. I think it's $22 for that? I cant remember now, but that is quite an expense. I pay that even if I fail of course, well, except the licence fee and vanity. Thats what I meant when I said "is it even worth it". This and what I gain doing the standard is what i'm baulking at to upgrade.
Which brings me to the restrictions on amateur licences in Australia.
Having read the WIA submission in my link in my OP, it made me wonder why the government of OZ, restricts us so much as compared to OS. The foundation is a watered down version of an entry level licence. Why is a pome foundation licence so unrestricted compared to AUS?, also, guess how much that licence costs.
Here is why I think, the English foundation licence is thriving.
Massive allocation, doesn’t cost a lot, digital(this was a silly oversight from the start), can build stuff(I cant even wire up a mic to use on a radio), and no stand out call sign(will be needed if they give digital to OZ F call). Plus 10 watts in tiny England with UHF/VHF repeaters everywhere is fine(they started with 3 watts for the F call here).
But why is our standard licence so restricted and watered down as compared to OS. The pom foundation gets more frequency allocation than our standard licence! The upgrade carrot in UK is power.
I've been told, "why do the standard exam, may as well do the full licence, the exams are nearly the same" a few times now by some people. Now if this is even nearly true, why then is the standard licence allowance so restricted? It doesn’t make sense. Why have a standard licence at all if the exams are near in skill level required? Why not just have an entry level and a full licence level?
I'm not asking for massive power for the foundation, like 1500watts the US technical has. Or even the frequency allocation the UK foundation gets. Just a reasonable buff, to make it more attractive. It's proven by the UK foundation licence, that if you package it right they will come.
I will be renewing my licence, I'm still trying to talk the cheese and kisses into the expense of an upgrade though. She gives me heaps about not talking to anyone much any more, and whats the point of having radios. Well she is female, so I dont blame her for not knowing the love of radios
She laughs when I run outside to lower my dipole strung between two iron bark trees, when a wind comes up, or emptying the bucket full of bricks i have on a pulley system after rain, that keeps the dipole nice and taught. I just smile and go into my radio room and turn a radio on extra loud to drown out the drone.
I have to say, the effort the WIA are going too in regard to the licence conditions submissions, to the ACMA is pretty impressive. I hope it bares fruit after all the effort.
When I said "the expense of actually upgrading", I wasn't actually meaning the expense of radio gear as such, although of course that can be very expensive, all those shiny radios and things :mrgreen: I actually meant the licence costs.
It was over $200 to obtain my foundation licence, that was with a vanity call. To upgrade to standard, it will cost $70 for the theory exam, $70 for the rules and regs exam, I've already done the practical exam as part of the foundation so there is a saving of $65. Then it's $76 for the actual licence, then another $20 odd for a vanity call again. I think it's $22 for that? I cant remember now, but that is quite an expense. I pay that even if I fail of course, well, except the licence fee and vanity. Thats what I meant when I said "is it even worth it". This and what I gain doing the standard is what i'm baulking at to upgrade.
Which brings me to the restrictions on amateur licences in Australia.
Having read the WIA submission in my link in my OP, it made me wonder why the government of OZ, restricts us so much as compared to OS. The foundation is a watered down version of an entry level licence. Why is a pome foundation licence so unrestricted compared to AUS?, also, guess how much that licence costs.
Here is why I think, the English foundation licence is thriving.
Massive allocation, doesn’t cost a lot, digital(this was a silly oversight from the start), can build stuff(I cant even wire up a mic to use on a radio), and no stand out call sign(will be needed if they give digital to OZ F call). Plus 10 watts in tiny England with UHF/VHF repeaters everywhere is fine(they started with 3 watts for the F call here).
But why is our standard licence so restricted and watered down as compared to OS. The pom foundation gets more frequency allocation than our standard licence! The upgrade carrot in UK is power.
I've been told, "why do the standard exam, may as well do the full licence, the exams are nearly the same" a few times now by some people. Now if this is even nearly true, why then is the standard licence allowance so restricted? It doesn’t make sense. Why have a standard licence at all if the exams are near in skill level required? Why not just have an entry level and a full licence level?
I'm not asking for massive power for the foundation, like 1500watts the US technical has. Or even the frequency allocation the UK foundation gets. Just a reasonable buff, to make it more attractive. It's proven by the UK foundation licence, that if you package it right they will come.
I will be renewing my licence, I'm still trying to talk the cheese and kisses into the expense of an upgrade though. She gives me heaps about not talking to anyone much any more, and whats the point of having radios. Well she is female, so I dont blame her for not knowing the love of radios
She laughs when I run outside to lower my dipole strung between two iron bark trees, when a wind comes up, or emptying the bucket full of bricks i have on a pulley system after rain, that keeps the dipole nice and taught. I just smile and go into my radio room and turn a radio on extra loud to drown out the drone.
Steve VK4SMJ