Regulations

The study of radio regulations is essential for all grades of amateur licence. The Radio Communications Licence Conditions Determination (LCD) is the formal document that provides the conditions and rules for all aspects of amateur radio activity.

At the Foundation level questions on regulations are included in the 30 minute theory examination.

For Standard and Advanced levels a separate 30 minute examination is required.

If a Foundation level qualified person is upgrading to Standard or Advanced, they will be required to sit for the 30 minute Regulation examination.

A pass grade in Regulations is a minimum of 21 correct answers from 30 multi-choice questions.

If a Standard level qualified person is upgrading to Advanced, there is no requirement to sit the Regulations examination again.

Emergency procedures
  1. Distress signal, distress call, distress message
  2. Urgency signal, urgency call, urgency message
  3. Situations where distress and urgent traffic may be encountered
  4. Priorities of distress and urgency traffic
  5. Obligations and responses required of an amateur station to distress and urgent traffic
Frequency allocations
  1. Allocated frequency bands for all three grades of licence
  2. Restrictions on use of band segments - namely 50-52 MHz
  3. Status of a secondary service
  4. Definitions of MF, HF, VHF, UHF, SHF
  5. Permitted bandwidths - namely in relation to FM
Power limitations
  1. Power limits by licence class
Emissions
  1. Signal bandwidth. Knowing the bandwidth of a signal rather than its 5 to 7 character emission designator. Recall for example - 6M25 means 6.25 MHz
  2. Awareness of the meanings of CW, AM, SSB, FM, ATV, Data and RTTY
  3. Status of a secondary service
  4. Definitions of MF, HF, VHF, UHF, SHF
  5. Permitted modes for each class of licence and each frequency band
Interference
  1. Definition of interference
  2. Responsibility to keep all signals within the amateur bands
  3. Responsibility to avoid interference to other services and other amateurs
  4. Operating procedures to avoid interference
  5. The rights and responsibilities of amateurs in shared bands
  6. Operational restrictions imposed to avoid interference
  7. Standard procedures for resolution of interference problems
  8. ACMA role in dispute settlement
Callsigns
Identification of a callsign
  1. Prefix
  2. Number following prefix as an indication of location
  3. Suffix as an indication of licence class
  4. Special event prefixes AX and VI and their application
Procedure for use of callsigns when at an alternative location or when mobile. Telegraphy and telephony procedures for:
  1. a general call
  2. a specific station: and;
  3. responding to a call
Procedure for re-transmitting another station's signal
Licensing
  1. Requirements for gaining an amateur licence by grade of licence
  2. Definition of third party traffic
  3. Restrictions on use of an soliciting of third party traffic
  4. Requirement to notify change of address to ACMA
  5. Overseas station operation in Australia - reciprocal licensing
  6. Display of station licence
Control of station
  1. Requirement for station to be under control of licensee
  2. Types of traffic not permitted on amateur bands
  3. Identification of station transmissions
  4. Procedure for identification of station
  5. Period of mobile/portable operation permitted without special permission
  6. Special requirements for operation of club stations
  7. Requirements for connection of amateur stations to telephone network
  8. Requirements for operation of unattended stations
  9. Need for repeater stations to be identified
Phonetics
  1. The international phonetic alphabet
  2. The reasons for using phonetics
  3. Application of the phonetic alphabet
Operating signals
  1. International usage of the Q code
  2. Application of a range of common Q codes
Testing
Testing procedures and identification of test transmissions

Candidates attempting written assessments are advised to adopt techniques which can mean the difference between a pass and a fail.

There are four steps in attempting a written multi-choice examination.

  1. It may seem simple to say ‘read the question carefully’, but sometimes this is overlooked in undue haste. What knowledge is the assessor testing with the question. Some questions include ‘not’ or ‘only’ in them. Candidates who rush and carelessly read the questions can miss these key words or otherwise fail to comprehend the question.
  2. Careful read each of the four alternative answers
  3. You should not dwell too long on an individual question. If you are unsure move on to the next question. After answering all the questions you can then go back and consider the remaining unanswered questions. Before the assessment time expires, make sure you answer all questions even if some are a good guess.
  4. Having chosen an answer, don’t change it unless you are absolutely sure a mistake has been made. Candidates have failed by losing confidence and picking another but incorrect answer.

Trial assessment A / Trial assessment B

On Line Assessments

Amateur Radio Victoria offers on line assessments for all levels of amateur radio qualifications. Candidates would have first paid the examination fee to the Australian Maritime College (AMC) and have received an application form and blank answer sheet.

AMC - amc.edu.au/industry/amateur-radio

Contact Peter Cossins VK3BFG at vk3bfg[at]amateurradio.com.au

Amateur Radio Victoria
Remote Examination Process
Amateur Operators Certificate of Proficiency

The Australian Maritime College (AMC) is responsible for amateur radio examinations and the issue of amateur radio callsigns. Their charges can be viewed at https://amc.edu.au/industry/amateur-radio

Email Address: amc.ar@utas.edu.au

Your first action is to send an email to the AMC with the following information about yourself.

  • Name
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Date of Birth
  • Type of assessment
  • Name of the assessor (Peter Cossins VK3BFG)

They will then send you a blank answer sheet and an application form. You fill in the details on the application form as far as you can and signand date it but do not return it to the AMC at this time.

When you pay the examination fee include your receipt number at the bottom of the application form. You then contact me to arrange a suitable time for the assessment.

The remote examination process requires two computers with access to the internet with at least one with a camera. Alternatively, a single PC with an external camera can be used. In either case the camera must be orientated so that I can clearly see all of your work area. A laptop has been found to work well for a second computer if a two computer arrangement is used.

The communication is conducted using Zoom. I will send you a link via email and you simply click on it at the agreed time. You do not have to have Zoom loaded on your PC. I will then send you a second link that will connect you to view the examination paper on the PC facing you. Remember I need to see your work space clearly all the time.

At the end of the prescribed time, you close the examination paper link down and then scan the application form and the answer sheet.

You can also fill in and scan a callsign application form, but there is no need to pay for this until you get your assessment results. I will also need to view your Driver’s Licence or Passport to formerly identify you. Finally you will need a head and shoulders passport quality photograph of yourself. You send all the documents to me by email.

If you have already achieved an AOCP and you are upgrading, then you will not need to send a photograph or callsign application form unless you wish a change.

Peter Cossins VK3BFG
AMC Level 3 Assessor
Amateur Radio Victoria

vk3bfg[at]amateurradio.com.au

Face to face assessments

Amateur Radio Victoria conducts exams in Central Victoria for all levels of licences. To arrange an exam contact Ross Pittard VK3CE, at vk3ce[at]amateurradio.com.au

Assessments can also be undertaken in the Amateur Radio Victoria rooms in Ashburton.

These options will be dependent on government regulations for a safe environment.

Downloads / Links

Join Amateur Radio Victoria

$40 Full, $30 Concession

Foundation manual

$38.80 posted within VK

Logbook

$24.50 posted within VK