Amateur – Foundation Licence

Your Entry Into Amateur Radio

The hobby of Amateur Radio has a long and proud tradition. The very first radio amateurs were true pioneers of radio technology. Amateurs ‘invented’ and refined much of the early radio technology and were the first to transmit music, radio plays, and information to the handful of people who had the new fangled radio receivers.

When did Amateur Radio get going in Australia?

After World War II the hobby of amateur radio flourished. Radio clubs sprang up in schools all over the world and kids went home each night to build some new contraption, or have a chat with someone over the wireless. These young people became the mainstay of the technical professions and developed much of the modern technology we use today.

Things You Will Need To Know

When you participate in a Foundation Amateur Radio Course, the emphasis is on candidates having the knowledge of skills to demonstrate a practical ability to put together an amateur radio station from commercial equipment and operate it without causing interference to other users and have the knowledge to be a competent radio operator.

You will also need to be aware of how amateur radio relates to other users of the radio spectrum, your licence conditions, technical basics of electricity and electronics, transmitters, receivers, feedlines and antennas, propagation, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and electromagnetic radiation (EMR).

Radio Bands You Can Use

The foundation licence operator can operate in the bands listed below using the modes listed in the right hand column. The foundation licence operator can only use commercially manufactured transmitting equipment.

Distances You Can Work

The Foundation Manual

The WIA has produced a book titled “The Foundation Licence Manual. Your Entry Into Amateur Radio“. It is a full color manual consisting of 115 pages of relevant information for those studying, or those who would just like a reference book for Foundation Licence Operators.

The manual contains all relevant information you will need to know to successfully complete a foundation training course, and obtain a foundation qualification. Its contents also extend beyond that of the course, and will remain a solid reference for any Foundation Qualified operator.

Budding candidates can obtain The Foundation Licence Manual from several sources, inncluding the WIA (office in Bayswater), via many radio clubs throughout Australia, from most amateur radio equipment suppliers, or one will be provided if you attend one of our Foundation courses. If you attend a Foundation course with us, we will include the cost of The Foundation License Manual in course fees. The price for the Foundation Manual through the WIA is currently $35 plus $15 P&H.

On Line Tutorials

The Radio and Electronics School has kindly made available training and practice tutorials. Please visit http://res.net.au/ for more info on the services provided.  Please note RES is an external body and not directly associated with Scouts Australia.

Two Day Training Courses

SRESU intensive two day training and assessment weekend.  The training covers all the skills required to achieve your Foundation Amateur Operators Certificate of Proficiency – (AOCP-F).  This is the first of three (3) levels of nationally recognized qualifications within Australia.

Assessments

To obtain your amateur radio foundation qualification, you will need to have successfully completed the required assessments. Once you feel you are ready, having completed your training either through a radio club course or through self study, you will need to book in for an assessment. SRESU, like many radio clubs, typically run assessments as part of their training courses. However, you may also choose to contact a club or assessor and arrange for an assessment at a time that is mutually convenient between yourself and the assessor.

The foundation qualification assessment has two components taking around an hour or so to complete. The first being a 25 question multiple choice assessment paper, the second being a hands on practical assessment. Once you have successfully completed both you will be able to choose an available call-sign and apply for your foundation amateur qualification through ACMA.

The practical assessment is required, not only for foundation, but also for standard and advanced qualifications. However, a practical assessment only needs to be completed once. By successfully completing a practical assessment as part of your foundation qualification, there will be no need to repeat the assessment if you decide to upgrade to a standard or advanced qualification. If you are an existing qualified amateur, and undertook your qualification prior to the introduction of a practical assessment, you will be required to complete a practical assessment if you choose to upgrade to standard or advanced.

Fees And Charges

Any fees or charges associated with foundation qualification training are kept to a minimum for scouting members. The SRESU discount the training fees for Scouts Australia members and their immediate family. There is no cost for the assessment itself. Accredited amateur radio assessors are legally required to perform their duties without compensation. All costs that SRESU charge are attributable to venue hire and non-assessment materials (i.e. the Foundation Manual). For some cases, we may also provide catering.

After your assessment, there will be further costs totaling approximately $98, payable to the ACMA. This is for the issuance of your qualification certificate, and for the assignment of a callsign. These are both once-off costs. You will be required to renew your callsign every 5 years, but this is only a confirmation of its continued usage. There are no fees associated with callsign renewal.