WA Radio Scanner Users' Group

I heard that morse was no longer a requirement for novice and full licence any more. Is this true? If so, are Z callsigns defunct as a result? I used to have a VK5N?? (around 1978) and was toying with the idea of sitting again. Morse would be the only thing that would let me down. If you don't use it, you lose it.

TIA

From the ACMA website.

Foundation licences don't need morse. They will be using callsigns such as VK6FABC. The Foundation licensing option allows restricted operation on the 3.5, 7, 21, 28, 144 and 430 MHz amateur bands.

The Standard licensing option allows restricted operation on the 3.5, 7, 14, 21, 28, 52, 144, 430, 1240, 2400 and 5650 MHz amateur bands. This licence replaces the Novice and Novice Limited licences.

The Advanced licensing option allows operation on all bands allocated to amateurs in Australia. This licence replaces the Unrestricted, Intermediate and Limited licences.

WPXZBP wrote:
Foundation licences don't need morse.

Actually, No Australian amateur radio license grade requires morse.

(Best decision they ever made. Too bad it was about 30 years too late!!)

True...

yes this is the best thing to happen to amateur radio getting rid of the morse has made life a little easier for us.though as said should have happend many years ago ...

Sweet, and thanks for the link to ACMA. I wasn't sure where to start

If you had a vk5 call you dont need to re sit exam just renew it,when you get your certificate of proficiency its good for life.Cheers Grant vk6ngs

robbage wrote:I heard that morse was no longer a requirement for novice and full licence any more. Is this true? If so, are Z callsigns defunct as a result?.

TIA

I got my call sign 3 months ago, its just known as advanced now.
Cheers
Martin
VK6ZMS

Cheers. I was checking out all the new (well, new to me) levels today at ACMA

Hello all. I went and got my novice lic, and also did the 10 word a min send a recieve (2 years before the decided to pull the morse out) but im glad i went and did it. to me its like a 2nd language.

I must admit i dont tend to use it. but its always handy to be sitting there dialing around the bands and be able to listen into a convosation in morse. but i do agree it should have been dropped along time ago.

the one thing i do regret is not going for my full call.. i was lazy and just wanted to get a callsign, and typicly tell myself i will upgrade in the next year. but still hasnt happend

I earnt the Intermediate (aka a K-call) licence. Never got around to completing the 10wpm receive. Now I have an Advanced licence and morse is not required.

VK6 NDT wrote:the one thing i do regret is not going for my full call.. i was lazy and just wanted to get a callsign, and typicly tell myself i will upgrade in the next year. but still hasnt happend

I bet there's still space on Ham College's Advanced course that's due to start towards the end of next month

I think I heard there are six people so far - that was on the WIA news yesterday ...

VK6 NDT wrote:Hello all. I went and got my novice lic, and also did the 10 word a min send a recieve (2 years before the decided to pull the morse out) but im glad i went and did it. to me its like a 2nd language

I thought novice was 5 WPM? I'm pretty sure it was when I did it (back when we had to bang two rocks together to send code). Personally, I'm glad it's gone. It should have become optional back when Schockley and Co made headlines. Feel free to flame me in PM

robbage wrote:
I thought novice was 5 WPM? I'm pretty sure it was when I did it (back when we had to bang two rocks together to send code). Personally, I'm glad it's gone. It should have become optional back when Schockley and Co made headlines. Feel free to flame me in PM

It should always have been optional. IMHO, Morse was used as nothing more than an artificial entry barrier to prevent certain people from entering the "good old boys" hobby. Fortunately, that attitude is long gone.

yeah 5wpm was the min for novice. but i did 10wpm aswell. (at the time could send about 15wpm and rx about 12wpm)

it was good to learn, should have really been an option. but i guess they are still teaching valves too.