RE: Why Amateur Radio?
Hi Matt,
Sorry it has taken me a little while to reply. Still getting used to putting time aside for Steemit. It's quite hard for someone to do who hasn't been all that great at keeping up with Social Media in the past.
So, to get to your questions. I'm currently an Australian Foundation Licence holder with entitles me to AM, SSB and hand keyed Morse (no computer generated Morse) on 80m (3.5MHz-3.7MHz), 40m (7.0MHz-7.3MHz) and 15m (21.0MHz-21.45MHz). In addition to these allocations, I'm also entitled to use AM, SSB, hand keyed Morse and FM on 10m (28.0MHz-29.7MHz), 2m (144MHz-148MHz and 70cm (430MHz-450MHz). Currently due to this licence, I am limited to a maximum output power of 10 watts. Unfortunately, foundation licensees in Australia do not have access to any digital modes as of yet, even though many have argued that they would be perfect for this class of licence due to the restricted output power.
Next licence level up is the Standard Licence. Standard licence can use any mode not exceeding a bandwidth of 8kHz on 80m (3.5MHz-3.7MHz), 40m (7.0MHz-7.3MHz), 20m (14.0MHz-14.35MHz) and 15m (21.0MHz-21.45MHz). In addition to this, Standard Licence holders can use any mode not exceeding a bandwidth of 16kHz on 10m (28.0MHz-29.7MHz), 6m (52-54MHz), 2m (144-148MHz), 70cm (430-450MHz), 23cm (1240MHz-1300MHz), 13cm (2400MHz-2450MHz)and 6cm (5650-5850MHz). In regard to allowed power, standard licensees are able to use up to 100 watts output power on SSB and 30 watts on any constant carrier mode.
Finally, there is the Advanced Licence. Advanced Licence has the largest amount of privileges, as you would expect. Advanced Licence holders have access to the following bands. 2200m (135.7kHz-137.8kHz) and 630m (472kHz-479kHz) with any mode with a bandwidth less than 2.1kHz; 160m (1.8MHz-1.875MHz), 80m (3.5MHz-3.7MHz, 3.776MHz-3.8MHz), 40m (7.0MHz-7.3MHz), 30m (10.1MHz-10.15MHz), 20m (14.0MHz-14.35MHz), 17m (18.068MHz-18.168MHz), 15m (21.0MHz-21.45MHz) and 12m (24.89MHz-24.99MHz) with any mode with a bandwidth less than 8kHz; 10m (28.0MHz-29.7MHz) with any mode with a bandwidth less than 16kHz; 6m (50.0MHz-54.0MHz) and 2m (144MHz-148MHz) with a bandwidth not exceeding 100kHz; and finally without any mode or bandwidth restrictions; 70cm (420MHz-450MHz), 23cm (1240MHz-1300MHz), 13cm (2300MHz-2302MHz, 2400MHz-2450MHz), 10cm (3300-3425MHz, 3492.5-3542.5MHz, 3575MHz-3600MHz), 6cm (5650MHz-5850MHz), 3cm (10.0GHz-10.5GHz), 1.25cm (24.0GHz-24.25GHz), 7.5mm (47.0GHz-47.2GHz), 3.7mm (76-81GHz), 2.5mm (122.25GHz-123.0GHz), 2mm (134GHz-141GHz) and 1.25mm (241GHz-250GHz).
I think that is everything in regards to regulations. At the moment in Australia, I believe 1500 watts is only allowed with special permission. What modes to you operate most? Are you mostly voice or do you play around with digital modes?
Right now I am operating FM only, and only on the 2M and 70cm bands- due to equipment restrictions (that's all I own). I am hoping to get an HF rig soon. I was able to use an HF rig (remotely over the internet) to make contact with my off-road club while they where out on an adventure I was unable to attend. I also manned a special event station during my clubs "Route 66 On the Air" event last month, but it turns out there was a solar flare during my shift and I was only able to make one contact.
As for digital; One of the 'wants' I have to an HF rig is that it is easy to interface with a computer. I can always wire up an older radio using a rigblaster or signal link - or solder a mess of wires and connectors... but I'd like to have something clean and easy. One person in my club is really into FT-8- but i think I want something a little more 'conversational'. I am currently a 'General' class operator described in my last comment.