ACMA changes high power EME conditions

The WIA Board is very aware that many amateurs are not happy with the transmitter power limits for Australian amateurs.

WIA President, Michael Owen VK3KI said today that the WIA had been advised of a change in ACMA policy that will affect those engaged in EME communications.

Amateur operation using a transmitter power greater than that ordinarily allowed is authorised by ACMA, on a case by case basis, only for earth-moon-earth experiments above 50 MHz.

Previously the ACMA policy required that amateur stations so authorised to be assessed for compliance with the EMR requirements by persons accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA).

Following representations by the WIA and individuals amateurs, that requirement has now been repealed. It is now the responsibility of the amateur to comply with the relevant Determination.

The WIA has been advised by ACMA that in order to highlight the importance of complying with EMR requirements, the following Advisory Note will be applied to all Amateur licences:

"Amateur stations have the potential to generate high levels of electromagnetic emissions. Compliance with the Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Apparatus Licence) Determination 2003 will ensure that these emissions do not exceed safe levels for general public exposure."

Information about high power operation may be found in the 'Amateur Licence Information Paper' on the ACMA website.

The WIA will continue to press for further changes in power level regulation.

Read the letter from ACMA to the WIA here

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