Echolink and Amateur Foundation Licensee

[Nosferatu]

To VK6ZMS,

I know that a few days ago you said (while on air at the VK6RAP 2 Meters repeater) that a Foundation Licensee can use an Echolink software directly from a computer as long
as it is running on a 'single user mode' meaning that it is not hooked up to a radio-transceiver as in repeaters or simplex links.

Today I have someone on air that keep saying to me that I cannot use the Echolink software at all based on the statements below
from the Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Amateur Licence) Determination No. 1 of 1997

Part 6 Conditions for amateur licence (amateur foundation station)

27A Restrictions on operation of an amateur foundation station

(2) The licensee of an amateur licence (amateur foundation station) must not operate an amateur station using automatic
mode or computer controlled mode.

(3) The licensee of an amateur licence (amateur foundation station) must not operate an amateur station that is directly
connected to a public telecommunications network.


The reason I am asking you about this again is that I want this matter clarified in writting rather than on-air so that I
can show this to other amateurs.

NB : After carefully reading those statements above I also think that a computer is not an amateur station. So, yes I can use the Echolink software (running in a computer) connected directly to the Internet.


Thank's

[VK6ZMS]

Hi mate
I suggest you contact ACMA in Canberra for clarification in writing.
Hope you are enjoying the hobby.

Cheers

[Nosferatu]

I have rang ACMA today and spoke with one of the officer :

Craig Hamilton Smith
Licensing Officer
Radiocommunications Licensing & Telecommunications Deployment Section

He said that I as a Foundation Amateur Licensee can use the Echolink software straight from my computer as a 'single user mode' connecting directly through the Internet to Echolink stations provided that those Echolink stations also operating within my Foundation Amateur Licence bandplan.

He also sent me a link regarding this.

http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_1725

I also found this other related article regarding this matter.

http://iars.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=13.0

[robbage]

That's good news. Hopefully the echolink people will give you a password.....
All you need to do is make sure the echolink at the other end is using a band and mode you can use. I think that will cover all repeater and simplex nodes in WA.

[Nosferatu]

Hello Robbage,

Yes, I have my access already after scanning my apparatus licence and upload it to the
Echolink management through their website. =D>
Yes, I have to be careful not to connect to nodes especially the overseas nodes that are
operating outside my bandplan.

[robbage]

Yes, I have to be careful not to connect to nodes especially the overseas nodes that are
operating outside my bandplan.

According to this page -> http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_1725

The Act does not apply if the internet is used to link a computer in Australia with an amateur station in another country and radiocommunications transmissions do not occur in Australia. In these circumstances, the activity is outside the regulatory scope of the ACMA.

If that says what it appears to say then you can communicate with any ham in any mode on any ham frequency if you link to them outside of Australia using internet links That's pretty cool. I guess that just restricts you from nodes in VK that use above 70cm or HF (if there are any)

[Nosferatu]

The Act does not apply if the internet is used to link a computer in Australia with an amateur station in another country and radiocommunications transmissions do not occur in Australia. In these circumstances, the activity is outside the regulatory scope of the ACMA.

Wow, I missed that. That's even better =D>
Thank's Robbage.