Gateway to Amateur Radio'a fine example of a no-frills, information-packed site offering lots of thought-provoking ideas...well-researched content...an excellent reference for the beginner' - Paul Butler VK3DBP, Radio and Communications, July 1997
Gateway to Amateur Radio
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Frequently asked questions
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Licence-free activities
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Getting licensed
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First contacts
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Branching out
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Projects & technical
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News
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ACMA
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WIA
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Gateway to Am. Radio Home
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Peter Parker Home
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Welcome to Amateur Radio
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Amateur Radio is a non-commercial
technological hobby based on radio communications.
Radio amateurs or 'hams' use two-way radio stations from their homes, cars,
boats
and outdoors to talk across town and across the world. They communicate
with each other via
voice, television pictures, typed messages and Morse Code.
There are many kinds of amateur radio activity. Some hams bounce their signals off the atmosphere, so they can be heard overseas. Others talk through communications satellites that have been built by fellow amateurs. Radio amateurs also use hand-held transceivers to communicate through their own network of repeater stations. There has even been amateur radio operation from space. The unique feature about amateur radio is that it's practical. There're just so many activities to choose from. Unlike CB radio users, radio amateurs may use high power on a wide variety of radio frequency bands. Amateurs can also build and modify equipment and employ a full range of transmitting modes. If you're a radio amateur, you'll always have a project or two on the go and someone to talk to. Amateur radio encompasses many competitive activities, like radio contesting and amateur radio direction finding, which is a cross between orienteering and radio. Community service is important too; hams provide communications for community events to develop equipment and communications technique useful in emergencies. 14 000 Australians and millions worldwide enjoy the benefits of amateur radio. You can join by obtaining a licence and callsign from the Australian Communications & Media Authority (ACMA). The Foundation Licence is easiest. Qualify by attending a weekend course and assessment held by radio clubs across the country. Later, go for the Standard or Advanced licences for higher power, more frequencies and the privilege to build transmitters. Once you licensed, you're qualified for life. Everything you need to know about amateur radio is available through this website or a link from it. If this is your first taste of amateur radio, read the Australian Amateur Radio Frequently Asked Questions. Then see the other sections of this website for information on licence-free activities, getting licensed, getting on air and more.
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