Let's buy an argument - Foundation

[VK3ALB]

A change to foundation license conditions.

Allow 100W. Nearly every ham radio you can buy these days is capable of 100W. 10W really is pointless these days. Saves all the abuse from hams that "just know" F calls are running more than allowed power. Arbitrary limits of 10W, 25W and 50W make no sense.

Allow three letter suffix - Did anyone notice that there are no VI prefixed call signs on issue any more? That wasn't the case earlier this year.

Allow Digital modes on all current bands. Now that the three letter suffix is here hock: what's stopping the use of digi modes?

Allow more bands. Digi Mode only operation on extra bands. A precedent already exists in the U.S. I would offer 30, 20, 17, 12, 6 (above 52MHz) and 23cm. Finally, I see no issue with digi voice modes for 2m and 70cm such as P25, DMR and the multitude of proprietary digital voice modes that abound these days.

I see real benefits for this class of license yet there would still be significant incentive to upgrade to standard or advanced - principally, voice communication and access to even more bands.

If you want to complain about the inequity of the three license levels I suggest you start your own topic so these waters are not muddied. Let's see if we can keep this topic to F call privileges only.

Added in 1 hour 6 minutes 49 seconds:
Edit:

For extra bands I would only offer 20m, 6m (above 52MHz) and 23cm

[VK5PJ]

Yes, please please kill the four letter suffix.. my brain stops after the third letter and I completely loose the plot to the point where I advoid a contact with a foundation call because it is too embarassing for me to fumble it EVERY TIME.

so lets have VI2ABC as foundation calls (no two letters to be issued so there are no elite calls) .... the general population do not need these prefixes in reality.

Regards,
Peter, vk5pj

[VK3ALB]

Agreed Pete,

Opening up digi modes to foundation operators has been highlighted by many as a possible way of swelling the ranks of AR with new minds that see things in a different way. There less than 2500 F calls currently registered so a three letter suffix will never run out. In the UK there are a variety of call prefixes and I don't think that has affected anyone. It would be a pretty simple thing to identify a foundation operator with a VI prefix. I'm sure it would be an easy transition.

It's pretty tough listening to DX stumble over the four letter F call suffix even with the imaginative use of alternate phonetics. I've heard Jenni lose a number of great DX contacts because the far end just could not cope with the the four letters.I think our ham brains are expecting 2 or 3 letter suffixes. BTW even though I understand the 4 letter suffix I still have to think twice when I hear a 1x1 call - same mental process.

No comment on power or digi modes?

It may seem like a taunt but I think the time has come to think with a little clarity on the subject. In my mind we shouldn't take away privileges but it's clear some don't see the logic in learning to advance themselves in the hobby. Technical knowledge is not the great prize it once was. I see my proposal differentiating foundation from standard by using speaking into the microphone as the prize. I think today that speaking is probably more of an incentive than knowledge was some years.

[VK5PJ]

Lou,
in reality no one who is in the place to make the decisions looks to these sort of forums to gather opinions, it is more of a place for us to let of some steam without killing anyone (hopefully) LOL.

I never did understand the lack of digital modes, it was truely one of the worlds greatest VK brain fades to exclude those modes to a generation of possible new ham's. The older ages coming through as foundation calls could simply ignore the modes if they wanted but I feel sure the younger ones would see it as the magnet to get them motivated but alas we have what we have until some real review occurs and I am sure they will not be bashing down my door to get the 'good oil'.

They answer has always been simple though, pass the next level exam (PJ holds up a shield for incoming rocks)

Regards,
Peter

[VK3ALB]

Hi Peter,

Yes the current WIA put forward a proposal some time ago. I see from the WIA site that moves are afoot re digi modes and it seems awfully coincidental that the VI licenses have all gone now. I expect that most of the latest WIA proposal will be accepted as is.

On the subject of digi modes I think that the real draw for new comers would be emission bandwidth where moving data over an RF like would hold more interest that "hello statue".

Some young engineers from Melbourne Uni came to our club late last year to talk about their studies in the field of space programs. One of them was only 17 and spoke of their efforts to launch a mesh network into space using cubesats in the 5GHz band and controlled from a 23cm terrestrial site. Their knowledge of the difficulties of maintaining FDMA links due to the behavior of RF over distances was amazing.

Sadly, bureaucracy is hindering their attempts to progress. We saw STEM at it's finest. These people could show us plenty about our hobby.

[VK4ADC]

Lou,
in reality no one who is in the place to make the decisions looks to these sort of forums to gather opinions,

Regards,
Peter

Not totally true. At least one of the current WIA Directors, Roger VK2ZRH visits this site. I am sure that he would take some notice of such comments and place them in the discussion pool as appropriate. The greater the numbers that provide like comments add more to the basis to push for change.

Lou, I do want to comment about the FLs in terms of my thoughts about callsigns, bands, power and emission modes but I will need to write it up separately and proof it so I don't get flamed too much. I will post that comment in the coming days.

Doug VK4ADC

[VK4ADC]

Lou

This may be overshadowed by a segment on the WIA news for 12 March 2017 :

"The ACMA and WIA meeting

The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) met with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) in Canberra on Friday February 24.
........... more ...............

The WIA suggestion that Foundation Licences could have callsigns with a three letter suffix was being further explored, but no decision had been yet.
........... more ...............

The WIA had identified options for Foundation Licensees to have a three letter suffix callsign to help them access digital modes, should digital modes for Foundation licensees be approved.

The ACMA licensing section indicates that its SPECTRA system should be able handle them, and the WIA agreed that there be a test to prove the concept.

........... more ...............

"
http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/wianews/ and look for "WIA News for Sun, 12 Mar 2017"

I will await more info - but not hold my breath while waiting

[VK4BLP]

I have always supported the idea that Foundation licence :-

1/. allowed more power, i.e. 50 watts maximum
2/. allowed digital modes

We need to get the clued up younger people in, and they want/need the digital modes, but don't want the extra effort of a standard or advanced call, which puts them off. If they get put off, they just use both AR bands and bands that none of us should be on.

Power always has been an issue to F calls, with many Standard or Advanced operators telling them to crank it right up. 50 watts would let them get a signal out as they are still learning.

These 2 items would still give them enough incentive to upgrade later to get all the 'good stuff' we full calls have.

Don't forget there are plenty of F calls that simply enjoy our hobby and have no need or desire to upgrade, and I dare say none of those people would probably use the digital modes if given to them anyway.

[VK2MUS]

the argument that Foundation operators should not have digital modes because they have not been tested on that is really a non argument as none of us foundation,standard or advanced have actually been tested on digital modes. All levels should have access to digital modes and at best a recommendation of correct and proper use of these modes should be produced by the WIA for the guidance of all operators. The procedural type digital modes such as JT65 , Jt9 etc are excellent modes for the foundation operator - they are well self policed and being procedural in operation means the new comer can't do any harm. The worse that can be done is to operate with the ALC too high and that would be well policed by those that use the modes as it is currently . I cannot see any valid argument as to why all levels of license cannot use jt65/jt9

I do believe that in light of our operating environment it is just not reasonable to restrict foundation operators to such low power - we live in a fairly remote environment internationally and locally and the power level for voice transmissions should reflect that - simply bring the base power level up to that is the normal upper limit for just about every commercially available radio - of course that does not mean that operators will operate at that level except when required. Do not change the foundation bands this leaves 20m as the incentive to go to Standard and if the foundation license has digital then it is a large incentive to upgrade

John

[VK4SMJ]

G'day,

I think power could be raised to at least 50w. But why not 100w, 95% will have radios that will do 100w already. If the Yanks can give their entry level 1500w, Surely OZ can handle 50w-100w for its beginners.

Digital modes. This was a major fail to not include this.

6 Letter call. If digital is granted, this has to be changed for practical reasons.

A few extra bands, cant hurt. Look at everyone else’s band allocation at this license grade. Entry level licenses in most other countries have band allocations that put our Standard grade license to shame!

If the Foundation gets any changes, it would seem obvious that the other license grades will be changed as well, so don’t look at these changes in isolation. I just hope they make smart changes, that bring the AU Amateur licenses somewhere near the rest of the world. Especially our Standard license grade, it is woefully inadequate as compared to the rest of the world at that license level.

Plus as one of the few countries left in the world that actually pays for the privilege to be an Amateur every year, why shouldn't we have a few extra lollies in the bag?

Thank you for your time.