Getting your licence
Operating an Amateur Radio transmitter requires the appropriate license before any callsign can be selected and allocated by the authorities.
BDARS next training courses are held throughout the year. The course is open to anyone interested in obtaining their Foundation amateur radio licence. No prior knowledge is required.
The course concludes with the exams needed to get your license. Please contact us if you would like more details.
In Australia, amateur radio is administered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
ACMA amateur radio information page
ACMA information on amateur operating procedures
Exams and the issue of new callsigns are managed by the Australian Maritime College
Amateur Radio licences allocated can be found by searching the ACMA’s Register of Radiocommunications Licences.
The Radio Amateur Society of Australia have produced a Welcome to Amateur Radio guidebook for newly licenced amateurs. It may be downloaded here.
Licence Classes :
There are three classes of Amateur licence: Foundation, Standard and Advanced with examinations of increasing difficulty. The syllabus for all these licences is readily available and members of the Society are available to assist students achieve their goals.
The time taken for a training course at entry level, i.e. a Foundation Licence is typically around 12 hours and the requirements are not onerous. It is not necessary to learn or have knowledge of Morse Code (CW) to obtain any grade of Amateur Radio licence. This requirement was abolished many years ago but CW as it is called is still used by a vast number of operators around the world. There is also recognition for prior learning so more qualified persons need not be deterred.
Modes of operation :
There are many modes of operation including Voice, Image, Text and Data. Activities using these modes include Earth Moon Earth (EME), Internet Radio linking Project (IRLP) , Low Transmitter Power (QRP) and Satellites titled Oscar –Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio . Fast and Slow Scan TV and the many digital modes are also popular. The fact is that any one individual would be hard pressed to accommodate all the modes and activities at any one time. Specialisation is the name of the game if you wish to be at the top of the performance ladder and help is always readily available.
Amateur Radio Examinations
The Society conducts classes and mentoring programs for new members to gain their radio licence and to upgrade their current licence. An in-house examiner conducts necessary Amateur Radio Examinations.
Exam Dates (Updated 7/2/2022):
Foundation: Feb 3rd Full Weekend
May 3rd Full Weekend
Aug 4th Full Weekend
Nov 3rd Full Weekend
Standard: Apr 4th Full Weekend
Sep 4th Full Weekend
Advanced: Jun 3rd Full Weekend
Dec 3rd Full Weekend
The suggestion is that the Candidates book their place for the Exam by
paying a fully refundable $50 and once they sit the exam we authorise
the refund. Also a preferred maximum of 6 Candidates should be allowed
for at each exam event. Click Here to pay and book a place
The Exams are currently held at the Alexandra Hills State High School as
we can use two adjoining demountable rooms with projector and whiteboard
in Room C5. The Club has been using this facility for over thirty years.
There will be tea and coffee provided but candidates are responsible for
providing a light lunch for themselves.
The Exams event will start at 0900 with room access from 0830 and
general form is for a review of the subjects in the morning and the
exams will start after lunch.
The suggested study base is the Radio Electronics School website (
http://www.res.net.au) and follow the prompts for each level of exam.
Particular notice should be taken with the Practical exam videos as the
pass rate for this exam is 100% and all theory or Regulations is 70%.
The specific dates for each exam will be posted closer to the date but
this calander is a guide for the next few years subject to any national
health issues. Also as exam papers must be orderd about fifteen days
prior the nominations need to advised and paid for by then.
Please send your exam booking confirmation, Once paid for, to
examiners@bdars.org.au with full contact details including phone number
prior to the cutoff date, as above, to avoid missing out.
Eddie VK4TJE
