HF Radio Licences

Footy,

I guessed that might be the answer. So I suppose I should do the 'right' thing and buy the licence. Not too much money anyhow.

Cheers,

Matt.

Thanks Rox.

Jay Gee,

This is from the VKS737 conditions of use:

"Members DO NOT require an Australian Communications & Media Authority (ACMA) Outpost Mobile Licence (RFDS licence) to
operate on the VKS-737 Network frequencies."

??

Matt.

Matt, you are correct. Only stations using RFDS frequencies are obliged to hold an outpost license. 737 is covered by a "class" license. This means they pay fees for their base licenses, but are able to allocate mobile numbers (note, these are not licenses).

In addition to the above in emergency situations and potentially life threatening situations transmission by unlicensed operators is not illegal. The need must be legitimate though.

I travelled last year with VKS737, Radtel and an Outpost license. We didn't even look like using the RFDS frequencies once and this year I've let the Outpost license lapse.

Thankfully I didn't need the VKS737 service for an emergency (unless you count the busted fridge) but rarely (extremely rarely) had difficulty getting onto a base either during sched time or by selcal.

I did help 2 other members out of binds though, 1 medical emergency and a mechanical one. It's a great service and if you are familiar with your radio, use it regularly to get an idea of how time of day and conditions affect choice of frequency and base to contact you will be fine. My six year old daughter will hopefully be on air this lot of school hols from outback NSW learning how to use it.

Best of luck, enjoy your trip.

Dave

I would suggest that all check with the "Spectrum Management Authority" - They are the ruling body on radio communications in Australia - and unless they have changed their policy in the last couple of years they would have a different opinion.

And it is their opinion that matters if you don't want to end up in the courts.

>I would suggest that all check with the "Spectrum Management Authority"

I wouldn't most of the time they don't have a bloody clue! They couldn't even manage to publish the correct telephone number for themselves two years ago.

Mike Harding

Be a bit hard to do that JG. The SMA haven't existed for years. Maybe even a decade.

They became the Australian Communications Authority but you can't ask them they are defunct too.

Try ACMA - the Australian Communications & Media Authority.

Dave

I don't think you do need an Outpost Licence for VKS737 - from:
Site Link

The first two paragraphs seem to be definitive:

--------------------------------------------------------------
Alternative Services to Outpost Radio

An outpost licence only authorises stations that participate medical aid and public correspondence services provided by the RFDS.

There are a number of remote area communications services, some of which may offer emergency, medical aid and public correspondence services. These communications services are provided on a commercial basis. These services are NOT covered by an outpost licence and do not permit communications with the RFDS.

Participation in distance education services must be covered by a third party authorisation issued by the educational institution providing the service. These educational institutions are licensed under the fixed licence type.

Participation in the Telstra RADPHONE interconnect service must be covered by a third party authorisation issued by Telstra. Telstra is licensed under the maritime coast licence type.

Participation in alternative land-based radiocommunication services must be covered by a third party authorisation issued by the company providing the service. These companies are licensed under the land mobile licence type.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Mike Harding

The statement "Participation in alternative land-based radiocommunication services must be covered by a third party authorisation issued by the company providing the service. These companies are licensed under the land mobile licence type. " is still a bit open-ended.

Nowhere in the ACMA documentation does it state "individuals using the services of "land-based radiocommunication services" do not need an outpost licence.

Do what you all wish - make your own interpretations - but don't forget one bit of advice "USER BEWARE"

Jay if we are breaking the law by being VKS members without an Outpost license then the government should wake up pretty quick and send out fines to all 3500 of us VKS members.
Would be a good days revenue for the ACMA.

By the way I think the "Users are Aware"

Cheers

>Nowhere in the ACMA documentation does it state "individuals
>using the services of "land-based radiocommunication services"
>do not need an outpost licence.

It doesn't say they don't need an Elephant Keepers Licence either but it does state exactly the converse - see para. one - an Outpost Licence is only good for RFDS.

Personally I have an Amateur Licence so I don't mind at all :)

Mike Harding

Dont you mean that the men from the PMG will arrive on your doorstep in their grey holden panel van and fine you. The fine is pretty hefty, 50 pounds I beleive.

Don't know.

Ask Footloose - I'm sure he played on the edges of legal transmission in his youth... (back when old grey holden panel vans were new enough to be government vehicles)

:)

Dave

Ian, glad to see that radio gets some use :))

Thanks Darian. Good advice from the 'horse's mouth'.

Matt.

Hey Darian,

I would have said you were a bit narrow in your scope when you say "outback traveller"

You and I and luxoluk and I think troopy john all VKS'd our way around the High Country last month.

Many's the night I hear a High Country addict or newbie call in on scheds - particularly Adelaide or St Marys.

Cape York too for that matter on the Charters Towers scheds.

Where ever you want to go, if it's off the beaten track there's bound to be another vehicle somewhere in your travels with the little blue & white sticker and a bloody big antenna.

And they are usually always friendly if you say g'day.

I bumped into one in a carpark just out of Omeo just the other week....

Dave

Fair comment Dave - I must have a look at that Geocache stuff too - will do it today. Cheers .........