New to Amateur Radio
Amateur Radio (ham radio) is a popular hobby and service that brings people, electronics and communication together. People use ham radio to talk across town, around the world, or even into space (such as the International Space Station), all done without using the Internet or mobile phones.
Amateur Radio can be used even where there is no phone signal. It's fun, social, educational, and can be a lifeline during times of need. You can set up a ham radio station anywhere! At home, in the car, in a field, at an event, and lots more.
Amateur Radio operators get involved for many reasons, but they all have need to gain a basic knowledge of radio technology and operating principles (we can run a course to help you do this), and then pass an examination in order to be able to get a license to operate on radio frequencies known as the "Amateur Bands."
The Foundation Licence is a stepping stone or entry point, giving you a real taste of Amateur Radio and the fun it provides.
It is for those wanting to enjoy Amateur Radio, to have the knowledge and skills to demonstrate a practical ability to put together a station from commercial equipment (or equipment you build yourself if you are really keen), and to operate it safely.
You will need to attend a course (or buy a course manual and study it yourself- see the WIA website-https://www.wia.org.au/licenses/foundation/foundationmanual/) to learn the information you need to pass the exam in order to gain a Foundation Licence. This will allow you to perform a wide range of activities including:
- Communicate with others via analogue radio on multiple frequency bands
- Communicate with others via digital radio modes
- Experiment with transmitting your own Television images,
- … and much more
There are also Standard and Advanced licences that you can gain later if you decide you want to. Your course will cover things like;
- the radio spectrum
- licence conditions
- technical basics of electricity and electronics
- basics of transmitters, receivers, feed lines and antennas
- basics of signal propagation, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and electromagnetic radiation (EMR).
- what to say and how to say it
|
Radio band |
Distance & Coverage |
|
3.5MHz (80 metres) |
Generally up to 150KM during the day or up to 3000KM at night. |
|
7MHz (40 metres) |
Generally up to 1000KM during the day or world-wide at night during good conditions. |
|
21 MHz (15 metres) |
World-wide - mostly during the day. |
|
28 MHz (10 metres) |
World-wide during periods of high sunspot activity and up to 3000km in summer. |
|
144MHz (2 metres) |
Local coverage plus world-wide via digital options. |
|
432MHz (70cm) |
Local coverage, over 2000 km using something known as tropospheric ducting plus world-wide via digital options. |
Assessments
SGARS run periodic Licence Assessments. Contact us for details of your next course/assessment.
An online trial Theory Assessment
An online assessment has been made available by The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) for prospective amateurs studying for their Foundation level licence to test the level of knowledge.
It is available at https://www.wia.org.au/licenses/foundation/onlineexams/foundation.php