Foundation Licence 500

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is about to issue its 500th Foundation Licence. It's just on six months since this new entry level licence was introduced in Australia . The shot in the arm given to amateur radio follows an overhaul of the regulations for the Amateur Service by the radio administration that began in 2003.

The first major outcome was an end to the mandatory Morse code proficiency tests on 1 January, 2004 . Then in October 2005 licence restructure was implemented - the new entry level Foundation Licence, new 2nd tier Standard licence and a reshaped top level 3rd tier Advanced Licence. Before these changes there was a lack of on-air activity, people leaving the hobby due to loss of interest and the organisational side of amateur radio at a number of clubs was at low ebb.

The new attractiveness of amateur radio to newcomers from diverse personal backgrounds and the boost to existing radio amateurs has halted years of steady decline in licensee numbers. There is also anecdotal evidence that amateur radio equipment retailers have recorded increased turnover due to this renewed interest in the hobby and amateur radio licence study texts and other educational resources are experiencing strong demand. While the first 500 are enjoying their new hobby and a number of them already upgrading to the Standard Licence, the WIA's initial prediction of 1000 Foundation Licences in the first 12 months is clearly very achievable.

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