ACMA to Review Amateur Station Inspections Program

Following the President's "Comment" published in the April 2011 issue of Amateur Radio magazine, WIA Directors Michael Owen and Peter Young met with senior ACMA staff who included Mark Loney, Executive Manager, Operations Branch and staff from the Compliance Operations, Field Operations and Industry Partnership areas. At the meeting the WIA’s concerns regarding the station inspection program and the legislative basis for some of the outcomes of individual inspections were presented. The ACMA advised that the inspection program was undertaken as a proactive measure to combat interference issues, as well as educate and generate awareness among the amateur community of their responsibilities.

The WIA has now been advised by the ACMA that its contribution is appreciated and that the ACMA is keen to continue to work with the WIA on these matters. The ACMA intends to review the station inspection program in light of our concerns and the information gathered from the visits to date. The ACMA points out that the matters raised from the station inspection program are to be distinguished from station inspections undertaken as part of necessary enquiries resulting from a complaint of interference or an investigation where there are reasonable grounds to suspect there has been a contravention of the Act. The WIA welcomes the opportunity to work with the ACMA to develop workable solution to a number of legitimate concerns.

The WIA draws attention to the conditions under which an amateur station may operated. A copy of the Amateur Station Licence conditions can be found on the WIA website and can be access directly by clicking the following Link

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